Monday 17 June 2019

Blackbird news, blogger meet ups and other things...


Blackbird update! We got another look in the nest and there was at the time of writing this - 4 eggs in situ. A second clutch, as Mim said in her comment on the original of my last post. Watch this space!
Further update - I saw Mrs. Blackbird taking food to the nest; I think the eggs may have hatched!

But to return to the weekend of our London group walk. We began our walk from Blackfriars station. This pub was across the road from the station - can you see the Black Friar on the front?


 From Blackfriars we headed for the embankment where we walked to St. Katherine's Dock and Limehouse Basin. From there we walked to the Old Docklands area of London which is full of dwellings made from converted warehouses now; but once were filled with wharves. Their original function lives on in the building names and streets. The vessel with the sails (top left) is an original Thames barge once the workhorse of the river; seen in  St. Katherine's Dock. Bridges or walkways connected the warehouses or wharves to each other (top right);  now people fill them with plants in containers. It's their garden in the sky, I suppose.

L - Gun Wharf.  R - Thread Wharf. Guess what used to be stored in these warehouses?

From there we continued to where a large area of Docklands was demolished to make way for; (bottom left photo) Canary Wharf! London's second financial centre; the first is in the City of London; a square mile delineated by dragons, so you know when you enter and leave.

This rather resplendent building on the bottom left is a pumping station (originally for pumping sewage out of the Thames) and the plaque (top right photo) was on one side of it. It commemorates the departure of a group of navigators who set off in the 16th century to explore the North Seas. The street sculpture (top left photo) is of a herring gull. Very plentiful down by the docks! I really liked this sculpture and as the collage doesn't do it justice I've repeated it below:

Ain't he cute!

We continued the walk through Wapping (which was where the sculpture was situated) and Shadwell. The pub below is the oldest riverside pub in London; 'The Prospect of Whitby'. Just to the side of it is an example of the numerous 'Watermen's stairs';  in this case called Pelican Stairs. The stairs gave those who worked or travelled on the river, easy access to the banks of the Thames. Just through Pelican Stairs and hanging over the Thames was this gibbet with a noose still attached (bottom left) just to remind us that once upon a time people were executed here...

  We then continued walking along the river until we came to a rowing club where we were able to stop and have a drink and admire the spectacular views of Greenwich from the terrace. Greenwich is a borough in London, on the banks of the River Thames. Known for its maritime history, it's home to the Cutty Sark, a restored 19th-century ship (top left photo), the huge National Maritime Museum, and the classical buildings of the Old Royal Naval College. Overlooking peaceful Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory is the site of the Greenwich meridian line. The meridian line is that rather uninspiring metal strip in the ground in the bottom left photo. It represents the Prime Meridian of the world; zero degrees longitude; every place on Earth is/was measured in terms of its angle EAST or WEST of this line.

The Painted Hall was filled with beautiful detail on walls, floor and ceiling (top left and right photos). This giant ship in a bottle  (bottom right photo) caught my eye outside the Royal Maritime museum.

We crossed to the other side of the river by walking through the Greenwich Tunnel where we walked up to Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory.  The views over London from here were spectacular. By this time we were pretty knackered and very pleased to walk back to the river where we caught a Thames Clipper vessel back to London Bridge; along the Thames and thence home. We walked just over 11 miles.  It was good to sit down again, I can tell you! The Thames Clipper went extremely fast and is probably a much quicker way to travel around London as there is much less traffic to contend with - although it is expensive. Our tickets were 9.00 each from Greenwich to London Bridge -  the route ended at Westminster Pier.


On Monday, I volunteered as usual and wore one of the items I bought the previous Friday in Barnardo's. This dress/tunic/long shirt is by Tu and I loved the pattern of repeating fans. I think it was 3.50. Navy trousers retail from Matalan some years ago and navy top from a 1.00 rail somewhere. It's also old maybe 6 or 7 years and of course it wasn't new when I bought it!



Shoes retail.

Scarf and jewellery charity shopped.

