Someone asked if this was the right time to hold climate protests, considering the present political climate in the UK. The considered answer was that all the problems over Brexit seemed like a petty squabble compared with the importance of saving the planet. Whatever people's politics are, we all need a habitable planet to live on. In one way, this is a perfect time to protest about climate change, both because of the short time we have to make a difference according to the IPCC report and the volatile nature of British politics at the moment - there may be a General Election soon, and the situation seems to be changing all the time. It was seen as a positive sign that Jane Dodds, the new MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, came to the Brecon protest last week, and was talking about holding a Citizen's Assembly to talk about what can be done in the local area to mitigate climate change. The day was quite overcast, so my photo is quite dark. There was a late medieval hall there, followed by the farmhouse which was built between the 15th and 17th centuries, with additions built in the 18th and 19th centuries. The most famous resident was William Watkins, a Parliamentary officer in the Civil War, who probably built the original farmhouse that replaced the hall. He held Puritan meetings in the farmhouse, and later local Non-conformists worshipped at a specially built Meeting House (now part of the holiday cottages). The "Llanigon church" was even mentioned in the House of Commons in 1646, in a sermon by Walter Cradoc, who said that "the Gospel has run over the mountains between Breconshire and Monmouthshire as the fire in the thatch." In the evening, there's a talk at the Swan, with speakers talking about walking in the Brecon Beacons, Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk, and The Shropshire Six - six hills on a 40 mile route which is traditionally completed in one day! The jugglers weren't the only buskers - up at the top of the Pavement was a chap with an electric guitar who has become a regular fixture, playing something mellow. Emily is running workshops to make costumes, to be used when the Castle is finally able to open to the public. I've already had a lot of fun talking to her about 13thC clothing, and I'm hoping to go along to at least one of the workshops.

There is also a Minor Injuries Unit in Brecon and Llandrindod Wells. At the moment, the Minor Injuries Units are Appointment only - you can't just turn up. This is because of Covid-19 precautions. Consultant-led Accident and Emergency Services (the nearest A&E for most people in the area will be Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, or County Hospital Hereford). Phillips was himself affected by the diseases that ravaged the ship on that voyage, and became permanently deaf. He retired to Brecon and never sailed again. He died in 1713, aged around 48.

So I had two very enjoyable meals, and several people I was eating with said that they'd like to come again to sample the ordinary menu - the Three Tuns specialises in Italian food.

On Sunday, though, I had the chance to join the Kilvert Walk led by Oliver Balch, as part of the Hay Independence celebrations. Apparently this is nothing to do with the Post Office - the ATM is owned by a separate company and they decided to start charging for withdrawals.There were three really interesting things that I could have gone to see last night - the Walking Festival talks at the Swan, a folk singer at the Globe, and a talk about medieval astronomy at Cusop Church.