Monday, 25 August 2025

I nearly lost the will to live!

 . . . From Willersley onwards I had the rising sun in my eyes and had to wear sunglasses, but that wasn't ideal as the roads were still quite shady on bends/under trees.  It made for a tiring drive.

Then, it was SO hot at Malvern.  I walked round for an hour or so and had to go back to the car to change into the skirt and thin top I'd bought with me, and change trainers for thin daps.  I was not the most stylishly dressed person there, but I was cooler and hopefully no-one saw my striptease in the car . . .  


I have to say I just couldn't be bothered today.  There quite a few stalls like this one - a mixture of whatever they could lay their hands on. The square bowl was quite nice, but I have SO much from past years which needs shifting.   This was one of the better stalls.  There was a lot of rubbishy stuff along with some over-priced nicer items.


I was trying to show the complete mixture of stuff which is on offer.  House clearance here.


Turkish dough boards, but nothing took my eye today.


Same stall - lots of amphora type earthenware containers.


Quilts, but not for me . . .  Now quickly scroll past the next two photos if you don't like taxidermy, especially as there is a two-headed lamb in the first photo.






 

Sorry, that's it for photos.  I just couldn't be bothered.  I missed a chunk of the outside stalls once it got hot (23 or so deg, rising and it feels hotter as the showground is in a natural amphitheatre).  

I didn't bother with the Avon Hall - Bargain Hunt were apparently filming and probably in there as I didn't see them outside or in the sheds.  I went to see a couple of friends in the sheds, for a natter, and a lovely hug from Simon.  (Don't worry, I'm nearly old enough to be his mum).  He is always VERY positive (he is a widower) and has really helped me through the last year or so.

Then, absolutely sick of the sight of antiques - or rather, second hand STUFF in many cases - I left and was driving away by 10 a.m.  It was Carnival Day in Ledbury, so I couldn't get my groceries from Tesco nor could I visit Ledbury Church again (think it was holding a service anyway, and I went to our local church service yesterday.  One in a week is enough!)  


I was too hot to even walk the other side of the pylon to get a better view without wires in it . . .

Would you believe I got bitten 3 more times in the night (judging from positions on trips to the bathroom) and 3 more times at Malvern.  I itch everywhere and am heartily SICK of it.  Several other people said the same thing, never known bitey things so bad.  It is meant to pour with rain tomorrow - hooray - I hope it drowns them all!

I didn't spend much, didn't buy much, but in retrospect it was good to be out.  Off for a cool bath now in the hope that soap and water will ease the bites.

12 comments:

  1. Someone at the carboot sale last weekend had a whole table full of taxidermy - seemed an odd thing to take to a boot sale - I didn't look at the prices! The amphora look good but no idea what anyone would do with them - no good for plants.
    All those bites - how odd and very painful and itchy. Hope the cool bath helped

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  2. Judging by your photos there was a lot of tat (and who would want a 2 headed taxidermy lamb). There are a lot of bitey things about, don't know whether its the heat/mugginess. The Dr recommended a different allergy tablet which has just come off prescription. It seems ok with my BP medication and it works. Hope the bath soothed your itches. Xx

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  3. We are in a heatwave like you so I can commiserate. It does cool off at night so I leave all the windows open, fingers crossed no cat burglars, and then close them and draw the curtains in the morning. It helps a bit. The bugs have been terrible. I accused the dogs of harbouring them and gave them a bath which they were not best pleased about. It made no difference but I daren't let the dogs know. I am seriously impressed you took a change of clothes.

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    1. Ref. the change of clothes - went out when v. hot to Eastnor Castle when my friend was here (just a few miles from Malvern) and was SO hot I had to go into charity shops and buy a thinner top (no sleeves) and thin skirt in order to survive! I learned my lesson. I daren't have the windows open here - bad enough with them shut!

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  4. For the bites, a friend recommended the Boots Bite Clicker to me a few years ago. I was sceptical but it actually works for me. No more itching!
    https://www.boots.com/boots-bite-relief-click-it-10234814?srsltid=AfmBOor20mo5KqzzIRtWHJ0XDAyu4GYj9k9d4KxnuoAW7VHyrrh13nFu

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    1. Oh thanks JayCee. I will get that. I am sick of itching - had weeks of it now. It's not as though I never wash or have a bath!

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  5. Looks like you spent a very nice day walking through the stalls. Too bad it got so hot. You could try baking soda paste on the bites.

    God bless.

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    1. I've just come downstairs to take a strong antihistamine as I can't sleep for itching. I am going to vacuum the bed tonight as I think the Mozzie must be in bed with me! Will try the baking soda, thanks.

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  6. Oatmeal bath product? Epsom salts.
    I love studying the market pics. Thanks for sharing them
    I don’t think 23C is a heat wave,lol is that like 73F. “Room temp” ? It was 84 here today. Breezy and perfect only air conditioning in my bedroom for Baby Mo my pug ‘s nap

    Love lizzy. Gone to the beech

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  7. I have Epsom Salts in the cupboard. Will try that too. It was 23 deg. at 9 a.m. and rising fast. Very little breeze. We're just not used to it here and have had this heat day after day since April! Some days are so humid it really affects my asthma. I wasn't just sat looking at the weather - I was dragging a camping trolley around, and on grass that has a drag effect which made me even hotter.

    Raining (showers) this morning. HOORAY!

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  8. The church with the round tower not far from Sennybridge that you mentionedon another blog, is Penpont. The current building mainly the work of Sir Gilbert Scott. But there was a church there long before that as can be guessed from the age of the surrounding yew trees. It used to be kept open (not sure about now) and there's a leaflet giving the history for a modest price. The rather fine small organ came from Brighton Pavilion. And do notice the Beacons in the background of the stained glass west window. CG

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  9. Those bites - how I feel your pain, I see you've tried taking an antihistamine......hope it eases soon
    Alison in Devon x

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