Day 5

Before we left Monmouth we dropped into the local chemist for various body maintenance essentials. The assistant asked were we were riding to. Ludlow said Steve. "Where is that?" asked the assistant....  Clearly,  must have missed school the day they did geography.

Today is our "shortest" day with just 51 miles covered.  With this in mind, rather than head out of Monmouth A466 we headed along the lane following the River Monnow.
Crossing a small stone bridge after 5 miles the setting was perfect but we were soon to pay the price with a series of steep hills and valleys.

Lanes north of Monmouth

We made up time to Hereford on the A49 which wasn't particularly nice but delivered us in time for morning coffee plus a quick running repair to the Holdsworth. 

Hereford was heaving with the entire High Street taking up by Fair Ground rides so we were pleased to leave picking up the A4110 out of town, so avoiding further use of the A49.  This road was a delight with rolling hills and light traffic that did not present too much of a challenge.

Before long we arrived in Leominster.  With only 10 miles to be covered to Ludlow we  allowed ourselves to get a little too comfortable over lunch so by the time we left legs had stiffened a little as we picked up the B4361, again avoiding the busy A49.

Ludlow is a delight.  Its story dates back to the 11th Century when the Castle was built and the town centre had some wonderful old buildings including the Bull Hotel and The Feathers Hotel which we took a look around before settling in a smaller local for our evening meal.

Weather wise things are about to change with some unsettled weather scheduled so tomorrow it is wet weather gear at the ready.

Accomodation;   Travelodge  off Ludlow ring road