Oak Apple Day

 I read every day - a novel, articles about history, archaeology, folk lore - anything that interests me.  I plan to end each day knowing a little more.  My brain needs stimulation.  For example, today is Oak Apple Day.  It was once celebrated in Southampton by the working men of the town putting a sprig of oak leaves in their cap,or pinned to their clothing and put bigger pieces on the door knockers of the wealthy houses, who took them in to display inside.  After breakfast these men would knock on the doors of the wealthy houses, expecting (demanding!) beer and if this was not forthcoming, they would shout "Shig-shag, penny a rag, Bang his head in Cromwell's bag, All up in a bundle."  Since Cromwell died in 1658, this was a habit of some antiquity.

I have only heard of the Great Wishford Oak Apple Day (Wiltshire), where the villages would wear a sprig of oak leaves and use the expression "Grovely, Grovely, Grovely and all is Grovely."  This dated back to 1603 when the Charter of the Forest Court of Govely permitted villagers to collect dead wood all the year round and on Oak Apple Day, they could cut green branches, and were allowed to pasture their cattle and pannage their pigs in the forest, and gather nuts and acorns (sounds similar to rights in the New Forest in Hampshire.)  In Great Wishford the young people marched through the village, making as much noise as possible, and the villagers went to Grovely to take green boughs as was their right.  There were competitions with prizes for the branches with the greatest number of oak apples and also for the best decorated house.  A huge oak bough was bought back by the stoutest men and decorated with ribbons, then hauled up atop the church to bless marriages that year.  (That sounds like an ancient ritual indeed, stemming from perhaps a pagan practice of walking beneath a decorated bough, before Christianity reached our shores.)  

This morning four women with banners would have gone to Salisbury Cathedral, where they performed two dances by the West Door and the procession led to the high altar by the Dean and Chapter.  They read out the relevent part of the Charter and villagers shouted out Grovely, Grovely, Grovely and all is Grovely.  Everyone then goes back to Great Wishford for a big lunch, tradiationally in a field, but perhaps there is a marquee, just in case the weather's wet.

All this taken, almost verbatum (only just woken up from sleeping for two hours on the sofa) from the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre page.

I have just weeded some planters out front and finally planted the Cosmos (Seashell mixed) I grew from seed in the greenhouse.  They are very well grown and will hopefully survive the slugs.

I hope I have everything I need in the car now - will be far too much to display probably, but you never know, I may have a bonanza day and only bring half of it home.  Mind you, going on what this Fleamarket used to be like (though I was selling different stuff then), I may bring most of it home!  

I don't do HOT

 Cooler today, "only" 23 deg apparently, but the humidity always hits me.  I am sanding down the base of the stool I bought on Monday, and which I put some wood filler into - it feels like I'm running a marathon, pulling a Rhino!

I was thinking earlier, of one year when we took Keith's mum down to stay with some friends of hers in Torquay.  Tam was only a year or so old and it was SO hot.  Yet Keith's mum had thick tights on, and several layers including a cardigan.  She wouldn't let us open the windows, even a crack, because she knew for a fact that if there was air coming in and it touched your face or neck, you would get Bell's Palsy.  Keith's dad had had it after being hot and driving with the window open, so obviously that should be avoided at all costs.  Coincidence I would have thought, not cause and effect.   Well, after about ten minutes  with Tam upset because she was so hot and it was airless in the car, I'd had enough and told Keith to open the windows before we all suffocated.  That was it, Grandma C immediately pulled her cardigan over her head.  Thinking back, that's just what she did when we drove across the suspension bridge over the river into Wales, as she couldn't bear to see the river below her, certain the bridge would collapse or Keith would drive through the barrier into the river!  For an intelligent woman, she had a remarkable lack of common sense.  

One of the roses that came with the property, and which I took out of a planter and put in the soil.  THEN it really grew.

I went out for some cold meat and salad as I can't face cooking in this weather.  I needed rolls for my lunches at the weekend too.  

Right (which is what us Brits ALWAYS say), this won't butter any bread, time to do more rubbing down/choosing what stock to take at the weekend and pack it in the car.

