On Wednesday 6th September I spent most of the day at Cardiff Castle queuing up to meet an expert. I took some of my collection along, even took my A-level project — and shockingly discovered it was 27 years old. Which reminded me that I really need to have a look at some of my own stuff: acidic mounts and thunder flies all need to be sorted out, but I don't know when I'll have the time. I met Dendy Easton — the pictures man. I didn't make the cut for filming, but had a good time anyway. Met a couple of other 'mums' from school and we had a look at what we had brought along and gave each other appraisals. We all enjoyed spotting the experts. Christopher Payne (antiques man) came and gave an impromptu appraisal on a hall chair, two people down in the queue from us. Shamelessly took this selfie of me with Fiona Bruce — zoom in and you can see her. Antiques Roadshow celebrates 40 years this year. I remember watching it in the '70s — it always cut short the Sunday bonfire fun, as I recall.

#antiques#collecting#paper conservation#work of art on paper