RAOC Gazette - page 145
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1977 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1977 |
| Late date | 1977 |
| Transcription |
©fla's ®pfee AND THK DONMNGTON WALKKttS HRST. the history lesson. Eighth century- Kings of Mercia didn't believe in devolution for Wales and they were also deter- mined to keep out the marauding men from the hills at all costs. To this end Offa built his dyke—sixty miles of bank and ditch running along part of the border between England and Wales. Medieval Marcher Lords built their castles for the v:;me purpose and in doing so, reinforced the dyke which acted a a link between them. From Liverpool Bay at Prestatyn to i- ; e Severn estuary near Chepstow traces of the great defensive wall remain. SfcMWSIURY mm&m^mgm- The route along the Welsh border. The heavy line marks the route taken. The camp site, at Monmouth Training Camp, was a destination made more luxurious than ever by the presence of hot water and showers. The final days walking was down the Wye Valley. Here dyke and path come together to follow the high ground along the wooded hillsides overlooking Tintern and Wintour's Leap. The final photograph was intended to show the party at the end of their trek on the shore of the Severn estuary with the famous bridge in the background. It doesn't quite achieve this though I can assure you that it is there because with the lack of dual trade, our walkers are not photographers. They look fit enough but still won't stop talking about kaolin and morphine mixture or repeating a catch phrase about having a sense of humour. T J B The party above Wintours Leap; the River Wye 2 - f t below, The area remains one of great scenic beauty presenting contrast between the Severn flood plains north of Welshpool IO the long ridge of the Black Mountains. It presents a challenge to all those who are determined to wear themselves out in great discomfort. We have plenty such in Donnington and Captain Scott Allin selected five to take with him. These were Lance Corporal Chris Proctor, Privates Dave Thompson, John Peace, ' Legs ' McMullen and * Gypo' Walters. Support by Land Rover was provided by Geordie Fielding from 16 Battalion at Bicester. It was their intent to walk from North to South and to cover the one hundred and sixty eight miles in ten days. Two further days were allowed for sightseeing. Fortunately, others have been before and the so-called Offas Dyke, a long distance footpath, is signed throughout its length while still presenting a stern test of endurance and stamina. It rained. It rained when they started and didn't stop un- til well after half way. Camp sites were established below an ancient hill fort high in the Clwydian Hills, below the white- crag escarpment of Eglwyseg, North of Llangollen and West of Oswestry. After four days of walking they were nearly home at Welshpool but decided to carry on to the end. The camp site after this was established by Geordie Fielding in the Clun Valley but shunned for the palatial alternative of the wool loft of a friendly farmer. Two more days, and Hay-on-Wye was reached—and the rain stopped. Hay-on-Wye is an ancient town famous for second-hand books but more remembered in this case, for its multitudinous pubs. Not unnaturally the walkers took a day off here for ' rest and recuperation.' The next two days were spent in the Black Mountains which rise to over two thousand feet and though it didn't rain, a biting wind from the North made life uncomfortable. The ridge itself is ten miles long but with overcast skies it was only just possible to see into the deep valleys on either side, ts Private Dave Thompson, Private John Peace, Private Bill Mc- Mullen, Private ' Cypo ' Walters and Lance Corporal Chris Proctor at the end of the walk. 109 |
| Book number | R0246 |