Meanwhile, in the old newsagents where they started off, Small Stories has moved in, down from a small unit at the Castle. I'm not entirely sure what they're selling - they weren't quite open when I went past - but it seems to be small household items.
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I needed a new Senior Railcard (I have some plans for days out later in the year). I tried to renew the card online, but the website wouldn't let me do it.
Thank goodness for ticket offices! I went into Hereford yesterday and bought a new card over the counter in minutes. The online version had to allow ten days for the card to be delivered.
So, while I was in Hereford, and had plenty of time, I decided to go in search of the Hereford Labyrinth. I'd heard of this via the new local Pagan group that has a page on Facebook, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Pagan, Witch and Spiritual Community - not exactly a snappy title, but does what it says on the tin, and it has 1.3k members!
The Labyrinth was built by volunteers, in the last few years, and the information online said it was on Castle Green. So I walked all round Castle Green, without success. There's a rather pretty footbridge across the Wye to Bishop's Meadow, so I thought I'd try there.
On the way, I stopped at a coffee stall, and the lady there pointed me in the right direction.
It is, indeed, in Bishop's Meadow, surrounded by park railings, and free to anyone who wants to go in and walk the labyrinth, or sit on the benches around the edge.
The benches are just out of shot, in the corners of the fenced area. The four quarters of the compass are marked with small stones around the edge, too - the labyrinth begins in the North East.
The difference between a labyrinth and a maze is that a maze has dead ends and you can get lost in them, whereas a labyrinth has one path that meanders towards the centre, and then out again. It took me about ten minutes to reach the centre, walking slowly. It's a very peaceful experience, and is often used as a method of meditation.
I don't know about anyone else, but I haven't seen a dentist since just before covid lockdown, as the NHS dentist that I was going to see retired at that point. The dental practice were unable to find a new NHS dentist, so only private dental services have been available in Hay since then.
All that is about to change, at least temporarily.
A mobile unit will be parking at the recreation grounds on Brecon Road until December. After this, it will be moved to another location in Powys.
This will be a five day a week service, and patients will be invited to come in at the start of a session (morning or afternoon) and wait to be seen, so they can get through as many patients as possible.
Patients will be invited to the service from the existing dental waiting list for Powys, but there will also be emergency care available for people who dial 111 with dental swelling or pain.
Patients who need more complex treatment, or longer courses of treatment, will be referred to Brecon War Memorial Hospital, which has a dental unit.
So three cheers for the Town Council for providing a place for them to park, and all the other facilities they need.
When I visited yesterday, a couple of the organisers of h.art were also there - they said that they tried to get round to see all the new exhibitors during the week.
I treated myself to a watercolour view of the Warren, as a percentage of the profit will go to buying testing kits for the citizen scientists testing the quality of the water in the River Wye.
The wooden sculpture of a heron, which disappeared from the Riverside Walk about three months ago, has been found! It was floating in the river about five miles downstream from Hay, and was found by a local angler. It has lost its beak, but it might be possible to restore it, and return it to the Riverside Walk - where a new heron has been installed to replace it.
Now that the sketching exhibition has finished, there's another exhibition at the Chair gallery that encourages members of the public to try their hand at an art technique.
This is as much a meditation practice as art. The idea is to relax, breath deeply, and make either a line or a circle with the huge paintbrush. Stacks of newspaper are provided to paint on, and there is an assistant who talks you through the process.
It was actually really good fun, and the people demonstrating the technique are very interesting to talk to.
The exhibition is on for another couple of days.
Vessel is an art trail between remote rural churches maintained by the Friends of Friendless Churches between Usk and Hay, and it runs from 8th August to 31st October. I discovered it when a friend gave me the leaflet.
It's an art trail that requires a car, but for those who can get to the churches, it sounds very interesting.
Each church hosts a different artist, so:
St Jerome Llangwm Uchaf has a sculpture of a white hart by Lucy Glendinning
St Mary Llanfair Kilgeddin has a sculpture called Centre in the churchyard, by Steinunn Thorarinsdottir
St Michael and All Angels Gwernesney has a sculpture called Grace Vessel by Jane Sheppard
Urishay Castle Chapel has a wooden sculpture called Simmer Down by Robert George (I have been to Urushay Castle Chapel by taking the bus to Peterchurch and walking up the hill, though it's a bit of a climb).
St Cadoc Llangattock-vibon-avel has two sculptures by Barbara Beyer, one in the church and one in the churchyard.
Dore Abbey has a knitted red wool installation by Lou Baker
and finally, St David Llangeview has a tapestry above the West door by Andrew Bick
There's also a weekend event coming up from 13th to 15th September based in Abergavenny, with curator-led tours to all the churches, talks, dinner at St Mary's Priory and an art performance by Holly Slingsby - tickets start at £35 from artandchristianity.org/events
There's a new stone seat in Cusop Churchyard, and to celebrate the church is having live entertainment on Wednesday 4th September, from 4pm, with a Bring and Share Tea.
Everyone is welcome.
