A vintage dress and lots of flowers

Well, here I am with Hilary in sunny Teignmouth in Devon!
The trousers were bought from my Barnardo's for 2.00; the yellow linen top from the same place for 3.99. Shoes from a local shoe retailer; P.J. shoes. Bag, scarf and all jewellery charity shopped.

 After a horrible stop/start journey to Devon on Friday, due to a combination of roadworks and Glastonbury traffic; I arrived on a very hot afternoon. We spent the afternoon and evening catching up and went out to get something to eat. The decision to go to Teignmouth on Saturday (about an hour's drive from Hilary's) was made as I hadn't been before and they had a reasonable amount of charity shops. It was a really nice seaside town and despite the heat -  26 degrees; there was a lovely breeze. OH told me the temperature in Bedford on Saturday was 36 degrees!

Some Teignmouth views

Top left; beachfront at Teignmouth, just look at that cliff! A hotel in the town; top right. Some lucky person had this lovely balcony overlooking the beachfront; bottom left and this beautiful street planting; bottom right. We visited 7 charity shops; 1 was closed. I bought  matching trousers and top for 2.99 each and the skirt (below) all in The Children's Society in Teignmouth. We stopped in Exeter on the way back to Hilary's had a look around about half a dozen charity shops; I didn't buy anything except a 30 p ashtray for the garden! I left early on Sunday as I didn't want to get caught up in the homeward bound Glastonbury traffic and the journey home was uneventful.

Monday was the start of a very warm week. The temperatures were in the high 20s right through til the weekend.

This was Monday's outfit.

This skirt by Kaleidescope was worn to the charity shop for volunteering. I have very little pink clothing in my wardrobe, but including this new to me skirt from a Teignmouth charity shop, I now also have another pink floral skirt by Phool, recently charity shopped too. Two pink floral skirts in the space of a fortnight! Of course, I then needed a plain pink top to co ordinate with the skirts, and I was lucky to find one for 2.00 in Teignmouth as well.

Phool skirt. I  bought this in the Hospice shop near my hairdressers for 2.00.

Linen top by Next; 1.00 rail and jacket bought retail from Beales in a sale about 4 or 5 years ago. Shoes; Donegal charity shop. All jewellery and scarf charity shopped.

Tuesday's outfit. I wore this to the food bank.

More pink!

 I needed cool cotton clothing all week. Everything charity shopped. Pink duster/kimono by Lakeland charity shopped in Newport Pagnell, I think, for about 4.99. I've had for it for quite a few years - at least 5. Top underneath by Next 1.00 rail somewhere and white jeans by Matalan. Pink shoes as before. I have one pink tee shirt and that's the sum total of my pink wardrobe! I wore the Phool pink skirt in the week but forgot to take photos...

All jewellery and scarf charity shopped.

I've just realised I haven't updated you about the blackbirds...Mrs Blackbird wasn't sitting on the nest and after about 4 days of this we had a peek; still 5 eggs; but they had been rained on as well as neglected so clearly they weren't alive. I took the eggs out of the nest in case it can be reused at some later point. At least 2 blackbird fledglings made it. I guess the second clutch is only viable if the conditions are right. I have kept the eggs ; one spontaneously erupted and the smell was awful. I'm keeping the eggs outside in a dish out of curiosity, really, and they're covered up so Mrs. Blackbird can't see them...the colour began to fade as soon Mrs. Blackbird stopped sitting on them but they are still rather beautiful.

I walked with my daughter on Wednesday (6 miles) and in the afternoon took her food shopping as she can't drive at the moment. I did my own food shopping at the same time. On Thursday I walked by myself and recce'd a new walk also 6 miles but I didn't recce the start which I know well. It's about 2 miles so the actual walk will be between 7.5 to 8 miles.  I may have to try and shorten it a little but it's something I can work on over the next few months. Apart from an amble, I have sorted out all my walks for the new Autumn programme so I'm feeling a little smug...

