Singin' in the Rain at Bookfairs

Simon the gardener has strimmed a large patch of the weedy vegie bed so that I can assemble the new chook shed. One of the things I'm having to get used to on my return from Oz is the variance in terminology. In Oz the strimmer would have been a whipper-snipper. Any variance for USA or other parts of Europe?

Since he did this, it has rained a lot every day so the chook shed is still flat packed and wrapped.
As you can see here it is leaning up against the side of the house helping to block the drive with the pieces of carved sandstone church window that I bought in a local auction. One day these pieces which assemble to make a centuries old quatrefoil window surround will be used to frame a Japanese tranquil area of stones, sand and other inanimate objects that can enhance a garden.
The previous tenants left the soccer goals and they will be taken out onto the green soon, by the local young lads to replace the after school impromptu cricket games up against the giant Horse Chestnut tree.



I had hoped that Simon's exploits with the strimmer would gain me access to the cherry tree but there is still a giant wall of nettles to protect it from me. The birds are now getting the best of them and even though I tried a step ladder, I could not get close enough to grab more than a dozen. It is a prolific fruiter and I will be ready for a more effective onslaught next year. This year the birds can continue to feast.


I spent the day at the Tynemouth Station Bookfair and had a wonderful time. I woke to steady, heavy rain and it continued as I drove north through it for an hour. As I arrived it stopped, then it cleared and stayed fine all day BUT I needed my thick cardi.

I had been promoted to the central section of the Book Fair and enjoyed the "newly arrived customers" rather than the glazed-eyed book shufflers that you get further down the platform of the old station.

I was happily surrounded by familiar faces from Darlington. I bought some Tiffin Family silver plate. I bought books from my neighbours and they bought books from me. I met Richard H and told him I would say hello to Carol for him. He missed her at the Scottish fairs last week and I knitted half of a second sock.



Nothing better than a contained space and a lack of anything else to do, to get you through a second sock. I had aready cast on and all I had to do was knit. I am using the basic 3k,1p rib sock from Hilda . GT was fascinated and so I'm now employed to knit some socks for TT.
Because I was knitting on 4 needles I attracted some attention from other knitters. Carrie-Anne came by and spotted me from behind because of my stand-up and knit behaviour. Another lovely lady wanted to know where I got the sock wool from. Once again I have passed on
Becky's name. She has a stall at the craft market in Darlington and she gets the Lana Grossa sock wool and also put me onto the Wensleydale Longwool Sheep shop.

I must now go and unload the car. No matter how well you do and how many books you think you have sold you always seem to come home with as much as you left with....
Cheers to all
Gillian