Update: Car pretty well packed.  It was difficult to do as I had to work out what to take, with the lack of space I will have there, plus I needed room for the big Windsor chair and the teddy chair.  I researched the two big knives I found the other day.  One had been marked as an Iraqi sword, 1800.  Well, Keith knew and I soon found out that it was a Khyber Pass sword, c. 1850.  Some history in that one.  Well, so has the other as it's a big Borneo head-hunter's knife.  Used with intent even up to the time Keith was there with the Army in the 60's - young men still had to kill an enemy and present the head, in order to marry!

I will go back to rubbing down the stool tomorrow.  No rush with it.

Is it worth writing a post?

 If Blogger carries on like this, not bothering to notify new posts, I am beginning to wonder if I should take a break from blogging. . .  Some posts take a while to write - especially if I am researching something to share.  Ah well, have a few Malvern photos and some of the garden and we will see where this one ends up.

My gorgeous wee girl last night.  SUCH a long day (and SUCH a hot one at that).  They had to go to Cardiff for her treatment, and although the appointment was 12.30, it was delayed as they were running late.  Tam was worried because it was so hot and Rosie was just meant to have little sips of water now and again and no food past 7 a.m.  In the end she had to have both knees injected with steroids as the other knee showed signs of inflammation.  Tam said she soon bounced back after her anaethstetic and was hungry and thirsty.  They had to wait around for several sets of Obs to be done, before they were finally released at about 6.20 p.m. and were late back, needless to say.  It was so good to get her home, and to our amazement she was still trotting round, one leg stiff still of course, as if nothing had happened.  She has exercises to do and will be assessed to see if she needs physio when they have their follow-up appointment.

Everyone needs a stuffed swan in their lives!

As you can see, sometimes it is hard to find something of merit along these stalls!

Yellow flag irises which have taken over half the pond.  No-one has offered to wade in and start hoiking them out yet!

I spent yesterday keeping busy.  I did running repairs to the stool, where worm had taken a chunk out around a leg.  I had a good teacher in Keith and remembered how he used sawdust and wood filler to fill holes like this.  I waxed another little bench stool I bought at Builth, and was delighted to have found an early Georgian salt box in the grain ark, but it needed the wire hinges glueing back in place (the staple-shaped bits which went into the back to hold the lid.)  A dab of superglue on the metal ends sorted that and it is back in stock.  Hasn't seen the light of selling day for many years.  I listened to a great Dan Snow podcast about the Boleyn family (apparently pronounced Bowlin, with the emphasis on the w sound) and he had the renowned Philippa Gregory telling us about them, and the virtually forgotten Jane Boleyn who married in (to Ann's brother George) was perhaps the most successful of them all though not an ideal relative to have!

I then realized that the two day fair at Carmarthen, which I told my friend Pam I couldn't do because it clashed with Malvern, was this coming weekend and so DIDN'T clash with Malvern.  I coughed up £100 for that and am booked in.  I need to be up at 4 a.m. on Saturday morning though, as it's an hour and a half away and kicks off at 9 a.m. and I need to be in the queue at 6.30 to get reasonably near the doors to unload (you can't drive in).  So I will spend part of today sorting out what is to go and getting it nearer the door!  

Testing, Testing

 Have my last two posts come up?  I am wondering if Blogger is having a melt down, or am I just too boring???

At Clyro yesterday.

What came home with me?

 

Two French nodding dogs.  1930s I think.  The one on the right nods better, but they are SO cute.

This just yelled BUY ME!  I love the way it is totally made from scratch, and the maker has found yet another use for binder twine . . .

Antique primitive French ship's pulley.  This spoke to me too.  Needs a little wax polish to bring out the wood grain.

My favourite piece.  We used to deal in furniture mainly, but then had to side-step to Militaria as it was difficult to carry much small furniture in the Doblo - we could manage a small Windsor chair or two, but it's difficult to pack round them.  Anyway, I feel I am on home territory buying small bits like this as I still remember buying and selling them before.  I need to get the bloomin' varnish off this one though.  Vinegar was supposed to do it, but I think it will have to be white spirit and 0000 grade wire wool - in the shade, as white spirit somewhat flammable.  It's a long time since I last saw a pudding basin stool and this is quite a nice chunky one.

Beautiful hand painted glass case.  Probably French but need to do some more research.

A lovely Turkish dough board.

I don't know why this is on its side as I thought I took it upright!  Charlie Chaplain bottle stopper.

