Holiday Kickback

 

New shoes!!!!

I first saw these in TK Maxx in Milton Keynes; just one lone pair in a size 6, that were too big!

The cheapest place I could track them down to was ASOS.

This was the first time I have ordered from them and they were brilliant!

The de Havilland order packers could learn a lesson from them on how to pack a box of shoes so they don't arrive in a battered box!

Celebrating Mr B being on his summer break by having drinks at Starbucks today.

 

Which is sort of my 'excuse' for not blogging or commenting.

But I have been reading your posts!

 

 

 We went to Birmingham on Friday and saw this wicker jumping horse on a traffic island outside the Indoor Market.

Rather lovely isn't it?

Some of you may remember my 'Wicker Wednesday' posts?
(Here, here, the Wicker Wednesday Whicker Island post and some more Brummie wicker here, to give you a taster!)
Hope the links give you a giggle.
Zxx

Whicker Wednesday - RIP The Man

For those of you who have been reading my blog for a while, you may remember I ran a series of posts, Whicker Wednesday, with a piece about Alan Whicker and a picture of something made of wicker.

 

 

He passed away on July 12. I waited until today, as a 'final' Whicker Wednesday tribute, to a bloke I grew up watching on the telly with that unmistakable voice and a certain style.

 

He was a presenter and journalist, had a television programme on the BBC, Whicker's World, that ran for 30 years and, although he never married, was with his partner for over 40 years.

From what has been written since his passing, I believe he will be sadly missed.
 

 

A true gentleman.

Not-Quite-Wicker Wednesday 17

This was going to be one of the final WW blow-outs of 2011, but although I'd got everything downloaded onto my laptop before I went away, when I tried to piece it altogether in London, well, the unsecured internet access wouldn't let me!

A rather dusty, fairly ordinary Ruffino bottle.

But turn it around...and lo and behold...Pavarottis' autograph!

He was singing "L'Elisir d'Amore", (Elixir of Love), at the Royal Opera House.

At one point he strolled across the stage with a couple of these bottles slung over his shoulder.
Mr B was working at the ROH and got tickets for me and mum to watch the General. This is a rehearsal performance and sometimes the songs (or dance, if ballet), are just marked out. But the wonder that was Pavarotti sang it all. Beautifully. It was wonderful!

I believe there is a video made by Whickers World of Pavarotti preparing to perform at Pangkor Laut, but I can't find any snippets of film for love nor money! So, I've found a little taster insert for TV to advertise his Hong Kong programme instead.

Wicker Wednesday 16

This one's for the birds!

Wicker Wednesday 15

High above the chimney tops

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Wicker-ish Wednesday 14

A wiggly-piggly.

With a wiggly tail.

A rather rustic raffia bow tie.

And an adorable pair of deep brown eyes.

The Alan Whicker film this week has him interviewing 'dancing hippies'!

Wicker-ish Wednesday 13

Not quite wicker...but close enough to count, I think!

This cutie heffalump is on the sale shelf at Homesense and I fell in love. But my head ruled my heart and he was left on the shelf.

Altogether now...aaaah!

Wicker Wednesday 12

Three wicker dollies prams. Snapped on Mr B's phone at Days.

There's also a corner of one of those old fashioned trunks...that takes me back to boarding school in an instant!

And here is a cute "appreciation" film clip.

Filmed on the Lavender Line, Isfield, East Sussex. Now, I knew of the Bluebell Line, but the Lavender is a new one to me. I have seen the Bluebell running, but have never been on it. But in the run up to Christmas, several years ago, I went with Mr B's family for a Santa Special on the Watercress Line, which was magical. I can definitely recommend a steam train special for any age. Loved it!

Wicker Wednesday 11

Some of the wicker Christmassy decorations in Homesense the other day.
Now, you may remember me try on the Jan Constantine tea cosy here. Well, Mr B, not to be outdone, thought he'd get right into the Christmas spirit!

Ding! Dong! Avon calling!

It's a good job they know us there...I think any other store may get Security to escort us from the building!

Of course, no trip to Homesense is complete without a sit down visit to the drive-thru Starbucks. No comfy chairs left, but from where I was sitting I espied these wicker baskets sitting on rather nice wrought iron stands. Now, if I had one of those amazing inglenook fireplaces, (or even just a wood burning stove), I think this would be a rather nice look to recreate. What do you think?

