Day 11: Gilwern to Llangynidr

Today’s walk was short by our standards, just under 9 miles, and exceptionally easy following the canal from Gilwern to Llangynidr – completely level as there are no locks and the canal meanders along the contour line. But we are both very weary in spite of having slept well, and looking forward to our rest day on Thursday.

The official Usk Valley Walk left the canal for a couple of miles, up a hill and back down again, which would have provided some variety, but we were content to plod along on the level. In some ways the shorter days are more mentally challenging as you spend a lot of time thinking it must soon be finishing. The long days you set out without any expectation of getting to the end.

A few things permeated through the general weariness – a heron in a tree, a big redwood, some lovely yellow iris, distant views of hills for another day. There were a few narrowboats moving today; we were moving faster but needed to stop more frequently so it was tortoise and hare. They were slightly smellier than us.

I’m now sitting in the lovely garden of Helen’s charming B&B, listening to the river Usk in the valley just below, and the sun has come out briefly – little sign so far of the sunny weather forecast a few days ago.