Thursday 7 July 2016

Counting down to the holidays...


On Friday I went walking with the Ramblers. We did 9 miles in total; starting out from the village of Wilden, walking to Ravensden and Renhold and back to Wilden. It rained lightly a couple of times but it wasn't cold at all, and near the end the sun came out. I have new walking boots and they're great; the downside is, of course, they have to be cleaned - one of the most horrible jobs I know, along with cleaning the cooker, unblocking the sink or toilet, and ironing.


Sunday was a lovely day. Unfortunately the housework needed to be done as it hadn't been done the week before when were away  in Leeds.  Where are the housework fairies when you need them? I hate housework but it has to be done and I couldn't leave it for another week. The relief when it's finished and I think - that's it for another week - thank the Lord and pass the gravy!


 Trousers; Lidl. Most trousers are usually too long for me, with some honourable exceptions (Next regular, M &S regular), so I either fold up the hem or I have to resort to scissors and sewing. As I hate sewing this doesn't happen that often. It's a curse, you know, having short legs!

The green sandals are from Clarks and this is their 4th or 5th summer. I have an identical brown pair and I bought both pairs in the Clarks summer sale. The brown ones went down to 17.50 but these ones only went down to 22.50. I expect they'll last for ever; Clarks shoes/sandals usually do. I have a t strap, light blue pair of Clark sandals, again bought in the sale, and they're 6 years old!

Top, camisole, bag, earrings, cuff, watch and beads - all charity shopped.



 I have bought some a lot of clothes over the past two weeks. A  Zara winter coatigan in black and white for £6.00; a brand new with tags, beige (yes - that is the dreaded 'B' word) raincoat by Lorraine (Kelly, I think) at J.D. Williams - £4.00! A pair of trousers from Lidl.  2 pairs of trousers at the Cats Protection League and 4 tops in Newport Pagnell, sandals in Leeds, another pair of trousers and a tunic top from the independent charity shop in town; a skirt from Save the Children - I'm back there on Monday; I have never yet managed to leave the shop without something! And, I haven't mentioned the jewellery I've bought...oh dear, I have a really bad addiction to charity shops and the buying of their contents. On the plus side I have got rid of some trousers, tops and my old navy raincoat so my wardrobe hasn't got any fuller. And I have a complete holiday wardrobe ready for Spain. 

We leave for Spain on 28th July; my daughter, middle and youngest grandson and me. We are back on 4th  August and I shall leave for Ireland a few days later. I will be booking the ferry later this week when I get my pension. I'd like to stay until the end of September but as I help out with childcare I will need to be back for the start of the new term.

I went to a very poor church jumble sale on Saturday morning and bought a top for £1.00 - I couldn't believe it. When I was last at a jumble sale everything was 20 or 30p. I guessed it might be 50p now, but I was flabbergasted at a quid per item. I was too shocked to say I'd leave it, so that's yet another top to add to my collection! I am not going to go round the charity shops at all now -  I need to keep any spare money I have to spend in Ireland.

 I checked out the exchange rate for sterling to euros on Monday and it is very poor...



Monday's outfit.
Trousers; Tescos - bought with voucher. Everything else charity shopped including bangles, earrings, beads and watch.


I took a leaf out of Goody's book at 'Eat the Blog' here  to mix and match the colour of the bangles. I've mixed orange with green here.





I wore this outfit to the funeral on Tuesday. The jumpsuit is from M&S and I've had it for about 4 years but  never worn it before. I bought it with OH's annual Christmas voucher. He always used to give it to me and I'd spend it in the sale. He now gets an Amazon voucher and keeps it!

The jacket is charity shopped as is the hat, (both are from Next) and all the jewellery. is charity shopped. The wedge sandals are also charity shopped but although they were bought recently, I can't remember where.

The funeral service was beautiful and very moving. It was a very sad day but my friend was very brave and dignified throughout.



Wednesday's outfit - everything charity shopped.

I walked with the Rambler's on Wednesday. We walked 7.5 miles and it was a glorious day. Much of the walk was by the River Great Ouse and is called the Kingfisher Way.  We walked from Blunham Village to Tempsford Village to Great Barford Village and back. We didn't see any kingfishers, unfortunately.

I went on a Rambler's Amble on Thursday and we walked 5 miles. I had quite a lazy day and didn't even go for a rummage.

However, on Monday I rescued a black linen Next dress from the ragbag at Save the Children, and I bought a Kanga Collection, London (i.e.vintage 1980s, I think) loose kimono type top in 100% polyester, but brilliant colours, for £2.99 in the YMCA in Cambridge, on Tuesday.

 I also popped in to the British Red Cross on Wednesday and bought a floral pouffe which I'll use as a footstool in my study; I can then read in there with my feet up; as I do downstairs. And the other thing I bought was this bag which I'm going to use for a holiday handbag:



Because it's made of material it will fold up flat into my suitcase. We're flying to Spain with Easy Jet and they don't allow handbags and hand luggage in flight. It still has it's price tag of £1.99 on. I love the colours and the different floral patterns.