Wicker Wednesday is in homage to Mr Alan Whicker, but I am finding it harder to find small, neat snippets of film now. I was tempted to put 'Whicker Island' on again, as it makes me laugh out loud. I Googled this piece, with Mr W talking about his tour of America, many moons ago. I wonder how he'd find it now? Or, in fact, any of the countries he has visited. I feel he captured a Golden Era, which, alas, for all the ease for the traveller nowadays, somehow it lacks something.

I am not a seasoned traveller by any means. I can count my trips abroad on one hand probably! I have in my mind my log book of trips that I will do; but at the moment, just getting myself to the hairdressers tomorrow is about as much as I can manage!

Where are your pipe dream visits to?
Z xx

Wicker Wednesday 10

This is the Clarks store in Northampton. I don't think I even knew there was one; but Mr B spotted it as we walked past on Saturday afternoon! A photo opportunity not to be missed!
This is the poster picture from the last Wicker Wednesday brought to life, so to speak!

Here we have a whole gaggle of 'Whicker lookie-likies'! (Even one on crutches!).
It looked like a Whicker Convention as all these people swarmed off the coach at Totnes Railway Station as we were eating our lunch in the station cafe.

Be warned, the next bit you may find somewhat controversial. It is just my view.
Sadly, they proved a real disappointment! Apparently it was a group of students from Dartmouth College, on their first leave for 7 weeks. My God, supposedly the cream of forthcoming Naval personnel, none of whom seemed to know how to close a door behind them as they all trooped in, and out of the cafe. I don't know about the MOD/Government demolishing our Armed Forces, but if these are the best students that will be picked to run the Navy side of the Forces in a few years time, maybe it's a good job there won't be anything left for them to run! Maybe they all perform extraordinarily well under pressure, but some decent manners wouldn't go amiss!
And relax...

Here we have the very charming and suave Mr W doing what he's good at...this time talking about women and their clothes!

Z xx

Wicker Wednesday 9

Just wasn't up to doing this last week! Then my Internet access went AWOL too! Just wasn't the best of weeks, it has to be said. Even by the time it got to Friday and I managed to get to Totnes, my goodness, I paid for it Saturday!

Still, home now...Hurrah!

A double whammy of posters for Clark's winter boots! I am sure these ads are thought out months in advance, but I had to chuckle and wonder if someone had been spying on my Wednesday specials!!

A rather interesting looking shop across the road from Lesley's This 'n' That in Totnes. More wicker-y things than you can shake a stick at! And that is just the outside; I didn't actually go in to be honest!

And here is the delightful Mr Whicker with another great British icon, theQEII.

When I was at school, it was an annual event that the 4th Form went to visit Southampton Docks. We were lucky enough to visit when she was there, and my, she was a beaut! I love the fact that on the 'comments' part on YouTube someone has commented that they were the window cleaner in the clip. That must've been so funny finding that and watching it back, so long after the event!

And squeezing in by a head, (ie just had it bluetoothed to me by Mr B), the adorable Peregrine.

He was out 'on tour' too. He has now been moved from his handlers in Glasgow to the City Farm in Vauxhall. Apparently he became quite 'famous' during his week in London as George would walk him in from the Farm and then back at night, after the show. He had a photographer with him at one point, and of course you can imagine the delight of drunken revellers falling out of a pub and coming across a tiny white pony! What I think must've been even more weird would be seeing them on the footbridge over the River Thames!! And just a note of interest...he will fit in a black cab!
So here he is in his wicker 'stabling', in the dock at Plymouth Theatre Royal. I never had the chance to see him (boo!), but Mr B took this phone photo of 'The Pasty Thief'!
???????
George had brought back 2 pasties from Looe and had left them on the side. Yep, you know what's coming...Peregrine had been tied up and the little bu**er had nibbled his rope until the knot came undone!! George had gone out to make a phone call and Mr B had just popped some bits on stage, so a in matter of seconds he managed to scoff 2 pastys and their paper bags! Mr B left George one of the pastiies he had bought for the journey home and when Peregrine came back in from doing his bit on stage, he managed to get at that one too, while he was being tended to. And a packet of Polos had gone missing!
Now, I thought horses were vegetarian?

