The Lonely Road

My last full day of this trip, and I haven’t booked anything at Hay until very late afternoon, so I decide to make the most of it.

Travelling to my accommodation on Tuesday I called off at Abergavenny, and bought some provisions at the supermarket. I got chatting to the lady at the checkout, and she recommended what I am doing this morning - a visit to the Big Pit Museum at Blanaerfon.

Blanaerfon and its surroundings are a designated World Heritage site. The pit head (extra) sits at the top of a hill. There are guided tours underground by ex-miners, and I go down the 90 metres crammed into a cage with others, all hard hatted and lamped up. Mining regulations means that electrical equipment cannot be taken so “contraband” (mobile phones, watches, cameras) is confiscated beforehand. It’s a fascinating tour, as is the site, the buildings and the exhibitions.

I could spend a day or more in this area - the old iron works look really interesting - but I decide instead to take the old road through the Black Mountains to Hay, stopping off at Llanthony Priory en-route. Mile after mile of single carriageway with occasional passing places. On a constrained section between high hedges I meet a lorry. Minor body repair work will be needed. But that doesn’t detract from the spectacular views from the open road as I take the Gospel Pass over to Hay.

My Hay experience ends with Simon Jenkins talking about architecture, and then stand-up from Chris McCausland. I am back at my accommodation very late.