200 Posts AND a Blog Birthday ... Update the second ... with photos at last!

... As promised, my 200th post and my 2nd Blog Birthday coincide ... and as promised there will be 2 giveaways ... the only problem is I don't know what they'll be as yet.


NB: I know what they are now ... photos at the end of the post!

Having just got back from our 36-hour (one night = one week don't forget) holiday I really don't have the energy to put together the giveaways this evening. However ... having bought lots of wonderful goodies at Donna's sale, and then done a whistle-stop round Devon tour of antiques shops etc, the contents of the car are now spread out over the sitting room floor waiting to be looked at. One or two little bits might just find their way into the goody bags ... along with some of the contents of my shed and/or Dairy House.

The grand plan is that the winners (2 celebrations, so 2 giveaways) will be chosen next Sunday evening, 14 September. This will give me a chance to put things together - hopefully on Monday - and still give you all a chance to leave a comment. I'll update THIS post with photos and information on Monday. So do check back to this post to see what's happening!

Meantime, just so you know - we did have rain on our "grand tour" but we also had some wonderful sunshine. I took plenty of photos and will do a separate "holiday-related" post, possibly tomorrow.

First update!

I had hoped to give you photos of the giveaways today but I'm afraid I got sidetracked and have spent most of the day trying to sort 'stuff' in the shed - mainly so that I could find something nice for you, but it suddenly became a marathon task of adding shelves, emptying bags of fabric, banging my head on baskets hanging down from the ceiling and generally finding all sorts of things I'd forgotten I had. Now, tell me, if I put some bundles of lace together (I've just found a huge basketful that I bought at Shepton and haven't sorted) will you be happy to receive it in 'as is' condition? It'll need laundering but I just haven't the time to do that as well as sort it!! And secondly, I realise that most of the goodies I'm putting together are fabric and lace and sewing-related. Will that put you off? I'm thinking it won't but I wanted to be sure!

Hopefully there won't be too many updates before I manage to add piccies but I might have to extend the end date beyond Sunday!!!! As my Mum always said to me when I couldn't wait for something to happen ... "There's joy in anticipation, Susan!" She might say that ... I couldn't possibly comment. Hope you'll all be patient enough to enjoy the anticipation!! Rather you than me!


Second Update!


First let me show you why it wasn't a simple job choosing, and why I HAD to sort out the shed before being able to concentrate on the task in hand. Isn't it a mess! One day it is going to be so organised that I shall be able to invite buyers to my shed/shop rather than simply offer items on the website. Please don't hold your breath though, as I don't have much time to sort at the moment!! As I may have mentioned before, I don't really need to ever buy another thing!

I've had fun doing this, so hope you'll be pleased with them ...

One giveaway is vaguely red themed as I initially suggested it might be (and green, which I didn't plan).

The other is vaguely pink and blue.

We'll stick with a closing date of Sunday 14 September and I'll ask Pauley to pick the 2 winners in the evening after our day at Dairy House. If you desperately don't want to be included in one particular coloured theme say so in your post, otherwise it'll be totally random.

Good luck, and don't forget to leave a comment if you want to be in with a chance of winning one of the parcels. If you sign in as 'anonymous' do make sure you leave your name at the end of the post.

Make Weight Post

Nothing much to say this morning other than to state the obvious ... rain, low grey cloud ... and plenty of wind!! I've just looked at one of the many internet weather forecasts and see that the next 36 hours in Devon barely changes but for the fact that Exeter could have a thunderstorm! To be honest, once we get east of Exeter on the homeward run tomorrow afternoon we do have a chance of sun, so Pauley will be able to play on a beach somewhere (if you read yesterday's post you'll understand)!!

The title of this post popped into my head and reminded me of the boxes of chocolates when I was a child - when there would be a couple of small lumps of chocolate added as "make weights" to ensure that a half-pound box of chocs actually contained 8 ounces of choccie. I don't suppose that happens these days where everything is so accurately measured, remeasured, tested and thrown out if it doesn't do exactly as it says on the box. Can anyone tell me otherwise?