I was asked if I could a spare few hours on Friday as the shop was stock taking that day so of course I said yes. I did have time for a look around on Monday and bought three items from the 1.00 rail: a winter skirt by Boden which I've put away; a pair of jeans (see below) and a pink short trench jacket.


I wore this to the Food Bank on Tuesday. Jeans; as above, jacket bought from the 3:16 charity shop for 2.00. Top underneath bought from a 1.00 rail; possibly the RSPCA in Ampthill.


Shoes charity shopped in Co. Donegal.


All jewellery charity shopped.

Wednesday was quite busy. I took my grandson and his Dad to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge in the afternoon as grandson had a follow up appointment to his middle ear implant op earlier in the year. All was well and they were pleased his progress; so much so that he doesn't have to return in September for a further appointment. In the morning I had errands to run and managed a quick visit to my two closest charity shops; the 3:16 and the Day Hospice Boutique. I bought a brooch for 50 p in the 3:16 shop and a beautiful cotton maxi skirt made by Rapp in the Day Hospice for 4.50.


This linen top (I love linen) was bought a few weeks back in my Barnardo's for 4.00. It's by Valentyne.


Trousers from a Tesco outlet store some years ago and shoes retail; Sainsbury's.


All jewellery charity shopped.


 This is one of two linen coats I possess; both charity shopped and both by M&S. This one was 7.00 and came from the Cat's Protection League. The other linen coat is a pale grey; but I cannot remember where I bought it from and I've had it longer than this one.


I've been meaning to show you these for ages. I bought them about two months ago from the British Heart Foundation for 5.00. Aren't they sweet? I've worn them once but didn't take photos that day.


On Thursday afternoon after doing the food shopping and some errands; I went to Newport Pagnell  for a rummage. As part of the D Day celebrations they have a vintage theme in all the shops; every one dresses up in vintage clothing at the weekend; there are stalls and entertainment and old Spitfires etc on display. Although they are celebrating D Day this year it's something that happens every year; so one of the women in the Age UK shop told me. It's their manager who has knitted the house; allotment and 'Dig for Victory' scene in their front window. The vintage shop always has lovely window displays...


This was what I wore. Everything charity shopped except the shoes local retail shoe shop.


Trousers; unknown label but from 1.00 rail last year; top by Next; 1.00 rail in RSPCA Ampthill; jacket by M&S 1.99 in the Red Cross. I bought the necklace in my Barnardo's for 1.00; and the earrings I bought in Newport Pagnell for 2.00 I cleaned them and wore them for the photo as they went so well with what I was wearing.


All jewellery and scarf charity shopped.

On Thursday evening I met my best friend Ann for a meal and a catch up. We meet in a pub near the university where I used to work but because England was playing it was so noisy!  Once we'd finished our meal, we decided to go to town and try one of the (several) pudding/dessert restaurants. Have you noticed these lately? They've been springing up everywhere. I know of 3 in our town alone. Anyway, I had a delicious pudding and we were able to converse and hear each other.


You may have noticed I haven't mentioned any walking this week. That's because after the weekend walk and standing for 4 hours in Barnardo's on Monday by Monday afternoon I had  a very painful thigh where the ball and socket joint is. I couldn't get comfortable -  whether I was sitting; standing or lying down. Luckily, I remembered I still had some anti-inflammatory tablets left from the knee episode last year so I took them. By Thursday evening I was pain free but erred on the side of caution and decided not to walk until next week.


This was Friday's outfit. Everything charity shopped. This is the skirt by Rapp I bought in the week for 4.50. The blue top is by East and was from 1.00 rail somewhere. The jacket by M&S was 1.99 in the Red Cross. Yellow shoes; 3 euros in a Donegal charity shop.


All jewellery charity shopped. The earrings were brought back from a holiday abroad by my brother, Mark; but they've turned towards the back in this photo and look white. They're actually yellow, teal and a deep red:


I took youngest grandson to his clinic appointment at our local hospital on Friday morning and on to school. Then I had a hairdresser's appointment and after that I went to Barnardo's where they were stocktaking. I spent the entire time counting new stock: cards, wrapping paper and sweets! From there I went to pick up both grandsons from school.

