Our Big Adventure - Part 2

Blighty Bazaar - I could have lived here quite happily :)

I had done a little bit of homework around shopping opportunities in Leamington before we left. It would have been remiss of me not to! And it was from such homework that I discovered the joy that is Blighty Bazaar.

This establishment is vintage heaven – lots of different sellers in one glorious place offering everything from clothing to kitchenware, books to furniture. They have a café and even a beauty parlour where you can be vintagely beautified J

Weirdly we had ended up parking really close by and so I didn’t have too far to struggle with my new purchases. We found a lush Thermos giant flask thing for future vintage picnics. I also discovered a whole bunch of early 1900’s Christmas cards which will fit nicely with my love of old postcards. They are truly things of beauty, each one a work of art in its own right.

Christmas cards from c1910

I was also thrilled to find a 1940’s Ponds Face Powder pack complete with remaining powder (though not my colour!) and a similarly aged cigarette packet – all good stuff for my WW2 alter ego, the wonderful Peggy!

I was very taken with a vintage Sunbeam Mix Master food mixer dating from the late 1940's/early 1950's but being a sensible sort I decided I didn't really need it, didn't have space and couldn't be sure it actually worked as it still had a very dodgy looking flex and very antique looking plug! However, the Sunbeam then decided to dance around my head all night suggesting that I DID need it, I COULD find room and DH had mentioned that he could easily replace the flex and plug and probably fix anything that might be wrong with it . Apparently they don’t build ‘em like they used to! So, Sunday morning saw me grovelling and begging to go back to BB in case they still had the Sunbeam. You’ll be relieved to know the story had a happy ending – it was still there, DH managed to replace the flex and it works! If I don’t manage to find room for it then the weight of it will ensure it has a place as a doorstop or burglar deterrent. “Excuse me Mr Burglar, could you just stand there for ½ hour while I manhandle this weighty piece of kitchen equipment over to bash you on the head? In fact could you kneel down as it’s too heavy to raise above head height!”

The Sunbeam in all its glory - bring on the scone making!

My other star find was in the Oxfam bookshop. They had a whole basket full of The War Illustrated Magazine from WW2. I couldn’t buy the whole lot so I picked a few choice ones from the early days of the war. It’s a cracking read with lots of stories of brave British exploits and dastardly jerries doing all manner of unsporting things. There’s an amazing section entitled Odd Facts About the War. I never knew that penguins from London Zoo were ‘fobbed off’ with pieces of meat doused in cod liver oil! Presumably later in the war the lions were similarly fobbed off with penguins doused in Bovril!

Read all about it.... penguins get fed!!

My new purchases have now been lovingly installed at home – all except the Sunbeam which is currently living on the floor and proving to be a toe related Health and Safety issue :)

One happy girlie!

Our Big Adventure - Part One

We are quite amused

This weekend, DH and I had a rare weekend away which we spent in Royal Leamington Spa. We enjoyed glorious weather and had a most excellent time J

Highlights of the trip included a proper afternoon tea at a vintage tea room called ’Vinteas’. Each table had mismatched cups and saucers and side plates with lovely cutlery (and flatware!!). We ordered the works, and they arrived piled high on a beautiful cake stand. Assorted finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream (cream first or jam?), mini pork pies and scotch eggs and a selection of cake to choose from. Along with this we had real loose leaf tea in a vintage teapot. I felt I really should have dressed more appropriately for the occasion! We left there clutching bags filled with the goodies we just couldn't eat, a packet of loose leaf tea and the inspiration to recreate afternoon tea at home.

Some of the delicious goodies for afternoon tea.

Jephson Gardens were another true delight. The Spring weather was certainly having an effect and everything was blooming and blossoming –even the squirrels! These gardens are named for Dr Henry Jephson who was a leading light in promoting health benefits in Leamington in the 1800’s. They have been recently restored and include some wonderful wood carvings, a hothouse of tropical plants and lovely opportunities to walk and enjoy some peace and tranquillity.

A detail of one of the plants in the hothouse - no idea what it is and I forgot to write it down!

We stayed at a Best Western hotel – I often wonder why they don’t make more of an effort to go with the whole ‘Western’ theme, such a missed opportunity! Instead, this one went for ‘delusions of grandeur’ which I think they captured most beautifully. I have never seen so many chandeliers and overly ornate furniture. Our bedroom had a specially nice view of a blank wall but if you really stretched you could just glimpse a rat bait box! But it was comfortable, clean and the staff were polite.

The shops in Leamington were everything that I had been promised – a huge variety of independent shops alongside the big town regulars. There were plenty of charity shops and some stunning vintage treats too. I managed to score some real bargains – but more of those in Part 2.

Architecture and sunshine :)

On Sunday morning we took another walk around the Gardens and further into the old town to look at the impressive architecture. You can see where the old railway bridge used to be and above the slightly shabby shops you can still see the impressive carvings and details from when the spa town was in its heyday. We visited All Saints Church which dates from 1843. A Sunday service was taking place so we did not venture inside but outside was breath-taking enough! We didn't linger too long, the bells were very loud!!

All Saints Church - the bells are getting louder...

We left Leamington and headed off to visit Kenilworth Castle – covered in Part 3 – before gently heading towards home and back to reality. It was just the break I needed and I am going to do my best to take this nice relaxed feeling right into the frantic pace of being back at work….. I’ll let you know how that works out!