Another post as my earlier one was interrupted by our evening meal and a relaxed viewing of The Big Lebowski (well up to the Coen Brothers usual lunacy) followed by The Fifth Element, with Bruce Willis when he had hair. Accompanied by a frisky Sauvignon Blanc, this was a pleasant way to spend the evening.

On Thursday, Sarah came to stay. She is enjoying her college course and looking gloriously Gothic. We went into town together on Friday, for a stock up on essentials at Blue Banana (again, beautifully polite, cheerful and helpful shop assistants who are a model of excellent customer service). This was followed by a dip into Claire's Accessories, who now do lots of gothy stuff and a rewarding visit to Debenhams for some skin care. Contrary to popular belief, we always find the Lancome lady there phenomenally helpful and friendly, not at all snooty. She was showing Sarah some tips and techniques for exfoliating, moisturising and applying eye cream. Hopefully, these will stand her in good stead in years to come. She already does the two most important things - not smoking and avoiding too much sun.

We then went down to Mac as they do a black nail polish, and I needed a new foundation. Just as we were ready for Andrew to collect us, a huge crowd had gathered and the celebrity Gok was holding a roadshow. Sarah was delighted as he was wearing his trousers below his buttocks (admittedly very slender and snakelike). Unfortuately, I am too old for appreciating this and just think it looks silly, and spend my time waiting for the damn things to fall down. This did form an interesting finale to our little foray.

Saturday we went to a card making workshop in Inkspot. We both enjoyed it very much, and again it was a pleasure to learn some new hints and ideas for using paper punches. Doing card making is also phenomenally relaxing - I really enjoy it.

Yesterday we travelled over to Newport for the tattoo convention. I have to say that I have yet to see Newport in a good light. Every time I go there I think that maybe this time I'll see a nice bit, and every time I think it could be a wonderful lesson for architects on how not to do town centres. There is currently a bit of regeneration going on over there, but unfortunately it is at the stage of lots of piles of rubble and cranes on the skyline. Not yet very scenic. Anyway, Andrew was scoping out some ideas for some ink on his arms, and Sarah was hoping to get either a microdermal piercing, and/or a tat. In the event, she eventually emerged with a nose piercing, which looks great, although unlike nearly everyone else I know who's had it done, including myself, she's a bleeder, and spent the subsequent time with very vampiric streams of blood trickling down her face. Pics attached, of nose and new lip spike. Returned home happy and Andrew conjured his amazing sky high Yorkshires and roast beef.

Today was the annual GRW show, a major event in our calendar. We took Sarah back to her grandparents who live in Garnant, which is close to Pontardawe, the venue for the show. Iwas helping out with the registrations for classes, which meant I didn't get much of a chance to look round, but did have a nice view of the ring for the dog classes. It stayed dry all day and there was an excellent turnout. I attach a few pics, one of a supporter who entered the Dog Most Like its Owner class, and a couple of others. Returned home and have spent a peaceful evening as detailed above.