Saturday was a rather special day and here's why...


Here we are -  London blogger meet up! From L to R: Fig, Monica (all the way from Spain!), Vix and me at King's Cross station. It was so lovely to meet everyone and I felt as if I was meeting old friends. Having followed their blogs for some time; I felt I knew everyone really well! Such is the strange world of online blogging but I am very grateful for it. After a cup of tea/coffee we wended our way towards Spitalfields where we oohed and aahed over wonderful clothes, jewellery, and other accessories. We had something to eat and lots of conversation - it was such a lovely day and we want to do it again. A big thank you to Monica who was here on holiday and who suggested the meet up. The photo above was taken by a man (a professional photographer) who spotted us on the tube - and Vix in particular! He wanted to take her photograph, which he did and then he took this one of us. Thank you!

I took this one using Monica's camera. That's Christ Church, Spitalfields in the background. A Church built by Nicholas Hawksmoor between 1714 - 1729.

My yellow and black trousers were 2.50 from my Barnardo's. Underneath my David Emmanuel coat (see below) I wore a yellow linen Wallis tunic also from my Barnardo's 3.99; and a black lace top by Next from Save the Children; bought when I volunteered there. Shoes; 3 euros, Donegal charity shop. All my jewellery was charity shopped. My bag was also charity shopped from the 3:16 charity shop but can't remember how much it was; but less than a fiver.

I went to spend the day with my son on Sunday and wore this:


Everything charity shopped except the trousers; La Redoute sale some years ago. Coat by David Emmanuel; 6.00 in Red Cross shop. The brooch pinned to it was bought in my Barnardo's last week.


Top by Wallis and charity shopped somewhere a few years ago. I can't remember where or how much I paid for it.


Shoes 3 euros Donegal charity shop.


Ooops; there's one of my slippers. Some people have cats who photo bomb them; I have to make do with slippers...


Bangles, necklace and watch charity shopped. Earrings were from New Look at Christmas; I paid a fiver for them.

Monday was a horrible, chilly wet day. A complete contrast to Sunday which was warm and sunny. I dressed in bright colours to alleviate the gloom...


Earrings and brooch bought retail in Donegal. Both made by Irish artists/designers. The earrings are enamel and the brooch is ceramic. Necklace bought in Cancer Research many years ago.


All clothes charity shopped. Dress by Asos from my Barnardo's: 1.50.  Navy jacket by Whistles; 1.00 rail in the 3:16 charity shop. Navy leggings by M&S; 1.00 rail in Barnardo's, Ampthill.


Shoes as above.


It was so chilly I wore a scarf and a raincoat when I went out. Scarf; charity shopped somewhere. I volunteered at the charity shop as usual on a Monday. The Manager is a fresh air fiend and likes to have the door wide open all the time. It was perishing! I went and shut it a couple of times as did a couple of customers but the Manager is suffering from hot flushes so gets hot really quickly. I remember what that feels like...I bought a necklace, two brooches and two scarves and a football kit for one of the grandsons.


Guess who these two are? These are two female juvenile blackbirds who were in my garden on Tuesday. One was rootling around in one of the flowerpots. I believe they are the fledged first clutch from Mrs. Blackbird! As well as snapping this photo, I went to the food bank on Tuesday morning. It rained all day the same as Monday and it was chilly. I was glad to get home and get warm! I had to venture out again in the afternoon as I needed to return my library book, so of course I had a little rummage. Once again I visited the High Street charity shops of which there are 6. The first one I went in; Mercy in Action Outlet shop, sells everything for 2.00 or sometimes 1.00. I found a lovely Italian made grey and white spotted tunic/dress; a brown linen Laura Ashley maxi dress and a black and white  linen jacket by Rosie - all 2.00 each. I looked in all the other shops but didn't buy anything else; until I reached the Independent charity shop on my way home where bought some brand new animal print ankle boots which have been put away for the autumn/winter.