This was Saturday, the last day of the show. I wouldn't like to be the one to open the horsebox after his journey back to London!
Z xx

Wicker Wednesday 8

Probably the smallest piece of wicker in the world!

I am having heaps of aggro trying to move these pictures around today! I've lost my text 3 times already, so I'm calling it a day, before I hurl the laptop across the room in sheer deperation!
Z xx

Wicker Wednesday 7

The Action Men perform Alan Whicker Tribute Dance at Mondo-A-Go-Go

Laugh? I nearly peed my pants when I found this clip!! There is another, clearer version on YouTube, of them performing at Vintage@Goodwood too. (Can never have too much of a good thing, can you?)

And here are the wicker items. A collection of prop birdcages.

Birdcages always make me think of one of the first bloggers I met, Annie @Birdcages and Butterflies. She hasn't posted in months. I have sent emails to see how she is but haven't heard from her. I believe she may use Facebook, but if anyone out there knows her, send her my love and I hope all is okay!

I'm quite all of a dither this evening! I had an osteopath appointment in Birmingham today; I haven't managed to get there for my last 2 visits. So that was good. But, even better, I had organised to meet up with the wonderful Vix. What a joy! Thanks for making the journey into town Vix. I felt very honoured...she gave up one of her beloved car boots to meet me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took a couple of vintage hats over for her, (as seen here! Boy, you posted quick, Vix!). She very kindly brought me a vintage, ready-printed pattern to cut out, to make a heffalump. She had taken on board this guest post of Mr Bs'. It is sooo cute and will be photographed and be downloaded to the blog asap. Well, in the next month!
Z xx

Wicker Wednesday 6

One thing I should think Alan Whicker would never do would be to run late!

But, in my mind, technically at least, I haven't yet gone to bed, so it is still Wednesday!

Wicker Wednesday 5

Rene enjoying our Indian Summer weather.

Wicker Wednesday 4

Wicker Wednesday 3

A proper theatrical skip! I was going to call it a hamper...but have been 'advised' that hampers are for picnics!!

Never heard of anyone being born backstage in a theatrical skip though. In films it's always a hamper!

Enjoy your weekly dose of Mr Whicker!

Z xx

Wicker Wednesday 2

A woven wicker shoe in Birmingham City Centre.

One of the exhibits in the Floral Trail.

This was taken as an OOTD photo, ooo, in July I think!
It also features another wicker display...

Sadly, during the riots, it appears that the lippy and mascara wand were ripped off. (Probably used to try and break the windows of either a sportswear or mobile phone shop, I guess!)

And, just for a giggle...

Many thanks for your kind words on my previous post. Stuff happened, as it does, but I think I'm getting all ship-shape again!

Z xx

Wicker Wednesday

Gotcha!

During a very wet spell, on Saturday afternoon, we travelled back home in Mr Cabbies cab, a 7-seater minibus!, with this beauty...

...a Tea for Two set.

I first saw one of these years ago in Southsea. We fell in love with it, but times woz 'ard and so it passed by, with us promising ourselves 'one day, one day'. That day turned out to be last Saturday. Hurrah! It is just one of those items that fits into our small flat; no awkward manoeuvres to get it through the porch, or over the neighbours' back garden fence, (which we had to do with the piano!!). Perfik!

This is one item that actually hasn't found its way to chez Pennyblossoms! (And has since been sold).

The original glass top over a padded fabric 'comforter' and underneath a rather ugly set of drawers but with the most amazing metal curtain track fitted to the edge of the kidney shape. Now, I've never seen one with a proper track like that before. It was so cute. I'm lucky, I have one of those 'Louis-style' dressing tables with a triple mirror, which Mr B found in Chapel Street in Islington. It is my second fave piece of furniture, the first being a deco sideboard with the most amazing 'tiger stripe' veneer. Again, another hulking great big piece of furniture!

Days is open 7 days a week. 9:30 until 7pm Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 6pm Saturday and 10:00 to 4:00 on Sunday. The Pink Cafe shuts around an hour earlier.
A Day Recycling Group Re-use Centre
1 St Peters Way
Off Tanner Street
Northampton
NN1 1SY
Z xx