Hence the title. I need post 200 to be posted tomorrow, having told you that's when it would be, so post 199 is basically a lot of waffle to make up the weight/numbers.

Hope you have a sunny weekend where you are ...

A Chilly Day at the Seaside!

Last week Pauley and I popped off to Crewkerne to view an auction and then went on the extra half-hour to spend some time looking at the sea at Burton Bradstock. At least that was the idea the night before. So off we set armed with plenty of jumpers and coats "just in case" and whilst we were in Crewkerne all was fine. It wasn't until we were nearly at the sea that the wind blew, and blew, and blew again ... and it didn't feel far off gale force by the time we got out of the car at Burton Bradstock.

Pauley doesn't do seaside very well, and he definitely doesn't do blowy seaside, especially when The Hive Café down by the beach was so busy that we had to sit outside and hang on to our sandwiches with salad garnish. Quite a few lettuce leaves disappeared ... normally I wouldn't suggest chips and sarnies (although a chip butty wouldn't go amiss) but they were a token gesture for some internal warmth.

And here are the lovely pieces of seaweed I collected after lunch, just as they were deposited by the tide ... Needless to say I had a lovely time but Pauley was back in the car 'enjoying' the view safe from the gale.

Whenever I put Pauley through this personal hell I have to take a photo to prove to Hannah that he did actually stand on the beach. Here he is struggling to pretend to have a lovely time ...

reminiscent of this piece of toile ... can you see the likeness????

And here is Chesil Beach, usually a gorgeous view from this particular point, but not on this day. Rather sums up the day!!

We're doing it all again tomorrow which should be hilarious. First of all we're going to Donna's sale (Donna knows Pauley enjoys fabric sales nearly as much as he enjoys a day at the seaside!!), and then I plan to smell the sea before we wander across Devon and stay in the middle of Dartmoor for one night before meandering along the coastal route back to Somerset and home. As you can imagine Pauley is really looking forward to this 'holiday'. I think I shall pack hot water bottles, extra jumpers and coats, scarves, hats, gloves so that he doesn't freeze!!!! Me? I'll probably wear a T-shirt!

This, folks, will forthwith be known as our annual holiday. One night away = one week. I think I've mentioned this before. Looked at in this way it's amazing how much relaxation you can cram in. I doubt if we'll manage a fortnight (ie 2 nights away) this year, but if we do I'll be sure to tell you about it!!

I realise I need to squash in another post before my 200th, so if I think of anything else to tell you later I'll do so.

Post Flea Post ...

I promise I didn't do a raindance, but the Heavens opened just as they opened the gates for everyone to come in and buy! I think most of the outside stallholders had managed to set up before the rain and plenty of gazebo-type structures were in evidence, so most had come prepared for foul weather!

I unloaded the car and just left everything on my pitch so that I could hurry out and buy from one particular dealer who I always see as early as possible. I collected up a good pile of lace and fabric and got back in time set up before too many people came in. I wasn't particularly pleased with the way my stall looked but it didn't seem to hamper sales and it was generally a good day.

I chatted to quite a few blogger friends and people who have found me through Dairy House, and I slipped up by giving some the wrong date for the next DMG 3-day Fair. Just in case you happen to be reading this, my profuse apologies. The date for the next DMG Fair at Shepton is 19-21 September and not 12-14 as I said. I'm sure someone told me the latter date which is why I was passing it on! Woops!

My thanks to Niki and Debbie for holding the fort while I ran away from my duties for 10 minutes, and it was good to see Frances, too. I have a mental block today and can't remember the name of the lovely blogger and her mum who came to see me again. I think you were one of the customers I gave the wrong date! I saw a couple of other bloggers in the distance and of course several of the DH dealers were there, either selling or buying ... or both!


I think this has brought me up to post 197 or maybe 198, so the 200th blog giveaway should be here in the next few days, depending on whether or not I have anything to write about (when has that ever stopped me?) and what I manage to put together for you. I've just checked back to see when my first post was and it would appear that I manage an average of 100 posts a year. So ... my 2nd blog birthday and 200th post will coincide, which should create a really good birthday bash! The date is 6 September, but I may not be able to publish the post until the evening. I'll combine the posts but I think we should have a double giveaway, don't you? I suggested a while ago that there might be a red theme. I'll do that for one and the other one will be "to be decided" ... Exciting, isn't it!!!

