Downsizing and things... September 2017

There are few things, I have decided, that create more introspection, re-evaluation and discomfort, than going through the process of 'downsizing'. (I really dislike the word but...) On top of moving out of one's current property and into another, as yet minimally, known one, the whole package threatens complete undermining of the Self. Whilst being (dimly?!) aware there are other aspects to life, the complete package inherent in removing oneself and household to a smaller abode, for the first time, after a number of years being settled, takes over every waking hour, for as long as the process lasts.....and it seems interminable....

Having said all that, here I am at my Mac, writing a blog post for the first time in months. I have part-written another one but I don't identify with what I have written now and so, it probably won't ever get published. I enjoy writing and am becoming rather frustrated with 'writing inside my head', which I do a lot - and then forget what I have 'written'. However, today's little indulgence is going to, possibly, be very short-lived as I have to get to grips with the four five usual categories:

To throw away
To recycle
To take to the rubbish tip
To take to a charity shop
Undecided !!!???

This last is increasingly untenable because time is passing and moving day is getting ever closer (even though at the time of writing we have no dates whatsoever - it could be as soon as three weeks.)

“Just because something belongs to you doesn't mean you should keep it for the rest of your life. Things are meant to be transitory.” 
― Susan Wright

Food for thought....and probably true...so, time is marching, as usual and I must get on. First stop: the bedroom that never was, alias the 'downstairs loft space' 😬 


I wrote this hours ago...One of the things that has been occupying my mind has been how to re-home furniture we can't take with us. Two pine items have found happy homes and I am just waiting for someone to say they can take a big chunk of the rest - with fingers crossed. The other suite, as it were, which I still like but we won't have room for, is staying with the house, which is another happy outcome.

On a connected note, the book I ordered about Ercol furniture turned up today and I enjoyed a brief look through it whilst having a cup of tea. It's very interesting and informative and I look forward to the time when I can read, at least bits of it.

Having studied post WW2 domestic interiors for several years and then stopped at the end of my research period, I have missed that input into my thinking. We do have some Ercol furniture here, some dining chairs, which belonged to my parents and a suite of 2 armchairs and a 2-seater settee, which we bought second hand; this latter needs renovating and hopefully we will get round to it. All 3 pieces need re-webbing but it isn't as straight-forward as it might seem and it's necessary to find the right model and then work out the webbing plan for it.

                                         

All Purpose Windsor Chair

Bow Top Armchair

Evergreen Armchair

I hanker after some more pieces of Ercol, especially an occasional table to replace an IKEA one we currently have. Our sitting room/dining room furniture is a mixture of IKEA sofas and Danish cupboards, table, etc. and Ercol works well with both.

We don't need to be clearing out to find spiders at this time of year, particularly - the kind with long, spindly legs...

...this kind..We have hundreds of them - or it feels like it - all different sizes. I hate to kill anything but these are so difficult to deal with. They are so easily squashed..poor things. Maybe that is the reason there are so many - to make up for the fact that they so easily meet their demise...

For once, the weekend when the family has visited us has been not only fine but sunny, as well. It gave lots of opportunities for going outside to play....

A trip to the local farm shop....

Some fruit-picking (but the pears....to few and too high up and probably, not ready)...

..but including some lovely, juicy plums, this year...

..A bit of help with sorting what felt like hundreds of gardening pots and reduction to a sensible few.

But...all good things come to an end, so, beds and cot stripped, much washing of bedlinen..

Removal of the stair gate that has been in place for something like 4 years.

And obviously...on with the sorting/packing...

There has been very little time to make anything and I forgot to take a photo of the one thing I did finish - a pair of sparkly leg warmers for older granddaughter to go ice-skating in. I did, however, go to the Knitting and Crochet Guild (Swindon Branch) meeting at Three Trees Farm Shop cafe. There were 5 of us there, all making something but I forgot to take a photo this time, too. However, I was given a lovely knitting storage set and a card 😍

All the bags are handmade and will remind me of Jenny, who made them, as well as the other ladies in our little group. The card wishes us comfort in our 'new nest', which I love the idea of and I shall never be without stitch markers again..