Wednesday's OOTD


Note: I'm wearing boots - in June! All jewellery charity shopped.


Everything is charity shopped. The jacket as before. Skirt: 4.00 from The Guild House it's by East Artisan with Anokhi -  I didn't realise this until I looked closely at the label. I've worn it before as well! Vix here  is a great fan of their clothing. Red lace top; can't remember. Boots: retail by Matalan. I also wore socks and a neck scarf!


The other maxi skirt I wore recently with this label Rapp. I'd never heard of it before but I must say that both skirts have a nice quality to them and both are fully lined.


I didn't walk with my group on Wednesday as the walk was quite far - in Cambridge. I had planned to walk by myself but by the time I had pottered about doing various things indoors it had begun to rain and it continued for the rest of the afternoon. Again; I had to venture into town in the pouring rain so I had another rummage in the charity shops around the bus station of which there are 6. I bought a plant and a book; both a 1.00 each. I had spent enough money yesterday so it was just as well!


You may remember I was attempting to reread my way through Mary Wesley's books. Well, after reserving and picking up 6 from the library; (having already read two I picked up in charity shops) by the time I had read a third I realised I didn't want to read anymore. They were too similar with the same themes and character types repeated in each book.  There was also a very strong feeling that she was deliberately trying to shock her readers by having unusual sexual relationships as one of the themes. I have absolutely no interest in anybody else's sex life - even in fiction! Having paid 80 p for each reservation I was a bit miffed at returning them; but life's too short to read books you're not enjoying - so back they went. I am currently at the beginning of a journey to Scandinavia; Sweden to be precise in the very capable hands of Camilla Lackberg. I have four of her books to read and a whole shelf of Scandi Noir to get through so this is a start. I do love detective fiction or police procedural books; they're my guilty reading pleasure...

I did a bit of organising on Wednesday as well. My brooches live in a box on my chest of drawers and are divided up into types; gold, silver, vintage, floral, ceramic, enamel and animal/insect, but in separate bags. Herein lay the problem; I could never remember which brooches were in which bag in the box; and what I had in each category. I decided that if I decanted them into my miniature chests of drawers I could at least see what I had. Now, I can see at a glance what I have and even have a couple of (small) drawers left to put more brooches in...
My gold collection on the left and right my brooch storage system. If only I could fit these into my bedroom; but I can't -  they'll have to live in the study.

My walk on Friday had one participant - and me! The weather had been so awful (four and half days of solid rain) and not conducive to walking so I wasn't at all surprised. I still had to catch the bus to Sharnbrook in case anyone was waiting for us there; there wasn't so I caught another bus back straight away. The weather did finally brighten up on Friday afternoon - hurray!


On Saturday, OH and I went for a rummage to St. Ives and St. Neots both in Cambridgeshire.


Everything charity shopped. Linen dress by Laura Ashley; 2.00 and jacket by Rosie also 2:00; both bought from the Mercy in Action charity shop. Sandals; can't remember possibly Oxfam and I paid 5.00 for them.

All jewellery charity shopped. Scarf and necklace both from my Barnardo's.

I'll show you all my finds in my next post. See you then!

Saturday 8 June 2019

Updated post - More Family, more walking and more bargains!



NB - I've had an issue with posting my most recent post so I am re-posting it. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to copy across the comments I received from Vix, JayCee, Mim and Suzanne but thank you for the comments anyway!
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The baby blackbirds flew the nest just after I last posted. They returned and were feeding on my bird feeders. I felt like a very proud mum watching them become more independent by the day! About 5 days after the fledglings flew the nest we went to look at the abandoned nest. To our astonishment there was still one egg in it. I can only surmise the egg embryo is dead as Mrs. Blackbird had not been sitting on the nest for quite a while.

