Oh great, so next time I'm in Hay I'll no doubt see a bloody big hole where a castle once stood, because some Yank flashing his cash has moved it to the U.S.of A.!!!

Probably thought he was buying Windsor Castle or the Tower of London.

Jury's out on that one! This is the more likely fate:Hay Castle to become a festival venue. Basically, it's been bought by a couple who made their money in the City. As the festival becomes more and more powerful, Hay will become more and more like Ludlow, I expect. They certainly don't make much money out of the book shops.

However, the big threat to the town comes from big developers, who seem to be circling like hungry sharks.
Tescopoly article.
Walesonline article.
Guardian article.

That'll be a tragic day for Hay if Tesco/Sainsbury's/Asda/Morrison's, et al, open a superstore there. The town is beautiful and quaint and will certainly be completely ruined by such a store. Having been to Stornoway on the Isle of Harris & Lewis, I know there's a Tesco there, and there's also a Tesco at Lerwick in the Shetland Islands (I put my hands up and say I did shop there), and at Kirkwall on Orkney!! It's just getting beyond. Oh well, we'll just have to blame it on 'progress' I suppose. Very sad.

All is not lost! A friend of mine joined Hay's Town Council for the very reason of opposing superstore development in Hay, and there are a hell of a lot of people there who will fight tooth and nail to keep Hay independent. I know people doing the same in Stirchley (Brum) too. There are tons of people who are sick of the Tesco-isation of everything... the only way to stop it is to band together and make an alternative.

My great-grandfather was a town councilor in Hay, no doubt he's spinning in his grave over this.

Green bamboo at roundabout in Waterfoot this lunch time. Mates couldn't believe it was being driven by a reasonably fit bird.

What, like a moderately successful racing pigeon?

My reaction exactly!

I saw a B reg yellow Special with grey wings, a la Charleston, going along the A40 at Gloucester yesterday evening at around 8. I was in the lorry and gave the driver a thumbs up out of the cab window, but I didn't get a reaction. Not one beyond "what's that weirdo waving at" anyway.