Sunday 9 December 2018

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.

15 comments:

  1. You are right about that beautiful painted rose covered cupboard door. Not the weather though to be travelling around the country.

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  2. The weather could have been a LOT worse - we drove through a couple of showers, but there was standing water on the roads, showing what had come through earlier! Not too much traffic about either, so no complaints. Driving the A40 (which we know like the back of our hands) is so much nicer than driving at night on the M4, as we did the previous Sunday!

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  3. My husband was at the flea fair yesterday but nothing caught his eye. I was in Worcester taking part in the WI centennial
    Service at the Cathedral. Then I went straight to choir practice with another choir.
    I’m hoping we get some cold weather soon. Nothing beats a cold frosty day.

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    1. Hi Catherine. Have you moved yet? I have to say, we bought well, but there weren't many outside of course, and a lot of plain . . . rubbish on offer! A few frosts may kill some of these wretched viruses doing the rounds.

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  4. Hi BB glad you had a good fair and that you have eventually caught up with your sleep deprivation! Your description of Hereford reminds me of a holiday I had with friends many moons ago. We had travelled early on from Peterborough and had cold breakfast with us. Cold sausages and boiled eggs with hot flask tea just as dawn was breaking. I am not sure why it sticks in my mind but the breakfast and the dawn were very memorable and it was also my fist trip to Ross on Wye which I also fell in love with. Some lovely pieces there too. Glad Keith's op has been a success. Hope you are now over the bug Take care. Tricia xx

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    1. Ah, moments like those DO stay in the memory, perhaps because we are being mindful and relaxing. Ross is a nice little town and we may still end up near there - there are still all sorts of talks going on for where we end up when we downsize . . .

      You would LOVE Malvern, but then you probably have huge Fleamarkets like it in your neck of the woods. So tempting to buy for oneself though . . .

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  5. The sign writer is a good artist - lovely work,
    I like the huge charger - hope you can track down a name

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    1. I am still working on the artist for that charger. We will hopefully see the dealer again at the next fair and before the Botanic Gardens. The sign writer's work is amazing.

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  6. A really good day!
    I don't get much spam..but I do review all comments..and delete those inappropriate

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  7. It was lovely, but SO tiring. I had a meltdown this morning (needing to rehome new stray cat as now he's neutered he believes his best form of defence is attack . . .) and intend to rest all day now.

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  8. That looks a lovely craft fair NN - I would have had difficulty keeping my purse closed.

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  9. It was antiques, collectables and TAT Pat!! So much to see, and we are now doing the research on the more unusual items which came our way.

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  10. Looks to be some interesting stuff on sale!

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  11. The paintings on doors, cupboards and glass is just beautiful.

    Your Torquay pots made me smile. My husband comes from a small village here in Saskatchewan.. The name of which is Torquay.

    God bless.

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  12. I adore the Botanical Charger, I would have bought it.

    cheers, parsnip and badger

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