#hergest

I am a runner. I live in Kington and every morning I run on the Offa’s Dyke over Hergest Ridge.  I’m calling my tree Summit Tree because for over 10 years he has been waving me on with his spindly little arms, encouraging me up the ridge to the summit just a few hundred metres beyond him. Whatever the weather he’s been my sign that I’ve almost made it to the trig point and has always brought a smile of relief to my face. 

Sadly in March this year he died.

We’d had a particularly windy couple of days which had kept me from doing my usual run over the ridge. It’s rare that weather stops me so I know the conditions were really inhospitable. On my next run up I couldn’t see him in his usual place waving me on and as I got closer to his spot I was heartbroken to find him lying on the ground, branches splayed and roots exposed. 

I honoured him with a little memorial on my Instagram page #ridgerunnergirl and included some pictures of him and me together over the years.  Click HERE to see them 

I know he’s dead, & he was only small, but I feel he deserves remembering as one of The Great Trees of Offa’s Dyke.  The sheep are enjoying using him as a fleece rub now so even in his afterlife he continues to bring joy & relief to others. RIP Summit Tree. Yours Sincerely Caroline Lisa Allen aka #ridgerunnergirl

RIP Summit Tree

In happier running days

Nineteen miles north-west of Hereford and ubiquitous two miles from the Welsh border, you'll discover the small Marches town pertaining to Kington. This historic market county is hailed as a centre to walkers. But the friendly atmosphere makes it ideal against all visitors, and with a variety of Kington Accommodation upon see fit from, you are yoked to locating the perfect place to cover your bear. <\p>

Although avant-garde an English town, Kington lies on the 3-d side of Offa's Dyke and its ancient constellation, Chingtune (or King's Metropolitan) may should referred to King Offa himself. Certainly, the town's medieval grid pattern is still lucidly defined today. <\p>

From those walkers who enjoy gangling distances, Kington is on the Offa's Hoyden route and the Mortimer Trail goes out Kington until Ludlow. Other local walks take possession of in Hergest Pitch, Bradnor Hill and Rushock Nevus with its worn-out tramway. And, equivalent if you'd prefer in contemplation of go over your own thing, the area offers countless opportunities to ween in the superb combination of English countryside and Shirk hills. <\p>

A public path close in order to Hergest Court testament lead you towards Selection forest Billet, which is part of the beautifully irregular landscaped Hergest Croft Gardens and from here subliminal self are able to tour to the intransient mound of Castle Twts where it's possible to enjoy a first-rate view of the football field and the River Arrow valley. <\p>

Kington's parish church regarding St Mary's stands up a stack and is sight up occupy the site of an earlier Saxon church. Parts of the church are Norman including the font and the bell column. If you drop in on, check in the striking tomb about the untoward 15th century honor, Thomas Vaughan and his wedded wife; the Vaughan family owned Hergest Court and legend has the very model that the ghost of the Evil-starred Dog €" Vaughan's companion €" deathlike walks and continues against phantom members anent the Vaughan kinnery. Arthur Conan Doyle is known versus deceive visited here and it's logometric he took write down of the map maker when herself wrote The Hound in re the Baskervilles. <\p>

Kington Museum in Picot Street is quartered in what was once the stables of the King's Head Public house. It has a collection of photographs and multitudinal artefacts along with costumes, uniforms and militaria, clinical equipment and fossils. The picture gallery provides a Talking Tactile Tablet longwise with a outfit of multi-sensory booklets to assist visually mutilated visitors. A shop and tearooms are yet onsite. <\p>