Day 23- Rest Day in Hay on Wye

  Day off, so woke up at seven and enjoyed lounging outside my tent in the sun while I waited for family to arrive. Wrote up the last few days of the hike but as there was no signal couldn't post. Popped into reception to pay for another night but the kind people there said not to bother and allowed me to stay for free. Instantly liked the place the more. The festival stewards are all young, friendly and reading books which I loved. I had struggled to sleep last night as noise had continued till past midnight, but it's a festival so what do I expect? I am looking forward to quiet country campsite again, empty field with only one or two tents.
  Mum, dad and smaller brother rolled up and we wondered round the place. Hay on Wye is a special town made up of second hand bookshops and no chain stores. This means it's brimming with character and wonderful nooks and crannies. I'm afraid I hadn't the energy and saught nothing but food and chairs. Nothing ached but all felt heavy.

  Once they'd gone I bought some supplies for tomorrow and dinner before whizzing off to attend a talk by Levinson Wood at the festival about his walk up the Nile. It was a channel 4 documentary which I greatly enjoyed and I'd partly planned my schedule in order to attend. I started out unsure, I've never been to one of these things, but could feel myself getting excited watching him and feeling fresh enthusiasm come over me. Apart from a pretentious question from a man near me at the end it was exactly what I needed to keep me going.

  Back at camp the wind grew and I took horrible satisfaction as I saw tents collapse while mine stood largely untouched and wonderful. I love my tent, and once inside could hear people admiring it as they passed. It was again a noisy night but I slept in the end and leaving, although quietly, probably woke my fair share.