CHEPSTOW’S swallow whisperer Ed Beverley-Jones has arrived back in Wales after a 4,000-mile cycle journey following the birds as they migrate to and then back from Africa.

Ed, aged 43, known as The Pond Guy, crossed the Severn Bridge into Chepstow on Monday (2nd April) after the huge solo bike ride through England, France, Spain and Morocco and back in aid of St David’s Hospice Care.

Rookie cyclist Ed has been on the road continuously since the start of October, riding and sleeping where ever he could, most often at the side of the road enduring bitter cold, biting winds and searing heat, all in aid of the Gwent charity, St David’s Hospice Care.

Setting an initial target of raising £1,000 the total is now more than £5,000 and rising.

Ed decided to follow the swallows which nest in the barn where he keeps his pool work tools.

He was greeted in Chepstow by supporters and well-wishers as he put his feet on Welsh soil, pleased to be home after a journey that saw him sleeping at the side of the road, in culverts, under trees, windswept grasslands near windmills, alongside a bull ring and in a Spanish castle, on snow, sand dunes and the desert. Ed experienced all manner of happenings including a close nocturnal encounter with a wild boar while in a wood in France and numerous attacks by ravenous wild dogs in Morocco.

He said: “One of the most frightening parts of the trip was being tracked and attacked repeatedly by packs of wild dogs. There were about 20 dog attacks. It was terrifying, totally terrifying. I had to ward them off with my bike at times. It was worse in the cold weather when they were hungry.”

Ed spoke of the support and kindness that he received along the way from strangers and the toils and tribulation of changing wheels, tyres, gears and other parts of the bike on his trip.

Ed makes a living looking after owners’ private garden ponds. He is raising money for St David’s Hospice Care partly in memory of a pond cleaning customer client who recently passed away.

To donate to suport his efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ed-jones4