Boot Sale at Blakemere

Bumper crop of goodies from the boot at Blakemere this morning. Bargains included DVD's of Arrival, Yellow Submarine. Games COD,Dark Sector. CD's of Penguin Cafe Orch. and Majuregenta. Watercolour tubes - and three old National Geographics to cut up. Hazel got some flowerpots, bizarre Oliver twist plates, even more weird egg timer from Rhyl with man in turban? Ring measurer- hole punches, money box and carborundum stone.. The sun did come out eventually. Stall holders were moaning at how quite it was but seemed pretty busy to me.

Boot Sale - Hartford.

Meagre boot sale at Hartford this morning - drizzle must have put some people off. Still got a few bargains including a copy of Inland Empire by David Lynch. Hazel got a stack of candles, two glasses, folding scissors, pens, a handy note pad, labels, magic trick, papers and best of all a plastic illuminated thumb!

North West Phillumenists

No boot sales today sadly but I did remember the North West Phillumenists at the Memorial Hall ( yesterday and today ). We arrived whilst an auction had just started in the middle of the hall so had the run of the outside tables. Had a good rummage and picked up some lovely old Indian and Dutch matchbox labels for a few pence ( 3p each or 40 for £1 ). Hazel found some rockets and satellite labels for Archie as he didn't want to come for some reason. As soon as the auction finished they all started packing up so just got there in time!

Artisan Market and Plaza Postcards

Nice wander round the artisan market and the Plaza this afternoon. First to look over the swap stall at Transition in the market - all rather soggy because of the mornings rain. Some jazz records but nothing to interest me. Hazel stayed to help out Beth Barlow with some wire stripping. I wandered round the charity shops and popped into the Plaza to see the very nice old postcards of Northwich and area in the foyer. A motley group of musicians on stage playing Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross" as I wondered round. I was reminded of that Monty Python sketch of John Cleese done up like a cinema usherette. I half expected him to appear from the musty gloom!

Walk In Marbury Woods

A nice morning wandering in the woods and fields of Marbury Country Park. Nice sunny day so we thought we'd make the most of it. Tomorrow is supposed to be a bit grim and wet. Hazel also went in the garden centre to get some violas for her hanging basket which is looking a bit sad at the moment. She's hoping the neighbours will take her lead and refresh their own floral hangings. Lots of crazy dogs, crazy cows and birds chirping away merrily. Lifts the spirits to be amongst the greenery. Soon everything will be turning brown.

Snowdonia, Anglesey and Holy Island.

Just back from a lovely few days in sunny Wales - first in the depths of Snowdonia National Park at Linda Merriman and Ivor's place and then a few days in Anglesey at Trearddur Bay where we stayed last year. The weather was kind to us on the whole despite some light drizzle. Yesterday was scorching hot as we drove round the Island looking for likely spots to have a picnic. Cemaes was very nice , as was Plas Newydd with it's lovely Rex Whistler room with massive mural, love letters and childhood drawings. Sad that his love for the Marquis's daughter was unrequited and he died young in the 2nd world war. Holyhead has a few charity shops but we didnt find much. On the way home we stopped off at Llandudno, another of our favourite places, for toasted tea cakes and more junk hunting. Hazel found some blue and white Lambeth jugs for a quid each ( slightly crazed ). Also got some old postcards from the collectors shop. Open exhibition on at the Oriel Mostyn - an interesting mixture as always.

From My Gander Bag

Firstletter to Hazel back in 1983 after she wrote to ask about mail art network.