Rummaging, Richmond and Devon

After the best part of almost a week of rain we had a pretty good weekend in the middle of June. OH and I went to St. Ives and St. Neots for a rummage on the Saturday taking advantage of the good weather and we did quite well!

This was my jewellery haul. Pearl necklace; Salvation Army 2.50 and large ring. Small thistle brooch 50p Barnardo's. 3 bangles for 99p Wood Green Animal Shelter in St. Ives. Yellow ring; 1.50 Cancer Research St. Ives. I also bought a pair of M&S harem trousers in Barnardo's for 4.50 and a brand new pair of Cotton Traders shoes (see below) in the Salvation Army for 2.00. In the first charity shop we came to in St. Neots; which was Cancer Resarch (I think) I bought this beautiful embroidered scarf for 4.00. It's made of wool and will be too bulky for a headscarf, but I just adore the embroidery and it will be great for the cooler months.

Scarf 4.00

Cotton Traders 2.00 - new!

 Gosh, I'm looking very serious here! This was what I wore to volunteer at Barnardo's on Monday. I was decoding all morning as this was the final week of everything being 2.00.  I took advantage of the offer and bought a roll neck animal print top for the winter and a pair of  colourful, silky harem pants - home made.

Everything charity shopped. Trousers by H&M; bought last year can't remember; 1.00 rail somewhere. Top by New Look; 1.00 rail in a Baldock charity shop. The yellow kimono jacket was also from last year; I bought it in my Barnardo's for 2.99 in their sale in November. Shoes from a Donegal charity shop.

Scarf bought in a Stevenage charity shop and all jewellery charity shopped except earrings from ebay.

It was an eventful week for my two youngest grandsons; Isaiah got his hair cut off; he hasn't had it this short for about two years and Amari turned 9!

On Tuesday it was food bank time again...

It was a warm day. I got so hot and bothered I had to remove my jacket! Everything charity shopped. Top by Gudrun Sjoden 3.50; my Barnardo's. Italian label skirt 2.00; Extra Care in Rushden. I was diddled buying this skirt; even if it was only 2.00! It's 100% silk and I was very pleased when I bought it. When I got it home I noticed both sides in the top panel were ripped and frayed - consequently not repairable.  I hadn't spotted it in the shop. The shop should never have put it out in this condition or should have noted it on the price tag. Anyway; it forced me  into trying a tunic over a maxi skirt which is something I've been meaning to do for a while now. I think it works quite well and looks ok; but in general it needs to be a shorter (like the one above) rather than a longer tunic methinks. Although I do have a photo of me from about 20 years ago where I am wearing a long tunic top over a white maxi skirt and it looks fine so I don't know why I didn't try this look sooner!

Jacket 3:16 charity shop; 2.00 and Cotton Traders shoes 2.00; Salvation Army in St. Ives.

All jewellery charity shopped and scarf.

On Tuesday afternoon I went to recce my amble. 5 miles in lovely warm weather. There were one or two extremely short showers not even  enough to get wet. There was, however, a very frisky horse  in one of the fields. I've never ridden a horse or had anything to do with horses at all. I admire them and think they're beautiful creatures; but up close and personal I find them a bit intimidating - they're so big!

This one was convinced I had something for it to eat. It galloped up to me forcing me to stop in my tracks or get knocked down. It then turned around and moved off but came back and stood directly in front of me so I couldn't pass! Luckily, I had stopped by the fence so I climbed over it; licketty split! The horse then continued to gallop around the field some more with its mate (who had ignored me) and then followed me along the fence. I decided to bring some carrots with me when I lead my walk on Thursday and if the horses were still in the field; advise the group to hop over the fence quick while I distracted the horse with carrots!

The Cinnabar moth was sourced from here: butterfly-conservation.org.

Amongst the many things I spotted on my recce on Tuesday were:  a Common Spotted Orchid; Creeping or Field Thistle with Cuckoo Spit (that white frothy stuff) and bottom right; a Cinnabar Moth. The moth I saw was a deep glorious pink which is what caught my eye; I know it looks red in the photo.  I chased after it round the field hoping it would land for long enough for me to take a photo, but no. The Cuckoo Spit is a protective bubble for the nymph of an insect called a Frog hopper. So, now you know! I also startled a grey female partridge (and my self!) saw a buzzard and a hare. Sometimes in this area I've seen Muntjac deer but not this time.

