A lovely afternoon out

 Well, I went to the auction, with my little list, but only bought one thing from it.  I had 2nd thoughts on the display cabinet as so much glass to potentially break, and difficult for me to manouvre on my own.  It went cheaply enough too, but I made the right decision.

Wasn't this a fabulous piece of Anglo-Indian furniture - I nearly wrote art, because the carving on it was so fine.  The table I quite wanted was the piece to the left, but all the examples I saw on line had an extra tray on the top, which was missing on this piece.  It was quite heavy and difficult for me to shift on my own and I would have had to wait another hour or so, and I decided against it.  In fact, I bought nothing that I had marked down when viewing the auction on line!

These were Yoruba/Eshu helmets.  Part of our Colonial past.  Keith would have bought them in a flash, bless him!  I was quite tempted but again, 200 lots later at the end of the sale and I couldn't be bothered to wait that long, especially when I had no idea of the real value.  That sort of thing can really linger too, as so specialist.

At the front was a Sundanese/Ethiopian shield from around the very late Victorian period.

So, what DID I buy?

A very dust-clad mahogany Regency sarcophagus shape tea caddy, which still had its original key (must make it a tassle) and lids for the two tea compartments inside.  It needs some gentle beeswax polishing after I have cleaned it up with meths and 0000 grade fine wire wool.

It looked so much better after just a wipe down with a damp rag.

I hadn't seen these listed online, but decided I would have a go at buying them and they came my way.  As you can see, a wonky leg on one needs sorting and the missing backsplat on the other needs replacing.  Will see if I can get Paul (who is the master carpenter who did some work for Keith) to make me one up.  Sadly, they look to have been in the dipping tank, which does wood no good whatsoever so much feeding and polishing will be needed.  I need to go in Keith's workshop in search of Danish Oil or Boiled Linseed Oil.

Then, two unfinished quilts which of course had to come my way.  This will need a couple of borders on it to make it single bed size.  Looks like she may have intended it as a lap throw originally, but love the design.

Hah - this will take a little more fettling!  Of course, I don't have any of the prints she has used to will have to improvise :)  I'll lay it on my bed today and see what prints I have in my stash which I could use, though I don't buy much in pale pink as a rule.  More work than I foresaw as I have NO pinks that match.  I am going to unpick the top edge, take out a row of blocks and use those for the centre, and then put the border back on.  No-one should notice.  A rainy day job or perhaps when I am "resting" this afternoon!!

So, all in all, a lovely afternoon out.  It's always a beautiful drive there and back through varying countryside - fields and woods as you go over the county border, and then wilder hills on the Welsh side.  Lots of Dog Roses blooming, and Foxgloves heralding the start of summer, and gardens full of beautiful plantings, roses especially.  I listened to The Three Ravens on the way there, but it went from the end of Merlin to the Langs Red Fairy Book which wasn't to my taste, so it was Dan Snow on the way home, a brilliant epic of Harald Hadrada, who I hadn't realized travelled and fought over half the known world including battles in Sicily, and he lived for varying periods in Constantinople and Byzantium and Kiev.  Mention of the Varangian Guard and daring exploits.  How I missed not having Keith here to discuss this with as he was so well read and would have been able to discuss this with me at length, bless him.

So, to sum up yesterday, what did I buy?  WORK!!!

Channeling Keith's tribal vibes today!

 I am off to auction in a while.  Primarily to check out a glass front display cabinet which might do for my Unit display.  IF it is light enough for me to shift, and if it goes at the right price.  Unfortunately there are a lot of Oriental and some tribal items.  Keith loved tribal items as he always hoped he would get something rare and make a killing.  Sadly, the things he bought weren't rare and desirable, and I had trouble selling them!  However, there's me taking Lens photos and checking them out all the same :)

Lulu yesterday evening - checking out that the two screaming monsters had left!!

I had a lovely day with all the family here yesterday, BOTH my granddaughters, as Danny bought "I", and it was noisy :)  They got on well together.  They had Rosie's little tent and tunnel out in the living room and had a great time together.

Flying Rosie.

Chocolate Blackberry Brownies.  The Blackberries were commercial ones from a pack, and huge, so I popped them in the batter once it was in the dish.  I made a good Lemon Drizzle cake too.  They all went home with chunks of both (bar Gabs, who is still on her diet.)

Well, I started yesterday off absolutely wiped out - my legs did NOT want to walk anywhere.  I forced myself to bake the CBB's and then the Lemon Drizzle Cake, and then slept for 2 HOURS on the sofa.  I was having another nap later when Danny and little "I" arrived and woke me up!  Having my family here made all the world of difference though and I had more energy later on.

