Day 10 - Prestigne to Kington
Before I set off on the walk I visited The Judge’s Lodge in Prestigne, the nineteenth century former court room, with cells and living quarters for the magistrate and visiting judges. My dad really enjoyed it, being a legal type himself, and it came highly recommended so I went to see for myself. I enjoy seeing old buildings anyway but what sets this aside from any other I’d been to is the original gas lighting and candles used throughout, so it looks and smells as dark and pongy as it wouldn't been back then, which makes for quite an immersive experience. Definitely recommended if passing through.
At this point I was rejoined by Kate and Lindsay, but this time with Lindsay’s two merry collie dogs, old girl Callie and 7-month old boy Mick. She drove us to Dolley Green, the same point we’d left Offa’s Dyke path yesterday, to rejoin it for the next leg of the journey to Kington. Mick is still unsure of car journeys and gets travel sick but he sat between my legs in the passenger seat on the way there and was as good as gold.
The five of us set out along the path but didn't make it more than half a mile before we had to stop. The footpath led through a field of cattle who were all huddled together in one corner, which happened to be the corner with the bridge that we were headed for. They were agitated, possibly awaiting being fed, and with 2 dogs with us it wasn't safe to try to push past them, so we had to backtrack… the only problem being that the next bridge across River Lugg was a mile away, so we had to walk an extra 2 miles to rejoin three place we’d left. By the bridge was an old ford where the collies enjoyed splashing in the water.
The first village we came to Discoed, which has a famous medieval church with a 5000 year old yew tree.
Fighting our way through a field following a little-trodden footpath we rejoined Offa’s Dyke, in this section clearly visible as a raised grassy ridge on which sheep were grazing. We climbed a steep slope up some fields then sat at the top and admired the view. At this point I had to say goodbye to my human and collie companions who were returning towards the car.
I set off alone, following the ancient wall their woods, fields and lanes, with lovely views unfolding before me. This was one of the most scenic parts of my walk to date, and I really enjoyed this section.
The last part of the walk cut through a golf course into the town of Kington, a pretty, quiet little town, of a similar size to Knighton or Prestigne but quieter than either. As Offa’s Dyke zig-zags to and fro around the current national border, I was now actually back in England for the night. I found my accommodation, the Swan Hotel, checked in, got some dinner locally and went for an early night.