Time to finish now, I think.....but almost a fortnight later (!) I have returned and realised that I still haven't posted this...Of such effects is Downsizing responsible for..😟 

More (hopefully) before too long.....

Wonderwool Wales Weekend Trip

This weekend – Friday-Monday, saw us get the motorhome out and go to Builth Wells in mid-Wales. We stayed in the same place as last time, next to the Wye.

I have been to the show lots of times, including far back, when it was combined with a Smallholder show.

This year, I didn't have much I wanted to buy. However, I usually bump into people I know and, over the years, I’ve got to know one or two stand holders and it is good to catch up with them and meet new ones.

We were lucky again this year as, until during Sunday night, it stayed dry and largely sunny. This helps, as it is quite a long way to walk from the campsite to the exhibition halls.

On the Saturday when I turned up, I entered the first hall and was met by a wall of people and it stayed like that until after lunch, when it quite rapidly cleared out and there was lots of room to move around. Judging by the car park, there weren't nearly so many people on the Sunday.

Although it was really chilly walking on the Saturday, particularly, the sun was shining and it was good to see flowers and gardens…

Someone has made this pretty, little space right next to the road....and nearby, 

there was a Hawthorn bush.

On the side of the road, outside the Showground car park there was a clump of Bluebells....

and some Celandines....

so, despite the very cold wind, it definitely felt Spring-like.

The exhibition was nothing if not colourful:

This is Caroline Merrell Felt.... 

...but despite my best efforts with the show guide, I can't work out which stand this colourful one is.

In the final hall, the 'Under the Sea' exhibition held centre stage. This was entirely made of knitting and crochet, made by Alison Murray.

The outside......

....and, the inside

...an amazing feat of construction.

Towards the end of both Saturday and Sunday, I spent some time with Lynn and Vernon Turnbull on the Gwennol stand. Lynn designs and makes beautiful items for children. Gwennol Designer Handknits.

As it turned out, I did meet several friends walking around the event, besides the one I had arrange to meet up with. I also did a couple of workshops of which, more in my other Blog The Ewe Who. A bit of purchasing took place (!) as well and some interesting conversations with a few stand holders and crafts individuals I had met in the past before making my way back - on Sunday, in company with the archaeologist, who had come along to the showground to walk back with me.

Next to the bridge over the River Wye....

...is the Wyeside Arts centre, which at one time, was a cinema. It has interesting windows overlooking the river..

On the Saturday evening, we decided to go out to eat. This was easier said than done. There are few places except noisy pubs and so we ended up in the same place as everyone else, the Indian restaurant, the only place where it seemed possible to have a quiet meal. Just as the archaeologist was being informed that we should return in around an hour, (the little place was packed), we were invited to join Lynn and Vernon at their table and so, we not only were able to eat in a timely fashion but had company as well; a very enjoyable evening.

On Sunday evening, the sunset was particularly spectacular.

Unfortunately, Monday morning turned out to be very wet and so I didn't get to call in at the local wool shop like last year, which I was disappointed about.

We set off, down the 'back' road, along the Wye to Erwood Station Gallery to have a look round and some coffee. I couldn't leave without a pair of earrings I found.....

Whilst we were there, we decided to go home via Brecon and the Heads of the Valley road, a route neither of us had been along for a long time. We were surprised to discover the improvements that had been made on it - that is until we got to Clydach, where the construction work is still in progress (until 2018) - and where we got stuck for a while and marvelled at the work being carried out: what a challenge! We won't be travelling that way again for a while as it is obvious that in high season there could be tremendous hold-ups.

It was good to be back in Wales and we're looking forward to another trip there when we can manage it. It was also good to get out in the motorhome again - despite the below freezing temperatures.