I've written that in capitals as it's been such a rare occurrence in this household. Don't think we have had a proper day out since late last Autumn . . . that's a LONG time. We had to go to Brecon, to collect some yellow pigment to add to lime wash, so of course, the default setting of Hay-on-Wye kicked in the moment we knew we had to go to Ty Mawr for the pigment . . . Having dropped D off at the bus-stop for his 8 a.m. bus, we fled, we were in Brecon by 9 a.m. After going to Ty Mawr Lime, we parked up in the town and had a wander round. As per usual we visited a couple of charity shops, the outdoor clothing shop where OH bought some new walking socks, the bookshop, where I bought a couple of cheap books (£5 worth), and I indulged myself with a stroll along the frontage of the shop which sells plants and pet supplies.
What a lovely jug - with a lovely price way beyond our pocket . . .
OH fell in love with these bookshelves and made me take photos so he can make some like them for our next house . . . They're in Addyman's I think.
We were in Hay-on-Wye by about 10.15 and bought 4 hours' worth of parking, so we could just stroll round at our leisure. We made a beeline for the little cafe which does the most fabulous bacon baps (though I had sausages in mine) and washed our brunch down with a cup of Earl Grey. We had a wonderful time just walking very slowly round the bookshops, including going to a few ones we don't normally visit. We bought two books each - mine came under the category of countryside/nature, so that will give you a clue. I'll review them tomorrow.
You can buy all sorts in this antiques mart. I loved the embroidered piece below, but not the price . . .
Our son thinks we are the most boring old fuddy-duddies because we have a routine which we enjoy and follow whenever we go to Hay. To be honest, it's a small town so it's difficult too do anything other than visit our favourite shops! There is something very comforting about a routine, either on outings to favourite places, or during the day at home. We always go to the Antiques shop which is on several floors, with different dealers having a room each. We tut-tut over prices, admire some of the stuff for sale (though to be honest, you won't ever find me forking out £20 plus for a little embroidered tablecloth, however beautiful.)
It's nice to window shop too.
We stopped in a layby just outside Brecon so I could take photos of the mountains.
Here are the twin peaks of Pen-y-Fan, still with snow on their shoulders.
If you enlarge this, you will see the snow on the Carmarthen Fans, just to the edge of the big tree on the left.
I'd love a doll's house, but know they can be had, new, for a third of the price on this splendid one.
The old fuddy-duddies also stopped at the less up-market antiques mart on the way home, but nothing to tempt us there - as has been the case for the last few visits. Times have changed . . .
