Tuesday 18 March 2008

Three ladies and a Renault Espace..........

Where do I start? Life has been totally mad around here for the past couple of weeks. Last week we had five people staying at the house for race week. Each year I say "never again" in the run up to the races when we're desperately trying to get the house ready, but then when everyone's gone the house seems very quiet and we're looking forward to next year! We wandered up to the race course after school on the first race day and watched the horses through the fences, the children were so excited to see them so close.



Everybody left on Saturday morning and we had a lovely relaxing day. We wandered into town and had some lunch, then we came home with a couple of dvds and a huge tub of popcorn, lit the fire and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Sunday was my day off and three of us drove into London for the Country Living show. Rather than park outside and tube it in we decided in our great wisdom to drive straight to Islington. I've never driven in the centre of London before, I apologise to Ken Livingstone profusely, I thought those lovely quiet (ie. bus) lanes were there specifically for 30+ novice London drivers! It was an experience, as you can probably imagine, we managed to buy an A-Z which didn't reach Islington, but we got there in one piece and managed to park right next to the show.

I didn't go mad there, I just bought a couple of things including the glasses below............

and these fabric flowers which smell gorgeous, like rose soap, I wish I'd asked the seller what she'd put on them...............

There were some fabulous stands, so inspiring. I thought it was a better show than the Christmas one and we'll certainly be back next year. I love the whole atmosphere, being surrounded by so many gorgeous things, there were some lovely vintage stalls.

We ended the day with a late lunch in a great eaterie in Islington called "The Elk in the Woods", very trendy, animal skulls all over the walls (why??). Fortunately the vegetarian amongst us had her back to them!

Back to normal today, quiet house, the smell of hyacinths everywhere and a Cadbury's creme egg. Bliss!.................



10 comments:

prettyshabby said...

Crikey Julia you're brave driving to London! hope you don't get a ticket..Ken fined us £100 for cutting across his lovely bus lane!(meany)
I'd love to go to the country living fair, maybe next year.The glasses you bought there are gorgeous..you can't beat polka dots!
ooo..it's that time of year..cream eggs..yum!
Sairer x

French Knots said...

What lovely glasses, very pretty. I wish I was nearer to go to the CL fair, I went once years ago and it was excellent.

Knitty, Vintage and Rosy said...

Hi Julia:

The glasses are lovely, I probably would have bought them myself.

Just wondering where you got the cosy pink and blue tartan rug you have in your header? I am in love with it.

And you just know I need more blankets, right?

Lisa ;)
Knitty, Vintage and Rosy

Deb said...

Beautiful glasses you found at the CL fair. Sounds like a wonderful day!

Curlew Country said...

You're a braver woman than me, good for you! I must go to the CL Spring Fair one day, it seems worth the trip.
Beautiful glasses, we're still drinkign out of student pint pots -bit uncouth, so I just must get some pretty new ones! Off to demolish a cream egg now, you've inspired me!
Stephx - sadly no anti-slug advice from the market chap (he was a pellet man, I'm too much of werriter to use them, keep thinking I'll annihilate the birds. He recommended scattering lupin seeds straight into the ground, very hardy apparently. Oh and don't forget staking - wish me luck!

Locket Pocket said...

The show was lovely wasn't it? But I am stunned by your bravery in driving there!!!!

mollycupcakes said...

Glad you had a great day up in London at the show. Wow your brave to drive it. I train then tube everywhere up there. My mum is a Londoner and it must be in my blood lol
Gorgeous flowers and glasses. Did you go in the food court and eat everything, Jade and I did lol well it's rude not too hehe.

Hugs.

Catherine x

Nonnie said...

Wow, you drove into Islington! Even I wouldn't do that from Kew. I'm interested that you enjoyed the show more than the Christmas one as I have always found the Spring show disappointing compared to the Christmas one, and didn't bother going this year. Maybe I need to give it a try again next year? Love those glasses you bought. I always find the CL fairs far too tempting for the good of my bank balance!

No one is you ...& that's your power said...

Sounds like you had a great day. I love the glasses and the gorgeous flowers. I have never been to a country living fair and would love to go to one. I think I would be running round gasping at all the treasures !
have a lovely easter x

claire Maraldo said...

Sounds like a perfect day! I didn't manage to go to the CL fair this spring so I'm dead jealous!