Our route to Hereford (NB: the word has three syllables, not two like the town in Texas) had its charms, despite being on major highways. Hereford is on the river Wye, and getting there we weaved through Wales, stopping for a break and language lessons from a Sainsbury’s:
From Shropshire into Herefordshire, the air was perfumed by a roadside plant, the nonnative Choisya, a type of mockorange.
Castle House
We arrived at the old and very comfortable Castle House Hotel, securing a much sought-after parking spot in the hotel’s small lot. Our room, which overlooked the street, was provisioned with a welcome basket of biscuits, regional cider and fruit–and a small decanter of sherry.
May Fair
Having enjoyed our refreshments and with a few hours to spare before dinner, we explored the neighborhood. The annual Hereford fair (a Very Big Deal, we were told) was on its last night, and the kids were having a blast. Shrieks filled the air.
River walk
We walked back along the river Wye, crossing two lovely bridges.
Returning to our room, we changed for dinner at the hotel’s excellent restaurant. See their menus here.
The next day we would see our reason for being in Hereford: the Mappa Mundi.