Each evening, the moment we arrived back we were greeted by five hungry cats, demanding their supper - NOW. Each evening, I have hurriedly doled out cat biscuits and then refilled the bird feeders with barely enough light to find them on the trees - tonight especially when we were back at past 5 p.m. A thin sliver of marzipan light was just melting behind the hills to the West, with an angry rolling purple-edged cloud above our heads, but behind us was stygian darkness. Then I flung together a scratch tea - my husband quite happy to have cheese on toast, whilst I opened a freezer container which had a label saying Mince 'n' Rice and two happy smiley faces - to indicate it was one of my more successful concoctions. Well, it might have been before it got frozen and before I had this cold, but tonight it tasted of absolutely nothing at all and so I mostly ate the few spoonfuls of baked beans I had slung on the plate to keep it company.
A part of our stand at Hay today. I was gratified that several pieces I had bought because they were interesting and unusual were bought by folk passing through (and it was busy there today). Sometimes I wonder if I am going wrong because people don't even LOOK at what I have on display, but just wander past . . .
I had several wanders round the town centre as there was a small Food Festival there. Here is the Onion Johnnie - a rare beast these days. I can remember them coming over from France on the ferry, riding their bikes all over Southampton selling onions. If I hadn't recently bought a sack of onions myself, I would have had some of his.
Here is where I got my lunch. The stall on the left had a really good selection of pies, and I plumped for the Boozy Beef :Pie, which was delicious, with wonderful pastry. Earlier I had some Spicy Lentil Soup from the stall on the right, and also a Chicken Samosa. All were really good.
I was very disappointed (but not surprised) when my husband has his usual bacon roll and refused point blank to let me get anything for him to try - even a lovely pork pie, or some hand-made sausages. He is highly suspicious of any food bought when out, in case it might have "stuff" in it - by this I mean dangerous spices, onion, GARLIC (which would poison him!) or even herbs.
Inside the long markquee were lots more stalls, selling various produce, like these tasty muffins - this end of the table had savoury ones, and as you went towards the other end there were lots of different chocolate mixtures and brownies. I was very tempted by the After Eight one, but as I had made and brought cake, I stayed my hand. It was bad enough that I had a samosa AND a pie!
A look around Festive Hay now - in the shop selling maps, a lovely Map Man.
A BOOK IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS! Absolutely.
Above and below, the good old traditional (and excellent) butchers. It's a while since I've seen Game hung outside a butchers like this, although the (equally traditional and excellent) butchers in Newport, Pembs, does the same at this time of year.
Above, Henry VII overlooks the town, and has a big Christmas Bow to keep him company.
There were a variety of entertainments throughout the day - a couple of Choirs (I had to walk away when the Male Voice Choir were singing, beautifully I might add, as I always get choked when I hear them. If they had sung Myfanwy I would have been in pieces.
Here, Brecon Concert Band were playing to a captive audience.
People-watching . . .
I think that Ben Fogle was turning on the Hay Christmas Lights, but we had an hour and a half's journey, so couldn't stay to watch him.
Right, two down and one to go. Tomorrow morning we are up at 5 a.m. and away to Carmarthen Fleamarket shortly after 6 a.m. I hope I can find the Hereford Hop cheese I bought today for my lunch tomorrow - it is SOMEWHERE in the back of the car . . .
