A Day in Hay

Being a self-confessed travel addict doesn’t always manifest itself in an uncontrollable urge to dash, passport in hand, to the nearest airport check in. It does however, require a sense of adventure, a full tank of petrol and a patient husband who is amenable to that inevitable mid-week question – “We’re not busy this weekend are we? Because I was thinking we could go to…”

 

Richard Booth’s Book Shop

Fortunately for me, the other half has always had a bit of an Indiana Jones complex, he is after all finishing up a Masters in Regional History. Though it must be said our adventures are more picnic in the park than Raiders of the Lost Ark.  I’m extremely lucky too that we live in a beautiful part of the world – filled with rich pickings fit for the most intrepid of explorers.

Just an hour away is the town of Hay- on-Wye, the world’s first, and most famous book town.  This small village, nestled on the border between Wales and England is the world’s largest second hand and antiquarian book centre, home to over 40 book shops, equating to a biblio-licious average of 1 bookshop per 36 residents. It is also host to the world-renowned Hay Literature Festival, dubbed by Bill Clinton as the ‘Woodstock of the Mind’, and is one of my favourite places to while away a weekend, trawling through its literary treasure troves.

No matter what your reading tastes are – you’re well served in Hay. From specialist bookshops,

such as The Hay Cinema Bookshop and the deliciously dark Murder and Mayhem- purveyors of crime and horror novels, to the fabulous Richard Booth’s Books – which lays claim to the coveted (well in this village, anyway) title of world’s largest second hand bookshop, there really is something for everyone. It is almost impossible to leave the town without an armful of books.

Over the years, I’ve had some great finds in Hay. Among them a dog-eared first edition of Truman Capote’s ‘A House on the Heights’ and my favourite so far – a first edition of Tennessee Williams’ ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’, found in a dusty box at the back of one of the smaller shops, complete with the cast list from the London Comedy Theatre’s 1958 production of the play, starring Kim Stanley as Maggie (also known for her role as narrator in the 1962 film version of To Kill A Mockingbird) hidden inside.

1955 First Edition of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with 1958 London Comedy Theatre cast list

My latest visit this weekend didn’t disappoint. After a day scrutinising the shelves, I am now the proud owner of Penguin first edition copies of Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ and Steinbeck’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’.

Indiana also managed to purchase the equivalent of his own bodyweight in various history books. Happy shoppers indeed. The only problem now is finding more space on our creaking bookshelves.

Sensible shoes

I guess we’re not in the Departure Lounge anymore Toto…

Hello, and welcome to my new blog. I’m sure you’ve worked out from the title, that it’s here I plan to share my travel tales old and new. I don’t necessarily intend to write 80 posts as the title suggests. There may be more (I can go on a bit), there may be less (I’m easily distracted). We’ll see how I get on.

Also expect a little babbling about my current travel-inspired project – a literary guide to America’s Deep South.

As I mentioned, my posts will be about trips both old and new, giving me a chance to de-clutter my desk drawer of notebook after notebook filled with travelogues dating back over ten years.

Ah, those cherished moments, like the time my best friend and I were almost hurled over a cliff whilst jungle trekking in Northern Thailand by a greedy, non-spatially-aware elephant; or the time my husband befriended a tatooed giant, fresh from a 10 year stint in a notorious California clink within the first hour of our 29 hour train ride from LA to San Antonio, Texas.

You see, it’s not all about rolling waves and sunsets.

I’ll also be writing about my forthcoming travels as I research and write my book. In fact, my husband and I are gearing up for a trip to New Orleans this week. I’m excited to be meeting with a group of Tennessee Williams’ old buddies, from whom I hope to gain some first hand insights into the life of one of the 20th Century’s greatest playwrights. My husband is equally excited about his meetings with bottomless gumbo bowls and afternoon sazeracs on our balcony.

My posts won’t all feature travel to foreign climes. To quote another intrepid adventurer and childhood heroine of mine, Dorothy Gale who knew a thing or two about appreciating what you have in your own back yard – “There’s no place like home”, so I’ll also include adventures had here in Wales.

Dorothy also knew about travelling in style. With a few clicks of those ruby slippers  (or if like me you read the books, silver slippers) she was transported to her destination, with no fuss,  and no long queues at check in. I’m sure I’ll be dreaming of my own pair at the airport this week.