A much-needed day out - in Hay-on-Wye

As you can see, we had a lovely sunrise today - the valley was bathed in pearl-white mist which was slow to clear.  We had planned to go to Hay-on-Wye first thing, but unfortunately first thing was when I ended up taking Ghengis to the vet as his bladder problem (stress-related) had returned and although I had put him on the medicine he had last time (Loxicon), there was a little blood in his wee this morning and he looked like he had cystitis - constantly trying to find a corner to go in (as the litter tray I had put down became associated with pain).  Anyway, vet checked him out and said to carry on with the Loxicon for 7 days, and the cause of his stress (black Sam) is booked in to be neutered on Monday.  He is a very biddable cat, for a tom, but he has been coming into the house via the catflap at night, and causing problems all round, plus he pounces on Ghengis (the smallest) the minute he goes outside.  This has to STOP.

A lovely little stall at Hay, which looks like it was an old shepherd's hut . . . or a modern take on one for commercial use.

Our friend Kath's lovely window display up by the Buttermarket.  We caught up with half a dozen of our Hay friends and it was lovely to chat and catch up on news.

Veg seller in the Cheese Market.

These rugs and runners are gorgeous, but our budget won't run to one, although I do have a couple of his lovely woven shopping baskets, one of which I used today for our purchases.

This was the cheese end of a cheese and dry goods stall (think lentils, rice, flour, nuts, dried fruit on the dry side.  We were tempted by the cheese and bought some Worcester Gold (yummy, I had a little bit when we got home) and some Wensleydale with Cranberries (one of Keith's favourites), plus a bag of dark unsulphured apricots for a recipe for energy bars I want to try out. Although we got to their stall around 1.15 ish, they were busy all the time we were in the market.

We went back to the car park via Gibbons the butchers, which has a fabulous selection of savoury bakes pies, pasties, rolls, slices, quiches etc.  We decided to treat ourselves to a big steak and kidney pie for our meal this evening - it was huge, and so it will last us two meals, and was SO delicious.

Above and below - the view beyond the car park.

Finally, a stop in a layby near Brecon, for some photos of the Brecon Beacons bathed in sunshine.  We could have sat and just looked at them for a good while.  Anyway, as I had - once more - woken in the middle of the night (didn't sleep beyond 3.30 a.m.) I was glad to get home and rest.  I think I should sleep well tonight as it's 7 p.m. and I am struggling to keep awake!