Ruthin

Nice drive to North |Wales after picking up Audrey from Lostock. Took about an hour and half to get to Ruthin Crafts Centre where we met Linda Merriman who came from Dolgelau ( still cant spell it!) by three buses with her bus pass! To save her another three buses we decided to meet her half way and take in an exhibition and picnic at the same time. A nice fun exhibition of twee sculptures, ceramics and wood carvings etc. by craftspeople from different parts of the world as well as Wales. Lots of Japanese folk living in Wales it seems - who knew! Lucy Casson showed more of her quirky tin sculptures. They were the most fun. We still have work by her and Andy Hazell from the 80's when we discovered their work in a small gallery in Kings Cross. We commissioned a "Rubber Stamping Man" which we still have sitting in a cabinet underneath the TV. We had a sandwich and crips on a wet bench outside in the courtyard. Nice to see the Graham Sutherland sketchbooks and drawings etc. in one of the little side galleries. Most unexpected. Reminded me of my days studying Samuel Palmer in the Tate and the British Library. Set off about 1 and got to the antique emporiums at Blakemere an hour later. Very busy - lots of Halloween stuff going on it seems. After an hour we were knackered an just wanted to be home.

Blakemere Boot and Uke Marathon

Boot was the last of the year. A bit drizzly so only 3 quarters full field. Dint get much just a spindle of CD-R's which are always useful for mix tapes etc. Hazel didi well with lots of plants, mint, pansies etc. Also two toffee tins and a silk scarf. Plus a mid century wood magazine rack. She thought Archie might like it. Then off the town to see the Ukulele chaps and chappesses doing their thing - tryig to beat a 36 hour record Uke Jam. They did it we later heard. Great stuff!

Boot sale and Blakemere

I forget to take my camera so these are from the archives. The oldest being from the 70's when I helped Trevor with some junk he had compiled for a boot sale near him in Staffs. Thats a friend of his standing by the stall. Actually it may have been Cheshire as he lived near Tarporley at the time. The others are more recent at Whitegate Cricket Club and Blakemere I think. Hazel and Beth looking through stuff. I didn't get anything today as it was mostly horse tack and equine related gear at the Equine Centre near Tarvin. It was very boring although interesting to see the horses being readied for jumps and trotting or whatever they do. So many huge barns full of stables. It went on for miles! There was also a saddlery and resturant etc. How the other half live! After that we went to root through the junk at the antique centre. Hazel found repro tin toy but it was £8 and we have plenty. Another chap seemed interested so she let him have it.

Blakemere Woods

This mornings walk around Blakemere Woods. Nice and cool under the shady trees. A few dog walkers seen through the foliage. Took a few photos behind trees for Allen Bukoff. Afterwards we looked round the antique emporiums but found no bargains. All a bit pricey now sadly. We have enough junk anyway!

Boot Sale At Blakemere

Managed to get to the boot sale at Blakemere before the drizzle started. Got a few things including a tin toy and tiny John Bull Printing Set. Hazel was delighted to find an iconic toy from her childhood she's always wanted - the Arnold Palmer Pro Shot Golf by Marx. I've never seen her so happy! Also got some plant pot thingies, propelling pencil, toffee tin with doggy on, Baylis and Harding bathing stuff and some plants. I sheltered under a tree for a while as the rain got quite heavy and I neglected to take a brolly. Doh!

Blakemere - First Boot of The year

Nice to get back to some booting. Bumper crowd at the field in Blakemere. So many in fact that there was an overflow in the field next door. Got a few bargains including some art house DVD's , a game, some candles, pots , plants, boxes, garden stuff, lovely 3-D printed toys by a young lad who gave us a free rabbit for buying so many! We told his mother he should do a foundation course at art school. He was only 12 so has plenty of time to decide. We are biased of course.

Blakemere Woods

This mornings wander around the woods at Blakemere. Passed the miniature railway and new station and bridge to the Enchanted Woods which are lit up on special nights with galleons and haunted houses etc. In broad daylight they look a little less impressive. Then to the antique emporiums to try and find some bargains but tricky when the prices seem to go up all the time. We enjoyed stretching our legs in the sunshine anyway which was the main purpose of our mornings ramblings.

Blakemere Boot Sale

Penultimate boot sale at Blakemere. Always a treat but soon to stop for Winter which is a shame. Got a few bargains including a bunch of CD's for pennies. Bob Dylan, J.J. Cale, The Who, Salsa and Latin comps etc. Hazel bought useful stuff like a paint brush, spanner, bodger ( for rag rugs) , enamel pie dish, plants and a black currant fruit bush for the garden. The sun was out so a fun time rummaging through boxes of old junk. People very friendly and remarked on my badges. I always like to wear a few. Home again for some collaging and catching up with the interweb. Some drizzle but now the sun is out again.

Blakemere

This mornings browsing round the local antique emporiums looking at all the stuff we couldn't afford and had no room for anyway. Hazel bought a wooden file box to store her notebooks in for £15 ( haggled down from £20). Home in time for lunch.

Blakemere Boot

This mornings bargains at the monthly Blakemere boot sale. Everything was mostly 50p and £1. Hazel got two watering cans and some blouses. Also some plants and jewelry. Too much stuff to show here! The rain held off thankfully. W are home now - its 10am and I feel like we've been out all morning!

Blakemere - Pete Waterman's Train Set

Nice drive over to Blakemere this afternoon to have a wander round the Pete Waterman's Train Set ( only it's not called that ) in a barn. A bit pricey but amusing for kids of all ages - especially if you like model trains. Plenty of people do apparently by the queues of folk trying to get in. We lasted 20 minutes and that was enough. Hazel said she spotted Pete chatting to the punters but all these chubby balding middle aged blokes look the same so it could have been someone else? Anyway, afterwards we went round the antique emporiums which were also crowded so not much to see and no bargains. We came home and had tea and chocolate log.

Blakemere Boot Sale

A few bargains at the last boot of the year including 6 films on DVD - Foreign Correspondent by Hitchcock - Nolan's first feature "Following" , Italian film -"Libero", Jim Jarmusch's "Only Lovers Left Alive" etc. Also an A3 folder for my larger collages. Hazel found a bathroom mirror and a pad of multi-coloured crafting card.

Boot At Blakemere

This mornings boot sale bargains from Blakemere. In a different field as the normal one was taken over by a travelling fun fair. Slim pickin's but I did find some nice old postcards including one from Southend & Westcliff which is always nice to find. The "Meat Card" is quite amusing too - even for a vegetarian. Hazel got some useful things- candles, gardening gloves, wire baskets, plants etc.