Out and about in East Sussex

Hello again!

Since I last posted I've been to East Sussex; to Milton Keynes to watch my brother's solo gig and I had planned to go to Devon to see Hilary - but see update below. We've had one lot of weekend visitors (brothers) and expect two more sets pf visitors over the next two weekends. And of course our clocks have gone back by one hour so the mornings are a bit brighter but get it gets dark earlier which is horrible .

To backtrack a little to two weekends ago; OH and I visited the final car boot sale of the year in our local area. I did very well. I picked up a nice weekend holdall - eldest grandson borrowed mine to take back to London with him so I'll probably never see it again! I also picked up some earrings and small brooch for 60p (!) a rice cooker for 2.00; a denim waistcoat (below) and best of all brand new walking boots for 4.00. My current Berghaus 99p bargain boots from the Red Cross are becoming a bit detached from one side of the upper. It can probably be glued back but it's good to have two pairs of walking boots so one pair can dry out. A very successful haul.

I walked only twice in this week (must do better, Veronica) once on my own and once with the group. I've sorted out one of walks that I'm leading and I'm still working on the other. The group walk was from Pirton to Great Offley (7 miles) and was wonderful but I didn't take any photos; lots of hills were climbed so photos weren't on my mind...Pirton still has a maypole on its village green.

This is All Saint's Church in Milton Ernest which we will pass on my walk. It dates from the 11th century. 

I've been reading a book about villages in the UK and
 the importance of the church to the village and its inhabitants. As a walker who walks predominantly in the countryside it's always such a comfort to see a church or church spire in the distance because you know then you're never too far away from people  - especially good if you're lost!

This photo was taken en route to East Sussex by one of the grandsons at a service station on the M 20. Everything charity shopped except the navy blue boots and the waistcoat which came from the car boot sale and cost 1.00. The top came from 1.00 rail - it's by M&S and I have the same one in green and yellow. Skirt by Next.

I should have worn a more colourful scarf in my hair. All jewellery charity shopped.

My daughter, two youngest grandsons and I set off on Thursday morning to East Sussex for an over night stay. I wanted to visit Rye first then we stayed in a hotel in Eastbourne, 29 miles away.  There are lots of parts of the UK that I haven't seen and I want to put that right. Rye was lovely; full of quirky buildings. It's where the TV series 'Mapp and Lucia' (from the E.H.Benson books) was filmed. I probably only saw about half of what is there but although the grandsons were very good they get bored very quickly. I even managed to have a brief look in the two charity shops I saw but the prices were silly.

Rye is an English town near the coast in East Sussex. In the centre, cobbled lanes like Mermaid Street are lined with medieval, half-timbered houses. Those cobbles are hard to walk on in thin soled shoes! It is also one of the original Cinque port towns which were a historic series of coastal towns in Kent and Sussex. They were originally formed for military and trade purposes. The sea has now retreated two miles inland from Rye. (Information from Wikipedia).

The Mermaid Inn. No, we didn't go in for a pint!

This boy is very mischievous. He loves to photo bomb!

Such lovely buildings.

From my limited experience of English seaside towns, I think Eastbourne is typical of the larger ones. There's a pier...

Eastbourne Pier

The weather was a bit dodgy in the morning it kept on raining, so we spent time in the arcades losing money - at least the grandsons did! I love to see groynes at the beach especially the wooden ones.

 It brightened up by the afternoon. We spent a little while in the town itself. Lots of charity shops. I looked in a few. I bought a log basket in the Cancer Research shop; it was nice and narrow just what I've been looking for and at 4.99 not too pricey!

Soaking up some afternoon sun. It was bright but pretty chilly. We spent most of the afternoon on the beach and walking along the prom.

I love the roof on this building. It's very Islamic looking and made of beautiful turquoise tiles.

The sea front hotels and part of the promenade or boardwalk.

We returned Friday evening and on Saturday we went to watch my brother Julian's solo gig at 'The Stables' in Milton Keynes here. My other brothers came over for dinner first and after the gig Julian came back to stay; we had lots to catch up on!

Everything charity shopped except the boots which were a Christmas present from OH a few years ago. The leggings are my 79 p bargain from Barnardo's, the top is by TU from a 1.00 rail but I can't remember where I got the tunic or how much it was.