Also on Tuesday I went to pick up a parcel from the sorting office from the very lovely Vix of Vintage Vixen here. In it, to my delight, was this fabulous Desigual dress:

And a lovely pair of red earrings to match! The dress is made of a very warm fabric, so I probably won't be able to wear it until the cooler months. I can't wait! I'll wear it with red tights and boots, I think. Vix also sent me a book about the Durrell family who lived for many years in Corfu. Thank you so much!

On Wednesday, I had planned to walk with the group but dithered about so much getting there I knew I be too late, so I turned around and came back home. As I was going to pass a charity shop on the way home, I decided to stop and have a browse. I'm so glad I did as they had a sale on! The charity shop is one of the three soon to be four Day Hospice shops; one of which is the Day Hospice Boutique near to where I live. I bought quite a lot as most items were 2.00 each. What did I buy? I bought a beige linen Fenn, Wright and Manson jacket for 2.50; a Red Herring (Debenhams) rust coloured pinafore dress in a suede look material; but made of a very soft thick cotton; that's been washed and put away for the cooler months. I also bought a Phase Eight spotted top (I can't resist spots), a ring, 4 scarves for 1.00; some books (4 for 1.00) and some red tights to go with my Desigual dress. Trying to adhere to the 'one in, one one out' rule, I was able to take several items out of my wardrobes to make room for the new garments. I have an almost full black plastic sack ready to donate back to the charity shops.

I led my 5 mile walk (amble) on Thursday and there were 7 of us. It was a warm, muggy day and the walk went very well. The frisky horse was still in the same field, but I think with our increased numbers it wasn't so frisky! To be on the safe side we didn't go into that field but climbed the fence and walked alongside the field with the horses. Both horses did  come to fence, where we all made a great fuss of them. I should have taken a photo now I think of it. They were two magnificent horses. Our group of seven walkers included a man who was 86 years old! I hope I'm still walking at that age if I'm lucky to live so long...

I met my walking group again on Friday evening - at the pub! We then walked to a good viewpoint about a mile and half away from the pub to watch the Summer Solstice. It was very beautiful.

On Saturday I went out to recce a bus walk I'll be doing in December! It was from Milton Ernest to Bedford - 8 miles in total. The top left photo is of some gorgeous delphiniums seen in a garden near youngest Grandson's school on Friday. The flower beside it is a wild flower; a dog rose and below it mallow; both seen on my Saturday walk.

There was a festival in Bedford Park called the Fake Festival - all tribute bands. I could hear the music from Milton Ernest and my walk ended in Bedford Park. Lots of tents and people. OH and I wandered down in the evening; but although we could hear the music we couldn't get in as the whole area had barriers up. It was a pay to get in type of festival. Lots of people had paid and a lot of people had brought chairs, blankets and a picnic but just sat on the grass in the park; enjoying the sun and the music for free. Oh, I don't think I said; it was a lovely day; warm 20 degrees+ and sunny all day.

Friday's outfit. Everything charity shopped. Trousers by M&S; bought in Barnardo's St. Neot's last week for 4.50. Top 1.00  in my Barnardo's and the cardigan was 2.00 from the same place.

Shoes: Donegal charity shop 3 euros.

All jewellery charity shopped and scarf as before.

I wore this on Saturday. Can't remember where I bought this animal print cardi from; probably my Barnardo's. It was 2.99 and it's by Kim and Co. No, me neither! Grey spotted top; Day Hospice in the week for 2.00. White skirt M&S from a 1.00 rail somewhere. I have an almost identical one in the caravan wardrobe!

 After my 8 mile walk, I spent the afternoon helping OH in the garden - yes really I did. We have a three tier plant stand bought ages ago and we finally got it assembled. Unfortunately, it can't really support large plant pots and we have mainly large plant pots in our garden; but it did clear a bit of space on the ground. The garden is looking much tidier now. I was finally able to get rid of the some of the many plastic plant pots that have accumulated over the years. OH throws nothing away - a hoarder in the making if it wasn't for me...

Everything is charity shopped except for my new shoes. I bought these online and no I bought them before I signed up to the #slowfashion challenge see here for more information. They took almost three weeks to arrive and finally turned  up last Thursday. They're green! They're also very comfortable.