The construction of the nest was exquisite; made of tightly woven grass and fine twigs. It was sitting on the middle shelf of a metal, three tier, open shelving unit (charity shopped of course!) that we attached to the garden wall and fence and used to put plants on; but the lavender bush had completely grown over it.  I had even forgotten it was there! Update: Mrs Blackbird returned to sitting on the nest - maybe the egg embryo isn't dead...


We've been enjoying some beautiful sunny warm weather since my last post. I've been very busy so haven't always been able to take advantage of it. This outfit below was worn to the food bank on Tuesday and it was very pleasant to be able to to do what we do there and not freeze! We even kept the doors open the entire time. Everything charity shopped. Jeans by Next; striped t shirt by Gap and tunic unknown label; but can't remember where I got any of them from. Shoes from Oxfam; Newport Pagnell 10.00.



All jewellery charity shopped. The necklace was a recent purchase but can't remember where!
I had some errands to run in the afternoon in and around town. I looked in a couple of charity shops but bought nothing.


I did the usual on Monday;  the drop off school run, volunteered at Barnardo's (I bought no clothes!) then the pick up school run. On Wednesday, I led my walk from Milton Ernest and had 45 participants! Everyone enjoyed the walk and agreed it was completely different than the one I did back in February - although it was the same walk! I had reversed it, but the main difference was nothing to do with me -  that was down to Mother Nature covering the landscape in verdant green and of course the beautiful sunny weather. I still have two more walks to lead in June and need to get recceing the shorter one. The longer one is the bus walk and I have recce'd that frequently.

When I got home after the walk I just chilled out as I still felt rough from the previous weekend and had been coughing for most of the night before. I even had a short nap  on the sofa; something I rarely do in the day.


On Thursday, I poll clerked again, this time for the European Elections. I thought there would be a very small turnout but we ended up with a pretty steady stream of people all day. There were a few lengthier lulls between voters and I managed to get a few chapters of my book read, but it was such a long tedious day. I collapsed into bed when I got in!


I didn't wear this on Thursday. I would have been considered to be visibly supporting a political party if I wore this; as blue is the colour of our Conservative Party. In fact, all the primary colours can't be worn as the Labour Party colour is red; the Liberal Democrat Party colour is yellow and the Green Party is, of course, green. I wore my new Mary Portas shirt over black and white trousers with a dark grey Next jacket. Neutral colours.


Took the youngest grandson to his UV appointment on Friday morning, then to school. I also had to do the food shopping as I had poll clerked all day on Thursday. It was a really warm day  - 23 degrees. Everything I'm wearing was charity shopped. Trousers by Monsoon, 3:16 charity shop, blue lace tunic; can't remember; silver pumps by Zara 2.99 from my Barnardo's last summer. All jewellery charity shopped.


I look a right misery in this photo!
I didn't need this jacket at all because it was so warm.  It's part of a maxi skirt suit by Fenn, Wright and Manson which I bought in the Red Cross shop for 12.00 some years ago. I've only worn the complete suit once so far to a christening; and have split it in order to get more wear out of it.

After I had done the food shopping, I went for a rummage to Kempston. In the Cat's Protection League I found a good winter walking jacket which was showerproof so I snapped that up; BNWT for 7.00. The Keech Hospice was closed for refurbishment, so that just left the Day Hospice shop. I bought a Joules tunic for 6.00 and as pair of white jeans for 4.00.

On Saturday, we had a laid back kind of day as we were having a family get together in the evening. I did find time to go to the 3:16 charity shop which is very close to where I live. I bought a blue summer jacket for 2.00. It was originally 6.00 but they'd reduced it to 4.00 previously and then finally down to 2.00. It will be a very useful addition to my wardrobe. I've been discarding quite a lot of my summer wardrobe items as I either don't like them anymore or they don't fit properly.