 Julian was on the small stage which seats about 40. There are tables and chairs and it's a quite intimate setting. He played a great range of songs including the story of how he came to be; his tribute to my mum: 'The Ballad of Kathy Flynn'. You can hear it here.There were tears in my eyes by the end of it. I've written previously about how my brother discovered us here and here.

All jewellery charity shopped.

The Stables is a really nice venue. I've been to quite a few gigs here: The Be Good Tanyas, Keb Mo, Acoustic Alchemy (OH is a jazz fan), Peter White, Steeleye Span (Julian is part of this band) Dennis Baptiste to name just some.

This is a not very good photo of Julian but you can see how small and intimate setting it was.

The Three Musketeers! Yes, that is Johnny Dankworth and yes he is poking my brother in the ear!

Black 1960s style homemade swing or duster coat. Bought at a car boot sale for 2.50. The lady who was selling had also made it and said she was so pleased I was buying it as she could tell I would love it. I do. You can't see it here because this is not a very good photo, but it's made of black patterned brocade; has nice big wide sleeves with a diamond button on each one and the coat is swooshy when you walk...

On Monday I was child minding as one grandson had a teacher training day. He came with me to the hairdressers and then he took these photos.

Everything charity shopped except spotty leggings; Lidl retail. Kimono bought in Donegal in 2017 and the tunic, too. It was a pretty chilly day on Monday. In fact we've been lighting our fire every evening since last Saturday and with the weather we've  been having I think that will continue...

All jewellery charity shopped.
On Tuesday I found out at the food bank we received 8 tonnes of Harvest food donations!  The warehouse was full to the ceiling. Fabulous people of Bedford - thank you.

That's a jigsaw on the hall table picked up for 75 p at the 3:16 charity shop for my friend Ann's husband who suffered a massive stroke a few years ago. He's become a whizz at jigsaws. This one is 1,000 pieces of Waterloo Station in 1848 and 1948. Should keep him out of mischief for a while!

Everything charity shopped except shoes Primarni sale 5.00. East dress; Oxfam 7.00, floral cardigan; Independent charity shop 3.00. Tights, Red Cross 50p.

All jewellery charity shopped. Necklace 1.00 Salvation Army in Rushden.

I walked with my group again on Wednesday. It started out as a cold day but within an hour or so we were taking our jackets off. There was a lot of climbing. We walked 7 miles in Ampthill, mostly through Ampthill Great Park and woods; once the hunting grounds of Henry VIII. Katherine of Aragon lived in Ampthill Castle for a number of years till she lost her head... 

More OOTDs

Something else I wore this past fortnight inspired by an outfit I saw on Pinterest. The scarf was a mistake - too bulky. I should have used a finer one. Everything charity shopped. Black jeans; Donegal, black boots; Barnardo's Great Denham, orange cardigan by Wallis; 2.00 same place. Jean shirt; Cambridge charity shop about three years ago. Scarf charity shopped and earrings from Sainsbury's. 

Ooh! Shiny leggings. I usually wear these under walking trousers in the winter and I think they'd better stay there! I need a pair of black leggings. Something I have on my charity shopping list. Everything charity shopped except the boots; online retail. Can't remember where I got the tunic from.

My trip to see Hilary in Devon was scuppered. Something went wrong with the car and by the time I had paid out for garage bills (big) I couldn't really afford to go to Devon. I was so disappointed and so was Hilary,but I'm planning to go in the New Year instead and it will give me something to look forward to. Bloody cars! they always go when you can least afford them to or when you are most relying on them.

Everything charity except boots online retail. Jeans; M&S, Top; Next. Cardigan charity shopped in a Golder's Green, London charity shop on my birthday two years ago. It's a man's cardigan and has a little logo on the right side.

Jewellery and scarf charity shopped. Earrings from Topshop bought in 2002 . I remember buying them so well; I had given a presentation with a colleague to the Women's Equality Unit in the House of Commons that day and we then went to look at Oxford Street shops.  I treated myself to these earrings. They had them in mustard as well and I've regretted not buying them ever since. Maybe one day I'll come across a pair in a charity shop!

