Now, I try and keep my bias against the English limited to the rugby season, however, I must admit that a character named Giraldus Cambrensis has rather rattled my cage by referring to the Welsh as a “barbarous people”. Admittedly this was in the 12th century, but that is no excuse for such an insult. We were not even playing rugby against them then for God’s sake ! He was in fact writing about the exquisitely beautiful site of Llanthony Priory, situated about eight miles North of Abergavenny, on probably the most photogenic road in Wales. For a precised version of the history check out http://www.castlewales.com/llantho.html .

In the “today” world, this little expedition was part of the escape plan from the bustle of the Abergavenny Food Festival. The only down side of visiting this spot is that the tiny pub set into the walls of the old priory does not serve Guinness. Other than that, it is truly idyllic, even on a bad day. I’ve taken lots of photos, but I’ll add only a few here.