From London to...

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Sunday 19 July 2015

After yesterday's surprise at Covent Garden we should really have a quiet day today, but this is not to be. A further birthday surprise awaits, involving a journey ... somewhere! Once again a time was given for departure and no questions were to be asked.

We set off in two cars, Holly the dog happy to be included this time. Motorway driving followed as we headed west from London, negotiating what seemed like pretty heavy traffic and the odd detour. Nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the ride. Possible destinations on the exit signs came and went and still we drove. Suddenly Bristol was a possibility but no, we paid the toll and were over the Severn Bridge in no time. Aha! We must be going to Wales, a part of the UK we do want to see on this trip.

Somehow we went from motorway to small country roads through beautiful green hills and valleys, beside little streams and under arches of summer trees. We rounded a corner in the Wye Valley and there close to the road was the great Tintern Abbey. This most certainly warranted a stop to enjoy a leisurely walk through the ruins and grounds, capturing stunning views of blue sky through arched window and door openings. Just amazing. Time passed quickly and this was definitely not our final destination. More driving up and over, around and through, in and out until the name Brecon flashed into sight on the road signs. This will be the end of our journey, a delightful looking town on the edge of Brecon Beacons National Park, with mountains and rivers close by. The cars were parked and we were taken into a pretty white-painted Guest House where a warm welcome awaited. This Guest House is where our daughter and son-in-law stayed several nights earlier this year. They were so impressed by the accommodation and this area of Wales they decided to make a return visit and bring us along.

By now the evening was here and four hungry people needed to be fed. A walk around the town revealed that food had run out in some pubs and in fact there was no chance of sitting down to dinner at this hour on Sunday evening. No problem, a Chinese restaurant could provide takeaways - in an hour's time. We spent that hour in a nearby pub where we enjoyed playing a small part in the rather quiet quiz night that was under way. We like this town and look forward to tomorrow's explorations.

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Photos

The Severn Bridge
About to enter Wales.

Tintern Abbey
The magnificent ruins.

Tintern Abbey
Ruins from inside the abbey.

Tintern Abbey
One of the great windows.

Brecon
Our bed for the night.