Stitch n Bitch at the Swan, and a walk up Merbach Common

Our first evening at the Swan was very successful, and very enjoyable - they even opened the bar early for us. Eight of us were there, including two new ladies. I'd seen Sara a few days before, and gone to have a cup of tea with her. She told me she'd started to do cross stitch kits, and showed me one she'd just got from the Old Curiosity Shoppe, of a black cat and poppies. She also said she felt the need to get out more in the evenings, rather than just slump in front of the telly. So it was really nice when she turned up, and had a good time, and got a bit done on her embroidery.
Sally came because she'd got talking to Joyce in the Wool and Willow shop, and decided she wanted to knit a Moebius scarf - a loop with a twist in it. I was glad to see her there, because she'd phoned me earlier to arrange a walk with the dogs, and I'd missed her when I phoned back.
Another of the ladies came along with a basket of chutney to sell. She said she'd made 700lbs of jam this year!
Next week, the room off the bar is being used by someone else, but the lady at reception said we were welcome to come again, and use the back bar - and she might even come along and see what we get up to!
"Be careful of this lot," Sara said. "They've got pointy sticks and they're not afraid to use them!"
Joyce was very pleased - we don't have to think about stacking chairs for the Sandwich Cellar at the end, and there's much more room to spread out.

Later, I took Islay out for her evening walk, and ran into Rob Soldat by the church. He told me that he'll be going out at the weekend with the lady from National Geographic, to show her a walk or two, and he thanked me, because she found out about him from this blog. He's also going to give a talk for the National Park, to B&B owners and hoteliers, about the history in the area which would be of interest to tourists.

This morning, Sally picked me up to go for a walk on Merbach Common, just towards Hereford. It was a perfect walking day, nice and mild, and wonderful views over the Wye Valley from the top. We found puffball mushrooms, and harebells, and the dogs had a great time failing to catch pheasants.
On the way back, we passed Arthur's Stone, the ancient tomb just above Dorstone (and far older than Arthur), and we stopped at a local farm to buy eggs. The farmer actually went into the hen house as we watched, and got the eggs fresh, and warm, from under the hens.
Sally is the sort of person who asks when she wants to know things, and takes a genuine interest in people - and she had most of the farmer's life story in about five minutes flat (I can't do that - I have nothing but admiration for the people who can). He was born on a neighbouring farm, and has lived there all his life, and they got the hens mainly so that his wife can use the eggs for her bakery business. She supplies cakes to Longtown Stores, and the WI Market in Hay, and other places.