This photo was taken last December when we spent a few days in the England-Wales border town of Hay-on-Wye. I was standing in the main car park as the landscape lit up. It was very very cold, a prelude to the big snow that happened soon afterwards. Thankfully it waited till we had made it home before it descended. Travelling on rural Hereford and Shropshire byways under two feet of snow would not have been a good experience.
Hay is a tiny town on the banks of the majestic River Wye, but though small it has a world-wide reputation, both for the number of its second hand book shops and now as the home of a famous annual literary festival to which I have yet to take myself. Anyway, here’s a glimpse of the book shop that started it all, a place where one may spend many many hours. It also has a very excellent cafe and a cinema. So much bliss under one roof.
Tish Farrell 
what a wonderful place!
I have never seen so many books as I have in Hay. Warehouses full!
Love Hay, even though it seemed a little shabby on our last visit.
I think it’s always been a bit shabby, at least as I remember it. Shabby with a few smart shops.
It’s hard to believe it was cold on that day. The outdoor landscape looks as warm and cosy as the bookshop.
It was very strange the way the coldness arrived. As if the sky gods had opened a trap door on us and WHOOSH.
It sounds a lovely place, Tish and I must visit in 2019, although I shall wait for the warmer weather.
Oh yes. Wait till spring. It’s a bit of a draughty corner in winter. Lots of nice cafes and walks too.
We went there last week and it was wet and cold, but the books indoor don’t mind, do they … 🙂
Yes, so much bliss under one roof. It would be a wonderful experience to be there.
Comfy sofas too 🙂
Aah … books!
I have to say it’s not altogether motivating as a writer to see so many cast off tomes waiting for a good home.
I know the feeling. I try to come to terms with such things and have almost adopted a more fatalistic view – what will be will be.
A wise approach.
A bookshop and a cafe, you don’t need much after that
You don’t !
Second hand bookshops. Heaven!! When I initially typed “bookshops”, it came out as “bookstops”, which really is rather true as well. Happy Friday, Tish.
janet
Definitely bookstops, Janet 🙂
That is a beautiful bookshop. Love the Golden Hour in the Borderland image!
Thanks, Amy.
I’m thinking you could spent the day in the book store. Lovely place.
One could sort of move in, I feel.
Second-hand books, a cafe and a cinema. I could live there in absolute bliss. 🙂
NOW who’s not keeping up? 😦 😦 Sorry again! I always wanted to visit Ross-on-Wye and the valley. It looks my kind of place. 🙂 🙂
Real walking country – and very lovely.
Gloriously russet tones Tish. This is one of my fave places – vaguely considering making a move to Hereford part of the world as the Wye is my favourite river and have spent good times in Hay. Was not at the book fair but the book shop took hours off my life!
I’ve been thinking of Herefordshire too, or at least a part of Shropshire that’s closer to it. Been reading John Lewis-Stempel’s The Running Hare – a love story of making a chemical free meadow in rural Herefordshire.
I love this, Tish!
Thanks, Jennie.
You’re welcome, Tish.
It was my first visit to Wales last week and besides the books I especially enjoyed the landscape surrounding Hay. It was so windy, we refrained from hiking to the top of Hay Bluff, brrr …
Glad you had good views, Dina, but it must have been freezing in the wind. So yes. Thank goodness for all those bookshops and cafes.