Hay-on-Wye to Kington

Fernleigh was a slightly old-fashioned B&B (with 'instructions', with some interesting spellings, in picture frames in our rooms, including one that we were to ask before having a bath) but Mr and Mrs Hughes were friendly, and we had a lovely breakfast before leaving about 8.50am. We then spent almost an hour in Hay-on-Wye, doing battle with the fact that the food shops don't open until late. It's a funny place, but we got everything that we wanted in the end. We left Hay by crossing the river and then turning right along the river bank. It was almost perfect walking weather - overcast with occasional bursts of sunshine, and we saw red kites several times during the day. The rainclouds didn't deposit their load until the evening.

We walked by the river for a couple of kilometres, then crossed farmland (including going right through the middle of a field of barley at one stage, but the signs made it clear that this was what we were meant to do). Then we climbed up to the A438 and walked alongside it for a while, on a wide grass verge) with superb views to the River Wye and the Black Mountains beyond.

We turned off onto a muddy track and then followed paths down to Newchurch, with views along the valley to Llan-pica. We had lunch sitting in a bench in Newchurch, being watched by sheep in the churchyard and with a very friendly dog for company.

The climb up to Hergest Ridge was not as difficult as I'd expected and the walk along the ridge was relatively easy with yet more views, especially of our previous days' walks (the length of Hatterall Hill was clearly visible) and of the walking we'd be doing tomorrow. We remembered the monkey puzzle plantation from when we were here in 2002. There were a few other people about, but not too many, especially given that it was a Saturday afternoon.