3 pairs of Magpies = luck at Malvern?

 Well, perhaps, but not luck in the "you will find amazing things today"!  The forecast had been rain all day at Malvern, which must have put a lot of people off (plus Shepton Mallet was on).  As it turned out, the sun shone all the time Pam and I were at Malvern!  It didn't rain until we were almost home.

So, our St David's Day was spent out of Wales.  If you want to read a wonderful post about him, go to North Stoke on the sidebar, where Thelma has written about Wales' special saint.

Well, I have to say it is a long time since I have walked around the biggest load of junk in a field as today's offerings were.  Only the truly desperate and with the least attractive offerings - well, as far as I was concerned anyway.  Yet hundreds of people turned up, desperate to look round the first Fleamarket there this year.  They were still coming in when Pam and I left and people had to start parking all over the left hand side of the showground.  

One of the better outside stalls had this rocking horse, which had truly seen much better days . . .

These were the better outside stalls.  Some just had shed turnouts - think rusty tools, bits of machinery, rusting ironware.  Others had the detritis from poor house clearances, nothing wrapped just bunged in boxes for folk to sort through and discard.  There were the usual stands with jewellery, collectables in glass cases (I walk on by), discarded fabrics, old curtains, chairs you would not care to sit in, let alone take home et al.  Not much to interest me.  Someone had a huge Dalek, and lots of big animal type figures from the tv.  Bargain Hunt were filming, but think they didn't buy from outside.

This tapestry cushion looked good from a distance, almost three D.

Want, but don't need and can't afford!

The stands inside the sheds were much better.

On a friend's stand, a lovely old Welsh blanket and a small single quilt.

The triangular display stand was a great way to show off the little bits of stock.  I wish Keith was here to make one for me . . .

Some folk specialise in colourful china.

This was a lovely stall in the Avon Hall, with some interesting and unusual Middle Eastern and Asian pieces.

If I had had the money (and the room) this beautiful William Morris Sussex chair would have come home with me.

I really loved the paintings inside the lid of this trunk.  Someone had been out in India and painted scenes from their life there.

This lady always has very interesting things on her stall.  Photo below is her stock too.

However, my day was made when I found a chap selling plants, including these stunning Hellebores.  Both colours high on my wish list.  £10 each.

So very nearly black . . .

We stopped at the garden centre by Kings' Acre garage in Hereford as I needed potting compost, and I couldn't resist this pack of Anemones.  That colour!

So, all in all, perhaps the Magpies did bring some luck our way.  Pam wanted a small colander and found a lovely heavy white enamel one on my friend Ann's stall, and also found a lovely big tile picture for her kitchen at Ann's too.  I clocked up 13,500 steps.

I was tired when I got home (two poor night's sleep - I was awake 2 1/2 hours in the night and woke when I was married to Telly Savalas, thinking, I don't fancy you at all!)  I filled up my little velvet covered hot water bottle for my feet and had a Time Team nap.  I woke up with Pippi on my body and Lulu at my feet, and the boys in with me too.

Gabby is arriving in the next hour or so to stay overnight.  Tam will arrive tomorrow and they will both drive across to Essex to Keith's brother's funeral.  I won't rest until they are home as they will be on the M25.  They'll be back Tuesday evening and Tam will then drive straight home, over the mountains in the dark, so no rest again until she is back safely.