Right, time to put my loaf in the oven - it's been mixing and proving in the breadmaker for the last 3 hours.

My Body Clock is haywire

 I was shattered yesterday, I must confess.  I forgot to take my water and had to rely on a couple of cans so I think I got a bit dehydrated.  I packed up quickly at 4, but by the time I had gone out to the car a few times with light things (the porters do the heavier ones) up and down the stairs, my body was telling me rest!  I felt sorry for my upstairs friend J, who had the bug I had after NZ, and she was in week 3 with a bit of a temperature, cough and cold part still there, and should have been home in bed yesterday, bless her.

Well, I sold a few old friends yesterday and boy, was I glad to get rid of the spikey grape dishes (Victorian I think) yesterday.  I used to trot those out at the old Carmarthen Fleamarket 10 years ago!  They are difficult to pack.  I sold a Libation cup which was of the same era too.  My lovely friend D in Dorset fell in love with the beautiful Georgian salt box, which I found in the grain ark Keith made for me.  I'd forgotten all about it. Something we had in our old house. Even Mr Pugh (Antiques guru) had a look at it first thing.  Had D not bought it then my Best Customers would have as they collect quality antiques for their home.  They bought a little stool from me though.

Talking of stools, one of my dealer friends said the pudding basin stool was stunning (and clearly wished she had found it!).  Then later a somewhat ignorant woman said "Oh my dad bought back one just like that from Africa"  - clearly implying mine was from there too.  I told her it was Welsh but she knew she was right!  What a shame when someone has no knowledge of antiques but still thinks they are expert!  Same with the bronze Rowlocks I was selling.  A woman picked them up and loudly said, "These are galvanized" . . .  I nearly said, I think you need specs . . .

Around the Fair now:

Now that little fairy is cast iron and her face seen better days as it's rusted away.  I know I saw my friend Les selling this one I am pretty sure, but not painted, back in the days when Mr Pugh ran Carm. Fleamarket (10 yrs or so back).  I can't remember if we bought it and sold it on or whether he was just trying to persuade me to buy it.  Anyway, someone has done a good job on painting it up and it will sell on again.

This stallholder had also bought the swan taxidermy I took a photo of at Malvern.  Another not-easy-to-pack thing!

Hand-quilted Welsh quilt.

Lovely old Log Cabin quilt on this stall.  Wish I'd found that one!

Beth always goes to a lot of trouble to dress her stall.  Look at these lovely Foxgloves.

A good selection on this stall.

Up on the stage, Beth's stand.  Wish I'd found this quilt too.

I loved these little Moroccan ink holders, on another friend's stand.

I had a good day, but got home bone weary.  I bought a cheat's tea in Co-op - a Welsh brand Butter Curry (my guts can't face their Firey Dragon one these days).  I barely made 8.30 before I had to fall into bed, and took the hotty botty up with me as I was feeling chilled.  A bomb going off wouldn't have woken me for the first few hours.  I have to unpack the car today (leaving heavier things, one box especially, for Gabby or Danny to help me with).  I have to do some baking too, as all my family will be here for the afternoon.  However, since I was awake for 4.30 and up at 5 a.m. as couldn't sleep again, I shall probably need a sofa nap at some point this morning.

It is only 11 deg here outside (and 16 inside).  I have put the central heating on for an hour now.  In JUNE!  It isn't 6 a.m. yet, in my defence.

Now I have a break for a month before my next Fair here, and the next Malvern isn't till 21st June, so I have time to re-establish my body clock.

I need to get in the greenhouse today to pot on tomatoes, and other well-grown seedlings.  Rosie will be in there, devouring my strawberry crop, bless her.  

Enjoy your Sunday.

Back again - I've just slept deeply for 2 hours on the sofa.  I forgot to mention THE podcast of the week which I listened to in the car yesterday.  From The Three Ravens (which I really recommend if you like folklore/history), it was Magus, NO. 11 - Merlin.  W.O.W.  The history of the Merlin wizard figure from the year dot, and absolutely enthralling, although at times I was yelling at them and saying what about this link when they were talking about the Triple Death (the triple deaths linked to the Celtic Gods Teutates, Esus and Taranus - think Bog Bodies here, as this was often used for them) and that the battle in Carlisle with the king of Strathclyde (mention it was the Strathclyde British, a kingdom which stretched right down and included North Wales) etc.  They took it back to the legendary Irish God The Dagda who was the chief god of the Tuathe De Dannan and owned a cauldron which never emptied (shades of the Gundestrop Cauldron which has itself, a symbol of a man being held over/put into a cauldron and being reborn, which then makes you think (especially as there were other pagan/Christian crossovers) whether Christ rising from the dead was linked by the Christians to this being reborn myth.  This was via the "Lord of Ecstacy", a deific entity which has links with mythologies worldwide.   I need to finish listening to it today, and then listen to it again and try and sort out esoteric links to the wild man of the woods (Lailoken in Scotland and Northern Britain) and Merlin's "brothers"!!  Hah - and then Disney got hold of him!!!

