Some friends got together this weekend to celebrate Kyb‘s birthday in a cottage just outside Wales, not far from Hay-on-Wye. There was wine, helium balloons, port, fires (the log-burning stove reminded me just how much I like fire), Baileys, cakes and board games.
I slept in a bunkbed for the first time in years. There were no streetlights for miles around, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been somewhere with such low light pollution. The stars are amazing, particularly on Friday night when the sky was clear. On Saturday we drove to Hay-on-Wye. It was my first visit to the town, which is twinned with Timbuktu (honestly), and apparently has more books per square mile than anywhere else. Having walked around the town, I can believe it. If you know what you’re looking for there are bargains to be had. I was choosy, and picked up 8 books (a mix of new and second hand) for a total of about £15.
The evenings were full of cake, board games and laughter. It was a huge amount of fun, and the most relaxed I’ve been for a long time. I always forget how good it is to spend quality time with good friends. Thanks everyone, and Happy Birthday, Kyb!
Sounds a lot like a week we spent in Herefordshire last year, with many of the same attractions. We were disappointed by Hay though (one of our friends commented “Hay – sucks!”), but that was during the book festival so maybe we were expecting more.
as a pure metaverse evangelist you should have suggested to kyb to celebrate in second life …
Looks like you have been much more pleased by real life. :-)