Hay-on-Wye

Has anyone been to Hay-on-Wye before? I went yesterday for the first time and thought I'd died and gone to heaven. One of the friends I was with (who goes there pretty regularly) told me she wants her ashes scattered over the street of Hay when she's gone. It was awesome. 

Wow, I just googled it and it looks right up my alley!!! Unfortunately, dh has an irrational dislike of Wales. 

Footnote for anyone who hasn't been to Hay-on-Wye ... SECONDHAND BOOK HEAVEN ... I guess that's what they're on about?

Closer to home, the Book Barn (A37 / A39 corner about 10 miles from Bath and Bristol) is a huge secondhand book place we can spend HOURS and it's not quite so remote.   I've seen signs to a secondhand store of theirs too, in Bristol.

I've never been there but this was in yesterday's paper:

http://www.hayfestival.com/2005/index.html

From what I hear, the Festival is truly amazing. But I'm just as happy going when there are no events. I could have spent DAYS wandering around all the bookshops! I came home with 17 books -- which I thought was a sign of remarkable restraint! 

 Unfortunately, dh has an irrational dislike of Wales. 

Well, tell him it's in England!  It is in fact right on the border and it's totally great!

There's loads to do in the surrounding area too - one of the UK's hidden secrets - spend a w/end there and come back happy!