I recce'd my short walk (4.5 miles)  on Friday. It was a bright sunny day but cold. OH asked me if I'd like to go rummaging with him on Saturday as I wasn't going to Devon - of course I said yes! So on Saturday OH and I went for a rummage to St. Neot's. As I'd paid out so much for the car and I don't need anything I set myself a strict budget of 5.00!

The poncho top was 49p in Barnardo's, Ampthill. Everything charity shopped except boots; on line retail. 

It wasn't too cold so the poncho was sufficient. 

Tunic by Anthology; can't remember where I bought it but I did pay 7.00 for it which is quite expensive for me. I thought the label said 'Anthropology' so snapped it up!  Having looked at the price of Anthology clothes on line 7.00 is a pretty fair price and I do love it. Red jeans; Laura Ashley; black shirt underneath; Primarni 1.00 rail.

Can you see the new log basket I bought in Eastbourne?

All jewellery charity shopped. Picked up beads in the week for 99p in the Sally Army. It's next to Lidl's; that's my excuse anyway!

It was a good rummage in St. Neot's.  How did I fare on my 5.00 maximum spend? I bought a ball of pink wool (50 p); two necklaces (99 p and 1.50 p) some earrings (50 p); a pair of palazzo pants from the 49 p rail and Gap shirt for one of the grandsons for 1.00. Total spend 4.99. Naturally as I had a strict budget I saw a beautifully draped maxi dress, but it was 5.49.  I rarely see these type of dresses in my size in charity shops, so I was a bit gutted; then OH kindly bought it for me. What a star he is! It's not a bright colour at all, a sort of browny shade, mushroom? Taupe? Fawn? But I can spice it up with a colourful jacket and accessories.

Sunburst on L - Starburst on R

My crocheting has been going well. I planned to make 12 x 12 rows  of squares for this blanket and so far have crocheted one row of 12 green squares. Then I realised that instead of crocheting the 'Starburst Flower' squares I was actually crocheting 'Sunburst Flower' squares.  I'd got my Sun and Star flowers mixed up! What's the difference? The Sunburst pattern uses 4 rows of treble clusters whereas the Starburst pattern uses 1 row of 'puff' stitch and 1 row of 'cluster' stitch as well as 2 rows of treble clusters. So, my dilemma is - do I keep my row of green squares in the Sunburst pattern and do the rest in Sunburst squares or do I abandon what I've done and do 12 rows of Starburst squares? Then there's the fact I've used up most of my green wool stash (which was the intention) and don't have enough left to make another 12 in Starburst...after some thought I've decided to keep the 12 green Sunburst squares and use one in each of the the 12 rows. After all they look pretty similar don't they?

Our Indian Summer..and no more shine!

All jewellery charity shopped. Red earrings picked up in the Salvation Army for 1.00 on a recent visit.

I still can't believe our wonderful Indian Summer!  As I write this it's the end of the second week in October and we've been having sunny, warm days with temperatures between 20 - 23 degrees. I just don't remember this happening before but I'm sure the experts would disagree with me.

At the food bank on Tuesday I was so pleased to see the Harvest donations are once again refilling our depleted shelves. People are so generous. Thank you!

 I wore this:

Everything charity shopped except red boots - online retail.

I bought this jacket/cardigan in the Cat's Protection League when I went for a rummage there a few weeks back. It was 3.99.

The trousers are by Laura Ashley and the white top is by La Redoute. I can't remember which charity shops I bought them from but both are from a couple of years  ago.

It was a beautiful day on Tuesday: 23 degrees....

 I went walking with the Ramblers on Wednesday. Another glorious day, 22 degrees. I rely on the gadget in the car to give me temperature readings but it was hot and sunny. We walked from the village of Broom (!) to Langford to Biggleswade and back -  7 miles. This is the village green at Broom and I thought these trees were magnificent in their autumn finery.