Now to the get together. My cousin Marian was coming down with her daughter and youngest son to meet my brothers and daughter. We had a wonderful evening in a restaurant in Loddington in Northants and everyone got on really well. Marian was quite overwhelmed to meet us all, as she gone from having no blood family and only one remaining living relative from her adoptive family. Here we all are at the restaurant:

L to R. Brother Mark, daughter's boyfriend, daughter, brother Tony, OH, me, Marian, brother Julian, Marian's daughter Katherine and youngest son, Eddy. All cousins either first or second.
Marian and Katherine also recently spent a week in Ireland meeting some of our very large extended family for the first time!


This is my 5.00 outfit! Sandals by Zara:  2.99 in my Barnardo's; jumpsuit 1.00 rail Barnardo's; Ampthill, jacket by Precis 1 euro rail in Dublin. Scarf charity shopped. The jumpsuit was a pain the proverbial you know where to get in and out of it when I needed a wee...



Necklace and earrings; presents from my lovely OH. Bangles, ring and brooch charity shopped.

Went to see my son on Sunday and wore this:


Skirt, 2.00 from Scope in Aylesbury; vest 1.00 rail; jacket retail bought from Beales (our local department store) in a sale about 4 or 5 years ago.


The scarf was a present from  OH's daughter and the sandals were charity shopped from Barnardo's in Ampthill; I think!


 Earrings donated by my daughter, brooch and necklace charity shopped. I bought the necklace for 3.50 from the Day Hospice Boutique shop. It belonged to the volunteer there and she bought it in Kenya. The print on some of the beads reminds me of giraffes. Both Saturday and Sunday were beautiful warm sunny days.


 The weather was cooler on Monday and we had several short showers but it didn't deter us from going to a car boot sale. It turned out to be the last of the year - it's the same one we went to a couple of weeks back and got there too late.  It won't open again until February, so we need to find another venue...this dress was bought for 5 euros in a Mullingar, Co.Westmeath charity shop last summer. It looks like a Desigual dress but the label is 'Paris'. I did see a Desigual dress for sale at the car boot sale but it was tiny and I'm not!


The shoes are from a local shoe shop PJ shoes in Kempston.


Denim jacket from Next not Dorothy Perkins as stated previously. Charity shopped years ago. All jewellery charity shopped except the necklace which I bought at a car boot sale for 50 p more than 10 years ago. I bought very little at the car boot sale; a necklace for 50 p, a bangle for 50 p; a DVD for youngest grandson; some toys for middle grandson's little brother; right at the end I spotted a tapestry frame for 2.00 and bought it. It's a tall one and collapses down so it's portable. I have a Kaffe Fasset tapestry set I bought in an Irish charity shop in Co. Longford for 4 euros; now I have the equipment I can get started! My creative mojo has been very quiet lately. I made a crochet hat in Ireland and haven't picked up my crochet hook since! I'm not worried, it will come back.

On Tuesday, I did a bus recce for my bus walk. No food bank as it was half term week. I took the bus from the bus station to the village of Sharnbrook and walked to the village of Pavenham from there - 7 miles. I did it in 2 hours exactly but didn't stop at all. I walked at the fastest pace I could manage.  Of course on the actual day we will walk at a slower pace and have several stops. It was a lot cooler on Tuesday although we had some sunny spells and some showers. Luckily, I didn't get wet at all. I should have taken a bus from Pavenham back to Bedford but my daughter picked me up instead. I now need to recce the walk I'm going to lead for an amble which will only be 5 miles. I have a very good idea of where I'm going to walk just need to walk the route.

When I got back home I decided I'd have a quick look in the Castle Road charity shops as it's been a while since I've been there. I'm glad I did as I bought a pair of grey linen trousers by Whistles in the Mercy in Action charity shop for 6.25 and a navy linen top with an Italian label for 3.99 in The Children's Society. It's quite common to find Italian label clothing in Bedford charity shops. Bedford (along with Peterborough) has the highest concentration of Italian families in the UK. Italian men from the South of Italy where unemployment was high in the 1950s; were recruited to come to Bedford and work for the 'London Brick' company in Stewartby just outside Bedford. Many stayed and sent for their wives and children. It's estimated up to a third of residents in the Bedford area have Italian ancestry!


