Day 2

Sunday Morning :

With a long day ahead decided to mix pleasure with "business" (business being moving plan - see interlude post).

So decided on a morning round of golf in Pontypool Pontypool golf club

Course like much of wales currently was hard baked. Hardly a drop of rain last 2 months . Fairways would add 20-50 yards on to a shot, and as the course is set in the hills easy for a ball to roll out or off the fairway. No rough to worry about but trees and brush on the edges. Greens were well kept , also hard but softe enough that it wasnt like putting on glass. Didnt play my best but had a nice time playing with locals/members.

and then to the "business" time of the day. One of the highly mentioned towns was Abergavenny . The drive was carved through the hills, despite the brown there was a pop of color thanks to heather (or presuming it was heather as it was purple)

due to the drought they have been battling wildfires

Need a copilot to help take more pictures... but was able to grab these at a turnout.

So into Abergavenny (locals also call it Aber or in Welsh Y Fenni), 

It gives off the market town vibe (Market picture included) . Many people out an about, and eating & drinking outside . Unlike some of the other towns it was more than just a single high street, lots of streets and offshoots with cafe, shops, etc...

Had a quick bite to eat , just a simple cheese sandwich with onion jam and rocket. Simple but tasty. 

I did see promotional flier at the lunch spot. Who knew there was welsh lobster

Anyways continued to wonder about the town. In the town center there is theater (the play kind) and a cinema. Had some ice cream at local shop (made from Welsh milk) . I also walked to one of the house that I found on the UK house hunting site rightmove.  

The drive to Newport was easy enough, straight shot down a 2 lane highway (2 lanes each side) though on the longer side.

Judging a town and people by its cover this town is a contender. 

Pros: shops, eateries, pubs, theater, mountain/hill views, good vibes

Cons: 40 min to Cardiff . Train links not quite as strong (have to take a N/S line to get to an E/W line) 

Mid- airport access > by car Heathrow is 2 1/2 hr, 1hr to Bristol, 1hr to Cardiff,  1h 30m to Birmingham