I started out with this black lace blazer from my Barnardo's for 2.00; but it seemed more suited for evening wear , so I changed it. All jewellery charity shopped. The scarf is one of the 4 for 1.00 from the Day Hospice shop in the week.

Monday was the start of a busy week for me. On Monday I volunteered as usual; I was very good and bought nothing except a new to me rucksack. The strap tore on my old one and now I have a rainbow coloured one! On Tuesday, I'd be volunteering in the morning and possibly recce'ing a new walk in the afternoon. On Wednesday I was spending the day in London with my cousin, Marian. On Thursday I would be doing the food shopping and hopefully squeezing a walk in because on Friday I was going to spend the weekend with Hilary in Devon!

Top by Joules bought from my Barnardo's in the winter for 3.99. All jewellery charity shopped and the scarf, too.

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I always choose X large for my photos but they always differ in size! I thought it was because I've begun to crop the photos, but come to think of it the sizing differed even before I began to crop the photos. If anyone knows why the size varies so much despite all supposedly being X large; I'd be very pleased to know!

Yellow trousers La Redoute sale a few years ago. Shoes retail online.

I wore this to the food bank on Tuesday.

This is the linen top by Valentyne bought at my Barnardo's.  Yellow headscarf same place. I bought this necklace  in a West Hampstead charity shop about three or four years ago. I paid 4.00 for it - London prices!

Skirt by Rapp and bought at the Day Hospice boutique for 4.00 a few weeks back.

Yellow shoes from a Donegal charity shop. All jewellery charity shopped. Tuesday was much cooler; I should have reversed my outfits for Monday and Tuesday as Monday was incredibly humid and hot and I would have been much cooler had I worn this...it rained off on all day so no walking.

On Wednesday I went to London for a day out with my cousin. We went here:

Ham House in Richmond.

We walked along the towpath of the Thames from the tube station to get here. Built in 1610 Ham House was gifted to William Murray by Charles I whose faithful servant he was. His daughter Elizabeth continued her father and mother's legacy of making Ham House a 17th century example of luxury and grandeur. The house was fascinating but I loved the garden. We did the Kitchen garden tour. The kitchen garden is part of the walled garden which was a series of 12 rectangles; each devoted to different plants such as soft fruits; cut flowers; vegetables, salads and plants for medicinal use. Each rectangle had a 'step-over' hedge of either box or lavender. The smell was intoxicating and there were so many bees. In fact, there was a bee swarm and we could only use the front door of the house because of it.

Top right; Delphinium; top left; Calendula; bottom left; Sweet peas; bottom right; Cornflower (sometimes called Corn Cockles). They were selling bunches of sweet peas for 1.00 in the Ham House shop but I couldn't buy any as they would probably have died by the time I got them home; crushed to death in the rush hour on the tube!. Such a shame, especially as when I was in London in half term with the grandchildren; bunches of sweet peas were 8.00 outside Embankment tube station!

In the meantime, I'll make do with my Alstromerias from Lidl. This is the second week of blooms.

Marian and I had a lovely day together. We did manage to squeeze in a visit to a couple of charity shops after we'd had something to eat in Richmond. I didn't buy anything but Marian bought a really pretty East top which was quite reasonably priced - for London! I would like to go back and explore the charity shops in more depth; we only managed three. I'm also very pleased that Marian is going to accompany me to Ireland when I go in August. It will be great to have some company on the journey and in the caravan!

  I did want to go out walking on Thursday afternoon. I did the food shopping and ran a few errands in town and by then it was really very warm.  I felt quite tired as well so I passed on the walk.  I've learnt that I can't do as much as I used to so now I listen to what my body is telling me! I'd walked the equivalent of eight miles on Wednesday anyway and Hilary and I always manage to fit a couple of walks in on our weekends, so I will have done some exercise this week.

I remembered to smile...

I bought this spotted top in Mercy in Action for 2.00 a few weeks back. It has an Italian label. Everything is charity shopped. White top by Next; 1.00 rail in the RSPCA in Ampthill. White leggings also from a 1.00 rail somewhere.

I forgot to smile...

Pink shoes; Donegal charity shop for 3 euros. All jewellery charity shopped; the silver disc necklace came from my Barnardo's and was 1.00.

So, Friday came and after dropping one child off at school (the youngest grandchild had gone on a camping trip with his school and was coming back in the evening) I set off for Devon. I'll let you know what I got up to in my next post...

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!