Mary managed to drop us back at the trail without hitting anything and without giving either of us a heart attack. She had fed us a “full English breakfast” and given us ingredientd to make a sandwich for our lunch. We both passed on the ham as it was a bit slimey anf had an October use by date. Even I don’t push iy that far!
We walked across the Black Mountains on a well defined path and as we now expect, past a ruined castle. I had been wondering where all the stonedms go that fall from the castle as it decays.
Apparently the people in the surrounding villages pilfer them to build their houses and barns etc. Good recycling there.
England was to out right and Wales to our left.
We had a couple of stops as it was quite a climb up, then along these moutains.
At our second stop, Kay had just taken her shoes off to air her feet when the clouds opened and it began hailing. I took off at as much speed as a Granny can do with a pack on her back, to get out from under thst cloud. Kay caught up shortley, a bit worse for the wear.
There were many wild horses up there, all goid and healthy looking. They also had good bowel habits and today I learnt from Kay that horses prefer to shit in the same place if they can. Hence they keep their grazing and resting areas clean. So there were large piles of less frequent droppings to walk around than we were used to. Sheep and cattle just shit anywhere and everywhere.
We met a physio from my home town Palmerston North today. We also met up again with a young Monk who we had come across a few times. He is walking the length of UK visiting monastries on the way. We could tell he wanted to keep our company but we were too slow for him.
At about 4pm we hobbled into Hay-on-Wye after a 26km day. This is the world’s first booktown, with an annual bookfair which we missed, and 22 bookshops which we also chose to walk straight past. We had full packs and no additional energy to carry books.
Our home for the night was built in 1623, originally owned by a lawyers family. We had to watch our heads as the ceilings and doors were very low.
The landlady also ran the bookshop that was downstairs. Her family are rich landowners and she was born, one of 9 childten, in their Castle. Servants, nannies, gardeners, the lot. I could have listened to her stories all day. Her name was Mary too. We also notice that most churches are St Marys as well. They don’t seem to have a lot of imagination when it comes to names.
We did a bit of resupply and met up with more walkers for breakfast the next morning. An interestinh bunch including Bob, originally from Wales but has been living in Perth for 30 years. He has 2 sons who are in the New Zealand Royal ballet. I put my foot in by saying, with astomishment, “They obviously are not built like you.” Luckily he had a sense of humour as we met him on trail the next day. He was doing half our days and getting taxis back to his lodgings. He was very impressed by Kay and I.
I enjoyed that days walk, my fitness is coming back so I am happy.
I’m enjoying reading about the walk. Sounds great!
Cool karen xo