I know! I always promise to update this more frequently than I do, but we HAVE been busy!
Summer was an absolute blur of Vide Greniers, Brocantes and house clearances. In fact we've only just started to get enough time to start be sociable again and get some work done around the house.
We ventured into our first try at stalling out at fairs this year. The first was in our local town and we got there suitably early and set our wares out - despite the looming menacing black clouds above. Business was brisk as other dealers came to have a nosey at what we'd got and tried to beat us into financial submission over "marchand" prices.
Once that was over the general public started to drift through and interest was high even if we didn't sell too much. It was more of a promotional exercise anyway so we weren't too bothered if we didn't take much - just as well really!
Trade died down over the 2 hour lunch period but thought it would pick up again afterwards. Wrong! The weather probably had a lot to do with it as the clouds continued to threaten heavy rain though this turned out to be just a threat, it did still keep a lot of people indoors.
We finally gave around 5pm and tried to remember how we'd managed to get everything into the van. Tired out and home again we thought we'd have a quiet cup of tea and call it a day. Not a chance, within minutes of pulling up and before we'd even thought about unloading, the hoards arrived. I'm not moaning, really! Advertising was the purpose of the event but couldn't they have waited till the next day to come round? Anyway, the drive was full of cars, the barn/shop full of customers and we were quickly relieving people of their money in exchange for things that sat outside all day trying to tempt people with.
Our second outing at one of the biggest local antique fairs was pretty much the same other than the fact that the rain didn't hold off and we spent the first two hours sat in the van saying things like "its looking brighter over there (sunrise)", "I think its easing off a bit" and "the forecast said it might clear later".
By 8.30 we'd unloaded and awaited our adoring public, and waited and waited. We'd had a plan this time. The van was packed with such precision that we worried that we wouldn't get it all back in again, as with the last one. The plan was that we took some "pick-it-up-and-p*ss-off" pieces at a very low price leaving us with space this time.
It worked beautifully! These pieces were being snapped up by grateful buyers who were so delighted with their bargains that they wanted to come and see our shop - and "could you hold it for me and I'll pick it up from your shop later?". Hummphhh!!
Animal update! Digger is going back to the UK in 18 days time!! Ok, I have started to get fond of him despite my efforts not to and I will miss him - but not that much. And on the days that I regret him going I will remind myself that in addition to all the food and treats he cost us three conifers, an olive tree, a lemon tree, inumerous bedding plants, two leather recliners, several pairs of shoes, 5 chickens and all the dog toys we owned or have bought while he's been here.
Bobby-dog, the Yorkshire terror, has Steve wrapped round his little paw. He now not only barks to be put to bed (his sight is too bad to see up the stairs) but he then barks for Steve to join him - at 9pm!!! And he won't let up unless Steve goes to bed as well or brings him back down again.
Caro is still perplexing me and the vet over the mysterious choking noise he has from time to time but Ombre is in fine form and no trouble, unless you count stealing the others toys and hiding them. There's a lot to be said for cross-breeds, Ombre has never been to the vets, Caro and Bobby are there at least once a month between them. In fact, I think I should have my own parking space at the vets by now or at least a preferred customer loyalty card or something.
I'm determined to sort the photo's out here as they're a complete mess after illustrious Nephew said that it was easy peasy and he'd do them. At least he thinks I'm less of a numpty than he did before he had a go at them. It won't be today but as I mentioned before, things are a little less manic and I may have some free time to have another go at them.
