The darkest hour is just before dawn . . .

As I am still getting spam comments, I will add again - DON'T BOTHER to post if you are anonymous/I don't recognize you.  I shall put you in the spam folder and delete you without mercy.

The photos are a bit of a give-away, but as you can see, yesterday was the last Malvern Fleamarket of the year.  We got up at 4 a.m. and set off just before 5, with our daughter Tam hugging pillows in the back, hoping to get back to sleep!

Keith put his cataract op success to the test and drove as far as Sennybridge, before his frozen shoulder began to pain him.  I drove the rest of the way, and for 2 hours it seemed like it might never get light again.  Yet by the time we got to Hereford there was the faintest lightening of the sky and of course, the sun did eventually come up to reveal a huge bank of clouds to the S-W, although fortunately the heavy rain had fallen ahead of us.  'Twas soggy underfoot though and a real walking boots day, though it largely stayed dry.

Above and below - inside the sheds, this is always one of my favourite stands, where a retired sign-writer/artist does all these lovely painted cupboards and doors.  I always want to steal half his stock but I think I would be noticed!!

A fellow-dealer friend posing for us, and below, two of the lovely old quilts on offer at his wife's stand.  The first one is made from old bits of flannel clothing, including uniform by the look of it (red bits).

Below: I rather coveted this lovely old quilt when I saw it at Carmarthen, but talked myself out of it!

Above and below: more from the retired signwriter chappy - aren't they GORGEOUS?  It's given me some ideas for When We Move.

Above: this gigantic light looks like it came from the Taj Mahal!  A real "decorator's piece".

One of the things I bought with the next Botanic Gardens Fair in mind.  This is a big charger, hefty, and I fell in love with it.  The dealer had originally had three - this was the only unsigned one, and all she could remember was that she had bought them (at big prices!) in the 1980s from a potter called Susan ????? from Radley, Abinger . . .  Research so far has not been helpful.  

Above and below: my little Torquay pottery treats.  Above, 2 x Kerswell Daisy pinch-top jugs (early part of 20th C) and  a LARGE Scandy jug.  

Finally, the obligatory view across the vale from Malvern.  It was a 12 hour day from getting up to getting home, we clocked up around 14K steps and I was in bed before 8 p.m. as I was absolutely shattered.  I was fine driving home, but once we had eaten and I allowed myself to relax, that was IT.  I had slept very badly on the Saturday night and only got 4 hours sleep.  Last night I caught up with 9 1/2 hours, but then by 5.30 I was ready to face the day.

Today my OH gets examined for new specs.