A Malvern Day

This is what 4.45 a.m. looks like . . .

 I'm struggling to stay awake now.  I have had a long and hot day, lots of driving (the diversion is still in place, over a year on as more works needed to shore up a 2nd roadside landslip.)  I was up at 4.40 a.m. and reached Malvern at 7.25.  Joined the queue and went straight in.  All sorts came home with me, but nothing very unusual or expensive.  It was so hot (for me, that is, 25 deg) that I only went round 1 1/2 times outside, had a wander through the Avon Hall and then walked the length of the livestock sheds across the middle, as by that time I was spending the money I'd put aside for the plumber!  

A colourful stall here.

The table above, with the deisn along the side was I think late 18th C, but it looks to have been stripped . . . It has very lumpen legs too.  Possibly a church table?  Someone was negotiating on it anyway but I wasn't close enough to hear hid price when he said "I couldn't take less than . . . . for it." 

Ochre corner cupboard.  I suppose it has "a look" about it, but no-one wants corner cupboards these days.

I always used to treat myself on this stall, but they also sell at Hay Market, so I can give myself a treat there sometime.  Too hot to plant anything right now.

This was the lady who had those lovely quilts last time.  She has a very good eye for nice things.

Beyond exhausted

 I woke at 1 a.m. for a call of nature.  I was still awake an hour later when I was aware of Keith heading to the bathroom.  I couldn't relax until I knew he was safely back in bed again.  Of course, I was on edge all night then and turned my alarm off before it even jangled at 4.30 a.m.  I drove carefully to Malvern and arrived early to join the queue.

I have always had a soft spot for gorgeous copper jelly moulds like these.  I think I may even have a couple of "lesser" ones in stock still, from pre-Covid days.  I looked at a collection on one stall and the chap immediately said he wouldn't split them, and he wanted £250 the lot . . .  NOT the way to sell them.  On another stall I asked the price of two slipware bowls.  Once again, I had to buy the whole lot (10 or so pieces) for £150, he wouldn't split.  I would put money on it that both lots went back in the car at the end of the day.

One more photo for tonight - what pretty pieces these are.  Clarice Cliff before she went all Bizarre!

    Anyway, it will be an early night for both of us tonight.  Keith got up too early (for him) and how I drove home is beyond me, having just had 3 hours' sleep last night.  Automatic pilot must have kicked in.  

    I was frugal today and bought small bits and bobs at the cheap end of the market.  I did get a gorgeous - Georgian I think - metal mould.  The outside is so worn from constant use and the inside pattern is SO crisp and delightful.  My star buy was a set of Swedish painted hames which just seemed to jump into my hands!!  I shall enjoy those for a while I think . . .

    I will finally get around to replying to comments tomorrow (have guests in the afternoon so need to bake) and Tam is arriving too.  Meanwhile - Sarah, your comments always cheer me up.  Please give my love to Dartmoor, especially round Postbridge.  We used to wild camp up on the Dart before it was ever called wild camping!  Go to the Powdermills Pottery if you can, run by Joss.  We've had a couple of pieces from there, by Carole Glover.

Right, sit down for an hour an then a VERY early night.