Wetherby Antiques Fair - damp but rain didn't stop play!

I now know that Antiques Fairs are hard work but good fun and you meet lots of interesting people.

We had an outdoor pitch, on grass, 25'x25'.

We forgot to take the cover for the second gazebo, so entertained the rest of the field (still in their caravans, staying on site) at 6.00pm on Saturday morning, covering the frame with a tarpaulin, in heavy rain and moderate winds.

We sold well all day on Saturday, Sunday was much quieter, mainly due to grey skies and frequent rain.

We packed  at tea time, ready for the two hour drive home.

We unpacked the hire van at 7.00am this morning and returned it to Hallmark in Coleshill, cleaner than when we collected it, of course.

Lots more space in the factory now, but plenty of stock for the next venture.

The dust sheets and towels are on the line along with the rather elegant lengths of dark blue and dark green velvet, bought as table coverings.

I did buy a Royal Doulton "tapestry" tea service and 3 desert bowls, for £12, but only because I have Grandma's dinner service with no small plates.

Best sales, my wonderful, enormous silver plate Majestic Hotel tureen, Shelley jelly mold, both for £25,

Old washstand for £35!

Chicken finding a quiet corner to lay!

This is the scene the day after:

Does anyone on Earth want Chris's  Capo Di Monte?

I would put it by the gate but fear others would add more.

Next big challenge.......

Eboraceum with AJ, preparing for an early night to cope with tomorrow - the first Antiques Fair, at Wetherby Race Course.
The week has been spent amassing interesting items for sale, everything from furniture to cutlery, from crusts to milk churns.
Yesterday was spent collecting tables and gazebos and, finally, a Boxer van, which we then loaded to the gunnels.
Today we drove to Wetherby, set up the stall, in wonderful sunshine, and were collected by AJ, with more goods, and brought home to stay.
We shall be at the racecourse by 6.00am to set up, then two days of selling, hopefully.
I have a bottle of Proseco ready, if all goes well, i.e. a half empty van to take home on Sunday evening.
Praying for fine weather!

The Big Challenge!

 After a fun weekend celebrating a 6th birthday with K's grandson and family.
Malteser cake was easy and went down well but the veggie diet was a bit more of a challenge.
Vegetarian lasagne with optional gammon, salad and ciabatta for Sat evening, roast beef, Yorkshire pud, cauliflower cheese and veg for Sunday lunch.
Sunday was Open Farm Sunday, we went to Plumbs farm in Coleshill, which was very well presented and packed out, due to the glorious sunshine.
Today we have been organising, cleaning, pricing and packing ready for the weekend at Wetherby Antiques Fair.
Watch this space!
Exhausted and ready for bed.

The cost of glamour!

Another day of almost pure indulgence!

Coleshill at 11.00am to visit Rosemary at Wellbeing, with Jan, for a pedicure, manicure and a giggle.

We followed this with coffee and cake at the cafe in the High Street, which was excellent, highly recommended!

Home for lunch with B and pork pie and salad then to the bank to discuss expenditure........

Home for a cup of tea and a walk around the Garden:

The ash tree at the corner of the fiel, with bees swarming - we missed the main spectacle, they showed little interest in us.

View from the field gate - verdant pasture!

The badger sett entrance - lots of comings and goings on the camera, badgers, chickens and the little mouse with big ears.

Crowned again.

After a number of phone calls I sorted out my PayPal account, told the lady disappointed with her hair combs to keep them, and refunded her money and have written off the lovely Royal Crown Derby comport (professional repair to rim) that was damaged in the post, and told the buyer to keep it to practice her repairing skills.
She says that her fingers are too fat, but she'll give it a go!
I have been well rewarded as the e bay cash register has been bleeping all day , five items of clothing for in excess of £100.
I shall go to the ball!

Fantastic day today.
The robins nesting in an old road lamp in the plating shop in the factory have hatched - I have never seen such tiny baby birds - no photos as they wouldn't like the flash.
It will be interesting when they are learning to fly in there.

This morning I went to a local optician/lens maker and ordered new specs - £160 for varifocals and transition lenses, made on the premises.
I collected them this afternoon and am delighted with them
I went to the hairdressers on the way home and now have short, spiky hair!!
I'm going back next week to have the spikes coloured.
Really.
To top all of that, I ordered a greenhouse and have plans for a vegetable garden in the field, netted, with raised beds.
The "Good Life" will commence shortly.
Watch this space, or that space.
Never a dull moment!
Will I stay awake long enough for Question Time/ will the panel be worth having a late night?
The first few minutes will tell

E bay madness

The e bay queen has had her crown knocked off!
After a really good run I had two problems today; a dissatisfied customer who bought vintage tortoiseshell/faux tortoiseshell hair combs and hadn't noticed from the varied first class photos, that they were not shiny - refund given and keep them anyway for the £5.99.
The Royal Crown Derby comport had not arrived after a week.
Checked at PO, no action for 3 weeks.
The buyer eventually found it at her PO, delighted until she opened it and it was damaged.
Oh dear.
How do you do PayPal refunds?
I can find no way on the PayPal site.

To raise my spirits and to return J and Th's flannel bag and reclaim my fleece, I went to P and A's, then on to Solihull to buy new undies, always good for raising the spirits.
I saved money as I didn't get as far as M&S, the charity shops were too alluring and I have bagged a few bargains that may pay for next week's treats.
We shall see!

A bright sunny day, I should have gardened and/or cleaned the blood off the spare bedroom carpet.
Chick was a little put out as I shut her in the run, having not had a large egg for 3 days.
She didn't lay anyway so perhaps I've misjudged her.
I did let her out and feed lots of treats when home and I believe that chickens have short memories so she may be over it already.

I did treat myself to a chicken and avocado sandwich and coffee in the newly refurbished Pret, phoning AJ as I was alone on the top floor so needed to make a noise.
Cluck, cluck!

White Rabbits.

Today is the first day of summer, meteorologically, apparently.

A good day to actually get that photo of the wisteria published.

Just had a hectic weekend, went to a birthday party on Saturday and held a charity lunch here yesterday.

Both really good and Christian Aid £250 better off, but I was in need of a good night's sleep long before bedtime yesterday.

Sun's shining but cool and blowy, with showers.

Shall I put the washing out?

Brightening up so it's worth a go - sheets, towels and tablecloths.

The prodigal chicken who stayed out last night, has returned, so smiles all round.

Three eggs a day, one in the wheelbarrow by the stable, but I suppose it saves queueing for the laying box.

Lotus is up and running, Volvo not starting, spasmodically, so a toss up for which to use to collect J and Th from school.

Decisions, decisions!