This is what happened when I got my first tattoo after lockdown

That wasn't exactly my motivation, although in the weeks since lockdown measures meant people could get inked again there has been a mini-boom in those wanting to get a post-lockdown tattoo.

Flintshire tattoo artist Lady Boris, one of several talented artists who work at Inked Up in Chester, said lockdown has given people more time to think about the design they wanted on their skin.

She said: "People do seem to want bigger and more elaborate designs. I think lockdown has given them more time to think and they have become more ambitious about what they want."

I had put off my latest tattoo for over a year.

Most of my tattoos have significance to friends of family, whether it be in remembrance of my parents and grandparents or a symbol of close friendship.

This was to be a friendship tattoo with my friend Amy who lives in Portishead near Bristol.

Being in England, she has been able to get her eagle tattoo but, unable to cross the border from Wales to Chester, I had to put mine on hold.

For months the bare patch of skin on my arm seemed to mock me, but as measures lifted in both England and Wales I was able to take up my rescheduled appointment.

It was fitting that I was accompanied by my friend Elti. She is a veteran of getting ink done, there are literally too many to count on her body. And, after years of procrastination and half-imagined needle phobia, it was with her that I had my first tattoo a couple of years ago.

We both had matching Viking wolf tattoos designed by Boris. I had mine on my left wrist while she, I suspect to one up me, had hers on her throat.

The studio is a little different that on previous visits. There is a protective screen on reception and all staff and customers are required to wear masks.

I was first in the chair.

The familiar sting was almost welcome as it seemed to symbolise life returning to some level of normality.

As usual, having found Lady Boris through the comic convention community, we enjoyed chatting through are stylish black masks about the usual geeky subjects of film, TV shows and games. And cats.

The outline of my eagle was soon finished and it was Elti's turn to have the tattoo that was a belated birthday present from me.

The numbing cream she had ordered to be delivered to my house hadn't arrived (it still hasn't!) and it was then she dropped a bombshell.

"I am actually a wimp when it comes to getting tattoos," she told us.

A bit of a surprise from a woman whose body is more inked than not. But she lay down on the table and the tattooing began.

The pain was worth it, the design Boris had come up with for the back of Elti's thigh is truly stunning (see below).

A few weeks later, I returned on my own to have my tattoo finished. This time I had ordered my own numbing cream and, in fairness, it worked very well. Not a painless experience but much more comfortable.

Since then, Freedom Day has arrived in England. But Inked Up are in no rush to remove the safety and hygiene measures they have introduced.

The shop says on is social media: "As the final restrictions lift on Monday the 19th of July; although wearing a face mask is no longer required by law, we ask that customers please continue to wear a face covering in our studio, out of respect for our other customers & staff that may have underlying health conditions or are yet to be fully vaccinated. If you have any symptoms of COVID please let us know to reschedule your appointment with you! Thank you."