Llanthony Show

Farmers checking out each other's sheep at the annual Llanthony Show. Disconcertingly, there are several pens labelled simply "butcher's lambs". I always favour the Black Welsh Mountain breed: they are the ones that baa'd outside my childhood bedroom window. Delicious, too.

We caught up with friends (& their dogs) at the dog judging. (Categories included: Dog the Judges Would Most Like to Take Home, & Dog with the Most Appealing Eyes). And I bought another glorious Verbena.

Best bit, though, was an impromptu visit to Llanvihangel Court, whose owner, Julia Johnson offers tours in August. The most astonishingly unwrecked 16th century house: it was used for the BBC adaptation of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. Mrs J was lovely, as was her son, Tom: strong recommend.