Llanthony priory turned out to be a very romantic place if a bit gloomy in the rain. There is something magical about a wall that stands like this, clearly having lost its purpose. The window should be a window into another world. The real reason that the world on the other side is white, is that it was covered in very low clouds.
What I liked about Llanthony priory was that although it was clearly a ruin, you could still see some of the detailing that the stonemasons had put so much work into all those centuries ago. It made it much more evocative.
On my way home from Wales I also visited Tintern abbey. Although it is much larger and more wellpreserved, I really preferred Llanthony. The two reasons are in plain view here. For one thing, the setting of Llanthony in the Valey of Ewyas in the Black Mountains is just beautiful and peaceful. Tintern abbey, on the other hand, is near a busy road. Tintern abbey is also a tourist trap of proportions. There is a giftshop, it costs money to enter and the place is very crowded. In Llanthony there were only a few visitors who paid nothing to park and admire the ruin. All in all a much more rewarding experience.
This is by far the best picture of the ones I took on my first day in Wales. It is taken near where I joined Offa's Dyke. The south part of the ridge is moorland. I even got to see a grouse.
Another bleak image this time on Offa's Dyke. When I got to the top I cheered myself up with some tea and a sandwich. This is when I got aquainted with the first begging sheep I've ever met.
