I'm back - I think . . . I HOPE!

I loved this wooden statue in the car park. Apparently it is a Knight called "Mercia Man" and was carved from the remains of a beech tree by Philip Bews and erected in Gaol Street in 2000. It was commissioned by Herefordshire Council. Apparently Mr Bews roughed the Knight out with a chainsaw and then did the details using a chisel. The buildings on the Knight's head represent various buildings in Hereford and the old bridge, and he is carrying an apple in one hand (a cider apple of course!) and a Hereford Bull in the other . . . I don't know who is responsible for the cone, but they were good at climbing!

Well, we are now on our third day of four blue lights on the BT home hub. I can't quite trust in fate that it will stay that way, but I shall hope for the best. I have SO much to share with you and can hopefully reward your patience with some interesting titbits and photos again. I did begin by taking notes (esp. for my Nature Notes) but as the weeks went by I lost hope a bit, especially after being told it could be a month MORE before we had the broadband back.

Anyway, we have our eldest daughter home at present which is LOVELY and yesterday we went to Hereford for the day, as she wanted to see the Mappa Mundi in Hereford Cathedral. It so happens that Hay-on-Wye is on the way too . . . I expect that you know which way THIS post is going!

This beautiful "Magpie house" is from the Tudor period and stands in the middle of the city and now houses an excellent Museum with period furniture and original painted plasterwork. I took lots of photos but sadly cannot share them with you as I had to sign an indemnity form - which particularly said I was not to share them "electronically" . . . A pox on 'em . . .

Looking down the main thoroughfare. I was marched PAST all the plant stalls . . .

Another view of the wonderful museum, which was really light inside from all the windows.

A narrow street (this would be a "wynd" in certain towns) showing that it may once have had a runnel down the middle, as does Cheap Street in Frome, still . . .

There were some nice little shops but I didn't dare go into the Artisan wools one, having had quite a shock in a similar shop in Hay-on-Wye where the cheapest wools were over £5 a time, and several were £8.95 and even £10.95 a ball . . .

Below, a view across the Cathedral Close to some of the older buildings in Hereford.



Anyway, it was a really fabulous day out - but then I'm easily pleased! We wandered round the city and the cathedral, and asked where the Green Men were in the cathedral and the Verger showed us. They had school children and Very Loud Music when we arrived and the Cathedral was filled with a terrific atmosphere - last time we went, there were school children again but it was very subdued in there.

I'll come back and add some more details later, but No. 1 just-left-school son is waiting to come on.