L. Whale has had his dressing changed and the vet was amazed at how well the wound is healing. He should have this dressing removed on Saturday, but I am at the Fair, and it's a Bank Holiday on Monday, so Tuesday it will be. I have Hibiscrub for wiping it should he manage to divest himself of the dressing.
I have spent this morning preparing for the Fair. Going through boxes of old stock in the stables this week, I found these two old ship's lamps, dating from latre Victorian/around the turn of the Century. This one has been wired for a light. The red one, below, is in its original state. Both of these are pre-Covid purchases and I need rid of them.
I really struggled with carrying the heavy tables out to the car. It was a job Keith used to do, and do easily. Like carrying two heavy boxes at a time . . . Having been in the Army, he had a very organized mind, and could pack so well. It has taken me 3 hours to do what would have taken him half an hour . . .
I am getting there. 8 tables, various display stands, "some" of the stock, an Escape and Evasion box from the 1960s, which Keith acquired on leaving the Army. I've yet to put in the tablecloths and the net curtains which us stallholders cover our stock with before going home at night. There are various very breakable things going in the front seat beside me, and paintings, easels, and the last of Keith's militaria to go in on Saturday, along with the blardy quilt - which I now have to sit and FINISH this afternoon. When people try to haggle you right down on price, they do NOT take into account what it costs me in fuel, time, energy and hundreds for the stand. (The one here has just gone up £40 and is now £225.) I have found two big copper pieces too - a French cauldron which will just have a quick rub over with very fine wire wool, 0000 grade, and an Arts & Crafts hanging pot which needs a bit more tlc. I should have tomorrow morning free to do those.
I have to make a cake to take, and will buy a Gregg's filled baguette for lunch because believe me, if there IS a food stall on the showground, you are not going to get much change out of £20 for something to eat. They put the prices up so high last year that ALL the regular original food and drink vendors said nope, not doing and didn't have a stand there. Only a stand selling expensive Thai food (£18 + a hit) bit the bullet. So, food from home (and Greggs) it is.
Right, this won't do. Back to work, but believe me I am feeling my age today. Today's heading comes from my late m-in-law who, let's face it, did NOT like me (but then I could havve been Princess Ann and I would have still been found wanting!) She would tell me that when she came to visit - after I had cleaned our entire house (4,000 + square feet) from top to bottom and was absolutely exhausted when she arrived. I can tell you, the sort of work I have had to do down the years would have floored her! At my age (I am now 74), she could barely walk to the corner shop and back and used to dry her teabags so they were lighter when she put the dustbin out for the bin men . . .
The age thing - I get it completely, I run out of steam very quickly these days, it just sneaks up on us doesn’t it……..when I think of when I worked full time and did loads of other stuff too, and still had energy to go out occasionally in the evenings…….ah well, such is life 🙄
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
I lost a lot of oomph when I was laid up for 6 weeks after NZ. When you don't lift heavy (and awkward) things regularly, the muscles get a shock to the system when, after 8 mths, you suddenly expect them to do it again! I don't need to take the tables for the other Fair I do, and hate having to move them.
Delete"She used to dry her tea bags so they were lighter..." gave me such a giggle. Thank you for that, and best of luck at the fair. I hope you leave there with an empty vehicle and a full purse!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, she had some odd ideas did m-i-l.
DeleteThat tea bag thing is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI was lucky with my Mother in Law - I miss her more than my Mum.
Really hope you do well at the fair. That red lamp is lovely, surely someone will want it.
She was jealous of me - and Keith's brother's wife too. Jealousy really is a most destructive trait to have. The red lamp I have had out and priced lower and lower - until Brita told me it was worth more than I was asking (I knew that, but . . .) I hope it has more luck this time. At least I can "do a deal" on it.
DeleteYou do well to continue doing all the fairs, those days and those of car boot sales are well behind me now thank goodness, Just seeing your car loaded, I really can imagine all the hard work that has taken. The preparations, the loading and unloading twice is real hard work, the only nice thing is setting up the display, and hopefully coming home with a lot less stock.
ReplyDeleteI love doing them, apart from the physical side of hefting those tables about. I allow a week to prepare for the big Fair, as there is always something that needs researching/valueing and pricing up, and I need to go through the other bit of storage today to see what I can take tomorrow - if I have room on the tables that is!! The loading/unloading turns out to be 4 times - as it happens twice at the Fair too :) This is a 2 1/2 day Fair and tiring.
DeleteHoo boy. I know the whole 'feeling my age'! I hope you make lots of good sales for all your hard work.
ReplyDeleteSome days I feel like someone has just pulled the plug on me! Must drink more water . . .
DeleteI get tired out and and am same age. I find it both scary and annoying in equal measures. I exercise and keep active but still it comes. Rachel
ReplyDeleteI should do Yoga again, and walk further. Right, next week . . .
DeleteYour later mother-in-law sounds utterly delightful!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a profitable time at the fair.
She said SUCH hurtful things to me. They still rankle - although I shouldn't let them.
DeleteAh, my ship's lantern is very similar to your two. Like you, I would like to offload it. And, like you, I had a mil who disliked me {but at any minute I could find myself as flavour of the month} and the feeling was mutual {only I never found her, not even occasionally palatable}
ReplyDeleteI would say value is £75 - £95. Depending on condition and selling venue. If you sell through 1st Dibs, you can safely add a nought on the end!!! Go check them out and have the shock of your life!
DeleteI get tired more easily these days and if I'm doing anything strenuous, the muscles complain next day. In my brain I'm 50, but in reality 73. The only thing I ever did right in MIL's eyes was having a daughter. She had two sons, also smoked like a chimney and was highly annoyed that I wouldn't let her smoke in my house or garden and wouldn't take the baby to hers unless she didn't smoke. Good Luck with your Fair and hope you're not bringing too much back home. Xx
ReplyDeleteIn my brain, I'm only 30! which leads to problems . . . I did it the other way round for mine - she didn't appreciate my girls, but when I had a SON - well, I finally got it right.
DeleteWe can choose our friends but not our family . . .
How sad to have such a mean outlook. My grandmother was the same to my mother. You could cut the tension with a knife. Talking of tea bags, my father insisted we use ours many times over before he considered them worn out. They were piled up next to the kettle like a mountain of grain sacks. Who knows how long they stayed in the pile, I'm thinking a couple of weeks at the very least. I thought it was normal until a school friend came over.
ReplyDeleteIt made for an unhappy life for her, that's for sure. A Welsh penpal once said about a cottage they visited, out in the sticks, old couple living there and either side of the door were two huge piles of tealeaves . . .
DeleteWhat a mean person. Mine was lovely. I have noticed that I move more slowly now (I am 70) and need to rest more between heavier tasks.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
She didn't want to share her sons, she wanted to keep them by her. Yes, 70 onwards is a challenge. Best to keep as active as possible.
DeleteAll the best for the fair, and once all your stock has eventually gone you will be able to take it easy.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with getting a Greggs, cheap & cheerful
ReplyDeleteYou sound very organized, I hope you managed to see everything in the end, have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteSome beautiful things, I hope they all sell.
ReplyDelete