LETJOG E2W – Day 16: Monday 29 April – BROMYARD to LEOMINSTER (14.0 miles)
Our walk today, across the rolling hills of rural Herefordshire scored a high of 255 metres above sea level at Hegdon Hill, the highest altitude reached on my LETJOG E2W trek to date. Progressing westwards the terrain is getting less populated and rather more challenging now, good preparation for the hills of Wales that I will start to traverse in two days’ time. Having my brother Tim for company today ensured that the miles flew by, and again we somehow managed to avoid the forecast rain showers.
Within a mile or so of our westward ramble today, climbing gently out of Bromyard, we were off the roads and into the varied Herefordshire countryside of rich grazing pastures of sheep and occasional cattle, that alternated with arable fields ploughed and planted for cereals or with fruit trees. Few others seemed to be walking today, and so for the most part we were out on our own: here is today’s story.
Tim and I made it into Leominster by mid-afternoon, pleased once again to have avoided the forecast rain, and uplifted by another super walking day in the fine Herefordshire countryside. Coffee and cake was in order in the town centre, before we adjourned to the station; Tim for his train home, and mine to Cardiff where I am spending the evening and overnight with my younger son Chris and daughter-in-law Mima. This has certainly been one of the more social days on my LETJOG E2W walk, before I set off solo again tomorrow morning.
Today’s Blog heading ‘The River’ follows the title of one of Bruce Springsteen’s best-known numbers, the title track off his fifth studio album released in 1980. I have had this song in mind as a heading on a few previous occasions, but it is to Herefordshire’s River Lugg that the honour finally falls! The album, a double, took 18 months to produce and features 20 songs from around 50 Springsteen compositions that were worked on during the recording sessions. The album was compiled in a manner that seeks to recreate the live sound of Springsteen’s backing group the E-Street Band, and many of the tracks remain staples of his renowned live act – I have a ticket for his forthcoming gig in Cork on Thursday 16 May, so now I have just got to keep walking to get there on time!
Walking for Fun, Challenge and Charity! 
We go down to the river and into the river we dive….. I’ve read that it was a song Springsteen wrote about his sister and her marriage at a very young age. I’ll always associate it with the River Lugg now! The show in Cork is sure to be epic. Well done avoiding the rain once again yesterday.
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You are inspirational Nick! You are such a natural writer. Loving all the map route detail & photos. How are the feet at this stage? Just wishing I was strolling along with you, but this blog is doing a pretty good job of making me feel like I am!
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