If I had a brain, I'd be dangerous!

 I have not slept at all well for over a week.  The boys want to be in the front hall at night, with access to the catflap.  I don't really want them going out there in case that feral tom is about in the night BUT Alfie has been waking me several times a night yowling to go out.  4.30 is the worst time as by then I have had sufficient sleep that I find it hard to drop off again.  So my brain is not feeling at all refreshed.

I decided as I needed Methylated Spirits, cat biscuits and wanted to go to Midway Plants, I would give myself a little outing and treat.  I wanted a new Clematis to replace one which had died.  I got to Tesco, then suddenly realized I had left my bum bag on the kitchen table.  Drove home.  Bum bag there, quick check - but my cards weren't in it!  Tried to retrace my steps - the last place I had been was Hay & Brecon Farmers, for compost.  I drove there but it wasn't behind the counter.  The chap who had served me took me to check back through the CCTV footage.  We both thought it was yesterday, but it was Tuesday - footage showed me using my little walking bag not my bumbag, so I came home and found my cards.  Phew.  That is now three bumbag/cards related incidents in recent weeks, so hopefully that is IT.

The amazing Paul's Himalayan Musk, which spreads across several trees now.

I bought myself a very well grown Clematis - Montana grandiflora, which is white.  I also extended the treat to a Hardy Geranium, Ann Folkard, which is puce and rather gorgeous.  That is going to go at the edge of the bank, near my lovely rose Roserie de l'Hay, which is a similar colour.  Tam always said it was the scent of summer at Ynyswen.

After a nap, I have been sorting out what is going to Saturday's Fair.  I shall not overload the table and need to keep prices mostly £40 and under as folk aren't keen to spend much more there it would seem.

I have several stools/childrens' chairs to go.  Hopefully they will find new homes.  This won't do.  Before I have my evening meal, I shall go and plant the clematis.

Now the garden's sorted

 My gardener came back to day to finish off with cutting the lawn(s), and also cut back all the undergrowth behind the greenhouse, so I can go in there and get roots out tomorrow, weather permitting.  I shall have to pay him a chunk, around £70, as he's been here 7 or 8 hours all told.

The orchard was done a couple of days back.  He is careful to cut round my wild flowers (mostly Comfrey in the foreground).

Behind the greenhouse.  A wild Tutsan growing by the beam.  I can see my Clematis has survived, despite lack of light, and neglect.  I gave it a good feed with Clematis food, and then did all the other ones too.  They need doing every 3 months.

The lawn wasn't too bad here, as he cut it right back about 3 weeks ago.

Bright sunlight on the patch left for the Fox and Cubs to bloom.

The long border, with lots of different Hardy Geraniums.  I spent half the afternoon dead heading roses, pulling out grass and weeds, and cutting back the Aquilegias before they seed everywhere.  I have enough now, but I have left the blue and white one (related to the dark William Guinness I have all over the place).  I shall save seed from that one and put some blue and white thread on the stem to remind me which one it is.

I spent a couple of hours this morning removing varnish from a box I had bought for £2, just to be a stand for china etc on my stall.  I used Meths and 0000 grade wire wool.  It was scratched and crappy looking before.  Inspired, I went back to the Pudding Basin stool and gave the seat a good wipe down with the same.  Hah.  Rather than remove it, I ended up with a gleaming seat, so think perhaps rather than ancient varnish it's polyurethene.  Ah well, looks tidy anyway and is ready to go and have an outing on Saturday.

Now I'm feeling really quite tired.  I have made a start on the Intuitive Daily Stitching, having pressed the French linen and drawn out lines across it 3" apart, and today added ones down.  I have embroidered 4 of the lines across.  Now I will do some of the down lines and see how it looks before starting on the designs.  In case you are interested, this is the link to her You Tube channel, and all the instructions.

