Before I started my list of jobs I met with a friend of mine called Emma, I hadn't seen her for sometime and with her baby due in July I was admiring her rather large bump! We decided to have a coffee in Shepherds, the sun was shinning so I thought we could have taken a seat outside, unfortunately this was not possible as it was a case of bums on all seats out there! It dawned on me, Hay really does need more benches in the centre of town.

So enough of relaxing and chin wagging, time to conqueror my large to do list, first stop being Vision and Sound. Andrew has advertised with me in the magazine from day one, before Clare joined me I used to pop in and see Andrew on a monthly basis to collect copy, whilst there we used to have a general catch up about our businesses, talk about families and put the worlds to right . . . today it was great to talk as I have a new idea burning bright so Andrew was the man to ask for his advice – watch this space Wye Blog readers! Many people popped in during my visit, all local, Vision and Sound really has got a great local customer base. As I was admiring the Panasonic plasma tv's, Andrew informed me someone (no names obviously) had recently purchased a 65 inch plasma tv, they had asked the price of a 105 inch one but the price tag or roughly £45,000 had put them off!

My next stop was The Old Stables Tea Rooms, again another business who has been in the Wye Local magazine from the start. On arrival I had a little chat with Rachel, Mike said a quick hello but he was head down working in the busy kitchen. I plonked myself down for a spot of lunch – it was yummy as always. Whilst I was there I decided to have a look at 'Planet Hay', a book written by Huw Parsons, he had kindly given me a complimentary copy. I only had a chance to flick through, looking at the interesting photographs of the people and the places of Hay . . . then I saw a small snippet of James and I! By a complete coincidence, down in the corner of one photography, only very small, both James and myself are looking out of the Wheatsheaf window, James has a very cheeky grin, I have what looks like a cheek full of food – not a good look! I remember the day, it was Remembrance Sunday in 2007, we were admiring the band walking up the street towards the British Legion . . . I will be sure to show this to James when he comes this weekend, we will not be famous from it but it's nice to be within such a great book! I also look forward to reading the book cover to cover, it looks very interesting indeed.

Now down the road to Londis, or I should say Pughs of Londis. It was nice to put faces to the names with Debbie and Alison, these are the two sisters who now run Londis. Also during my visit, Sarah pops in, another sister but who doesn't work there. Since taking over in April they have been really pleased with all the local support, their article in May issue of Wye Local came out on the weekend and they told me because of this, even more people have been popping in – this was great to hear.

A few other little jobs around the town then off to Dolls House Fun, again another advertiser who has been in the magazine since day one, I really was doing my rounds on my loyal advertisers today! I love a good chat with George, she's a small lady with a great big heart, she does so much for the community, art classes for both the children and adults all run after the shop shuts at 5pm. We talked about the upcoming Festival, George was telling me how she will be running even more art classes during the Festival – how she fits it all in I really don't know!

Today was great fun, poping in to see people who over the years and because of the magazine have become great friends.

Lisa Marie