I'm also wondering whether it's time to change my blog template. So, don't be alarmed if the Vintage to Victorian pages go through several changes over the next few days. Normal service will be resumed as soon as I've made a decision. Who knows, I might end up using the maxim of "if it ain't broke, don't mend it". Time will tell! Any suggestions gratefully received!

Shepton Flea Time Again ...

Just a quick reminder for those of you who like to attend the Giant Flea Market at Shepton Mallet ... Sunday 31 August is the day ... 9.30 am until 4.00 pm.

I've spent the morning loading up the car in readiness as of course I spend Saturdays at Dairy House, leaving today as the only time available.

The lovely Chil-Daw mannequin I showed you a couple of posts ago sold at DH last weekend so I'm rather pleased about that. This week the landlord's painter/handyman has been painting the outside of the building, and the boyfriend of one of our dealers has been doing some inside decorating for me. We'll soon be in a fit state to be photographed externally!! But best of all we have exceeded all expectations with sales and despite still having a couple of days to go, this has been a record August in the 10-year lifetime of Dairy House Antiques. What fun!

Look forward to seeing some of you on Sunday! Not too sure about the weather but will not be doing a raindance this time - it's not fair on the outside stallholders really, is it!!!!!

Esau Wood Saw a Saw Saw Wood ...

... as no other wood-saw would saw wood!

Did anyone else grow up reciting that verse/tongue twister, I wonder? (Actually, if you google Esau Wood you'll get the complete thing on wikepedia)

Those of you who have read this month's Welcome page of the Vintage to Victorian website or have received the Newsletter will know that as well as my passion for linens and textiles I also love wood, and especially woodworking tools. The first photo below shows one of the boxes of old wood planes (and other tools) I bought the other day. Most are late 19th Century although I think there may be a couple from the late 18th/early 19th, and probably a few which date up to the 1930s.

As you can see they look rather dirty and dusty and not particularly attractive. So, because the wind and rain today prevented me from painting a pot rack and plate rack destined for Dairy House, I decided to attack the planes with fine grade wire wool, elbow grease, a little Brasso, some sweet-smelling natural polish and a duster ... and here, for your delectation are the fruits of my labours. It took most of the day, on and off, to clean up 8 planes and a saw-wrest.

But I think you'll agree it was worth it. They look so much nicer now, and I love the feel of smooth polished wood. Whilst I rubbed off the dirt and grime with the wire wool I made sure that I didn't destroy the patina and am really pleased with the results. To think men were using these tools over a hundred years ago and they can still look this good (the tools of course, not the men!) just shows the pride with which they looked after their craftsmen's tools. They say "a bad workman always blames his tools" ... but a good workman always takes good care of his. Most of the planes have the names of previous owners stamped on them, and a couple have the names of the manufacturers. Two planes were made or owned by Jos Hubert of Jersey and a Google search showed him as a cabinet maker in the 1841 Census. These two are of slightly better quality than the others and it was a treat to find out that he was obviously a brilliant woodworker.

The rest will have to wait a while as painting and sorting textiles are next on the agenda this week but it made such a nice change to do something like this today. It was quite tiring but I shall sleep well tonight!!

Another purchase last week was this Chil-daw mannequin. She's in very good condition with just a flaw/pulled thread/not quite a hole on the front and is currently on display at Dairy House with a price tag of £149. I had hoped to add her to Vintage to Victorian but haven't done so yet. If anyone 'needs' her please let me know!

Dairy House in print ...

The Antiquexplorer magazine for the West Country is published at the beginning of every month and always features a particular aspect of the antique world. Sometimes the feature relates to ceramics, or maybe glass, or perhaps furniture. This month the Antiquexplorer features fashion and textiles. The Rag Market was well advertised, and most of the textile dealers who attended and who are linked to the West Country Talent for Textiles fairs took out an advertisement.

