the Wale song - May 18th

We wrapped up our stay in Moreton-in-Marsh by going out to dinner with the two Dutch girls who bravely did the walk. We had a very nice time - laughing and connecting with these two elegant and energetic ladies.

In the morning the sky was blue, there was a slight breeze, but the day was promising to be a nice one. After breakfast we took the opportunity for a photo session in the front garden of our B&B before heading back to the room to collect our gear.

The train to Worcester was on time. We scrambled on board, lugging our heavy cases with us. We repeated this ritual at Worcester and again at Hereford as we had to debark and change trains. An older lady on her way to a quilting fair was extremely helpful and eager to giver her assistance and information. As we roared across the country by train, we both noticed how much less manicured the fields appeared. Yes - there were still pastures and fields fenced with hedges, but there was a certain wildness that was not evident in the Cotswolds.

No longer in “tourist heaven” we also noticed how much less affluent the area seemed as we trundled along to Hereford. The landscape also began to rise to the Malvern Hills and Wales doesn’t appear as gentle because of the sharpness of the land. Don’t get us wrong, this area is every bit as breathtaking as we have seen. The farmland is reddish coloured dirt which would have made Leslie’s ancestors feel right at home when they settled in PEI. The clouds, ever so vigilant, began to follow us as we travelled to Wales. At one point they overtook us but we rallied to blue sky shortly after. Our victory was short-lived however, the clouds battered their way across the sky until they had completely defeated any chance of the sun having a day out.

After climbing up and down the stairs at our final destination we snared a taxi to the Old Rectory, our new B&B. The taxi driver drove us through the narrowest country roads, at warp speed, lined by hedges taller than the car. He assured us this was a two way road. Heaven help us if we meet a car coming the other way. There is literally no where to squeeze past another vehicle.

Upon our arrival we sat cozy and well fed with our new hostess Karen, who generously offered us refreshments upon our arrival. She is kind and generous and more welcoming than any of the hosts we have stayed with thus far. We are definitely in good hands here. Having settled into our room - well, Gloria-Rose settled in and Leslie just unzipped her suitcase. - it was time for a tour of the village. Five minutes later we are back. The hamlet is the size of Iron Springs with nearly as many amenities. But what a view from the front yard. Incredible!

The only eating establishment here opens at 6:30 pm most nights, not at all other nights. With some trepidation, we head there for supper as we have no other alternative. Boy are we in for a treat. We have just eaten our gourmet meals at the Hunters Moon Inn. We have dined at some rather fancy establishments in London and Edinburgh tops them all. Imagine finding such wonderful fare in a village off the beaten track in Wales. Yummmmmm!

Note: it is true. yesterday's blog did not mention shandy. fear not. Gloria-rose switched to Guiness, but she is now back with Leslie drinking Shandy, however we are making up for lost time and we are now getting really brave and ordering full shandy's instead of half pints.

later
ta ta
ta ra