Stradey Park's final whistle - a year on

Phew! What a year since Bristol RFC arrived at Stradey Park to help bring down the curtain on 129 years of history at one of world rugby's most famous arenas.
There's been a move to a new stadium, a change of senior management at the club, a radical re-think of how the Scarlets connect with their fanbase - and lots of highs and lows on the playing side.
Of course, there had been a big media build-up to that still, black night of Friday, October 24, 2008. Two weeks before the final whistle there had been Heineken Cup defeat in Llanelli as Harlequins produced a stirring second-half display to win 29-22. A week before the West Countrymen arrived there had been more jitters as Llanelli RFC - the "originals" some will insist - lost 16-10 to Pontypridd on a bright Saturday afternoon of Principality Welsh Premiership rugby.
But now the scene was set for the last rip of the studs on the Stradey turf. And the Scarlets were in no mood to let the occasion pass quietly, quaintly or submissively. There would be pride, there would be flair, there would be a win.
In advance of the 7.10pm kick-off came a hurried and scurried few hours of activity.
The media were there early - more than 250 media personnel would rush in and out through the course of the day. The BBC were broadcasting from breakfast time and the story would move up the Beeb's news agenda as time went on. Eventually BBC News 24 were running hourly updates.
The Scarlets staff were there hours ahead of usual, checking ticket allocation, health and safety measures, food and drink supplies, marquee requirements, sound systems, the pitch, programme deliveries and stewarding levels.
Former captains gathered in one marquee, chatting, laughing, backslapping, reminiscing. Names included Leigh Davies, Scott Quinnell, Wayne Proctor, Robin McBryde, Ieuan Evans and Rupert Moon. There was Phil Davies, Phil May, Derek Quinnell, Phil Bennett and many more. They were eventually paraded onto the pitch escorted by Llanelli Schoolboys U11s.
There was a special presentation to former coach Gareth Jenkins, presentations to past chairmen and presidents, half-time music from Caryl Parry Jones and a final team photo of past captains, chairmen and presidents on the half-way line.
The Scarlets Choir and Cor Meibion Llanelli sang Sosban Fach and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. There were fireworks.
You know what? There was a match too! The EDF Energy Cup challenge of Bristol was swept aside by waves of emotion and passion. Former Bristol centre Rob Higgitt scuttled over for Stradey's last try; Stephen Jones kicked the last points.
The teams remained together on the pitch after the final whistle in a thrilling moment of sporting camaraderie. The Scarlets gave a warmly applauded lap of honour, wing Mark Jones carrying around his tiny baby son.
A few beers later it was all over. It was time to move on. Artefacts were sold as the stadium was stripped by men with screwdrivers and stepladders, the keys for Parc y Scarlets were handed over ... and a new chapter began.
It still feels like it's just beginning, of course. There are plenty of stories waiting to be written about Scarlets rugby.
Few, however, will match the power of that single autumn night when Bristol came to town.

Why's school so popular?

How come a modest photo of a steel-and-glass atrium at a South Wales comprehensive school tops the Views list on my Flickr platform?
Why does it outstrip neighbouring images of more hi-viz subjects such as professional music (Billy Bragg), pro-sport (British Lions skipper Paul O'Connell, Motherwell AFC, Ashes winner Monty Panesar) and glorious Andalusia?
Each is posted with the same thought put into geo-tags and text tags, each is flagged up on Facebook and Twitter.
Yes, this school is topical in that it's just opened an impressive new main block after an arson attack - but that's surtely not explanation enough.
Inexplicably as well, by the way, a shot of a fairly standard suburban cafe is second in this particular chart. Third is something I'd expected to do reasonably well as it touches on the art of photography and depicts a leading chef all the way from The Ritz London.
Is there rhyme or reason to social media's hookability? Check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/wordsmithforhire/ then place your answers on a tweet, please.

From Aldenham to Cape Town thanks to Sky+

The Faces of Stradey Park - the world's greatest book about rugby union - has now made it into the window display of Killay Newsagents. I noticed it on the way past to pick up today's Observer and a handful of delectable pink grapefruits, the breakfast of choice here this summer (along with passion fruits when they're a decent price at Lidl). Thanks go to the friendly shop assistants for their thoughtful approach to plugging it at a topical time for rugby.
I caught up with the SkyPlused Lions today - that tight but welcome win against Western Province. As they were getting soggy in Cape Town yesterday I was on the way back from Aldenham, Hertfordshire, with Terry Morris, my photographer pal. We'd been to meet John Williams, a splendid South Shields exile who's now one of the UK's finest chefs.
He's top man in the kitchens at The Ritz and he was photographed by Terry and interviewed by me at his home as we begin to create a great new UK-wide portrait collection for the very worthy Academy of Culinary Arts.