On Wednesday I walked with my group in a village called Eversholt ; that's the ciurch above - a very pleasant 6.5 mile walk in beautiful sunny weather. In the afternoon I volunteered in the charity shop as I was off on Monday as it was half term and a bank holiday. I didn't have time to look around but decided to go back on Friday and do just that!

I wore this on Thursday when we went to London for the day with the grandchildren.


This is the Joules tunic and the white jeans by Next that I picked up in the Day Hospice shop in Kempston last weekend. Denim jacket as before.


Sandals bought for 5.00 in the Cat's Protection League last year. They are extremely comfortable and I walked all day in them on our trip to London.


Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped.


 Just a few photos from our London trip.  I took more but taking photos from a moving bus is quite tricky! We did an open top bus tour  around Trafalgar Square, the Theatre District, Whitehall, and on to the city; and then went to the Imperial War Museum. We finished the day by going to visit eldest grandson at his workplace in Chelsea where we had a meal. The fox in the picture above was just above the top floor windows of a house in Lambeth Road, SE1 which had a blue plaque commemorating the abode of Captain Bligh; of 'Mutiny on the Bounty' fame. We caught a bus across the road and one of the grandsons spotted it.

Top - outside the IWM; L to R middle row: St. Pauls, a beautifully tiled building in Fleet Street, Newspaper office in Fleet Street;  L to R bottom row; approaching Tower Bridge, a fox on the top of a house and youngest grandson trying to climb a shell from WW 2.


On Friday, I was looking after the youngest grandson for the day so he helped me do the food shopping and came with me to my Barnardo's where I splurged 9.00 buying some nice items of clothing. Hard to resist when it's buy two items and get the second one for a 1.00! I bought this tunic by M&S from the 1.00 rail in the Keech Hospice shop a while ago but hadn't got round to wearing it. It's two sizes larger than I usually wear but as tunics are loose anyway I don't care!


White jeans as before - I can usually get two wears out of white jeans. Jacket; home made (not by me - alas!) bought for 1.99 in the Red Cross shop. Shoes retail; Sainsbury's.


All jewellery charity shopped.


I bought these earrings in my Barnardo's a few weeks back. This time with my 9.00, I bought a dress/kimono by Tu; another pair of earrings and a brooch; a blue and white M&S tunic; a Fenn,
Wright and Manson skirt and a H&M yellow and black cardigan.

On Saturday, I got up and recce'd my short walk of 5 miles. One of the paths is very overgrown but I'm hoping by the time I walk it a few more times I will have beaten down the grass so it actually looks like a path. Landowners vary in how they maintain the foot paths on their land. Some are meticulous and keep the paths well trimmed and clearly laid out and others simply don't bother...

On Sunday, OH and I walked with my group on a London walk from Blackfriars to Greenwich - 11 miles along the Thames! It was a lovely day and a brilliant walk. I'll show you the pictures of the walk I took in my next post but this is OH and I at Blackfriars station:


Everything charity shopped.


Brown shirt; Italian label, years old and can't remember where I got it from.  Brown scribble top by New Look, 1:00 rail somewhere. These tiny pattern trousers are years old and can't remember where I got them from.


Red shoes; Clarks, charity shopped for 5.00 -  also can't remember. They're great for walking in.


All jewellery charity shopped. I'm wearing two thin, charity shopped scarves here. Sunglasses; 3 for 5 euros in Oxfam in Sligo town.

It's funny, in one week I've been to London twice. And guess what? I'm going again next weekend for a Blogger meet up. I'm very excited and looking forward to it.  I'm meeting  Vix of 'Vintage Vixen' here; Monica of 'Senora Allnut' here and Fig of 'Buttercup's Frocks' here.  Of course, I'll tell you all about it in my next post!

A weekend visitor and an exhibition

 Hello!  I'll soon be off to Ireland  so let me tell you what I've been up to over the last two weeks.  I'll start with a whinge...