On Saturday Alex and I went to the Vintage Fair at South Molton. My friend Jane emailed me to ask if I had read the article in the local paper and was I going as it was just up my street. I hadn't read the paper by the time I read the email, so on a quick investigation. We said we would have a day out.....yes remember those words 'a day out'. I looked to see if there was a website for South Molton, there was and even a little video too. We had never been there even though it was only an hour away!
Saturday morning lovely and sunny, just right for a drive across the Exmoor. We arrived and parked the car, we could have stayed in the carpark till 10.10am Monday morning if we wished for only £1.10. We went to the Fair first because that is why we went, chatted with Liz and Donna. Then we walked round the town, found somewhere to eat and then went back to the market. We didn't think anything about them packing away about 1.30ish after all it was Saturday and some markets are only on in the morning. Anyway I bought plant for the garden and then we went back to the museum only to see the curator shutting the doors. I questioned this, and the reply was Oh we are very civilised here we close Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Nowhere on the South Molton website says this!!
Saturday morning lovely and sunny, just right for a drive across the Exmoor. We arrived and parked the car, we could have stayed in the carpark till 10.10am Monday morning if we wished for only £1.10. We went to the Fair first because that is why we went, chatted with Liz and Donna. Then we walked round the town, found somewhere to eat and then went back to the market. We didn't think anything about them packing away about 1.30ish after all it was Saturday and some markets are only on in the morning. Anyway I bought plant for the garden and then we went back to the museum only to see the curator shutting the doors. I questioned this, and the reply was Oh we are very civilised here we close Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Nowhere on the South Molton website says this!!
 |
| Liz - Washerwoman stall |
 |
| Donna - Fabric of My Life |
On the way home on a nice sunny Saturday afternoon and especially when we stopped at the traffic lights, have you ever looked around you? There was a few moments just to stop and stare...........
 |
| Top both pictures the traffic lights at Dunster, Somerset bottom a wall at Barnstable and a traffic island |
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
William Henry Davies
We also had a strange time in South Molton once Visiting on a Saturday pm only to find most shops shut! x
ReplyDeleteWorking in retail I would love shops to shut on Saturday afternoon but it's cheeky not to put it on the website. Shame you couldn't have a good look around x
ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise that the shops shut on a Saturday afternoon!! It looks like a lovely fair, I would have enjoyed looking at all those interesting things, Julie! We stayed in Somerset a few years ago and loved Dunster very much, so it was nice to see your pic of it today.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I loved the delicious chocolate, thank you :)
Helen x
Gorgeous stalls :) wish it was more local!
ReplyDeleteBee happy x
And they wonder why the high street is dead. If all the attractions close early why would people bother to go. Who is it civilised for! We visited Dunster many years ago - a very pretty place.
ReplyDeleteJune
Some lovely things on show
ReplyDeleteThose stalls look wonderful and thank you for the poem. I've never read it to the end before, it's lovely.
ReplyDeleteLovely stalls, how strange to shut on a Saturday afternoon! x
ReplyDeleteLove that poem Julie, and how about those parking fees, so cheap. Here in Brighton it is outrageous what they charge in the town.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
A beautiful poem Julie, and how true.
ReplyDeleteI love that poem Julie. I do take the time to stand and stare these days. x
ReplyDeletelove that poem - have mixed views on the shutting on saturday afternoons thing - very civilised and nice for those who work retail, but agree frustrating if you don't know about it. Lovely pictures, definitely somewhere I'd like to visit (but shall make sure not on a saturday or wednesday afternoon!
ReplyDeleteLove that poem!
ReplyDeleteFind it strange that somewhere would shut on a Saturday afternoon as that is the day that many people choose for a 'day out'.
Hope you're having a happy week!
M x
Would you believe that I've never been to vintage fair Julie.........it all looks quite lovely, the poem is quite lovely too.
ReplyDeleteKim xxx
Hello Julie!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a Vintage Fair either (unless a car boot sale counts, teehee) it would be fab.
How kind you are to comment on my blog, I always look forward to your visit. :)
As to the making, well, those funny little bird doodahs I made are something I can completely imagine YOU making, with little pieces of this and that from your boxes here and there. Do have a go, I'd love to see what you come up with. Anyway, must toddle off now, son has an evening job as potwashboy at a hotel, and needs his chauffeur.
love E
xx