Somewhat dwarfed by its linen dress, a little wooden clown? face peeps out.  Tamzin: "WHY did you buy this thing, it's hideous/scarey".  I will blame the heat . . .

Anyway, I need to keep busy as Tam, Jon and Rosie are on their way to Cardiff Hospital for Rosie's injection.  Not sure if it will be done as she's got a bit of a runny nose (yet another cold).  As it's a steroid injection, it is going to be painful for a few days, bless her.

You'll soon be home, gorgeous girl.  

This was taken at Llysdinam house open day on Saturday.  We met up with a school friend of Tam's, and her family, who were staying just up the road from us.  We had a lovely wander in the grounds with the girls, and I only bought one plant.

Oh and I may be doing a two day Fair next weekend.  Waiting to hear back to see if I have my booking confirmed.

Running on the smell of an oily rag!

 Well, I am quite amazed I am still standing.  I do not know HOW I managed today, truly!  I was too hot in bed last night, and although I went to bed at 9, setting my alarm for 4.30., I was STILL AWAKE at 3 a.m. and going doolally. I reset the alarm for 5 a.m.  I must have drifted off to the cats purring on the other side of the bed, but at 4.20 - I woke for the loo. That was it for the night.  I did try to get five more minutes sleep, but no.  I was on the road for 5.35, but when I got to Erwood (10 miles away) my tummy did NOT feel good.  I also couldn't spot my bum bag.  Blardy thing!  I thought I must have left it on the table, so turned round and came home (just as well, with the tummy event that followed).  Bum bag NOT on table.  Checked car and it had fallen down the side of the seat onto the step . . .  Put Spotify on and listened to Dan Snow's history podcasts on the way to Malvern.  I made good time, but then the blardy British Camp route into Malvern was STILL shut (this has to be about 8 months now) as there had been another landslip just after they finally fixed the first. So it was the long way round to the Fleamarket via the Eastnor Castle road and across the commons.

 A miscellany of mostly modern quilts with a dealer friend of mine.

I loved this, but it was £100+.

A really lovely old quilt, but at £150 it wasn't coming home with me.

Little half-square triangles set off with the red at the cross-overs.

A lovely old William Morris style Sussex chair in need of a lot of tlc.  

My goodness though, but it was HOT.  Something like 33 deg.  FAR too hot for me - I normally hide inside when it's a heatwave - but I had to work, and so dragged my rather heavy full-of-wooden-things trolley round behind me.  The grass gives it drag and it's a PITA.  I found some unusual - hopefully sellable - things.  

Wasn't this a sweet embroidery?  On a stand, so rather like a fire screen to stop the heat of the fire drying your complexion!

Oh, I had an interesting business proposition too.  One which I think I shall at least try.  A good friend of mine, putting business my way, bless him.

Oh, and the brain being slightly lacking today, I left the interesting bit of my ham rolls at home in the fridge (slices of tomato, and some coleslaw).  But then, I wasn't the least bit hungry.  Didn't have an evening meal last night (but had too many strawberries instead).  I've eaten since I got home, a proper meal.  Just finished a cold Hazy Jane IPA too.

Back in the morning, as I know I am going to be going to bed early tonight.

My house-trained bat . . .

 This appeared in the litter tray this afternoon.  I can only assume it's escaped from under the roof - as they do when it gets very hot.  I have given it its liberty in the cool of a bush outside and saw it flying around a few minutes later.

I have been Very Good today, and ventured out to the Stables to start having a sort out.  I have gone through one big pine box which I shall use with a cover on in the Unit.  I've listed a few things on Marketplace, and when Tam is here tomorrow, will list the wheelchair and Mobility scooter on Fleabay.  I plan to sell the lovely late Victorian tub chair in my bedroom too.  I don't need it, but could do with the cash.  

These are just the two end stalls.  Tbere are two more with barrels of Keith's "useful bits of chair parts".  I shall try giving these away on Marketplace, otherwise they are off to the Tip.

I sat down after breakfast with my stitch-ripper and then neatly edged the bottom strip of the little chair cushion, so it doesn't run off, as that was annoying me.  I can't WAIT to get started on the daily stitching project.  TONIGHT I hope!  I have bought down a little square of the linen I plan to use to see how it sews up with a design.

Now - Marketplace or the Unit?  I fell in love with this because of the beautiful carved wooden edging, BUT I can do without it.  It's a lovely bedroom chair, professionally reupholstered.

