Day 5 - Monmouth to Clun, 58 miles

Monmouth isn’t so very far from us. Other than cycling through twice now, I hardly know it but discovered some really important info from our Peak Tours notes. 

• It was the site of a small Roman fort, Blestium (1067)
• It has the only mediaeval stone gated bridge in Britain
• Henry V was born there (1387)
• Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, closely linked with Monmouth, established a car business
• Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody
• Oasis recorded (What’s the Story) Morning Glory

On the road - Pete part of the way there

This day was probably the easiest. Not too steep and affording us stunning views of the Black Mountains in the distance. From Monmouth we passed through Hereford and then into Shropshire.

We cycled through Wormelow Tump (the Tump is a burial ground holding the remains of King Arthur’s son, Amr

N.B. Please note the strong association between my random facts and these photos

Church at the back of 'Ye Olde Steppes', Village Shop & Tearoom, Pembridge - great sandwiches and banoffee pie!

 Friendly sheep interested in our lunch...

...and Steve's ice-cream.

The yew hedge a Brampton Bryan - more really useful facts:

• Often survives over 2000 years (more than any other tree in Europe)
• Has been used to make musical instruments and instruments of war such as the long bow
• Although poisonous, a chemical from yew is used to treat breast and other cancers

 One of numerous picturesque thatched houses

Church contained by fabulous yew hedge

Clun takes its name from the river. It’s joined by the River Unk.

It’s 12 century castle, established by the Norman Lord, Robert de Say, was built to prevent Welsh attack

Our accommodation was splendid. A gorgeous garden and hospitable owners of picturesque onetime public house, now B&B.

Wonderful poppies at our B&B

Statistics

• Distance 58 miles
• Climb 3300 feet
• Road kill - one hedgehog, one fawn, one badger (or similar mustelid), blackbird and garden glove (right)
• High point - wonderful B&B

• Low point - post banoffee dyspepsia following yesterdays exercise excesses