If we don't love it and haven't tried it, we don't link it!

Well worth booking a table for!

http://www.thewalnuttreeinn.com Just outside Abergavenny - fabulous, fabulous food, one Michelin star - enough said! Definitely need to book.

http://www.thehardwick.co.uk Triple cooked chips and never a bad meal had, Michelin star chef in residence  need we say more.Just a mile from Abergavenny

http://www.restaurant-guide.com/number-18.htm Number Eighteen, in Crickhowell - fab coffee shop by day, brasserie and bar serving delicious food by night.

http://www.eatdrinksleep.co.uk behind the simple pub facade, there is a cracking menu, great service and delicious home grown food. Between Brecon and Hay on Wye

http://www.crownatwhitebrook.co.uk - another Michelin star in Wales, perfect for cottages in the Wye Valley, delicious and superb romantic location in wooded valley.

http://www.wyevalleycanoes.co.uk - The River Cafe (also has a great Canoe Centre) is one of our favorite new places to eat just outside of Hay on Wye, great Italian food and beautiful river views.

Our favourite shops in our favorite towns...

HAY ON WYE

Llewelyn & Company Handpicked antique one offs, beautiful fabrics, irresistable homewares and some lovely childrens clothes. The Sugar & Loaf team have started a collection of their hand painted pottery mugs - beautiful!

Richard Booths Books Not only is this a lovely second hand bookshop with comfy linen armchairs to watch the world go by in and great books, it also has a fabulous coffee shop tucked away round the corner A new local favorite and we can highly recommend the yummy breakfast served all day on the day we reviewed, another great reason to go to Hay!

ROSS ON WYE

Bailey's Home and Garden Just outside Ross on Wye with it's own tabernacle tearoom, open at the weekend, Bailey's is a shrine to pared down, recycled design. Worth a trip on it's own (although it's not the child friendliest of places). The Sugar & Loaf team love the freshly mown grass candles - fabulous!

HEREFORD

Berry Red Tucked away in the lovely Church Street, Berry Red is where we head with our wish list for Christmas and birthdays. With perfect presents for friends, a great children's section and lots of things you'll want to bag for yourself, it's well worth a visit.

ABERGAVENNY

The Art Shop - Full of goodies for the artist, creative child or a simple farrow and ball paint re-stock! Great gallery upstairs with an every changing display of excellent British art and sculpture. We're massive fans of Dione Sievewright who captures the beautiful hills and homes around us with incredible talent - worth popping in during your stay to see if they have any courses running - one day workshops are often on offer.

Love Lilly - Beautiful florist just next to the Angel Hotel, offering fabulous bouquets, pretty gifts and a special card or two...they and the Art Shop also sell the nicest wrapping paper in town.

Things we like to do at the weekend.....