A Texan in Hay

Hay-on-Wye is a small town in Wye Valley, Powys County in Wales, and it was to this "Town of Books" that I came to escape the noise of London for a few days during my school break. The 4.5 hour-trip (including a train, bus, and 1-mile uphill hike with a suitcase in tow) was well worth it. I stay in a little apartment in Cusop, a tiny village bordering Hay but on the England side. To get to Hay, you cross through two fields (and seem to walk through a few people's back gardens) before arriving nearly in the middle of the city.

The England-Wales border was once guarded by a wall built by King Offa, similar to Hadrian's Wall, to keep the English off Welsh land. The stone wall is now gone, but the path of Offa's Dyke can be walked, and my route from Cusop to Hay included part of this historic trail.

first view of Hay-on-Wye

"City" may be generous, as you can walk the perimeter of Hay in about 15 minutes. But within those city streets are enough second-hand bookshops to keep a bibliophile busy for days.

My first full day in Hay, I hiked up Cusop Hill to enjoy the views.

My destination was Capodolwyn, that tiny white speck in the middle of the hill.

As I climbed, the views kept getting better and better. 

 Closer to the top of the hill, Hay-on-Wye became harder to see as more of the Welsh countryside, including Radnor Hills, came into view.

After a steep incline up the last part of the hill, I made it to Capodolwyn and had a gorgeous view, even though this was just about halfway up the hill.  

Brecon Beacons in the distance.

Capodolywn is an old, empty cottage on the side of Cusop Hill. I saw it from my window at Rothbury, and it seems like quite the landmark in Hay.

Just beyond Capodolwyn are the Black Mountains.