Thursday's outfit.


Everything charity shopped except shoes which were bought from the Very sale online a few years ago.
Dress - car boot sale in Ireland in 2014; cardigan Salvation Army charity shop about 4 years ago.


All jewellery charity shopped.

I'm on a reading mission at the moment. I keep a small notepad and write down all the titles of books I'd like to read. I usually get the recommendations from a range of book reviews. Every so often I'll go through the list and see what the library has. I did this recently and with a couple of reservations coming in as well, I've 8 books to read before I go away on holiday. I don't want to take any with me as they'll take up room in my luggage; I have a Kindle for holiday reading. I can't see me achieving all 8 before I go away, but I'm doing my best - it  originally started out as 12 but I've managed to read 4 already. Update, I finished another one on Thursday evening so only 7 to go before the 28th!

I have no plans for the weekend other than a bit of walking and on Sunday there is a big street jumble sale which I'm looking forward to. This will be the second one of these I've attended and I really enjoyed the last one.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend.
xxxx

16 comments:

  1. You are a woman after my own heart when it comes to colour - love these oranges, turquoise (those beads!) and I adore that floral purse. Cloth purses are lighter to carry, as well!

    I am a big reader as well - I've just finished my 24th book of 2016. My goal is to read more than last year (34). I think I can do it!

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    1. Of course you will Sheila, only 10 to go and it's only July!

      x

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  2. Oh what a lovely lot of colourful outfits this week Veronica. My favourite has to be the maxi dress which I do covet - I just love that simple shape with such a great pattern, it's the perfect combo in my eyes. I do also love the orange outfit as it's another colourway I simply adore. Good luck with all of your pre-holiday reading. I'm not managing much at the moment, as I keep falling asleep every time I pick my book up! Have a good weekend x
    Anna

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    1. I'm very fond of this dress, too, Anna but it's basically a long vest. I went all the way to an Irish car boot sale to buy a Primarni long vest!

      x

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  3. I don't think I've read a book for pleasure in years (there's so much reading that must be done, there's simply no time) however I'm getting an opportunity to re-read the classics for schoolwork-such a different experience as an adult.

    Whoa, those turquoise beads are incredible. You find the most wonderful things.

    EasyJet doesn't permit a purse? Goodness, I have to carry inhalers, medications and epinephrine pens at all times-I wonder how people manage that on a budget airline? Ugh-flying has become so unpleasant these days. Thankfully, you won't have a very long flight-and you'll have a lovely bag to carry when you get to Spain.

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    1. In the last couple of years I've re read two Charles Dickens novels and enjoyed them even more than when I read them many years ago. I often wish I could read more classics and one day I will get on with it!

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  4. Veronica I love your necklace collection. Those turquoise beads are beyond fabulous. Your are going to be stunning in your maxi in Spain. How fun. And we know that you're in good shape for walking miles through the cobblestones. Have fun!

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    1. Thank you Connie; I find it hard to resist a nice or funky necklace and luckily you can't have too many. Can you?

      x

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  5. Argh yes, the exchange rate is hideous right now. Hopefully it won't spoil your holiday too much.

    You've got some great charity shop finds there - those beads are really splendid. And your holiday bag is great fun.

    The knitting patterns have arrived! The chap playing the clarinet on one made me laugh. Thank you.

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    1. Mim

      I looked again today at the post office and it's gone down to 1.06!! Aaaaarrrrgggghhhhh....

      x

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  6. I'm drooling over those turquoise beads, they're stunners! A fab round-up of colourful, pretty and stylish outfits and you certainly did your friend proud with your funeral outfit, you looked wonderful.
    I hope the exchange rate rallies, a couple of friends reckon they're £400 poorer by not exchanging their trip of a lifetime cash pre-Brexit.
    xxx

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    1. The exchange rate seems to worsen by the day, Vix. I reckon by the time I get to go away it will be like for like. Oh well, we did well out of the euro for many years!

      When I saw those beads they reminded me of you because I know you like turquoise as do I.

      xx

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  7. So many gorgeous outfits! Like Vix, I'm drooling over those beads too. You have a real knack for scoring great jewellery and clothes. And your funeral outfit is so elegant - too bad the occasion was such a somber one.

    I am excited about your trip! And I hope your exchange rate holds and improves - it's so annoying when money changes value!

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  8. Thank the Lord and pass the gravy! :) funny! Oh how wonderful, you're off to sunny Spain. I'd say hold on a bit, it looks like the £ is bouncing back a bit. Fingers crossed. I'm impressed with your reading, mine has gone down the pan. Veronica, I pronounce you Queen of necklaces and stylish trouser outfits. Every ones a winner baby!! Xxx

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  9. Thank you, Tania! I do hope you're right about the euro it makes a big difference if you're on a pension like me! Only 3.5 years till I get my state pension...

    xxx

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