Monday's web diary In pictures: Royal Welsh

In an attempt to get to grips with the real show, I broke out of the BBC office to explore this afternoon.

Having carefully applied some sun lotion to the bald spot, I headed off to the cattle sheds. It has been another blisteringly hot day today, but the cattle seemed oblivious to this and lay snoozing on fresh straw.

It's amazing how calm these huge beasts are. I mean, they've got the potential to cause some serious damage, but while being pampered and prepared for judging they just stand there as calm as you like.

Some are even lucky enough to have their own electric fans, while in the pig pens nearby owners are keeping their animals cool by trickling water over their backs.

It was great to watch because the pigs seemed to love it, oinking their approval as show-goers looked on.

Next on my tour was the trade stands. There are dozens of them selling everything from leather belts to paintings.

But what interested me most during my tour were the displays of the old skills of dry stone walling and carving. They seem truly out of date in an age of broadband and the internet but are nonetheless very impressive.

I spoke to one elderly gentleman, he must have been in his 80s, who used to work constructing dry stone walls. Reluctant at first, he explained a bit about the job to me.

A pig is cooled down by its owner at the show

"The key is making everything fit and that's harder than it sounds," he said.

"You have to be patient, diligent and, I suppose, be a bit of an artist."

On a down side, St John's paramedics treated more than 150 people today for mainly heat-related problems such as sun burn.

However, attendances were once again up today on last year with more than 63,000 people visiting.

Posted on Tuesday at 1125 BST

I now know what a boil in the bag kipper feels like.

The tent, which I've christened The Commons, after the House of Commons because it's full of hot air, was so stuffy last night that I had trouble sleeping. I eventually nodded off in the early hours.

Thankfully, conditions in my canvas abode haven't led to attacks from blood-sucking mosquitoes...so far.

As for the show, it's buzzing again today after yesterday's success which saw the highest attendance on a Monday for seven years.

Speaking to Farmers' Union of Wales members over a quiet drink last night, union officials seemed to think the high visitor figure was down to two things - all schools in Wales have broken up for the summer and the excellent weather has meant farmers have been able to finish harvesting their hay, leaving more time to enjoy a day at the show.

The conversation last night soon turned to "townies'" perceptions of the countryside. It was obvious that officials are keen to get their message across about rural issues and the pressures faced by farmers.

There's a lot of misunderstanding the ignorance on both sides and officials are desperate to bridge the gap when it comes to understanding the countryside.

However, the controversy over hunting hasn't helped the cause.

Getting into the showground, in soaring temperatures, was a major hassle today. It took me 90 minutes to drive the seven miles from my campsite.

Later today I'm hoping to interview a poet who is teaching children the art of rapping. Children on the Forestry Commission stand can even record their own poetic rap on a CD.