Robin’s Walk and AXA PPP Step Up Challenge
Monmouth, Upper and Lower Redbrook, The Kymin, Bigsweir, Brockweir and Tintern Abbey
We walk up the hill in Monmouth and past Prego where we had an enjoyable Italian. Just as we are about to leave the town Mary Newman stops us to read our tee shirts. We talk and she donates to our cause when she hears what we are up to. Thankyou Mary we really appreciate it. 
No surprise but there is then a sadistic climb up to the Kymin through Garth Forest. So early in the morning it is a real challenge and we nash our teeth at those on the Offa’s Dyke committee taking this route rather than the gently wander along the River Wye. People say style hurts and something we are learning is that views hurt. 
When we experience a painful walk up we invariably say at the top ‘wow what a view’ and today is no exception. We stop to take in the naval temple opened on August 1st 1800 to commemorate famous victories of the British Navy and its Admirals. Nelson himself is commemorated there and is known to have visited the spot and looked down on the Wye and described it as ‘a little gut of a river’.
We walk by Coxbury Farm where Rob is overjoyed as we reconnect with Offa’s Dyke itself. He wonders over and gives it a big hug. In a most perfect spot we find Wendy Birch from Walsall writing post cards to her friends and family. First she is drying them in the sun following the downpour that soaked them yesterday on the walk up from Chepstow. Wendy is walking as far as Welshpool and is now looking forward to some of the delights ahead we promise her.
Just down the hill we enter Slip Wood and come upon the best blue bell scene we have ever seen anywhere. It is stunning, magnificent with blue bells as far as you can see and all around. We walk through it on a soft mulch under foot and it does just go on forever with the occasional break of a swathe of white wild garlic flowers. 
It is a long walk in the wood up and down and dark and in many places mossy and dank. Rob remarks that at any point it would be no surprise to come across a prehistoric monster still roaming around.
Towards the end of the wood Hudson and Dorrit come running and barking towards me with menacing intent. I ask Michelle and Sally from Tintern and Brockweir if this is their way of saying hello. They tell me no this is them telling you loud and clear that you are trespassing on their territory. I pat them on the head and assure them we will be off shortly and ask them to be gentle with Rob who is still nervous of dogs.
We stop for lunch on the banks by the Wye just beyond Bigsweir Bridge. The views today are just outstandingly beautiful. Winding river, valley, hills, meadows and forest all around and a new ‘wow’ round every corner. We eat our sandwiches watching fly fishermen casting off on the other bank. Looks like there is as much technique to it as golf. We could imagine ourselves tangled up in fishing line if attempting what they were doing. A really idyllic lunch spot and time stands still and we in awe of it.
We walk along by the Wye and the beauty continues round every corner. We approach Llandogo which is on the other side of the river and just have to stop and admire it, photograph it and just take it in. The sun is warm, the river flowing by, the grass is dry and the view to Llandogo just perfect. Could stay here all day from morning light, through midday to the setting sun. We stay for about half an hour just taking it all in.
We enter a field and a white horse takes a keen interest in Rob. Rob tells me the horse wants an apple and once again I am impressed at his ability to communicate with animals. He is a lot more relaxed than when confronted by bullocks with horns.
Around another corner we meet Robert Adams up from Bristol planning a charity walk to support the Darjeeling Childrens Trust.
Marilyn Adams set up the trust in 2007 to help children in Darjeeling with education and support to give them a helping hand in life. Robert and Marilyn were in Darjeeling three days ago and tell us it takes a couple of days to get back. If you are interested in what they are doing there take a look at their web site at www.darjeelingchildrenstrust.com.
We stop by Tintern Abbey where we are staying tonight and go for a cup of tea and a big slab of rich chocolate cake. So close to the end we allow ourselves a little indulgence. Peter Little and Henry come over to make a donation to our cause and we share notes on the walk as Peter completed it in ten days fifteen years ago.
It is tough to say one day on this walk is better or worse than any other but today was special and having travelled the world we will put the Wye Valley as one of the best days of the whole walk and one of the most beautiful places in the world.
And tomorrow is the last day! We are so impressed with what we have done. This is the hardest thing we have done in our lives and we have found new levels of endurance and recovery and pushed ourselves on when the body was saying enough enough. 500 mile mark tomorrow and finish Offa’s Dyke and only 500 miles to go!
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