Sunday 15 August 2010

Days like these ...

I am sure we can all relate to this statement.. and never more so, than during the holidays when family and work compete with each other and absorb every moment of the day. As the days whizz by, I am acutely aware that the holidays are melting away and in two weeks time my boys will be returning to an unforgiving timetable.
The joys of being self employed are many.. nipping out to smell the roses, stealing a few moments to phone a friend or putting the kettle on whenever the fancy takes .. but it also means that holiday time is measured by 'jolly' days out, tempered by days at the desk keeping up with the demands of customer orders..
Summers are punctuated by flirting with the festive season as Christmas card orders start to come in.. so it might be sizzling outside but the snowmen are keeping their cool on the drawing board.
It was a week ago that we took off to rendezvous with good friends and take part in the Homespun Fair in Portscatho Cornwall. We staggered our journey by staying at a newly discovered B + B in a place that has become very close to my heart... the almost too perfect town of Chagford on the Dartmoor fringes..


For those of you who have followed my blog.. you will know only too well that I LOVE this little town. In my 'lottery win' fuelled fantasies.. I would be living in a stone cottage, perched on a hill within skipping distance of the town centre...


I have already earmarked my house.. see if you can spot it ..

Dragging ourselves away from our B + B at the crack of dawn.. we made our way to Portscatho without the help (or hindrance) of our sat nav hostess.. to arrive in good time and be greeted warmly by Jane who had cunningly set up her magnificent display the night before...


Whilst I wrestled with dust sheets and pondered the dilemma of my table display..
Gradually other Homespun members began to arrive and soon the hall was filling with colour and all manner of tasty treasures.. These gorgeous bouquets greeted the visitors as they arrived at the door..


Viv's exquisite brooches ... were amongst many enviable items ..

Gertie's wonderful collection of vintage sewing boxes ..

Sal's vibrant array of fabrics..

Amanda's fabulous floral quilts..

Kirsty's charming flotilla and fish ....

These wide eyed characters did amuse me.. they looked like I felt...

Finally.. Cowboys & Custard merchandise and the 'Kennel Club' my collection of vintage dogs which all managed to find new homes...

There were many other lovely stalls which I failed to photograph as before we knew it the hall was flooded with visitors and a swarm of vintage hungry customers..
It was a hugely enjoyable day and hats off to Christine and Jane for organising yet another very successful Homespun Fair.
The whole weekend was a perfect distraction and escape from the treadmill that was waiting for me back home..


8 comments:

Kitsch and Curious said...

Oh Michele, I hope it isn't too much of a treadmill! Like you say, there are lots of benefits to being self-employed. And there are lots of worse jobs!

Sounds like you had a good time last weekend. I've never been to Chagford - I'll have to put it on the list of places to visit.

Josie-Mary said...

Looks great fun....can't wait to see your Christmas stock, you know it's my favourite buying time! :) x

VintageVicki said...

Just wish you were nearer those Fairs look gorgeous :)

Having visted the eastern edge of Dartmoor recently, I think I'd love to live there too.

Country Cottage Chic said...

Just not enough days in the summer holidays are there?
We just have to make the most of it while we can....lovely day today!
Hope you can get over here for a cuppa soon!

xx

kirsty said...

Michele, I know exactly what you mean, hard to switch off and have a proper holiday when you work from home!
Lovely to meet you at Homespun - I'm sure our paths will cross again someday!

jane and the happy crow said...

Thank you my dear for putting some lovely photos of the fair up, I did not take my camera and Chrisitine did not have time to use hers so we are completely blogless as far as the fair is concerned!! It was lovely to see you as ever and I am looking forward to 'hopefully' seeing you here again soon. Isnt it awful to have to think of Christmas at this time of year, although I have heard of some shops that already have the decs out! Jane xxx PS my verification word was mants is that a man and his pants do you think?

Andi's English Attic said...

Where did the summer hols go? It's back to school soon. Can't believe it's so close.
Thanks for taking us to the fair. Enjoyed the pics. xx

silverpebble said...

I never tire of seeing your stall. I always enlarge and peer at the goodies, and those of the other stallholders. One day I'll be at one of these lovely events.....one day xxx