Month: January 2019

Friday 25th January 2019

This morning we walked the 1.5 miles toHay on Wye which is situated in Powys and is known as the town of books with over 20 bookshops and is the site of the annual world famous Hay Literary Festival.

Hay’s history stretches back to its first fortification in the 1070’s over time it went from a wooden motte and bailey to a stone fortification, over the centuries it’s ownership changed hands on many occasions either by force or gift.

On April 1st 1997 bibliophile Richard Booth conceived a publicity stunt and declared Hay to be an independent Kingdom and himself monarch! This began the start to Hay becoming a Mecca for second hand book lovers that transformed the local economy.

This one of several places in Hay where you can select a book and put your money in a “honesty box” or take your money to a shop close by. Joining in the spirit of things I bought a paperback, however I have to confess it was from a charity shop, much cheaper.

The weather today has been remarkably mild for January reaching 10 degrees with pleasant periods of sunshine making it a good decision to get away.

Thursday 24th January 2019.

It’s been just over 3 weeks since we arrived back from Durham. During that time we have been busy with a variety of activities, Michelle has given Homer a complete Spring clean and I’ve undertaken a few minor maintenance jobs including installing a new swivel in every direction TV bracket after Michelle complained she couldn’t see the TV from her seat.

For the past 8 days we have both been suffering from a heavy cold and despite the very mixed weather, wet/cold/ snowy we have recently experienced we have decided to take a quick mini break 70 miles away in Hay on Wye.

We are staying on the above camp site an easy walking distance from Hay on Wye, the site is very level, well laid out with a modern toilet block, the owner gave us a very pleasant friendly welcome. There are good walks from the site for Layla.

Jan 1st 2019

Title is in homage to Roger Whittaker’s famous song.

Woke bright and early this morning with a clear head considering we saw in the New Year last night.

We left Durham at 9.30 am and took a steady 200 mile drive home with at least 90% of the journey on motorway or dual carriageway so it was an easy drive although at times we were driving into bright sunshine which was a pain.

So now it’s a new year and we will start to plan our new adventures.

December 31st 2018

Today has been a similar day to yesterday, this morning we walked into Durham but whilst Michelle went off to explore the shops in the modern shopping centre I took Layla for an extended walk along the River Wear that circles Durham.

I met up with Michelle in the market square where I was watching and listening to a buster playing the fiddle and operating a dancing man. When Michelle joined me I had a chat with the busker saying I knew a puppeteer/ Folk singer who operated a dancing puppet in the same way and it turned out he knew of him too, a small world!

This afternoon we went for a long walk down the river where we found a pub that welcomed dogs, it seemed rude not to take advantage and after a few refreshing drinks we headed back to the motorhomes in what by now was pitch dark. Michelle had bought Layla a flashing LED light to attach to her harness so we were able to track in her in the darkness, very necessary as she is completely black and disappears into the night.

We saw in the New Year with Peter and Alison in their van.

So it’s a big HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone and best wishes for 2019.