Offas Dyke Day 2 Lower Redbrook to Great Tre-Rhew

Day2 Redbrook To Great Tre-rhew Farm
It rained overnight, of course leading to the pessimistic weather predictions for today.
In spite of this the day was fine with high cloud and even some blue sky.

Naval Temple (under restoration)

So with good weather, the day started with a climb, quite a long climb through Redbrook up to the Kymin.
That's really just a hill, that overlooks Monmouth and notable for having a Naval Temple commemorating the great admirals of the Napoleonic Wars eg Nelson, Rodney, Hood etc.
Next door is the Round House which is described a Gentleman's Banqueting rooms!!
Then a steep descent to Monmouth, notable for producing Henry V (once more unto the breach dear friends Henry) and Charles Rolls of Rolls Royce fame.
Morning tea is on the banks of a river on the outskirts of Monmouth where we are harassed once again by the itinerant Australians, Jo and Sue.
It's a pretty town with small shopping streets, and in walking through the town, who do we come across other than Sue and Jo who have driven from Redbrook and are sitting outside a cafe drinking hot apple juice and also on a shopping run.
Once out of Monmouth it's a climb into King's Wood before a descent to follow the River Trothy.

The running of the bulls

It's at this time we nearly have the running of the bulls, when on a narrow back road we are confronted with a herd of the horniest looking animals imaginable.
We back up against the hedgerow until they pass. After yesterdays incident with the cows we are rather chary of any big animals.
Further along we pass the Church of St Michael of the Fiery Meteor-for heavens sake!!
It's then the final climb up to the White Castle, a very impressive Norman Castle that from the outside looks quite small, however it unfolds in front of you once you cross the drawbridge.
A final hard descent, off Offas Dyke to Great Tre-rhew Farm, our accommodation for the night where we find we are the only guests in the old farm house.
Our dinner is provided by the owners, we are too far from the local pub and we dine rather grandly, the piece de resistance being the huge apple pie. This we consume with hot custard, and what's remaining gets divvied up for lunch tomorrow.
It was a long 25 km day and we are looking forward to a shorter day tomorrow.
Can't complain, no rain.