Hot here now, after a cooler grey start to the day.  I am quite tempted to go out for ice cream, now I have gotten a meal out from the freezer . . .

Blardy hell - I never expected THAT!!!

 

Isn't this absolutely gorgeous?   Such fine stitchwork too.  I took a photo to share with Tam, and then tried Lens on it, where it came up straight away.  Jacobean "Tree of Life" pattern, usually stitched as crewel work.  Found it in a (probably up market!) antique shop with a price tag of £150!!!  It will be less when it appears at my next little Fair.  I think it came from Malvern (or possibly many years ago at Carmarthen Fleamarket) and has been with a pile of my personal lovely textiles since - out of sight, out of mind.

Beautifully embroidered, perhaps around the 1920s/30s?

Meanwhile, I have been labouring (and mucking up, unpicking had to be done!) the little patchwork cushion for the stool I painted.  FINALLY finished this afternoon, with the shaped bit needing hand-sewing (and bodging!  Shhhh!!)  Fortunately a strategically-placed teddy will hide a multitude of sins!

Yes, the bottom edge got messed up either side but do I care?  Clearly NOT!  The colours are actually much brighter and prettier than they appear.  I may just straighten that bottom edge as it's hand-sewn.

Charity shop bear to dress it and show it's a teddy or dolly chair and not a child's one.

I changed my library books today.  I think the library is the only place to carry on getting Kate Ellis books as they just don't seem to turn up in charity shops round here.

Photographed in Tesco - a teensy Quiche, which looked as if it had as much flavour as cardboard!  When I make mine they would feet an Olympic team and rise like Souffles!  These are £4 each!  

I forgot to mention that I was out late last evening, listening to the screaming of the Swifts as they flew overhead, feeding.  Accompanied by my Swallows and the House Martins who are sitting on eggs in one nest, and others building a 2nd nest.  There are Spotted Flycatchers nesting under the eves on the cottage next door, in the same spot as they were in when Keith was so ill and I would watch them daily as I sat with him.  On my walk yesterday, Merlin recorded some Pied Flycatchers in the woods on my walk along the valley - well I say valley, but it's along the side of the hill really.

This won't do.  Not sure if I can face my mince/veg/rice throw together for a 3rd night in a row.  Time to peek in the freezer methinks.

Motivated and inspired by Daily Stitching

 

I got busy yesterday.  This little chair had been a rash buy and painted green and then "aged" - it just looked dirty.  A quick paint job was essential.  This morning I shall make up the little cushion in patchwork to set it off.

This is the old - solid oak - table I mentioned to help dress my Unit.  It was filthy (been in the stables for 25 years or so) so had to have a good scrub down and a paint job.

I glued the crinoline stretcher back into place and you can now SIT on this chair again!  I shall polish it to perfection later.

Then I got totally wowed by a Daily Stitching Design project I'd seen on Instagram (k.j.turner - stitching for life).  This is her wonderful project - I was so excited about this last night I thought about it every time I woke up!!  I ordered Volume two - Circles - and printed it off just before I went to bed, which was not a good plan for a quiet night's sleep :)

The individual designs are up to you, and I was tempted by the floral designs, but think I can do those myself, and am already planning a little wall hanging with the Uffington White horse as a central motif.  I have no end of embroidery threads and others . . . went searching for those before bed too!

I have masses of embroidery floss but I wanted this thread to do the separating bars between the designs.  I had quite forgotten the burr-wood needle holder.

I also found a bag with these threads in, bought years ago when there was a long-established craft shop in King Street in Carmarthen.  Covid did for them.

Plus some coloured tops for spinning practice.

Poor photo of the work that k.j.turner has shared on Instagram.  So I won't be doing all just circles.  Kate at the Last Homely House is doing this too, but will have probably bought all the design sketches.  I just blew £7 on one.  I have gone in my sewing cupboard and found one of the long lengths of linen an American penpal sent to me back in the 1990s! and has been put aside waiting for its turn to shine. I can't wait to get started!

This won't do.  Time to get cracking.

P.S.  With all this firing me up, I forgot to mention that Tam has a date for Rosie's injection, under general anaethstetic, at Cardiff hospital - next Tuesday.  I hope it all goes smoothly, and works.  Worrying all the same . . .