As I wasn't far from Biggleswade which has three charity shops; I stopped off for a look. I didn't intend to buy anything but I am looking for tunic type jumpers so I can wear shirts or blouses underneath them. I didn't find any in Biggleswade but I did buy a Desigual fine knit long tunic in colourful stripes for 2.95. I couldn't resist it -  I can wear a thick cardigan over it as well as wearing it with a long sleeved top and leggings underneath - see below. I also bought some bangles; 3 for 1.00. And I bought two bunches of lovely flowers for 1.00 each, from outside a florist. I guess they must have been near their sell by date; I didn't care!

Roses, freesias and some fancy filler plants. Jug charity shopped about ten years ago. You can just make out two very pretty tins which originally contained loose tea from Harrods. They were part of the Harvest donations at the food bank, but both were more than three months out of date. When goods are this much out of date they are sent to Twinwoods in Claphaml where there is an anaerobic digester. This consumes all the waste  food and turns it into bio fuel. Naturally, it wouldn't digest the tins only the contents, so I rescued them in exchange for a donation and brought them home. I may use them as vases. I store all my baking stuff in pretty tins but I have no more room on the baking shelf for more tins but I'll think of something to use them for.

Thursday's outfit.

I bought the tunic for 2.00 at the 3:16 charity shop and the shirt underneath from the 1.00 rail in the same shop. The chinos are from Next and are from a 1.00 rail somewhere.

Boots; on line retail. Scarf charity shopped.

 All jewellery charity shopped. The necklace was 2.00 from the Sue Ryder shop where I bought the grey spotted tunic the week before.

I should have gone out walking on Thursday but had so many errands to run in town plus the grocery shopping I couldn't be bothered. It also turned out to be another hot day -  21 degrees!

At the weekend I had cousin Eamon and his wife Anne coming to stay. Eamon is my mum's first cousin but I  also remember Eamon's mum, Aunty Katy, as she was my mum's favourite aunt. I met Eamon for the first time at my uncle's funeral in Ireland this year. They had a wedding to go to in Bedfordshire on Sunday so they stayed with us for the weekend. As they were flying into Luton and we were picking them up from the airport, OH and I decided to make a day of it and have a rummage in Luton and possibly Dunstable as their flight was due in after 5 pm. 

Everything charity shopped except the boots - as above. I didn't need this jacket which is by Fenn, Wright Mason, bought for 7.00 in the RSPCA in Newport Pagnell. It was so warm outside 23 degrees again!

Amongst my errands in town in the week I called into the independent charity shop where I bought a (another!) floral cardigan. We have a new charity shop too in the High Street called 'Autism Bedford'. I bought a fine knit silver jumper from there for 2.00 I bought this Desigual striped tunic in Biggleswade on Wednesday for 2.95. Underneath is a navy top by Cotton Traders and leggings by M&S.

I have so many scarves that I had completely forgotten about this one. Charity shopped of course but can't remember where; unsurprisingly. Scarves are so useful especially as I wear them as head wraps as well as around my neck!

All jewellery charity shopped.

I am sad to say that Luton charity shops are not very good. I bought a brooch and a spotted miniature vase for Hilary and in the Sally Army I found an East waistcoat on the sale rail for 2.00. That's all that took my eye in 6 charity shops...even the books weren't very good. We didn't have time to go on to Dunstable because Luton were playing at home and the traffic was building up.

We went out to eat in a local restaurant on Saturday evening with Eamon and Anne and they left on Monday morning. It was lovely to see them and we all had a very enjoyable time. Next time they come we'll be able to show them around our local area and beyond. We'll visit them next Easter on our way up to the caravan as they live not too far from Dublin.

Here's our visitors just off to their wedding on Sunday. Don't they look smart! Unfortunately it was cold and wet all day on Sunday. The reception was being held on a farm in a barn - they were frozen!

Tuesday's outfit.

Everything charity shopped. Jacket from Next and I've had it for about 7 years now. Leggings bought for 79 p in Barnardo's; Great Denham. Zara tunic bought last year but can't remember where. Boots from Donegal charity shop for 1.00 euro - they were with the children's shoes...

All jewellery charity shopped except earrings which were donated by my daughter. Brooch bought in Luton charity shop for 1.50 on Saturday.

Wednesdays outfit. Everything charity shopped. Tunic top bought in Ireland at Easter. Cardigan I've had for years. Trousers with sparkly bits in them by Phase Eight bought in the Sally Army in Rushden.

