These images were taken around Christmas time, so things have moved-on quite a bit since then. Rabbit reckons they’re looking at a ‘Grand Opening’ end of January early Feb. Apparently certain ‘planned features’ such as an open floor well, hanging swords and no guard rail surrounding the second floor office have been abandoned after numerous injuries and almost fatal accidents! 

Still, I’ve visited myself and I can tell you... it’s going to be really special. One immediate improvement is an indoor toilet, no more clients having to brave the rain, packs of wild dogs and Mooz horses when seeking relief.

Initially we had problems with Bryan throwing paper aeroplanes at people from his top office, but finally the novelty of his high vantage point has worn off and he’s now back to work. But we’re still having trouble with Rabbit, who for no reason any can understand suddenly starts running up and down the new stairs, maybe he just can’t come to terms with the fact that GNWI now has two floors... and of cause all this excites Bryan who thinking Rabbit is making an attempt on his office challenges him every time at the top of the stairs!

We have one tattoo studio, one piercing room and as already mentioned... an inside loo, a hygiene area and of cause... Bryan’s two storey office. The waiting area will have some kind of feature on the back wall... but try as I might I can’t get them to tell me what it is, which really worries me as you just can’t be sure what crazy thing they might put up there.  And all of this is sound-proof, built with solid concrete blocks... none of that flimsy partitioning here at GNWI.

Personally, what I’m really looking forward to is this coming summer. As with the covered area out front and CJ’s next door... all we need is a few chairs and tables and it’ll be a great place to stop and have a chat as we sit and watch the World pass by.

It was my idea to have a ‘Blog’ and a ‘News Page’, casting off all suggestions that it was confusing. One for day-to-day stuff and the other for announcements.

However the wisdom of my assertions have been put into doubt when, meaning to do a running ‘Blog’ on the renovation project I’ve only just realised that I’ve been posting them on the ‘News Page’. 

So... one has to go, and it looks like it may well be the Blog, Rabbit’s thinking about it. Therefore, if you want to know how things are going... checkout the ‘News Page’. This one may not be here too much longer, although here is a bit of ‘News’ Bah! see the problem?.  ...Rabbit is making sounds that may result in a new video being made very, very soon!

First things first... we are now open for business once again, tattooing from our ‘Mobile Studio’ while renovations are taking place. And don’t forget... we haven’t moved far... only immediately opposite from our old shop, next to ‘CJ’s Sandwich Bar’.

It’s a bit like the old 1970’s kids TV show ‘Mr Ben’, here at the moment (showing my age eh?). First thing in the morning, Rabbit and Bryan turn-up as ‘Ace Tattooist and Numero Uno Pearcer’, then about four-ish they both disappear into a Portacabin where upon there are flashes of light and and the rumble of distant thunder... only to reappear minutes later as NICK KNOWLES and MARK MILLAR from BBC’s ‘DIY SOS’! 

Things have been moving along really fast too, and taking a look at Rabbit’s project schedule... drawn-up on the inside of a chocolate wrapper, a January 2012 Grand Opening is still on the cards.
Old friends and mates have been turning-up offering help, sparkies, brickies, you name it... some even staying over night, when Rabbit ‘accidentally’  locks them in with a whole barrow of cement, a packet of fags and a wrapper of chewing-gum. Either way it’s working well, we’re right on target. I reckon the new shop is going to look a real work of art when it’s finished.

CJ’s... who probably make the best sandwiches in the World (I’m still after that free meal) have been great, allowing us to use their shop as a waiting room while we Ink from the Mobile Studio, really appreciate that CJ’s! 

Oh yes... and the landline phone number is back in action, just got to order a new ISP for the internet, we’re checking our emails twice a day with a mobile hook-up, have you even seen an iPhone with a cement case before? 

Rabbit tattooing Bryan on 18th of December, 2009. Rab said a tat like this would cost you about £40 ($64)...cool. Rabbit drew-up the design for this freehand, just before he started.