I've known Karyn, the editor, for several years, and she has been waiting for an opportunity to offer me some appropriate editorial space to let people know that Dairy House Antiques is under new management, and what better opportunity than the August issue. Naturally I took some advertising space, too, and ended up with a one-quarter page ad which Karyn arranged using photos she took when she visited DH a couple of weeks ago. I'm absolutely thrilled with the ad, and as for the editorial text ... well, if that doesn't bring people in I don't know what will. Another super photo and a write-up to be proud of (apart from the incorrect spelling of my surname!). Soooo exciting, and I felt so proud when I read it. If you click on the photos to enlarge them you'll be able to read the text, but the scans are quite grainy.

Also this week I received the complimentary copy of The Country Living Guide to Rural England: the West Country. I wasn't sure about this one because the cost of the ad was astronomic, but in for a penny and in for several hundred pounds ... and once again, I'm thrilled. No photo as the book is at Dairy House rather than here at home. I did the write-up for this one and am quite pleased with how it reads.

Did I tell you we also got in "The Back Page" of the Antiques Trade Gazette - a weekly newspaper for antique dealers - at the beginning of July? That was another super article, complete with photo. I think the advertising is beginning to pay off. We have been so busy at DH over the last couple of weeks, with far more people than usual steppping over the threshhold, many of whom have not visited before. In fact, yesterday a lady arrived just as we were about to close, saying she'd made a detour especially to see us. She was travelling from Derby to stay with a friend in Salisbury and they will probably come again sometime during the week. Each month we wonder how sales will compare with 2007, and so far each month has exceeded last year's sales. Let's hope the trend continues, but I certainly won't be complacent.

Where the time has gone I just don't know. I've been the new owner of Dairy House Antiques for one third of a year already ... and I'm loving every minute of it!

I did wonder whether we should have a blogger's day at DH one Sunday, but I don't think I can organise it just yet. That might have to wait until the first anniversary, by which time I might have made the kitchen and loo fit for visitors!!! Having been dominated by male antique dealers for several years neither is particularly pleasant at this moment in time, and certainly not suitable for gentille bloggers! "Adequate" is probably the appropriate word for them, but a few more months should see them gleaming and far more 'user friendly'!!

On that happy note ... have a good week!

Home again, home again, Jiggety jig ...

No photos of my little corner today, but as you can see from these photos, it was more or less a free-for-all, so attractive displays weren't really the order of the day. I dont think she is in the photo, but at the far end of the hall the stage is the regular spot for Liz van Hasselt at all the textile fairs at Honiton, this one being no exception.


There were over 20 of us with pitches, and the morning brought what seemed like hundreds of people in with their sou'westers and umbrellas, but by late morning the sun came streaming through the doors and windows and even more holiday-makers and Honiton residents came in.

I think we all had a good day and the plan is to hold further Rag Markets. However, I think it has been agreed that perhaps 2 per year is the maximum - possibly February/March and then again in August. There were certainly enough people around today to make us think that August is a good time for such an event.

That's Linda Clift waving to me across the hall. Her website is listed in my sidebar. She sells amazing quilts and her knowledge knows no bounds.

I now plan to sit and do very little for the rest of the evening having had to set my alarm for 5.30 this morning!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, one and all.

Rag Market Reminder ...

Just a quick post to remind you that the "Rag Market" is taking place at Honiton this coming Saturday ...

A RAG MARKET
A MUST FOR DESIGNERS, QUILTERS AND NEEDLEWOMEN

Bargains, Studio and Workshop Clearance
Old, Vintage and Modern Fabrics,Haberdashery, Fashion Items, Linens andPatchworks

A Date Not to be Missed for Any Creative Person.

Treasures From the Trunks of Our West Country Textile Dealers and Artists

SATURDAY 2nd AUGUST 2008
MACKARNESS HALL, HONITON DEVON
10am to 4pm

HYSON FAIRS Ltd
Tel: 01647 231459 Fax: 01647 231659 email shyson@freenetname.co.uk

Hope to see you there!

An Award ...

How exciting - Claire at serendipitylovesnewyork has very kindly given me this award. It's great to think people still read my blog even when I sometimes don't (or can't) add photos and there's just a load of text to plough through!

