Sun 9th May - Day 23, Hudnalls to Monmouth (8 miles)

The dawn chorus started at 04:30 and the light had changed by 05:15, feeling guilty about letting the cat out I packed up and crept away at 06:50. I hope their cat turns up okay.

I was having another short day, only going as far as Monmouth, and hoping to get some clothes washed at the campsite.

The overnight rain had stopped and the day was dry but overcast.

Like yesterday the wallk was mainly through woods, on or along the actual raised dyke. There were lots of bluebells & wild garlic and I saw quite a few squirrels.

I got to Redbrook by 09:30 and decided to walk the last 3 miles to Monmouth along the Wye Valley Walk for a change of scene.

I saw seven herons in a tree by the river but as soon as I stopped to take a picture they all flew away.

There were 2 campsites in Monmouth, neither of which had laundry facilities, the best I could do was hand wash my socks.

It had been another cloudy day but I am told it will improve through the week & become very hot.

The swelling on my leg appears to have gone down slightly so hopefully should not give me any bother.

I had never used walking sticks before this trek, thinking they were only for the "senior walker", but I wouldn't like to be without them now.
You can push/pull yourself up inclines, prevent slips & keep your balance. They must take quite a bit of the weight off your legs, especially on the descents.

I could have used a very much smaller & lighter 1 man tent but, because I was to be walking for so long, decided I needed the luxury of a heavier 2 man tent.

366 miles completed.