This was Friday's outfit. I went to the hairdressers in the morning.

I had errands to run in town in the afternoon and whilst I was there I spotted the clothes stall in the market was having a 1.00 sale. Always worth a look. Last year I bought a very brightly coloured tunic here for 1.00; but I don't like the material, so I wear it as a headscarf now as it's a simple square shape. This time there was quite a lot of linen on offer. I bought two linen tops; a linen spotted dress and a pair of shorts for youngest grandson all 1.00 each! Last autumn I bought a beautiful gaberdine, three quarter length, jacket for OH from this same stall in a 1.00 sale.

I must learn to smile for these photos!
Everything charity shopped. Trousers from Tu top by Next; kimono by Topshop. Can't remember where I bought any of them from. Shoes by Clarks; bought in Oxfam, Newport Pagnell.

All jewellery charity shopped except earrings which were bought retail from All Ears; a local shop that used to specialise in earrings but no longer does.

I didn't do much rummaging the first week of July. I did go with my daughter to one charity shop as she was looking for some items for a project she's doing; and in the course of looking at the vintage section upstairs at our Sue Ryder charity shop in town; I spotted this vintage 1980s dress. Now, I was never a particular fan of the 1980s fashions; I don't like mid calf length dresses or skirts on me, and I don't do belts as I don't have a waist. It remains a mystery to me why I bought this dress; as it is all of those things I just said - yet I love it!  I love the colours and the print.  It's 100% viscose but feels like cotton. The shoulder pads are sponge encased in netting which I've never seen before. It's by Mandy Marsh and cost 10.00. I saw several similar ones on Ebay, which were more expensive, so I suppose it was a bargain.

This one from ebay was described as from the 90s, rare and selling price was 39.00!

I think if my daughter hadn't persuaded me, it would still be hanging on the rail! What do you think? Was it 10.00 well spent?

Jacket from Beales sale, retail; sandals bought from my Barnardo's for 3.00. I can see me wearing this dress with coloured tights  (green?) some Mary Jane shoes, and a warmer jacket for the autumn.

All jewellery and scarf charity shopped. I wore this outfit to visit my son on Saturday.

I stopped and took a photo of this cottage and garden that we pass on the way to my son's. It's a beautiful English cottage garden and I just love it.

Sunday's outfit

This is me doing my minimalist look - for more about minimalism vs maximalism see Suzanne's post here

Everything charity shopped. The top is one of the linen 1.00 tops bought in the market last Friday. Jeans by Next from 1.00 rail somewhere. I cut them and frayed the bottom. Sandals bought from the Cats Protection League for 4.99 last summer.

All jewellery charity shopped.
The warm weather continued into the weekend  and carried on to the following week; although we had some rain on Saturday. I think it's safe to say that summer has arrived!

I got good news the previous week; I get my state pension in September! I now have official confirmation and figures. I've also sent off for my bus pass! Hopefully, it will be waiting here for me when I get back from Ireland in mid-September. No more bus fares when I do the bus walks with my group and I can leave the car at home and take the bus on rummaging trips.

This dress was bought in Bedford Market last year at the close of last summer. It wasn't 1.00, but under a tenner. Unfortunately, it was too long for me and so I put on top of my sewing box and there it sat until the weekend when I decided to take the hem up and wear it. I wore it to the charity shop on Monday.

Dress; Bedford market retail 2018. Jacket charity shopped by Next.

Shoes online retail.

All jewellery charity shopped.
I bought a striped skirt; a winter walking top and a necklace in Barnardo's on Monday and some nice, new to me drinking glasses with water melons on them.

On Tuesday I was at the food bank. In the afternoon I went for a rummage to Ampthill where I haven't been for a while. I did well in Barnardo's and was able to use my volunteer discount! I picked up another boiled/felted wool winter jacket  and a plain and simple,  longer line, navy blue cotton cardigan. from Canada. Both were from the 1.00 rail.  I also bought a lovely Chinese style bag; for 2.00; a necklace, a bracelet and a book.

