Starting with a quick rant. On Thursday, I had the car to do some food shopping and other things. Took Andrew into work and hit Builth at about 8.30. Most shops are open at that time, so was able to trundle round and do what I needed. Called into the Post Office, where I was the sole queuer behind a single lady engaged in complex transactions involving parcels and heaven knows what else. Seeing another position open, I stepped up to be told "This position is closed" - well, that told me. I'm just the customer. Eventually got to the single cashier position open, and the lady in front apologised to me as she left, whereas the woman behind the counter didn't. Bought my stamps and seeing all the posters advertising "The People's Christmas Fund" (just sounding horribly Stalinist) asked if Icould pay in a cheque. Initially the woman said yes, then asked what bank it was. I told her "NatWest" - not too obscure - but she sighed and said no. Apparently you can with about 50% of the High street banks but not the other 50%. What a cockeyed system. I can understand them not doing any, or doing all, but this type of half-assed approach makes me long to throw them to the archest of arch capitalists and say "Yes, privatise them. Do your worst!" Nothing could be worse than the current muddle.

A good weekend. Andrew was looking forward to it, as work has been quite exciting for him this week, as they are moving from one office in Llandrindod (in an old Victorian hotel) to another on a trading estate on the outskirts of the town. He's fortunate in not having too much to pack, with not having been there very long, but sounds like many of his colleagues are being forced to empty their cupboards and do a bit of de-cluttering.

Yesterday, we travelled down to Pontardawe. It was a lovely journey, via Brecon and Sennybridge with stunning views and quiet roads, except of course for weekend motorbikers who are very common, hurtling around. We went there to the show venue for next Monday to walk the course for the risk assessment which I am having to prepare for the Council who own the site. Took lots of pics, which naturally included a few of Andrew and the dogs. Popped in to the local Tesco afterwards for emergency stock up of gin and a few other things, then home. A peaceful evening with the paper, some supper and CSI. And of course snoozing hounds.

We caught up with some episodes of the BBC4 series on Sissinghurst - my goodness, what a trainwreck. Am watching in appalled fascination as Adam Nicholson and Sarah Raven flounce, fuss and pout - I was strongly reminded of Prince Charles by the constant whining about being misunderstood victims while the poor sods in the NT were trying to run a successful visitor attraction. Can't also help feeling that AN is quite happy to trade on his family's history and the Vita/Harold/lesbian/Bloomsbury/angles - I mean how much mileage can you decently make out of your grandmother's sex life? It even showed his sister teaching her teenage daughters all about great grandmother's bedroom romps with various aristocratic females with great relish.I hasten to add - I'm not in the least shocked by the lesbian angle - just the family's willingness to keep flogging this particular dead horse - some of AN's anecdotes about his father reading various passionate missives to his young son from the family archives sounded distinctly suspect. Most people like to imagine their grandmothers doing things like knitting - not hearing the sweaty details of their bedroom conquests.

Today, we went for a walk in Esgair Dafydd, another bit of Forestry Commission land which seems to link upwith the Crychan forest, that I've posted about previously. We were the only car there, and slowly ascended up through the forest, with banks of violets on either side and budding larches all green. Booty was fascinated by rabbit holes. As we came back down we could see more bikers on the road, but otherwise could only hear sheep and the woodpecker. Came home, had a late lunch and read the paper. Andrew went for a run, and I've been making some Easter cards. Now settled with a gin and soon to eat dinner. Am looking forward to my birthday later this week - 44!