A JOLLY GOOD DAY

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bill one of my neighbours:

Bill is an octogenarian+ who still continues his passion with gardening, his own being a picture of perfection and glorious colour every summer. He has a greenhouse specifically for his phaleanopsis, moth orchid to you and me, and attends his orchid club regularly, winning prizes for  his amazing blooms. So, have a good day Bill.
Yesterday was a day out for the girls, my SD Paula and myself. We trundled down the M6, (actually we went in style in Paula's gorgeous new mini) only to make great time 'til the very end when we joined the miles of cars queueing to leave the motorway and actually  reach the car park. That bit took us just over half an hour!! They then made us buy a car park ticket - £10 - the robbing *******s.
Nothing was going to spoil our day however, so we just got on with it, as you do. Straight into the craft hall we went and straight into millions of fellow crafters (I kid you not) with the same intent, gorging on the array of crafty delights at every stall.
I found some Tim stash which I wanted  sorry I mean needed, really needed, then I found some beads, then some metal charms, then some clear embossing powder, then some embellishments, then .........

Oh, tell you what, just look at the photo instead.
Paula bought loads of goodies too, buttons, material, charms etc. She makes incredible soft furnishings, felt animals, decorations etc and is one of most neat sewers (does that say sew-ers and not the smelly things down a hole??) that I know. The alpaca stall had us both left with mouths open though. The things on there were just adorable, but so pricey.
I had a very quick catch up with the uber talented Hels saw Leonie on the C&C stand, met David from Craft Obsessions, (one of best on-line shops we have), got a hug from Amy Shaw and saw Leandra working her usual magic. The crafts for Christmas was a bit different than we both expected. Being a craft show, we thought there would be Christmassy things to buy and make, but instead, there was a stall selling garden loppers/shears, one with meat pies, another selling sausages, a man making willow trays etc. plus several clothes and bag stalls. That part was somewhat disappointing.
So after several hours that seemed to pass in a flash, we walked and hobbled (guess who did what) back to the car to sit (AT LAST) and have our butties before facing the dreaded M6 northwards through the traffic jams. Actually, being in a posh little car made even that journey a pleasure, for me at least, who just sat there and enjoyed every single minute of being chauffered - rubbing my blisters most of the way!!!!!!
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Paula for taking me. I had a blast. Mwah xx