The weekend of 25 to 27 September heralded Leg 6 of the Offa’s Dyke walk and the final hotel stay of this epic journey. As last time most stayed in the Park Hotel in Pandy with a few stragglers in the Lancaster down the road.

On Friday night we all met up for a meal in the hotel but for a few there were other distractions in the form of a male stripper next door! Luckily the music ended at 11:30pm so we all managed a good night’s sleep.

Pandy to Llanvihangel-Ystem-Llewern: 10.4 miles (16.7km) +317m -398m (26 September 2009)

This was a unusual start because we walked down the road from the hotel to meet with the others at the official start. It was a very nice day for September and it was suggested that perhaps we should repeat our last walk over Hatterrall Ridge to see what we missed last time because of the weather.

However, sanity and Terry prevailed and we set off in a westerly direction towards our goal of Monmouth. In comparison with other legs this was relatively easy with the undulating landscape taking us through Llangattock Lingoed, Caggle Street to White Castle where we had a long lunch in the sun, although some took the opportunity to have a look around the castle. After lunch our walk passed through the village of Llantilo Crossenny, through the apple orchards of Penrhos Farm to Llanvihangel-Ystem-Llawern where buses were waiting to take us back to Pandy.

In the evening, which had no distractions, we ate in the hotel and a presentation was made to Stevie and Terry for all the work they had done to make the walks successful.

Llanvihangel-Ystem-Llewern to Monmouth: 6.1 miles (9.8km) +148m -181m (27 September 2009)

Today we all had to drive to Monmouth where we expected to park by the river but as there was a regatta we had to go to a field nearby. The buses picked us up at the Leisure Centre to take us back to the start of the day’s walk.

This walk was even easier than Saturday’s and we had a leisurely 6 miles through Kings Wood and on to Monmouth where we stopped at Ron’s for a cream tea. It was then just a short walk to the cars and then home.

We now have just 2 days walking to go from Monmouth to Sedbury Cliffs and then on to Beachley for a celebratory meal.

Total for the weekend: 16.5 miles

Total around Wales: 119.6 miles