I'm half way through another Kate Ellis book, The Bone Garden, which I got from the Library.   Very good.

Oh, and some VERY GOOD NEWS about Rosie, who is now running about like there was never a problem, and sleeping MUCH better at night now she is no longer in constant pain.  Her latest interest is Pirates, so I have ordered her a Pirate Book from you know where, as a little treat.

Synchronicity

 Well, I am knocked sideways today.  It seems it's often the 2nd dy after a full-on weekend when it all hits me.  I have had to naps on the sofa, and although I forced myself to do a short walk around the Groe, my heart wasn't in it.  I turned last night's stew into a curry tonight.  That will do 2 meals.

I bought some Bathsheba blooms in as it absolutely pelted down with rain yesterday afternoon.

So today I've not done much at all.  At least I only needed to water in the greenhouse, and can get to the compost area without wading through wet grass and umbellifers waist high.

I thought I would do some family history research before my FindMyPast membership finishes.  First Bovey Tracey, where my dad grew up, and then Frome, where they lived for a few years, and where my grandmother died in 1933, from Bowel Cancer.  I found the write up of her funeral, and I took photos of the entry, and then wrote it all down.  Then finally, was the date on which she died - today's date . . .  Think my mind was guided today.  Thinking of you gran, and wishing we had met.  

First proper rain in weeks and Ethical Shopping

 I am VERY glad to see it, though it's knocked all ideas of an afternoon walk on the head as it's really chucking it down.  A shame as my gardener was here today, and he spent the morning strimming the orchard and top of the bank, which he got done before the rain really set in.  The grasses in the orchard were waist high in places!  The lawn will have to wait.  I reckon the garden is sucking it up like a drowning man gasping for air.  One surprise was to find that I have Ox Eye Daisies coming up from the wildflower mix I sowed about 3 years back.  I was SO pleased to see them.  My gardener (doesn't that sound posh!) knows to leave any wild flowers he sees about the place and gave the lawn a really tentative and ragged cut last time as he had to avoid any Violets he saw in bloom in the grass.

Bathsheba, one of my David Austin "Thomas Hardy" roses.  I may try and pick some blooms before the rain ruins them.

Anyway, I have a beef casserole stewing in the oven.  Thought it was just the weather for that, and I'm about to go up and change the duvet cover and put the duvet back on the bed as I was a little chilly around 4 a.m. this morning with just a sheet and the thin hexagon patchwork quilt.  I was glad of cat bed-warmers.

American Pillar, a rambler which is now growing up into the branches of the beech tree above it.

I am not normally an ethical shopper, but having discovered that Brew Dog, who sell the Hazy Jane IPA I particularly like, were embroiled in buying up huge tracts of Scottish farmland for carbon offset - then losing just about every tree they planted in last years' draught.  You CANNOT lessen the damage you continue to do to the planet by planting trees, just for a "clear conscience".  You need to STOP what you are doing that ruins the planet.  Then Tam said, well Nestle are much much worse, and now I've read up on them a bit, believe me I shall never buy a Nestle product again.  Sending their representatives into hospitals in Africa and other third world countries, pretending to be nursing staff and advising mothers NOT to breastfeed but to use their formula milk instead, and then stealing their water supplies and selling it back as bottled water which they cannot afford to buy.  Can you imagine the scale of the infanticide that has caused from starvation and unhygenic water sources?  How do they sleep at night?  So, sorry Munchies, you are my favourite choccies but I won't be buying you any more, or any other product I see Nestle on the wrapping of.

Rhapsody in Blue, which Tam bought for me.

I know that D in Dorset will be SO pleased to see steady rain and grey skies, as like me, she cannot cope with heatwaves.  

I now have my new business cards and very smart they look.  `Not looking forward to having to do accounts again, figures not being my strong point, but hey-ho, it's on a very small scale.

P.S.  Nearly forgot.  I heard a bird screaming in distress this morning, and immediately thought that Pippi had grabbed a youngster, so ran out there shouting at her.  Not Pippi, but a blardy Carrion Crow with a just fledged/young Thrush and when I appeared he flew off with the screaming bird in his beak, hotly pursued by the parents.  It was awful.  Nature red in tooth and claw.  I can watch David Attenborough's programmes with their true life and death, as it is distanced, but to see something like that first hand is another matter.  

I also forgot to mention I went to the Library today to take back the two Kate Ellis books I'd read, found 4 more and ordered another 4, so that should keep me quiet for a bit.  

Ahem, this is very . . . determined . . . rain.  At this rate we'll have flooding!