In London's Fair city....

Yesterday was a landmark day for me..

The anticipation of it had me in a state of flux for several days as it has been many, many moons since I embarked on a journey to the big smoke let alone a walk to the end of my own small city.. so I felt a little like Paddington bear.. needing a case of marmalade sandwiches and a big label tied around my neck in case I lost my way... It was to Paddington station that I was heading on the first leg of my epic outing.. as I had arranged to meet my dear friend Sal who would hold my hand and lead me to the place where nerves quicken and purses empty in equal measures..

Enough of this cryptic talk.... we were off to the fair.. the bright lights, lurid colours and predominantly female mecca of the Country Living Fair..

It must be a good 14 years since I last visited.. and my memories of the event were ones of great fun and a rather depleted bank account by the end of the day...

Sal and I hastily made our way to the Business Design Centre in Islington and were soon shuffling along with the throng.. my head on a swivel .. scanning each stall for anything that 'spoke' to me.... and there were many things that 'spoke' to me... but not necessarily in the right way!

I did however find a few treasures that I simply couldn't resist and swooped on these when I saw them...... it was love at first sight! Just as I was tearing myself away from this particular stall.. Acorn & Will..I heard this little chap whisper in my ear.."buy me" and like a smitten woman.. I did!!

Sal and I did the rounds.. twice ... and soaked up the atmosphere which was liberally draped in bunting and Union Jacks.... lots of it!

I also managed a brief hello with my friend Dee Puddy who has a stand there... Dee had a clutch of my Noddy magnets and mirrors and I was delighted to see that they were selling like hot cakes... Who can resist Noddy! If you are yet to visit the fair.. then go and say hello to Dee.. she is a lovely lady and has some scrumptious goods for sale..

These two little four legged friends very nearly came home with me.. I couldn't bear to split them up and couldn't afford both so they were left behind..
This fine hound also captured my heart... but he was well out of reach.. in more ways than one!I think this was possibly one of my favourite stalls... It was beautifully displayed and everything was most covetable!I did however resist..There was one moment in the day that left me dumbstruck.... on asking the lass who owned the stall below..if I could take a photo for my blog.. she said.."are you Michele?" ... how could she to know who I was..? "I have read your blog" she said.... I was amazed.... and just for a nano second.. felt like a celebrity.After a reviving bite to eat we then limped back to Paddington to catch our respective carriages home.. whereupon I found mine had been cancelled.. so I spent an hour people watching and hopping from one leg to another waiting for the next train to come in.

It was a grand day out and such a treat to meet up with Sal....though I am not sure I am cut out to be a city slicker... I was exhausted by my adventure and fell in to bed, dreaming of Union Jacks, Yorkshire tea, bunting and blue bunnies.