Hay-on-Wye to Boughrood

After dinner last night, as we had one last stroll around town, Allan found a great little deli where we could get lunch made fresh in the morning. They opened early so we headed there this morning before breakfast. We are finding that a salad roll or sandwich shared between the two of us is enough for lunch after our big cooked breakfasts. We managed to leave Hay at 8:45; an early start is terrific as we can get a good few kilometres under our belt before our morning tea break.

As we walked over the bridge we looked up the Wye to where preparations are underway for the Hay-on-Wye Book Festival, a huge event that is happening very soon. People come from all over the world to be part of the whole atmosphere and many famous speakers and authors come as part of the annual event. We have come a week earlier than we had first planned to avoid the crowds. It would have been impossible to find accomodation anywhere near Hay even a week before the event. We are very thankful that Celtic Trails advised us about this and helped us adjust our plans.

One last look at Hay-on-Wye with Hay Castle sitting prominently for all to see.

The Wye was looking beautiful this morning. The still water was mirror-like with a lovely reflection of the trees with the canola crop brilliant in the background.

We had to decide whether to stay down near the river, which meant some road walking, or climb up through steep fields with lots of sheep, ewes with their lambs. We chose the high way. Our guide book warned us that the climb would be steep but that the stunning views of the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons made it well worth it. It was true! Steep but beautiful!

We came down the hill and across several fields then through a small track in a woodland and into the lovely little hamlet of Llowes. The first thing we saw was the church, St Meilig's. There is a sundial in the churchyard dedicated to the Rev Francis Kilvert. This area we are walking in at the moment was his parish in the 1870s. Throughout his life he kept a diary recording the day to day events of life as he saw them. His diaries tell of a way of life on the Welsh Border country now long gone, but the detail gives an accurate picture recorded nowhere else.

I didn't even know the dog was behind me.. he belonged to the old lady sitting on the bench.

Another lovely seat to have a rest on.

A beautiful church

in the very pretty village of Llowes.

We climbed again, enjoyed the spectacular scenery and then decended to walk beside the river

We have seen several of these sheds beside the river. We're wondering if they are fishing sheds. The sheep continue to entertain us as we are walking along. Two lambs were running along with us, baaing as they ran. The second one seemed to be running out of breath because its cry was quite pathetic. After a few minutes their mother began calling to them with a very deep baa. Their reunion was beautiful.

Blossom has continued to appear today!

These photos were taken at the Old Rectory near the village of Boughrood. Allan was right on the ball and recognised the spot as the front cover photograph on our guide book.

The Old Rectory. Not a bad house for a humble minister to live in.

Boughrood village sitting pleasantly by the river. We had to walk on past our final destination to find our accomodation in Llyswen, half a km up the road.

Griffin Inn has been a nice surprise. A lovely old Inn with a four poster bed (in miniture) to sleep in. Allan reckons the perfect bed for one. They serve the biggest meals you'll ever eat! Today's walk has been a very pleasant 16 km walk with gorgeous countryside all around. We had the Brecon Beacons in view for most of the day. The sheep were great company as was the Wye. We haven't walked at river level that often so today, with dry weather was great. I have to admit that we were tired when we arrived. Sore feet make afternoon walks long! Just a little note: Allan is concerned that some may not know, if you click on the photos they will enlarge so you can see this beautiful country in greater glory.