After 7.30 managed to fit Holly in the car and headed off for Llanthony along the narrow Usk road which was very quiet and through the small road along to the abbey. It was starting to get dark and I felt a bit nervouse but we made the campsite in plenty of time. It is an extremely basic camp site with just a tap but with one of the best views anywhere with the 12th cent abbey ruins in the background and the tall mountains on either side and all the animals in between. Tents were up and we had a bit of an explore. Holly however wanted a go on the tyre hanging from the tree which she did for a while.
Next day Holly was up at 7.30 and made sure I was there to help her swing from the tyre. We cooked our breakfast and washed up which wasn't easy but had a great time. We then packed our lunch and headed out for Gospel Pass at the top of the valley getting through the narrow lanes. It was a little sleep but we saw the wonderful enscarpment and walked up to the trig point where we saw gliders. Holly managed to walk very well looking at all the horses on the way and foals.
After a long walk we headed off to Hay no Wye where I resisted the urge to go in and buy another 'hippy' top and headed towards the granary which has become very expensive although the food all home made and nice with the bells from the town hall making a nice atmosphere. We then headed back to the camp site where Holly played some more on the swing and I went for an evening walk to the stream.
In the morning and another breakfast (although I managed to turn scrambled egg into Omlette) we staayed at the campsite although I Put my head around the little St Davids church door - some of the tombstone verses were a bit gloomy to say the least. After breakfast we headed off to the the stream below the priory and Holly swam there for a while before walking up another hill and then towards the half moon pub. This features in 'On the Black Hill' and is still quite old fashioned and less henried (Yuppified for 'professionals') than other pubs in the area and I quite liked it with the small background. Slightly embaressing for Holly was seeing her teacher.
Back on the site I took Holly to the Court Farm show day where the cows and horses were all in one field - some of them sat down. One reared up when Holly went near it but the rest were very calm and ignored the herd of humans gazing at them. Holly not being shy went to the stable manager and asked him if she could help with the horses and have a ride - and she did later. The rain just started as we left the site after a very pleasant weekend at such a peaceful and historic place.
Also I'm wanting to read On the Black Hill again having re-visited all those places that feature in the book. Whilst the names are not the same it's easy to guess where the author had meant.
Clevedon / Trip to Llanthony
Saturday: Early start Gospel Pass walk, walk around ruins, camp site
Sunday: Walk to Stream/walk/Half moon, open day at farm and horse ride