So thank you, Claire! I'll list my 7 award winners at the end of this post. Two posts in one day - you see I'm trying to get to that magic 200 so that Kelly can enter the giveaway as soon as possible!

There have been some wonderful clouds this evening with glittering edges - or silver linings - whichever you prefer. I raced upstairs to pick up my camera and needless to say the battery was flat! I'd left it plugged into the computer when I uploaded some photos earlier! Doh! Just when you see cloud formations you know you won't see again and you've lost your chance! Aaaargh! Serves me right. I forget to unplug the camera more often than not.

Now, 7 brilliant blogs. I've added quite a few just recently to my list of regulars to visit. These aren't all listed on the sidebar, but are providing me with an ever-growing favourites list. The latest ones are 'filed' under 'blogs - special new ones' so that I can find them quickly and read through all their posts in order to get to know them. There are also a few 'old faithfuls' who I check on every day to see if they've added any new posts. Inadvertently, they've become quite special to me.

In no particular order, the 7 are:

Tree Fall

Cupcakes at Home

Funky Monkey

Time Worn Style

The Life and Times of This Old Git

Pipany & the Poltisko Memoirs

Sea-Angels

Home Again ...

and feeling much better ... !!!!

I, on the other hand, am now trying to pull away from junctions in 5th gear having been driving an automatic for the last 2½ weeks! I managed not to stall the engine, thankfully!

Over or Under ...

... According to my sidebar I've already written 221 posts which means I've missed my double century. However, the Dashboard states I've written 188. Which one's right do you suppose?

If the sidebar is right then we've missed a giveaway, so we'll go by the Dashboard number and I'll get ready a giveaway parcel to celebrate 200 posts when that magic number is achieved on the Dashboard.

Thanks indeed to Niki for a glorious advertisement for Dairy House with some super photos. I have to admit that it's tiring travelling over there 4 days a week (60-mile round trip), but the buzz is worth it. I'm loving it!

Now ... what shall I put in the giveaway I wonder ... any suggestions? ... I rather fancy a red theme ... and how long is it going to take me to do another 12 posts.

In the News ...

... How exciting! I had a phone call at Dairy House today around lunchtime from a lady who said she'd seen us in the paper ... ??? ... and had we got a mirror like the one shown. Ummmmm ... what paper? What mirror? Turns out we're mentioned on page 61 of the Mail on Sunday in Lowri Turner's article about a couple whose house has been partly furnished from Dairy House Antiques. It gave our phone number and the website, so I'm thrilled. Any unexpected mentions are great, especially when they're in a national newspaper!

Yesterday one of our regular customers phoned to see if we did Gift Vouchers ... we do now! I promised I'd take something in today for her. I spent most of last evening at the computer designing it and have to say it's turned out rather well. She came in to collect it this morning and was delighted with it. It's for a friend's 40th birthday and a group of them had clubbed together to give her a substantial amount. She is apparently another of our regular customers who I shall no doubt recognise when she comes in to spend her gift. So, Dairy House Antiques now offers Gift Vouchers. We have so many regular customers who often say 'if my husband/daughter/anyone asks I'd like that ...'

And finally we had our first blogger visitor today - Niki and her husband came over this morning and had a good wander round and a chat and a cuppa, did a little shopping and generally seemed to like it!

While there's still a moon to photograph, here's this evening's contribution, taken over a 5-minute period. It's moved 2 houses down from where it was in the previous posts! There was one more, taken about 10 minutes later which Blogger has no intention of letting me post. I expect you've had enough of black photos now though, so I think this will do for this month's full and now waning moon! Colour, hopefully, in the next photos I post!

After what's been a hectic week I think I'm actually at home all day tomorrow. What a novelty!

Spooky!

I See the Moon ...

At first glance the first 5 all look the same, but the clouds were moving quite quickly, and if you click on pics 3 and 4 you'll also see a star. I expect it has a name, but I'm afraid I don't know it! Clever hubby has just told me it's Venus! The other 4 photos were taken about 5 minutes later.

