Day 10 – Sun’s shining again!

Got ourselves up and out on a lovely sunny morning to return to our scenic layby in Pandy for the start of day photo;

Set out across the main road, but then quickly climbed across fields, leaving a lovely view back the way I’d come;

As I continued to climb, I was reminded that I was back in the world of field edges and cows….Luckily these cows were far more interested in breakfast than in me!

Emerged onto road for a short while then it was back to walking across fields and meadowland, enjoying watching the butterflies flitting by in the sunshine.  Eventually emerged onto the road heading for my first Church of the day – St Cadoc’s in Llangattock Lingoed.  The Offa’s Dyke path which I was still, thankfully, following actually runs right through the churchyard, so the decision to take my break here was made for me.  The Church looked simple from the outside;

but the inside was a total wow.

Wall paintings, medieval stained glass fragments and a bressumer beam, St Cadoc’s had it all;

Its a Grade 1 listed church and, reading the excellent guide book, I learned that the Nave roof had been on the point of collapse in 2002 and that the PCC, supported by grants and the local community, had raised funding to restore the Church to the fantastic building it is today.  Many congratulations to them all.  So impressed I bought the guide book!

Left St Cadoc’s and continued downhill for a change, crossed a stream and then did a fair bit of road walking, til the path took me back to the fields again.  Managed to navigate myself along to my next major landmark – White Castle – which is huge!

Even managed to make it across a couple of narrow but spectacularly spongy bridges….

Once past White Castle, it was just a long farm track and then some final fields to cross.  As is so often the way, tangling with fields and crops caused a few issues – though must say Monmouthshire farmers so far have left wonderful margins, or even clear paths through crops for walkers.  Could see the Church spire but was still a little bit of road walking to do before I made it, very happy to see the trusty Skoda parked up in a very splendid church car park.  St Teilo’s is massive as the end of walk photo for day 10 shows;

The interior was cathedral like!

and had fab 1960s psychedelic stained glass;

set above a simple, traditional altar;

Two amazing and contrasting churches visited, a lovely walk on a hot, sunny day – a good end to week 2 which had begun so badly!  And now I’m up to 110 miles walked, so well ahead of schedule and feet and legs still holding up well.  Bring on week 3!