Debkakes in the UK 2022

This was one of my favorite days of walking, beautiful, just challenging enough, and perfect weather. The walk out of Kerne Bridge started level but quickly presented me with the first, biggest climb of the day. Total elevation change this section 1200 feet, and a compact 5.5-mile walk to Ross-on-Wye. And arrival in Ross signaled the half-way point of my walk! Woot!

This entire section of the Wye Valley Walk was through rolling hills and meadows. I didn’t descend back to the river until reaching Ross-on-Wye.

The day’s walk got me into town well before check-in time, so I decided to have the lunch I’d packed and a walk around the town before settling in and deciding on a dinner plan. I think I found the perfect spot!

John Kyrle was a philanthropist, and by all accounts an excellent human being. Alexander Pope eulogizes him thusly:
Who taught that heav’n directed Spire to rise?
The Man of Ross, each lisping babe replies.
Behold the Market-place with poor o’erspread!
He feeds yon Alms-house, neat, but void of state,
Where Age and Want sit smiling at the gate;
Him portion’d maids, apprentic’d orphans blest,
The young who labour, and the old who rest.
Is any sick? the Man of Ross relieves,
Prescribes, attends, the med’cine makes, and gives,
Is there a variance? enter but his door,
Balk’d are the Courts, and contest is no more.
Despairing Quacks with curses fled the place,
And vile Attornies, now a useless race.

All I can say is, that was a fine place to sit, and a fine ale to sip.

I was tempted by the hotel’s pub, but just *may* have been a little tired of pub fare. I decided to take myself out to a fancy dinner at a local restaurant that had high marks, No. 3. It did not disappoint.

The real treat at the end of the day was some Facetime with my fella and my kitty. This was how most days either began or ended on my walk. It made the solitary nature of the trip so much sweeter.

6 May, 2022