Hay-on-Wye, the town of books and fields of green

This weekend, I travelled to Herefordshire to take part in a concert in Dore Abbey, Herefordshire.  Last year, when I went, I went alone, getting a lift with fellow musicians in the orchestra and stayed at the vicar's house, The Old Post Office.  This year, knowing I was so close to one of my most beloved places in the world, Hay on Wye, I asked CBC if he'd come with me and we went to stay in our favourite organic B & B,Racquety Lodge. We stayed there for an idyllic 3 days, 3 years ago and CBC returned last year for 2 nights when he was at a wedding.

We arrived late on Saturday night after a very successful concert and after greeting our hosts, went off to our spacious room for a much needed night's sleep.

The next morning, I woke really comfortable and happy to be in this peaceful place.  We had arranged to have breakfast at 9 though I could have slept for hours longer!

We both had super fast showers in the lovely sunken bath (I love the organic Ayuvedic soap they have. Shunned the shower gel) and then got dressed and went into the beautiful sunny front room to eat our breakfast.  A mountain of raspberries from their garden and Earl-grey tea and juice, organic corn-flakes and then a delicious plate of English full-cooked breakfast (sorry, too hungry to photograph) and a long chat to our host. She has interesting views on things.

We packed reluctantly and then I went to sit outside our room on the bench to look at the beautiful views of the Black-mountains and down into Hay whilst writing in the visitor's book.   The day was so beautiful.

We headed down to the main carpark in Hay and parked and then set off for a wander.  If you don't know this, Hay-on-Wye is famous for being 'The town of books'- it has more bookshops per square mile than anywhere else in the world.  If you are looking for some obscure, rare book, this is the place to find it.  I spent about 7 summers here as a teenager so I know it well.

This bookshop was only about 10metres from the carpark, the bookshops are everywhere!

We pottered in book shops and I managed to buy books within 5 minutes of being there from Addyman's annexe (will show you what I bought another time).  I LOVED the sign above!!!  I also signed a petition in there- apparently, some guy who runs the Hay book festival in May said that 'Hay could survive without all the book shops."  Er, no you twit, that's one of its main draws for people!.  I then popped into Fuse, a lovely shop selling pretty clothes and quirky kitchenware (to my shame I bought a dress. CBC was NOT impressed)

Passing the Castle in Hay, I realised I always manage to miss going into the Castle or the castle shops which I must rectify next time I come.

After a quick browse, we headed into Shepherd's, the wonderful ice-cream parlour with Sheep's milk ice-cream. 

I ordered a mint-chocolate chip ice-cream milkshare and CBC ordered an orange-and-cointreau ice-cream milkshake. CBC set up his laptop to finish reports (I finished mine mercifully!) and I sat and read my book for a while. We laughed at the people next to us who ordered plate after plate of the special of the day- belgian waffles with cream and your choice of ice-cream!

 After a while, shake finished, I decided to leave CBC to his work and set off alone round Hay.  There were some wonderful buskers playing beautiful folk music on fiddle and guitar.

I set off to my favourite bookshop of them all- Rose's children's and illustrated bookshop. Oh this place is amazing- it is a huge labyrinth of every classic and conceivable children's book you could dream to buy.  Last time we came, I located an Angela Brazil book The jolliest term on record,  which I had wanted for a long time.

This time, I asked if they had any of the Chalet School books and oh rapture, was led to THREE shelves worth!!!! These are just the paperbacks (more my price-range than the hardbacks). I phoned my friend (who also loves them) excitedly to tell her where I was and what I was looking at and may or may not have purchased some items from the shelf!

I could have stayed in there for days but instead, thought it would be prudent to beat a retreat whilst I was safe!

I love seeing the market place as this was always where we performed our windband concerts when I came with my music school. The antiques place behind it was amazing and I really wanted a bakelite bangle (but didn't!)

Booth's is the largest bookshop in Hay and is a wonderful place with amazing cafe and music! We managed to buy a print of the original daisy painting in our B&B by our host.

I returned to CBC and we wandered somewhat more before realising we must get home.  However, before we went, we knew we wanted to go and have even just a little walk to get some fresh air. Sadly no time for Offa's dyke or Hay Bluff.

We walked along the field, avoiding (or not) sheep poo and thistles and enjoyed being the only people there.

As CBC walked back, I basked in the beauty and serenity of this place.  Some curious birds were chirping away and I thought I'd grab a quick 360 degree clip for you to experience it too.

Have you been to Hay or heard of it? Would you like to?