Nick, Diane, Danielle, Bryony, Sally, Iain, John and Pam. 

The prospect of camping seemed somewhat dampened by the showers we passed through on the Friday journey westward. However the day had been mostly dry around the campsite at Pandy, situated between Abergavenny and Hereford.

We met up with the others, and after a cup of coffee/tea from John and Pam's fully equipped camper-van (with central heating), the tent was erected and the bikes unloaded. 

Despite the light rain we decided to cycle a short distance to the crooked church at Cwmyoy. This involved a steep hill, up and down, which wasn't easy due to the mud and pot-holes. Nick, Sally and Bryony had to walk as they were on a tandem with a trailer-bike attached! The small church was perched on a hillside and was old, leaning, staggered and twisted.

Back at the campsite we met up with Pam's sister and her daughter, who live in Abergavenny. Then we went down to the pub. The Skirrid Inn (named after the mountain Ysgyryd Fawr) is reputed to be the oldest pub in Britain (one of many), dating from 1110. Quite a swinging place, with many a hanging from the beams over the centuries; none this weekend! The food, drink and service was so good we booked a table for the next evening too.

It seemed to rain heavily all night, the tent at once protecting and amplifying the sound, making the field muddy and soggy. However Saturday was dry and sunny. Our cycle ride along quiet lanes took us to Ewyas Harold for a pub lunch. Then a short distance to Abbey Dore where we looked round the remaining part of the abbey. Just round the corner was the Court garden where we had an ice-cream and wandered through the beautiful grounds, each side of the swollen River Dore.

Onward to Kilpeck where the church with strange carvings stands below the ruins of the castle. Opposite the conveniently placed tea-shop provided us with tea and a lovely slice of cake.  While the others opted for the main road, John, Pam, Diane and myself opted for the scenic route. With several hills along the way it took us rather longer than expected to get back.

An enjoyable evening followed in the pub for our late meal.

Sunday morning saw us pedalling up the Vale of Ewyas in beautiful sunshine and countryside. At Llanthony Priory we stopped for a coffee and a look round the ruins. Continuing up the valley, we followed the river past Capel-y-ffin. It was quite hot now (John had to strip off to his thermal vest!) on our approach to the Gospel Pass - the steep bit! At the top we stopped to take in the view: Hay Bluff rising to the right; Lord Hereford's Knob to the left; and beyond the steep hill below us, the meanders of the River Wye. Onward, past the busy car-park, we whizzed downhill all the way into Hay-on-Wye, where we met up with Bryony, Sally and Nick who had driven over.

After a pleasant lunch it was time to hit the second-hand book shops. This small town has dozens of book shops with miles of shelves; I only managed a quick look round three of them.

We followed the B-road out, which avoided some of the worst hills, through Dorstone and the Golden Valley. We made good time on the main road, which had surprisingly little traffic.

The pub we had planned to eat at this evening was very crowded, smoky and noisy, with a long wait for tables. Instead we went to an Austrian-run B&B / restaurant. This was quiet and relaxed, with good home-cooked European-style food; the German pan-fried potatoes were particularly tasty. A very pleasant weekend and a great area to explore by bike.

 Iain Hawthorn