We decided to have a foray into South Wales today so, after having breakfast, we set off for Hay-on-Wye, only a short drive from where Rob and Laura live and just over the English/Welsh border. Unfortunately, Rob and Laura had to work so it was just Sam, Ron and I who made the trip.
The journey itself was very picturesque, with wonderful views of the Black Mountains. On the way, we drove through a village called Stretton Sugwas. We stopped to look at a church (St Mary Magdalene) with an intriguing tower (see photo)but the church was locked so we couldn't see inside. As we were leaving, a member of the congregation arrived and he told us that the village is divided into two and the church used to be in another part of the village; however, the rectory was enormous, with 10 bedrooms and a there was a very small congregation. Because of this, and in the hope of increasing the congregation, in 1877 the church was moved to it's present site, using some stone from the original building and with a smaller, more practical rectory. Sadly, the original members of the congregation elected not to attend the new church and so the numbers haven't risen!
We carried on to Hay, which is known as the Bookshop town, on the banks of the River Wye at the foothills of the Black Mountains. There are over 30 bookshops in the small village, which has narrow winding streets and some very tiny shops. The village also boasts a castle, built by William de Breos II around 1200 and which was attacked several times both by the Welsh and by the English. King John destroyed it in 1216 but, according to legend, it was rebuilt in one night by the wife of William de Breos, Maud de St Valery, carrying the stones in her apron. I don't think so!! Still, it's a nice legend.
After leaving Hay, we drove to Hereford, an ancient town first founded in 700AD and which used to be the Saxon capital of West Mercia. It contains the oldest inhabited building in Great Britain, the Bishop's Palace, which has been continually inhabited since 1204.
The Cathedral has been used continuously for worship for well over 1200 years and contains some of the finest examples of architectural excellence from Norman times up to the present day. It also houses two of the world's most important treasures - The Mappa Mundi, which is the largest surviving complete medieval world map and the Chained Library with manscripts dating from the 8th century.
Hereford also has many very narrow streets, almost alleyways, and is famous for its cattle, both Herefords (horned) and Polled Herefords (without horns). They are prime beef cattle and bred all over the world -and they're brown with a white head.
We were delighted that we weren't rained on today! Just a few sprinkles and a fair bit of sunshine!
