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Delaware, Ohio 43015
OWU Connection Programs
61 S. Sandusky St
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Day 2 - Redbrook to White Castle
June 18, 2019. 15 miles. Monmouth, Henry V, The Kymin, farmland, White Castle.
Gracie's Journal
I was truly not prepared for all the uphill walking on this trip. First thing this morning we went up a really long and steep gravel road, and I genuinely questioned just giving up and going home. But there was a cute cat and some cute animals at the farm halfway up, and they gave me a fresh burst of energy to keep walking.
We walked along Offa’s Dyke a lot today, and I was continually astounded at how much manpower and effort went into constructing it 1,200 years ago. So many people had to dig the ditch and make the earthen wall, and their entire lives were spent doing this repetitive and strenuous labor. And then there were so many people involved who weren’t doing the actual digging: There were cooks, launderers, assistants, etc. It’s really impressive that the dyke is so well preserved and so much of it is still standing.
I really love how up close and personal we get with farm animals while walking through people’s fields… baby sheep and cows just melt my heart.
The worst part of today was the final stretch of walking up to White Castle, our ending point for the day. The hill felt like it stretched for miles, but at least it was paved and not too tough walking. There was a farm at the bottom of the hill called Lower White Castle and one halfway up called Middle White Castle. It was pretty funny! It felt like we walked another few miles uphill before getting to the Upper White Castle farm, and I really have to applaud these people on their sense of humor, but I was also pretty angry at them for making jokes while I felt like I was going to pass out from walking so much. But as always, the walk up the hill was beyond worth it when we got to White Castle and got to explore it. The castle was huge! And it had a moat! So cool!!!
Images from Day 2
The River Wye near sunrise in Redbrook.
The River Wye near sunrise in Redbrook.
Shire Hall in Monmouth.
Shire Hall in Monmouth.
The Kymin, a naval temple built in 1800 to celebrate the victories of the British Navy.
The Kymin, a naval temple built in 1800 to celebrate the victories of the British Navy.
Outside Monmouth Castle and the birthplace of Henry V.
Outside Monmouth Castle and the birthplace of Henry V.
Open field walking on Day 2.
Open field walking on Day 2.
A naval temple at The Kymin built in 1800 to celebrate the victories of the British Navy.
A naval temple at The Kymin built in 1800 to celebrate the victories of the British Navy.
Kyle and Prof. Arnold talk castles in Monmouth Castle.
Kyle and Prof. Arnold talk castles in Monmouth Castle.
Statue of Henry V (Henry of Monmouth) on Shire Hall in Monmouth.
Statue of Henry V (Henry of Monmouth) on Shire Hall in Monmouth.
The River Wye near sunrise in Redbrook.
The River Wye near sunrise in Redbrook.
White Castle.
White Castle.
John gazing at the naval monument at The Kymin.
John gazing at the naval monument at The Kymin.
Monnow Bridge, from the 13th century, with its fortified tower.
Monnow Bridge, from the 13th century, with its fortified tower.
View of Monmouth.
View of Monmouth.
Crossing the stunning 13th-century Monnow Bridge, with its fortified tower.
Crossing the stunning 13th-century Monnow Bridge, with its fortified tower.
The Kymin, near Monmouth.
The Kymin, near Monmouth.
There's a lot of walking through farmland around Monmouth.
There's a lot of walking through farmland around Monmouth.
View of the Wye Valley as we approach Monmouth.
View of the Wye Valley as we approach Monmouth.