Just before someone...

...switched it from "summer" to "winter", we had a lovely open weekend.

There are even more pictures here

One of my dearest customers wasn't one to let the size of her car put her off a purchase.

Off she went with a large window mirror sticking out the roof of her little car!

Then, on the Sunday, we watched these rather impressive chaps parading through the village.

Another really lovely weekend, huge thanks to everyone who came. Keep your diary clear for the begininng of November for the next one, and we're talking Christmas!

We're open for...

 ...business this weekend. DO come and see us! Come and see all the pretty things, or just come and see the amusing sight of me getting a bit giddy due to tiredness and the general excitement of it all. Or if you come tomorrow (saturday) there will be lots of Paratroopers with big muscles around the village. That's definitely worth a look.

Have you saved...

... the date for our next open weekend?

There's all kind of shenanigans going on in the village over the same weekend as it's Arnham weekend. This is an annual gala that takes place to commemorate links with the village and 216 Signal Squadron of the Air Assault Brigade who were stationed nearby during WWII and planned the battle for the bridges at Arnham, Holland from our very own village of Caythorpe.

Every year, veterans and serving soldiers from the squadron come together to celebrate their links with the village and put on a gala that makes it a very special weekend of fun and fundraising.
The Gala takes place on the village playing field on Saturday the 8th, with stalls, a tombola, traditional fete games such as skittles, a dog show,  and a traditional football match between 216 Squadron and the village football team!
On Sunday morning there is a parade by veterans and serving soldiers.
We'll be open of course, fully loaded with lots of gorgeous vintage and antiques plus Sue will opening her pop-up tea room again for teas and home-made cakes. She's also promised Vera Lynn on the CD player, a "Victory Rolls" hair-do and red lipstick in keeping with the WWII theme!
Also in the area that weekend is Burghley Horse Trials great for shopping and not bad for occasional horse watching too!
Do come if you can, it sounds fun and the showroom will be over-flowing with gorgeousness with lots of things found on my latest trip to French France...

...which was as lovely as ever.

My kids have grown up with me rooting around French markets and Brocantes.

it's been a...

...busy few weeks here and isn't it glorious to actually have a summer? Can it really last?
The last few weeks have included;

A trip to Norfolk. It was wonderful as always.

 We had a snoop around Blickling Hall. All terribly grand and ancient.

For me, the best bits are always the kitchen gardens and "below stairs". Blickling was no exception.

Then on to Peter Beales. No, not him off of Eastenders. The rose growers. Total Bliss.

I skipped from roses to rose, hands clasped under my chin, sniffing every single one until my head swam with all the gorgeous scent.


Then there was work to do.

Some photography. Tweaking on my part.

Last of all dinner here.

Highly recommended if you're in the area. The food's great and the decor and art is as mouthwatering as the food. On a sunny evening we sat outside at huge oak tables surveying the red deer among the parkland trees.
There have also been trips to antique fairs requiring 2.30 am starts and I can confirm that it is nice and cool at that time in the morning. However the return journey featured 30 degree heat and an un-air conditioned van.
More spoils from that trip coming soon...

A huge, big...

...thank you to everyone who came to our open weekend last week. It was a great success and was so lovely to see so many customers old and new.

The pop-up tea room in the old school room was thronging and lots of happy people went home with doggy bags of Sue incredible home-made cakes as they couldn't eat them all! The rain just about held off for the open gardens which was the busiest ever!

Also, I had to share this; spotted at a vintage car show a couple of weeks ago and it made me go weak at the knees with longing. I want one!

Are you coming...

...this weekend? We're all ready and the showroom looks as pretty as a picture.

Go on, bunk off tomorrow and come! Or be sensible and come with your mates over the weekend. Come by car, bicycle, bus, hang-glider or space-hopper, just make sure you come! See you here!

We're nearly there...

...with preparations for next weekends Open Weekend. It's looking lovely and summery in here, even if it is raining cats and dogs outside as I write this. We're really looking forward to seeing our customers old and new.

Opening times are as last time; Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.
The tea room opens at 11am for delicious proper cream teas and on Sunday it's Open Gardens in the village. Do come, it'll be fun!