A Sunny Flea ... (and an apology)

Well, what a sunny day it turned out to be for the extra Giant Flea Market organised for yesterday at Shepton Mallet. I had my usual inside pitch of course, but plenty of people came in because it was, at times, almost too hot outside!

It turned out to be a good day of selling for me, too, which was exceedingly nice! None of us were sure what the turnout would be - July can be notoriously bad and the fact that this date wasn't on the Flea calendar so to speak was a tad worrying - but I think most dealers were happy.

I spent, of course! I managed to nip outside after unloading the car but before setting up my pitch as I knew I'd have 20 minutes or so to do the equivalent of 'Supermarket Sweep' round some of the outside pitches. I managed to find the dealers I was looking for almost immediately, and within minutes was writing out a (far too) large cheque and hoping that I'd sell something to compensate for my rashness!!! Consequently I didn't venture further afield but dragged my dustbin sack full of lace, baby/toddler dresses/shoes back to my stand and hid it under the table so I could pretend I hadn't just done that! A few hours later I managed to whizz outside again for 10 minutes, went straight back to the new owner of my money and did it again, giving her cash this time. Heyho ... a dealer's life is a nerve-racking/exhausting/up-and-down/above-all-the-greatest-fun existence and I wouldn't want to swap it for the world!

As you know, a couple of Bloggers are regulars at the Flea but there was a good turnout of both Bloggers and Blog readers yesterday. First of all there was Lucy Bloom, then Maggie, then 2 lovely ladies who saw the Dairy House flyers and said they've recently found my blog. It was their first visit to the Flea and they were having a wonderful time - thanks for your purchases, ladies! Then Niki and her friend Debbie came by, then Frances of A Little Bit Vintage and finally Clare. Most of my regular customers came as well, so it was a very sociable day. Donna was due to come but no-one saw her, so we're not sure what happened to her. Donna, I'll email you! Update - profuse apology! I realise I missed Kelly off the list of people I saw yesterday. So sorry Kelly!!!

Needless to say I had no time for photos, and need to unload the car before I can take any today.

Have a jolly week, and I'll hope to add photos next time!

Giant Flea and A Rag Market ... and a Dairy House update

Sue Ede has managed to secure this coming Sunday, 13 July, for an extra Giant Flea Market at Shepton Mallet. The weather doesn't sound too promising, but those of us inside should benefit (and no Niki, no raindance!). There has been nothing at Shepton since the middle of May so I'm sure all our regular shoppers must be suffering from withdrawal symptoms and will be on the look-out for a bargain.

In view of the small hire car I'm using (see previous post) I won't be able to take the mountains of stock I usually manage to squash in the car, so I've decided to take as much 'SALE' stock as possible - kitchenalia pieces at £1.00 each, damask table cloths at £5.00, and other linen and textiles priced between £1.00 and £5.00.

I shall also be taking a few cross-stitch kits and threads, lace, buttons, Christening and baby gowns, eiderdowns and quilts at normal prices just in case anyone feels the need to spend some serious money!!

There's an interesting 'Fair' coming up at the beginning of August in HONITON. If you can make your way there I think you'll find it was worth the trip. I've not done one of these RAG MARKETS before but I'm told they're great fun and a good opportunity to clear out our stores and workrooms etc. This is an ideal place for teachers and those who use oddments of fabric etc in their work to replenish their stocks. Prices will be low and you are likely to find bundles and bags of goodies for just a couple of pounds. One dealer told me that at the last one the highest price she had on anything was £5.00, so there will be plenty of bargains to be had.

A RAG
MARKET

A MUST FOR DESIGNERS, QUILTERS AND
NEEDLEWOMEN

Bargains, Studio and Workshop Clearance
Old, Vintage and Modern Fabrics,
Haberdashery, Fashion Items, Linens and
Patchworks

A Date Not to be Missed for Any Creative Person.

