DAY 8 - Mardu to Beacon Ring
Thursday 25th August 1983
miles/ hours mins
Started the day at six and was away by 7:30. Arrived, after three-quarters hour walking, at Churchtown - not even a village really, but blessed with a small simple church into which I went. It had a plain Norman font, a handsome carved stone pulpit and an interesting and unusual carved oak roof making pleasing semi circular arches with fine corbel face stone to hold them. The dyke was in a remarkably good condition for many miles and bedecked with harebells. Most of it was high on the hillsides, so there was much climbing to do. The hills seemed much steeper and longer than on my previous visit, but eventually I came down to flatter lands near Montgomery. The day had been hot and I was glad to arrive at the Blue Bell during opening time. As I entered, the hostess and a slightly mental girl - her sister I suspect, were cleaning out the bar, exactly as they were four years ago. A cool pint was quaffed and a beef sandwich eaten. This was at Brompton Crossroads (near Church Stoke) (SO 250 934). The lack of observation cost me an extra half mile here, but I was soon on the right track and good easy cross country walking brought me within ¼ mile of Forden. Getting my water bottle filled at a house, I asked if there was a shop at Forden and was delighted to receive an affirmative reply. So I walked up to Forden and found the shop - shut! It was the "half day." This was a great disappointment. However, I happened to see the lady in her back garden and, when approached and told my sad story, she opened the shop and sold me milk and sardines and oranges and chocolate. My rucksack felt much heavier but I felt rich indeed! After a few more fields, the path climbed for a long way into a lovely forest and meandered therein for some time. Then we - the path and I - left Offa's Dyke and began to ascend Beacon Ring - the high point of the Long Mountains. I paused in a field of short grass and no cattle, just before the summit and decided to camp there. I was tired and the evening was gorgeous. There had been times today when I decided to give up walking - especially backpacking! I thought it was becoming too much for me - or me too little for it! However, my Brasher, lightweight boots were proving extremely good and my feet were not suffering at all. A pleasant night.
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