John knows Wye (and what and when)

John who? you’ll be frantic to know. John met us about 968 steps into today’s walk, he be doing the Offa’s Dyke path so our trails were coincident for the day, sauntering up the eastern (i.e. English) side of the Wye.

John is I guess about a decade older than me, a Scouser from the red side who loves his not-quite-mainstream music, long-distance walking and climbing…. like peas in the pod we were. Some hours later as Monmouth loomed into view out of the mist (it was one of those mizzle days) we had covered The Klopp Factor, Villareal game, summer signings, demise of Everton,  sundry other Premiership news and history …. and also Bill Frissell, John Zorn, Tom Waits, Keith Jarrett, King Crimson, Grateful Dead …. and also Kathmandhu, EBC, ABC, Leh, Stok Kangri. Ama Dablam, Rockies, Aconcagua, Cotopaxi … and also the re-location of Brasher GTX Supalites out of Britain into Portugal then Ronania now China … and John Hillaby, Hamish Brown, Tom Richardson….

99% of you will now be as one with Becca re. this dialogue. Luckily she had this view to keep her amused.

Just in case any of you out there think Becca has become Harvey my invisible make-believe friend here’s proof we’re still in this together (I’m the one on the left).

This pic was actually taken at The Devil’s Pulpit. Such a great name: made me think of old great Robert Johnson blues songs. I quickly laid down some hot licks man cos I’d brought my air guitar with me (I’d left the case back home). This was the great view the other way

The Monday Night Monmouth Massive awaits us now. For economics and curiosity we’ve checked into    a Wetherspoon’s. This JDW experience is all a bit new to me …. Mexican night tonight we are told so ay caramba it’ll be tequila slammers and naked burritos all night long.

Today’s milestone: 300 miles.    38000 more steps … stroll on