I was tidying up in the Utility this morning, hanging up the Army jackets I'd taken to the boot sale yesterday. I moved one of Keith's army jackets (going nowhere as it has so many memories attached) - it still had the sleeves rolled up as he always wore it, and there were hankies still in the pockets, and something hard - a Sheffield made penknife he had obviously bought at a Fair when we were out in the last year when he was still mobile. It hit me SO hard - like a wallop with a baseball bat, and the tears overwhelmed me. I took myself upstairs with Luna Lapin and a stitch ripper, and took the horrid thick material off her ears and found some of the prettiest cotton lawn in a delicate print, to replace it. (Sharon, the fabric used was very thick and had to come off, rather than be sewn over). I have done both ears, sewn one back on and am going to do the other and the feet this evening. I had to be distracted or I'd have been crying all day. (Yes, and I know you will say that I need to). Anyway, the distraction worked, especially as I will be tidying Luna up for Rosie. I have found some fabric for her dress now too - plenty of fat quarters in my stash. Photos to follow. The big ugly stitching needs unpicking too, and I will replace it with some Feather Stitching I think.
Anyway, I took myself off to auction - SUCH a lovely drive at this time of year and worth going out for that alone. Plus it is held in one of the wonderful black and white villages of Herefordshire. I wanted pots/planters and ended up buying 3 5-pot lots, 15 in all, various sizes. Not my first choice, but those were a) too heavy or b) too expensive - four new ones went for nearly what you would pay at the garden centre!
I also bid on, and won, two wonderful 1930s hand carved Indian marionette elephants. They are a joy.
Cottage at Llandegley, where I stopped to view the church on the way home (or rather, way from the auction to Llandod for shopping).
On the way back, I stopped at this lovely old church, so will share it with you later in the week. There was a thunderstorm wherever I was this afternoon - it even followed me home to Builth and chucked it down when I arrived, so I had to wait for it to leave off for a bit before I could unload the shopping. Clear blue skies now.
I am glad I went out - the Hawthorn is amazing at the moment, and masses of deep pink Red Campion on the verges. The roads were covered with bits of tree blossom and brown leaf covers, shaken off the trees. It was raining Hawthorn petals at one point. Tomorrow, a WALK. Meanwhile, I am back to Luna Lapin restoration.