T arrived in Hereford to pick up K at 6.30ish after work and we headed south for the Marches. Tomtom managed to take us down an ‘unsuitable for motor vehicles’ road (track, actually) necessitating some seven-point turning, although it wasn’t a major event. After driving a few more miles we found the Priory campsite amidst the hills and in a field next to the ruins. The farmer was initially reluctant when K told him we were in a MH but was welcoming when she explained it was a Rosabella, not a Winnie. We found a quiet spot, parked up and went for a beer in the pub that is built in to the ruins. When we returned the site had filled up – a few lads were throwing a rugby ball around, and there was an impromptu, and very amusing, sack race (well, sleeping bag race anyway!). Next to us was a Reliant with a man sitting in contemplation, and a fellow who was belching for England.Saturday 8th
We’d both had a very stressful week and so felt refreshed after we slept well in The Rosabella’s care. A quick brekkie and we set off for the top of the ridge, T promising it would be just a little stroll. It was very hot and we were looking forward to the breeze that gaining the ridge would bring.The views were spectacular and we decided to carry on along the crest of the ridge for a circular route which T had devised.
We rested at the trig point for our sammos, with lots of other walkers passing by, including a group of Japanese tourists resplendent with their parasols – it was definitely not like France here!
We descended past hidden waterfalls and through head-high bracken, down to the road and what seemed like an interminable slog back to the site. Our ‘short stroll’ had taken 6½ hours and everything was aching!
A quick wash and change and a walk to the pub (The Half Moon) for great food, even better beer and an interesting evening in the company of a man from Malvern who designed and made assistive technology – right up our street – although we all made less and less sense as we enjoyed the beer. We swapped addresses though, as there may be some scope for us to talk again.
We strolled back through the, by now, dark fields to The Rosabella and were fascinated to see a UFO rise from the fields to our right, straight up to quite an altitude and then away to the west. We realised it was a lantern – it looked beautiful, although a little spooky as it drifted silently away.
Sunday 9th
Mr Reliant and Burpman had been joined by their friends - all bikers or ex-bikers. We nattered to a couple of them - one with a self-build with whom we swopped ideas about insulation.
It was very hot and we had lunch outside, watching the world go by. We were very relaxed, if a bit achey from yesterday's exertions, although it was well worth the pain.
We had a relatively quick trip home, via Hay on Wye for ice creams and book browsing - altogether a good relaxing weekend.
View Llanthony Priory in a larger map
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