Treasures From the Trunks of Our
West Country Textile Dealers and Artists

SATURDAY 2nd AUGUST 2008
MACKARNESS HALL, HONITON
DEVON

10am to 4pm

HYSON FAIRS Ltd
Tel: 01647 231 459 Fax: 01647 231 659
email shyson@freenetname.co.uk

Dairy House Antiques update: I was thrilled that my article about Dairy House Antiques was in last week's copy of the Antiques Trade Gazette (the trade 'bible'). There was a great photo and the text read well. I was even more delighted when we had a visit yesterday afternoon from a dealer who lives near Salisbury who came after reading the article. She hadn't known of our existence but left with several items, and will be returning regularly. I can't believe it's 3 months since I took over. Those 3 months have been a success, with sales each month well in excess of last year which, in view of the current economic climate, is very encouraging. The Dairy House website now has a steady stream of visitors, and a number of new contacts have been made because of it. I've now added a gallery page showing photos taken throughout the building. If you haven't seen it do have a look if you have a minute or 2 to spare.

Bumper to Bumper ...

... So I didn't quite get to Dairy House on time this morning ...

Road junction ... start to move off ... car storming along just comes into view ... jam on brakes ... crunch/bang/shunt ... ... sad bumper and bent rear, smashed light and front bumper of the car behind who thought I'd gone ... woops-a-daisy ... Irritating but not the end of the word as no-one was hurt and we all live to see another day. One just has to be philosophical at time like this, but it does help if you know it wasn't your fault and your No Claims and insurance premium won't be affected.

Luckily we are both Somertonians, both insured with Direct Line who were on the case immediately, and a hire car was delivered to me by 12.00 noon which meant I was able to get over to DH and do the rest of the day. My poorly car will be collected on Monday morning and hopefully I'll see it again soon. Meanwhile I'm driving an automatic (haven't driven one for about 35 years so it seemed a tad strange initially, but quite nice once I'd got used to it).

So, what a weekend it's turning out to be. First the bees swarming and now this. Daren't contemplate what tomorrow will bring!

Hope yours is a more pleasant, calmer and more relaxed weekend!

Buzzy Bees ... Updated ...

About ¾ hour ago I climbed over the fence between Mum's garden and ours to collect the sacks of garden rubbish she had filled and put in her greenhouse. The plan was to bring back the 3 bags and take them to the tip, but as I collected the second bag I heard far too much buzzing for a solitary bee or wasp and decided against going back for the third one. Hovering about 15 feet over the garden on the other side of Mum's were thousands of bees buzzing for all they were worth and obviously looking for somewhere to swarm. And this is where they chose ...

Having looked up Somerset Beekeepers to see what should be done, I find that this is apparently the transition stage where they regroup before going off to find a new home - somewhere dark such as under roof tiles or in chimneys. Please bees, not our chimney or our roof. Somewhere else would be much nicer for you, honest!


According to the website they stay in this transition place for anything from 5 to 25 minutes-ish (but they're still there at the moment) ... but they have changed from 2 swarms to one. It said they would split into 2 or 3, so I'm not sure what's going to happen next. But this is how they looked when I started to write this post.



So, until they've located their new home we're sweltering indoors with all the windows shut, so that they don't take up squatters' rights and evict us!

Update: What I didn't say was that this tree is in Mum's garden, which meant she couldn't do her usual afternoon's gardening. They're not dangerous when they're homeless (according to the website information mentioned above) but they are just a little too close for comfort! It's almost 6 o'clock and they're still in situ and look as if they're settled for the night. Hmmm!

Update 2: So, it's not what you know, it's who you know ... I was catching up with Liz earlier to see how she'd got on at Dairy House yesterday while we were at a wedding, and she said the girl who works for her keeps bees. Anyway, Paula phoned me with the number of a beekeeper in Somerton who lives just round the corner, and has just been to collect them ... in the rain ... at 8.30 this evening. This is how they do it ...

Apologies for the blurred photos - it was raining and he was moving all the time. What a nice man!! Although he says some were so snuggled up in the pines that he couldn't get them all. He thinks they'll just disperse over the next day or so. Hope so. He was impressed with the size of the swarm and it was much bigger than he was expecting. With luck they'll provide him with plenty of honey. If you enlarge the photos you should be able to see them buzzing round the box. Amazing. He showed me his gloves covered in stings when he'd finished. Me? I'm itching like mad now ... well, wouldn't you?!!!