Why do things conspire against me? oh......and a lovely day

My very good intentions at the beginning of December to post more regularly were scuppered almost immediately by my internet provider who promptly cut me off from webland. Now it is true that living in the sticks does mean that our internet connection is somewhat hit and miss but it has taken a month to get any sort of solution. Fingers crossed that it remains!
I have thoroughly missed reading all your lovely blogs about the run up to Christmas and the ensuing festivities, not to mention the New Year goings-on. I shall try to catch up with my blogland reading and apologies to all for my absence.
Anyway a New Year and with that comes another year to be added to my old body. Yes I celebrated a birthday yesterday and had a really lovely day.After a leisurely cup of green tea in bed(one of my New year Resolutions, the tea that is, not the "in bed" bit)I opened my cards and presents.


One was a gorgeous ruby coloured Laura Ashley lambswool scarf which considering the snow was most appropriate and made me feel quite cheery too. I usually pick quite drab colours for myself so was surprised how perky it made me feel as I was whisked into the car for a mystery drive by hubby. Our first port of call was the Hemswell Antiques Centre which consists of several large buildings full of individual sellers' pieces of every description.I love looking around such establishments and though most things are way out of my price range, I enjoy looking at them and touching them, imagining what their history has been and how they have ended up here.There was so much to feast the eyes on that two hours later we had only viewed two of the many buildings and we realised how cold we had become! After a warming bowl of home-made soup and a small purchase which I shall save for another post our journey continued and I found myself in Horncastle. This is another renowned place for what my husband calls junk shops. Horncastle would say they were a centre for antiques I think but there is actually a huge mix. One shop in particular, is just heaving with so much stuff it is just impossible to get to see properly what is there. Pile upon pile of miscellaneous items, mostly dust encrusted sit waiting to be chosen. There is a huge variety of china and crockery which spills out into the shop's backyard where it sits on old trestle tables and wet cardboard boxes completely open to the elements!How was it that I forgot my camera.... what sort of blogger does that.....? After much browsing I made my choice.......



I have been wanting to collect a set of miscellaneous china cups and saucers to serve posh puddings in, sorbets, chocolate mousse, that sort of thing. The shape of these is perfect and I love the colours. There were five and for the princely sum of £2. How happy can a girl be?! I look forward to returning another day to find some more different designs so that I can mix and match them.Hope you like them too.