There are three other charity shops in Ampthill and I bought a couple of CDs in one; a CD of Malawian music which I am really enjoying. I love all sorts of African music and this was my first experience of music from Malawi. In the Mercy in Action charity shop I found, for the first time in this country, what I thought was a genuine 1970s, pure silk, purple floral maxi dress. It had the label ' A Wealth of Nations' in it and it was reasonably price; but it was a size too small. I nearly cried. I should have taken a photo.

I changed into this outfit after walking with my group o n Wednesday morning. We walked 7 miles from the water mill in Bromham to the windmill in Stevington and would you believe it I left my phone at home and couldn't take any photos.

I had planned to wear a green silky jacket with this skirt from Dorothy Perkins, which I bought from the Day Hospice shop for 4.00 a while back; but it didn't look right. I'm not sure about this lace top either but it's what I wore. Can't remember where I got it from or the green top but both were charity shopped.

Shoes online retail. All jewellery charity shopped.

Our garden is blooming nicely at the moment:
We have window boxes at the front and behind the wall we have about three feet of space for more pots; our hollyhocks haven't bloomed this year sadly but the gladioli, my mum's favourite flower, has just bloomed.

I went into town on Wednesday afternoon having errands to run and I bought 6 plants in the market. It's not what's in the charity shops that's tempting me it's all the plant stalls and plants outside the supermarkets! We've planted the new plants out the front.

On Thursday I did a short walk with the group. It was an informative walk: the theme was 'Tree Identification'. We met near the river and walked to a park; where with the help of handouts and divided into groups of three; we attempted to identify a range of trees. It was great fun, and I think I might be able to recognise a few more species of trees. I did the grocery shopping in the afternoon.

Thursday's outfit. Jeans as before. Top by Adini from a 1.00 rail in Barnardo's Ampthill quite a few years ago. White top also 1.00 rail.

Sandals: Clarke's retail. These sandals are on their 9th or 10th year of wear!

All jewellery charity shopped.

Friday's outfit. On Friday I went for a swim after taking youngest grandchild for a clinic appointment and then on to school. The whole week had been hot and sunny and I didn't want to walk in the humid heat. I really enjoyed my swim. It's years since I've done any lane swimming. Any swimming with the grandchildren was always playing in the water. I felt very invigorated after the swim but also
quite sore. My chest, back, arm and inner thigh muscles were aching.

I'd like to start swimming once a week on a regular basis. I did 14 lengths and want to build it up to 20 and then possibly 30. There are periods every day where the pool is open for lane swimming and as a senior citizen it cost me 2.30 not 4.50. I was well chuffed!

Trouser's by M&S in Barnardo's; St. Neots 4.00. Top a recent purchase from the Day Hospice shop; I think for 2.00. Green shoes online retail.

All jewellery charity shopped.


On Saturday we went to my cousin, Marian's BBQ in London. What a lovely day it was. The good weather continued and we ate delicious food; drank plenty and the company was excellent. Two of my brothers came and Julian entertained us with a ukelele.

Amari knows how to chill out!

I didn't get a chance to take an outfit photo so this one will have to do. Wearing a F&F jumpsuit from 1.00 rail with a no label lace blazer.; 2.00 in my Barnardo's. All jewellery charity shopped. I thought the jump suit had three quarter length trousers; but when I ironed it they were normal length trousers. However, throughout the evening the crotch of the jumpsuit began dropping. By the time I came home the crotch was just above my knees! How weird was that? The jumpsuit has now been relegated to the charity shop bag!

Sunday brought cooler weather and rain. After a week of glorious sunshine and temperatures between 22 and 26 degrees; I can't complain! I'm really looking forward to going to Ireland in August  and hope the weather holds. There will be just one more post from me before I take a summer blogging break.
See you in a fortnight!

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...