A morning at Malvern Fleamarket

 

The alarm went off at 4.45. Since I had been awake for half an hour or so around 3 a.m. I was in a very deep sleep and left my brain on the pillow for a few hours!  Anyway, I got to Malvern at 7.35 and wasn't surprised to see far less cars in the car park and far less outside stalls than usual.  The weather forecast for the weekend had obviously put people off, although the Met Office's 10% chance of rain from 7 a.m. - mid afternoon proved correct.  I had taken a spare top and jeans just in case though and walking boots in case the ground was wet. I managed in waterproof walking trainers as it happens.

One of the more genteel outside stands.  Everything else there was white.

WHO on earth would want an upended pair of legs?!

Above and below - gorgeous wrought iron garden ornaments. There were also tall umbellifers, but I forgot to get a photo of those.  The swallows (a sort of three swallow arrangement) were £25 and I was mighty tempted, but it was early in the day and so I saved my money.  Next time .. .  Below are Bullrushes and lovely ferns, though of the latter I have more than plenty of the real thing in my garden.

The plant people who sell at Hay Market had their usual stand and I snapped up another Verbena "Bampton" which has dark purple foliage and little star like purple flowers.

A couple of other folk had plant stalls and I couldn't resist this either:  Sidalcea "Party Girl".  Also known as False Mallow.  Apparently it needs moist but well drained soil.  How many of us have that?!  It should hopefully be ok this end of the bank which holds more moisture than where the shrubs are.

 

Lots of these enamelware items about the place.  Can't get excited about rusty tin items though.

These folk buy up masses of these pots out in Turkey and bring them back by the pallet-load.  Below, same thing applies to their dough boards which are used for making Flatbread.  I have a few of these for my next stand.

One stall had a circus/fair theme and these rather oddball items obviously used to be in a Fair.  I don't think I'd want them in my house.

Even more hideous, a sort of "Herne the Hunter" made-up arrangement.  Not for me . . .

When there are no prices and "smart" display cards, I automatically assume I can't afford them!!!  Keith told me off for not asking the prices of the Polynesian throwing clubs . . .

Sorry, I forgot the couple of indoor stalls photos.

I bought this, ostensibly to take to the next Fair, but I do like it very much.  Someone has sawn the top off (as you do!) so it needs framing, but I will measure it up and see what I can find. I think it's the little turquoisey window/door on the left which makes this picture.

I was away by about 10.15 so got to listen to the Archers Omnibus on the drive back (Keith will have been relieved!)  I stopped at a church too - post of that later in the week.  It was a good bit of time off from my caring duties, and Keith didn't miss much as a lot of the stalls were very car-bootish - stock just not desirable. Our favourite traders/stalls aren't trading there any more so I assume didn't sell enough to make it worthwhile.  

I hope you all had a good weekend.  I am trying to work out how to avoid the show traffic to go and do the grocery shop (and kicking myself for not doing it in Ledbury Tesco's yesterday!) It's the week of the Royal Welsh Show and traffic through the town will be nose to tail.  They have shut off the roads which go across from one side of town to the other too.  I can go a very long way round across the Eppynts to join up with the road which I need for Brecon, or I can chance going towards Maesmynis, then along the steeply-ending lane which dumps you into traffic coming round a blind bend - NOT good when you are turning right. We went that way once and never again . . . If I turned left and then went into the layby 100yds on to turn around . . . just possible.

I am making a big pan of Minestrone soup this morning - it felt like a soup day.  Now, having stripped Keith's bed before breakfast, I need to make it up with fresh linen.