We're staying in the New Inn, Talgarth tonight in preparation for stage 6 of the Tour of Britain which sweeps through the Brecon Beacons tomorrow. Yes, Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish will be riding up the A470, past the Storey Arms, skirting the margins of the mighty Pen-y-Fan.
What a God-forsaken place Talgarth is! I start with our Inn, owned by a perfectly respectable and pleasant Thai guy who is the object of unhidden contempt from his redneck customers. They aren't wild about their English guests either which partially accounts for why we passed on the patron's no doubt excellent Thai restaurant in favour of the very pleasant Red Dragon back in Brecon this evening (a very good Szechuan chicken and well-worth the 16 mile round trip).
Talgarth itself is small, derelict, poor, hopeless and sucks the life out of you. There is an entire street up for sale but at least it keeps the extended family busy (picture) :-).
