The 2nd Olney Vintage & Handmade Fair

On a chilly Saturday morning we set off for Olney in Buckinghamshire to take part in the 2nd Olney Vintage & Handmade Fair organised by Ann & Trevor .... Ann was sadly absent and I missed our catch up chat especially as she has recently acquired some chooks and was patiently waiting for her first egg.

A lovely mix of sellers including some regulars like Sharon of Shabby Polkadots & Clover Cottage and Wend of Ticking Stripes were there and some new faces too and I'm not sure if they are fellow bloggers too ..... put your hand up and give us a shout if you are please !

Starting time was midday and there was a good queue forming with some peeps trying to sneak in early and once the doors opened it was all go.  Word had obviously spread about the event and there was a wonderful buzz in the room .... it's great to see young and old alike coming to these events and thoroughly enjoying themselves.  Deb over at Home Thoughts from Vintage Wants was next to me which did get confusing at times when 'Deb' was called out and we both looked up. Her sister did a magnificent job in the tea room and her cakes are to die for ..... chocolate, coffee, lemon drizzle ...... are you drooling yet???

I've told you previously about my grand entrance to the first ever fair that I did with these lovely people (arriving fashionably late with around 20 mins to set up) and since then I ensure that we arrive in plenty of time to set up and also to have a mooch around at all the lovely stalls before the public come in.  My lovely blocks from Lajoni at Painting New Memories had their maiden outing and took pride of place in the centre of my table.

I was even asked if I was selling them though I have no idea what use they would be to anyone else !

We had a very good day sales wise so treated ourselves .... on the stall opposite sat this

Now who could resist them ?????

I certainly couldn't .... they are Sealyham Terriers by Mabel Gear

When I was googling for some information on her I came across this on a well known auction site and before I knew it I had pressed the bid now button ....

Mr Lala's birthday is in a couple of weeks and as a keeper of canaries and master to a naughty black cocker spaniel by the name of Ruby I thought it would make the perfect present.

She's been to the dog groomer today for a haircut, wash & brush up and now smells divine.

Oh what a beautiful morning .......

Saturday morning and I'm up with the larks ..... or rather dogs, cats and chooks!

After a quick coffee I took Molly and Ruby over the fields for a run ..... I love autumn mornings like these with brilliant sunshine and a slight haze in the distance.

There was a really heavy dew and Ruby was soon dripping wet

Then home for a bit of chook house clearance .... I let our first five ladies have free run of the garden while I was mucking out because they have a tendency to get under my feet!

The new girls like to have a bit of space to themselves with these bossy greedy five out of the way.

The Black Orpington .... she is huge and the colours in her feathers are like petrol blue when the sun shines on them

The Silver Cochin (roughly the size of a pigeon) and the Polish Crested

 The Buff Pekin with the Silver Pekin behind her ... the Black Pekin is a bit camera shy and was hiding in the bushes  .... I love these chooks with their feather slippers

These are the bossy crew

...... who are at the moment foraging around making a right flipping mess but getting rid of some unwelcome bugs at the same time so I will forgive them.

Wow September what an entrance !!!

Woke up to a beautiful blue sky and a text message to say that the one minded child I had today wasn't coming so that left me and my two grandchildren with the day to ourselves.

Not wanting to waste the day we set off for Woodside Animal Farm which is only a 15 minute drive away

Charlie wasn't bothered about looking at the animals but is a typical boy and loved the tractors and rolling around the soft play area with sister Millie.  We had lunch and then played crazy golf and he went on the bouncy castle and funfair rides too.  The visit was finished with a ride around the farm in a trailer attached to a JCB tractor so he was in his element.

It's not a cheap day out but the littlies love it and there is lots to do in a nice compact area.

It was lovely to spend the day with them and as we walked along with his chubby little hand in mine it reminded me so much of walking with his dad (my second son) some 23 years ago now.  He starts reception class at school next week and he can't wait.

September you have started brilliantly .... perfect weather enabling us to have a perfect day out .... may this continue (pleeeeeeease)

and doggone it look what we came home to ...... the heat must have got to them too ;-)

What are you coming back as ?????

I have been saying for years that my in my next incarnation I am coming back as a neutered Tom Cat - if these lazy examples of mine are anything to go by it seems the perfect life. Food & water on tap and sleep any time I like .........

Meet brothers Oliver & Binks - Ollie is the ginger and Binks the black one (obviously!) Binks is named after Zachary Binks from the Hocus Pocus Disney movie, very appropriate as they moved in with us at Halloween in 2006. They are a funny pair and still spend ages grooming each other and lately Binks has taken to giving our choc lab Molly a good wash and brush up. Amazing as he hissed like hell at her when we first brought her home - now they are all great pals.