Dilwyn to Brinsop

In this, the last episode of Part 1 of our Borderland Journey, we reach the halfway stage of the story. Leaving Dilwyn, and its herd of heroic Hereford cattle, we visit beautiful, ancient Weobley with its dancing pigs and demon-haunted farms, to travel into some of the loveliest country in England. Our ideas of the picturesque landscape, and of the countryside as something for our aesthetic delight were developed here, two and a half centuries ago – ideas as powerful now as they have ever been. But as we wind down Raven’s Causeway, over hill and valley to reach the open country of the river Wye, we are plunged back into a world of poetry and legend, meeting Wordsworths, St George and his battle with the terrible dragon. And we find Part 2 now beckoning. The golden valleys and mist-shrouded hills of western Herefordshire are calling. Watch out for the summons to join us on the journey.

Episode 5 takes us through Leominster’s great Priory church, only to be dunked in a ducking stool before travelling on past Welsh triumph and despair to reach the village of Dilwyn. In this place of ancient powers and deep country, we hear the distant voices of gypsy singers in songs of death, love and judgement.

In episode 4, we leave Saxon treachery behind us, as we encounter ghosts, witches and the lost Legion on our way to the pretty town of Leominster. In spite of Welsh depredations, we enjoy all the pleasures of a properly comfortable life - ignoring the savage administration of summary justice and violent death. But that's all after we skip along to join one of the most bizarre dance troups ever formed.