Scarf present from my friend Natalie in Cambridge; Chelsea boots bought earlier this year in Barnardo's, I think in Great Denham.

All jewellery charity shopped.

I went out for a walk by myself on Wednesday and did 5.3 miles. The group were walking to Ivinghoe Beacon but that was 37 miles away and too far to travel. I walked from Great Denham to Kempston Mill; through Kempston town then back down by the river to Queen's Park and on to Great Denham.

Weeping willows in Queen's Park the river is to the left.

On Thursday I also walked by myself. I'm trying to recce a walk I will be leading in January. I walked 8.6 miles but it's too long for a Wednesday walk. I'll have to try and shorten it or do another one...
It was a bright and dry day with a bit of a breeze; good for walking but the summery weather has gone for good now. I'm not complaining -  it was beautiful while it lasted! I decided to pay a visit to the Barnardo's in Great Denham on Wednesday afternoon. It's a very good shop; I was hoping they would still have their sale rail and I was still looking for books for Hilary. I'm glad I went. The sale rail yielded - guess what? An orange cardigan from Wallis! Reduced to 2.00; into the basket it went.  Remember what I said about the 'Sod's Law' of charity shopping? It's true.

What else did I find? A pair of Topman jeans for middle grandson, 79 p; black and white leggings for me (BNWT); 79 p and then I spotted a really nice tunic for 4.99 by Lily and Me.  Never heard of them but I wouldn't be surprised if it's maternity wear! I also bought several books for Hilary and a cute sugar sifter for 79 p. So, that's my haul for this week making up for Saturday's disappointment!

I've finished my giant granny square blanket and have gone from a medium sized basket of green and blue stash wool to a smallish carrier bag size of stash wool.

I am aiming to make a 'Sunburst Granny' blanket next - lots and lots of little squares sewn together. This way I can use up the blue and green stash and start on using the pink and purple stash. I won't be edging mine in white though like the photo below. It will be a blanket of multi-coloured squares. If I feel like doing more of my Willow blanket squares I will. So far, I haven't felt any enthusiasm to get on with it so the Sunburst Granny will be my next project or work in progress.



Thursday's outfit.

It's that cardigan again! I would have worn the one I bought in Barnardo's but it was still drying...

Everything charity shopped except grey leggings; Sainsbury's retail.  Black slip on trainers from Next; 2.99 in the Children's Society earlier this year. Tunic charity shopped last year - can't remember where or how much. Orange top H&M; also charity shopped.

Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped. 

I am always so shiny in my photos - you can tell I don't use filters or Photoshop! I think I'm going to have to invest in some translucent face powder to reduce the shine.  The next photos I take I will try it and I'll be able to see if it makes a difference...

Here I am wearing face powder - no more shine!  What do you think?
Youngest grandson took the photos.
All jewellery charity shopped except earrings bought from Etsy about three years ago.

Everything charity shopped. Jeans from Mercy in Action 2.00. Waistcoat from East bought in the Sally Army in Luton for 2.00. Tunic from Primarni bought from a 1.00 rail somewhere, Boots; Red Cross 1.99.

It was so chilly on Friday evening we lit our fire for the first time since May; it was lovely and so cosy.

Then both Saturday and Sunday were lovely bright days. On Saturday it was 17 degrees. I went to see my son. On Sunday it was 16 degrees.

Everything charity shopped except blouse and boots - both on line retail.
This coat by Monsoon has had its last wear. It has begun to split at  the armhole. It's not repairable, the fabric has begun to fray. It was always a little too tight across the shoulders and back. I have a broad back and biggish breasts and sometimes things get strained...anyway, I think I've had my money's worth out of it.

The tunic was bought in Barnardo's for 5.00 in the week. Leggings by M&S; charity shopped. Scarf charity shopped.

All jewellery charity shopped and look- no more shine!

It's half term this coming week. We have a trip to London to visit my ex- mum -in law and we are going to East Sussex for an overnight stay. I want to visit Rye which I've heard  is a very pretty place, plus it's the home of one of my favourite painters; Edward Burra. We are going to stay in Eastbourne so I'll tell you all we got up to in my next post.