We had a happy day wandering around Hay on Wye. Astounding number of bookshops of every genre. From wee tiny walk sideways in to shops to well displayed not sideways shops. Hay on Wye also has an annual literature festival where authors of notable note speak at; Ian McEwan, Salman Rushdie.
This is an incredible hardware store, absolutely jammed. Narrow but very deep. Selling everything from lawnmowers, drills, hotwater bottle covers, jam jars, 12 different types of brushware, scews, bolts, tableware etc. It reminded us of another go-to institution in Invercargill called E Hayes & Sons before they "tidied it up". We once bought dishrack feet there to stop the rack scratching the bench. Sad but true.
There was a small market day on
Hay on Wye also has Sheperds icecream parlour. Not quite Top Top but pretty good. Wearing my glasses so I can peruse all the books.
We returned to Foyles in Glasbury, our hotel, where one of the staff, who had sent us off on a walk the previous night, had dreamed up another for us called Begwyn Hill. It was on common ground again complete with wild horses and sheep foraging in the bracken.
It may look like a crop but it is acres of bracken. No rain for 7 weeks reflected in the landscape.
This is the keep at the top of the hill
These look like mule sheep we scanned in Scotland.
We left for our next housesit by a somewhat heart stopping route recomended by a Guy Cooper. We did not have to meet the owners of the property we would be looking after until 4pm so "had all day" as Guy would say. First stop Gospel Pass.
More expansive views of the Welsh countryside
Can only imagine how bitter the wind must be up here in the Winter.
The roads are so narrow. If no passing places someone has to back back until one found. We keep the wing mirrors pulled back to the car. Hedgerows are generally higher than the car, even a Dodge Ram would not see over the hawthorn.
We met one of the folks we are housesitting for and their female boxer dog called Suki. Actually in Congresbury, a village about 20 minutes from Bristol city centre. Residents commute to the city on the A370/M5. Our initial Google view showed the address to be a fish & chip shop which in fact is across the road. The house is with three others in a small cul de sac off the busy thoroughfare, 10km from Bristol Airport. The owners are away to Crete for a wedding and holiday for two weeks. We stayed at the local pub on the Friday night. The folks were leaving at 5am Saturday morning. Arrived at their house 7.30am to feed the dog and get settled in. Headed off to the supermarket to stockup in a town nearby called Weston Super Mare. Ghastly place but has a beach so Jeff walked the dog while I whizzed around Tesco. Congresbury only has limited convenience stores and of course said fish and chip shop.
The dog Suki should probably called Sookie. Bit of a timid girl, gets a fright from shadows, will stare into space like a lost soul. Very affectionate and she loves hanging out with us. Although in the mornings when we head off for a walk whereas previous dogs went ballistic beside themselves with excitement Suki just stands there getting her lead harness on like we have asked her to walk the plank!
Went to the cliff top walk at Cheddar Valley Sunday for a 6km loop walk. We arrived early, only second car in the carpark. Hike was quite gnarly, Suki not as fit as she could be, a townie dog Jeff calls her.
The view from Jacobs Ladder. The reservoir in the distance provides water to Bristol.
When we got down to the Cheddar village it was jammed (Sunday) with a tailback of two miles and cars circling the now overflowing carpark like reef fish. We had a coffee and left.
Suki a bit tired after a real walk with the Kiwis. This is her sofa in the living area.
Today we went to Blagdon Lake for another loop walk, there by 7.30am for the two and a half hour walk. Temperature forecast of 30C and like the Labradors, Boxer dogs overheat.
Suzi quite happy trotting along with Jeff
This lake is also a reservoir for Bristol.
Honestly the English are completely obsessed with "do not" signage. Did you know that "the water could be cold, the lake bottom muddy, lake currents?, water fowl" blah, blah, blah.
We all enjoyed the walk then carried on to a National Trust site called Tyntesfield near Wrexham.On the lookout for coffee and cake. Parking in the UK a hit and miss affair, you always have to pay even in tbe most God forsaken town. May take coins or card or have to use a parking app. Or not working at all. Jeff paid the £5 at the entrance. Tyntesfield was very good. Stables converted into a cafe, beaut walks, walled gardens etc.
Has been an estate since the 1500's but no house as landowners lived elsewhere. This gothic pile built from 1860 by an Englishman, William Gibbs, who made his fortune from guano used in fertiliser would you believe. Estate was privately owned until 2002 when the National Trust purchased it when Richard Gibbs, the then Baron of Wrexham died. They wanted it to be available to the public. Over 400,000 people visit each year. Not sure the income would cover the maintenance costs notwithstanding all the labour is from volunteers.
Magnificent copper beech tree
This is a split leaf plane tree. We had planted them down the driveway at Jefferswood.
Beautiful blue cedar glauca trees in the grounds. In addition to a kitchen garden there was an orangey - Victorian glasshouse. Funnily enough tbe volunteer gardeners had moved the potted citrus outside because they thought it was " too hot" in the glasshouse.
Jeff took this fun picture of the Kiwi shadow walkers plus willing dog.
