I was on my way up to North Wales so a leg of my WAW was a definite must
do. And the next one up is..... Knighton to Newcastle. I hadn't
been to the Offa's Dyke centre in Knighton yet so I had to time it to
catch the centre open. In the end the weather dictated things with heavy
rain first thing brightening up in the late morning. So I arrived at the
centre at 11.00 am and headed out onto the walk. This first job was to
head back to my end point on the last walk which was the Knighton Hotel,
then retrace back to the centre, but firstly there was a question I had
to ask myself namely was what is that thing on top of of that minibus?
There were a range of 'Wacky Races' type vehicles in an old school yard
right next to the Offa's Dyke Centre, and it's worth noting the doors in
the background as well.
![11-knighton-labeled.jpg (110441 bytes)](../../images/aaaaa/zr/11-knighton-labeled_small.jpg) |
![05-on-top.jpg (159581 bytes)](../../images/aaaaa/zr/05-on-top_small.jpg) |
![06-sharkmobile.jpg (210864 bytes)](../../images/aaaaa/zr/06-sharkmobile_small.jpg) |
![07-behind-forklift.jpg (171032 bytes)](../../images/aaaaa/zr/07-behind-forklift_small.jpg) |
End of the last walk and start of
this one. |
What is that on top ? |
Sharkmobile & doors |
Not the forklift, what's behind it |
............and it's off into wilds of Powys and
Shropshire. I give the two counties because the border is quite close to
the centre and there is a photo opportunity near by to stand with one foot
in England and another in Wales. Dai no mates had no friends near so the
opportunity was lost.
![08-border-bridge-welcome-to.jpg (249171 bytes)](../../images/aaaaa/zr/08-border-bridge-welcome-to_small.jpg)
It's a good climb out of Knighton and once on top it was a case of
rolling hills again until Newcastle. Of all my walks so far on Offa's
legacy this leg has shown the dyke in it's best light and there are long
stretches where you can actually walk on the dyke itself.
![13-brynorgan-route.jpg (213612 bytes)](../../images/aaaaa/zr/13-brynorgan-route_small.jpg) |
![14-dyke-bluebells.jpg (295146 bytes)](../../images/aaaaa/zr/14-dyke-bluebells_small.jpg) |
![16-dyke.jpg (244312 bytes)](../../images/aaaaa/zr/16-dyke_small.jpg) |
![17-dyke.jpg (211689 bytes)](../../images/aaaaa/zr/17-dyke_small.jpg) |
![19-dyke-stile.jpg (189560 bytes)](../../images/aaaaa/zr/19-dyke-stile_small.jpg) |
Brynorgan & route |
The bluebells on the dyke didn't come
out as well as expected |
The dyke after Garbett Hall |
Jack Mytton way joins the dyke for a
short way. |
The dyke near Llanfair Hill |
Time, the weather
and bunny rabbits are doing their best to erode it so repair work is
ongoing in the section near Llanfair Hill.
![](../../images/aaaaa/zr/20-offa-repair.jpg)
There were a few showers along
the way and I'd given myself a cut off time of 2.00pm at Newcastle to possibly push
on and do the next leg as well. It was 2.10 when I hit the road near
Newcastle and I was in two minds whether or not to ignore my cut off time
crack on with the next leg towards Montgomery. The weather made the
decision for me as it started to rain hard and I didn't fancy a drenching
so I lunched on a packet of shortbread and unleashed the thumb came out
for the return journey which was made in two lifts. Thanks to the guys who
picked me up, sorry I forgot your names. The chap who works in Mueller
Yoghurts and the Cello players (musician) from London whose parents live
in Clun. The latter had actually walked and camped the dyke from Chepstow
to Newcastle in a five day stretch. Thanks again.
![](../../images/aaaaa/zr/21-newcastle.jpg)
The Offas Dyke path approaching
the village of Newcastle (Shropshire).
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