Cardiff's new Lego Shop

I haven't tracked how much money we've spent in Cardiff's Lego Shop since it opened back in 2008. Over the years we've been in enough times to become friendly with the staff in there. And so the news the shop was moving was interesting to us.

The Shop has now moved - into the unit next door! 

It opened last week. There were huge queues of excited people eager to have a look when I was in town at the weekend. I didn't stop to wait then, but had a look in today.

So, what's new? The window is being smashed by a rugby ball, that reminded me of the famous Rugby World Cup ball smashing into Cardiff Castle. (Maybe it was a homage.)

Inside there is some fun wall art of a crowd at a game. Lots of Welsh touches like a flag and, being Cardiff, seagulls. 

The rest of the store looks a lot like the newer stores that have opened around the country. The pick a brick wall and build a minifigure station have both been updated. 

There was a little 'build and take' giveaway of some crayons. Free Lego is always a bonus.

Overall very little has changed. Its's a bit bigger and there is maybe slightly more display space. It won't take long to get used to it. 

Power shopping!

A work trip to London this week included an evening to amuse myself, so I took the tube to visit Battersea Power Station. This has been done up as a premium shopping experience. Among the stores is a brand new Lego Shop. I'd packed my Lego passports in the hope of getting them stamped.

The exterior of the Power Station looks very pretty lit up at night.

Inside, the vastness of the former turbine halls is awe inspiring.

I found the Lego Shop and admired some of the artefacts within. Of note, the 'build a minifigure' station, and the Power Station replicated in Lego and depicted on a frieze made out of Lego bricks.

I was also looking for somewhere to eat. I found this place...

I phoned Cathy while waiting for my order. I told her I was in a restaurant called 'Where the pancakes are' and she said "Well, I know why you're there!" Well, where else would I be if that was where the pancakes were?

I had something called a 'Dutch baby' - think of a Yorkshire pudding made with apples and almonds, served with a scoop of ice cream. 

After that rather filling meal, I had another wander around the shopping arcade, which is full of original bits and bobs. 

There was something gloriously optimistic about the way the building had been transformed. It had an authentic industrial chic and worked with it to create a futuristic feeling space. I don't usually rave on about shopping centres, but this was special. 

Sooner or later, you find your fashion label

I didn't really need a new hoodie, but when I found this at a branch of TK Maxx, I couldn't just leave it hanging on the rack.

It's a very nice hoodie as a brand, I feel it suits me.

I guess that would be rather a limited range of products

I've been giving my friend Elaine a lift in the mornings recently, as she has been volunteering at the place I work. I also give her lifts home.

The other day we were heading home, and comparing notes about how crap and soulless the new much-hyped Cardiff Cathedral to Mammon has turned out to be.

"It's got an Apple shop, though," I said.

"An apple shop?"

"Yeah, you know, computers and iPods and stuff."

"Oh, an Apple shop. I thought you meant a shop that just sold - never mind!"