Off to Wales in the Mercedes Mini bus with Back Road Tours. We had 11 fellow travelers from Aus Canada and the US. All congenial company. Our driver, Mike, a Welshman and failed academic (his words) was a fountain of knowledge, more than anyone could take in on one trip! Our first stop in Wales was a very old, very tiny, very remote little church. Lovely spot accessed by a combination of one lane wide lanes that only a local could navigate. Near as could be we nearly ran head on into farmer Giles coming the other way in his Landrove complete with a very large trailer. Mike reversed expertly for what seemed an eternity until we found a small farm gate in which to execute a pass.
Then on to our overnight stop at the Bear Hotel in Crickhowell. This pub has twice been awarded best rural pub in the UK (or something like that). accomodation was nice and the restaurant brilliant. Had lamb shanks - what else in Wales? Began to get to know our fellow travelers.