They've arrived!! Nov. 09

I've ordered these wonderful little tin bird brooches to be in stock by the second week in October. Can't wait and can't decide which one I want ... such are the joys of having a shop and getting too attached to the stock ... I'm sure that we've got a therapy somewhere in Totnes to help me to be more businesslike:)

They will sell for £26 each and are handmade by Melanie Tomlinson who is based in the Midlands. You may have seen one of the birds in a recent Country Living but can't recall which one and my copy has gone to ground in the chaos which is our home!

PS. The birds vary in size from 6.5 to 8.9cm long. Thanks for reminding me Floss:)

Apple Time

Not quite the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness yet but the early mornings are certainly a bit cooler. There are a few 'apple' items coming into the shop.




More of the popular enamelled buckets Usually £22 now reduced to £18

Also a new line, a wicker apple picker (about 3 feet long) at a great price of just £7.50!




I hope that last year's best selling wrapping paper with pictures of dozens of varieties will be arriving soon. I already have the sheets of 'apple names' wrap and will try to scan some of it to add to this post soon.

Remember Dan Dare?!

I was just messing around on-line (as you do) looking for a new source of nostalgic greeting cards and I came across this guy, from a different time-space continuum (as they say on Star Trek ... oops ... mixing my sci-fi).
I've put in a link to a page with lots of old art work & down loads. Still need to find the cards but thought it about time that I started blogging again :)
I recall that my comic was Girl magazine which was a bit tame by comparison. The boy next door but one took Eagle and got home from school later than me, So .... every Wednesday I was off round there to read it before he returned to a new (but well thumbed) copy of Eagle!

A timely reminder for South West gardeners

Thought I'd share news of one of my favourite local events (which has usually come and gone before I can get there!) ...

Suttons Seeds have a trial ground adjacent to Fermoy's Garden Centre on the Totnes to Newton Abbot road. Their annual open days when the public can stroll around and enjoy the otherwise private site, are a treat not to be missed. It's a basket of delights and this year, there's an additional day for family fun too.

Family Growing Day August 1st 10.00am - 4.00pm

Open Weekend August 8th & 9th

Suttons have a blog with links which will give you more information
http://www.growyourownclub.co.uk/

LONG TIME NO BLOG! Sorry:(

Sorry it's been so long since I posted a new blog. I've been away from the shop for a week or so enjoying my 'holiday at home' at the Ways With Words festival of literature at Dartington Hall just outside Totnes. (festival pics just as soon as I can find my camera in the chaos of our preparations for home improvements ... have packed just about everything except the cats, Mr Fixit and my PC!!)
Meanwhile, I have been saving this bit of literature to share with you. It's an extract from a Janet and John reading book where John and his father go off in an aeroplane for a ride with a pilot who just happens to land nearby and invite them on board! Not quite 'on message' for today's advice of not going off with strangers ... how times change. However, it is reassuring to read that Mother and the puppy have more sense.

Introducing Pegasus!!

Thought it was time to introduce you to this legendary guy who lives in our garden. He is a (very) large wire sculpture by a local artist. I regularly sell smaller pieces by him in the shop. The interesting thing is that Richard only uses 'found' materials and so some of his projects can take some time to complete whilst he searches for what is required.

A little journey through some of my vintage images ...

Sorry I've not posted anything for a while. Thought that I'd share a few of my vintage images.

So ... let's go for a walk on a summer's day ...


... and maybe catch a coach when our legs get tired ...



... to take us to the beach where the huts are being built ... leaving the men to saw wood and the women and children to play ...

... maybe fishing in the rock pools or digging in the sand ...

... then, perhaps a trip to the fair ...

... and before long it's time for the little ones to go home for jellies and cream ...

... whilst maybe we end the day with a night under the stars around a camp fire?


Which is all a lot better than cleaning the windows! :)