Latest Buys

Day at the Puce

 We drove the twenty miles from Ticky's to the Puce having waited for daylight and found a very relaxed set up despite the fact it was only half an hour to opening, we were not last by any means.
They had the coffee on and various brioche etc. The tea making was somewhat randome !! what is it the French don't understand about boiling water for tea ?
Anyway our lovely hostess went down the road to the Bakery and got our lunch bagettes and we were soon ferretting around amongs all our fellow stall holders stock.
They are mostly makers and quilters with about 3 or four textile dealers.
They really like our English lace and linens and buttons so that is what we mostly take , we need room in the car for all our purchases so it was all condensed into two rows of bags and boxes but it was enough to have a good day.
These Dressmakers Flea markets seem to becoming as popular in France as our Rag markets in England and can be found in the " Orange Book "

This stall holder was carefully cutting out beaded applique from a damaged piece , it was surprisingly effective

 We now know quite a few local people and it is sooo friendly in these small Communities the day passed very well.
We met our Hostesses for the one further North we are doing end of April and were greeted like old friends

Normally no packing up until 6 ocl. which is quite late at this time of the year , however it went quiet at about five oclock and the organiser announced a speedy pack up as snow had started !
We got home before it was serious and could enjoy this scene in Tick and Nick's cosy kitchen over one of Ticky's memorable meals , feeling well pleased with our day and some nice fresh stock too

Good to be back!!

Feb. is not the first choice for most people to make a trip to France ! we had a date with a Puce we are now regularly invited to do and anyway I was getting withdrawl symptons not having been since November.
We decided to take the overnight Ferry so we would have plenty of time to let the roads warm up and get to Les Pannards.
We were just ahead of the snow going to Portsmouth, we could see it in the headlights , so I was relieved to reach the port and after a late light supper of gorgeous prawns and a glass of wine we were tucked up in our cosy cabin when we sailed.
I was a bit uncertain as to what would greet us when we arrived , knowing they had had quite a fall of snow over the week and the temp. was freezing and below !
We had an hour or so over breakfast in the Terminal and set out on the most glorious but icy morning with everything coated with white but the roads which were clear and dry ......oh how thrilled was I !!!
Swiss Normandy is not named for being flat
We stopped in Domfront for coffee , it is an amazing and Historic stronghold on a hill, I love it so took a few snaps before we pressed on,  stopping for lunch in Gorron where the Bar de Sport does a great omlette.
I was worried about the last leg of the journey as it is little back roads and farm tracks, there was snow and a bit of ice but not nearly as much as I had imagined and Tick and Nick's farmer neighbour had cleared the road all the way to their gate at the first lot of snow. The French are so community minded.
So pleased to be back

The spire is covered in scaffolding in the background which looked amazing but too icy to linger !

Sunset on the Ranch

Latest treasures, have a box or two !!!

We always look for fabric boxes and I have to say this trip we really got lucky, we need to do a little renovation here and there , but then " Shabby chic " and a bit of faded grace is what we are all about after all.

 

 

 

Definitely a day for collecting boxes !

something for everyone

 Most of these  we found with a dealer friend of ours at the Puce de Coutouriere we were doing locally to our friend's Ticky and Nick, Having started we could not stop and picked up another half a dozen at boutiques and vides.
We got home safe and sound after an amazing trip. Watch this space for more pictures of our days in France. Freida the Volvo was rammed full after our last day when we had a call to make on the way to the ferry where we had been invited to buy lovely pristine ticking.