Wednesday 1 June 2016

Festival Ready? Just About!


Phew! The last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind. On Sunday we traded up the road in Moseley (Birmingham's Bohemia). As is often the way for a bank holiday event it wasn't mad busy but we did just fine and, having a bit of spare time to explore the other stalls, I decided that I couldn't live without these Italian deadstock 1970s sunglasses. 

Wearing: JON: Vintage Farah nylon skinnies, Austin Reed waistcoat, Turnbull and Asser shirt, 1960s Mary Quant tie, Brogue boots (all second hand) VIX: 1960s Sears maxi (Present from Krista), Candy colour platforms (off the market)

The final fair of the season took us across the border to Welsh Wales where we had a phenomenal day's trading at the Vintage Extravaganza in Cardiff. Business was so brisk that I didn't notice until packing up time that I'd had my dress on backwards all day.


We'd booked into a hotel as, after a 4.30am start followed by pretty much relentless selling until 6.30pm, Jon didn't fancy the drive back home. We had plans of hitting Queen Street for some legendary Cardiff night life but ended up having a couple of pints and a pizza in the hotel bar. At some point reality hit and we realised that our first festival of the season kicked off in less than three day's time. Obviously we've known for months but, as usual, we'd done sod all about it so the rest of our night was spent frantically scribbling lists down on a beer mat.

Paul Young, The Blockheads & Midge Ure - It's like being back at the school disco!

On Tuesday lunchtime, as soon as we got home and, with less than  48 hours to go, I pulled out & ironed the festival stock (we've been collecting Steampunk style gear for months) while Jon got the trading tent, the Kinky Melon sign and lighting out of the shed and tested that everything was still in working order from last Summer. I updated our risk assessments & fire safety certificates, checked the fire extinguisher and fire blanket and printed off some safety signage. Last time we traded at the Acoustic Festival several traders got evicted from the site for failing the Health and Safety inspection. Having a corporate background has its advantages. 


I'd made another eleven crop tops from my vintage linen stash last week but, never one to make things easy for myself, decided on the genius idea of making some little girls' skirts out of novelty printed second-hand duvet covers before I went to bed last night. By 8am I'd managed to finish eight and called it a day. (I didn't even have time to take photos). 


This morning Jon did the booze, fuel and food run while I sorted our rucksack. An outdoor event during British Summer time means you'll need everything from thermal underwear, factor 40 sun cream, waterproof rain capes, wellies, sheepskin hats and mittens to flipflops and parasols then we bagged up the stock, broke down the rails and stuffed poor Gilbert and the trailer to the rafters. 

Wearing: House of Lavina cutaway side 1970s maxi (75p, charity shop, 2011), Deadstock sunglasses, Vintage 1960s green suede go-go boots (Courtesy of blog reader, Vonda)
After I've showered, eaten, painted my nails and caught up with Wallander it's an early night for me. 

Wish us luck!

Linking to Visible Monday.

99 comments:

  1. And they're off!! Have a fab time and watch those tops fly off the rails.
    Well done on the H&S..I spent my day at work writing risk assessments and I actually enjoy them 'cos I'm that rock n'roll.
    Enjoy!!
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxxx

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    1. That's you and me both, love! Rock and roll down to the core. xxx

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  2. I don't envy you all that paperwork we have a mountain of it for every job. You two bring a lot of loveliness to the festivals, I hope it's a good one for you.
    We are off to the more sedate Holker Garden Festival this weekend and Crooklands Vintage Festival xxxx

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    1. Hope the weekend was fab - dying to see photos. xxx

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  3. Wow, that's like packing for an expedition!
    Love those psychedelic maxis & on fleek sunnies! on looks so dapper & dashing.
    That's the one thing I miss about California, the festivals!
    xox
    https://calmlycookingcurry.blogspot.com/2016/06/easy-rose-coconut-cardamom-laddoos.html

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    1. Festivals are the best especially when the sun shines like it did this weekend. xxx

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  4. Phew, you've been busy Vix. I had to lie down after reading all that! I really hope you're lucky with the weather, so that you don't have to bring out the thermals and waterproofs. Can you imagine what we'll have to pack for two weeks in Wales? Oh, and I once went to a vintage fair with my top inside out. I only noticed when I wanted to try something on. xxx

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    1. Thermals only needed for one night - that's a success in my book.
      Keeping an eye on the forecast, too - I want a dry Glastonbury in a fortnight. xxx

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  5. wouuu, both of you look fabulous, and your stall is absolutely appealing!
    Glad you're getting ready for a festivals season!! even if that means lots of preparation and work!
    besos

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    1. Thank you, Monica! Now we've got the first festival under our belts hopefully the rest won't be quite as scary to prepare for. xxx

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  6. Dean Friedman! I have one of his CDs! Have a wonderful time and I'm praying the weather perks up for you. First day of summer and we've got the heating on. xxx

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    1. Bah! Dean dropped out at the last minute - I was looking forward to Lucky Stars! xxx

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  7. dang, nothing like the easy life of being self-employed. Enjoy the festival and sells lots of stuff

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  8. Oh you are so right about the weather! WTF has happened to it? It's meant to be summer!

    You have worked so hard and I know your beautiful tops will sell like hotcakes and I'm sure the little girl's skirts will, too.

    Fab outfits - that green dress is gorgeous with matching boots, too! Have a brilliant time and make loads of money...

    xxxx

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. Summer's back - hooray!
      Thanks, Vronnie, it was a fab weekend. xxx

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  9. Wow, that looks like a fun festival. I hope you do well there and get a bit of sunshine!

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  10. Probably for the best you gave St Mary's street a miss...
    Good luck at the festival, have fun!! xx

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    1. You're probably right - after a 14 hour day it was early doors for us! xxx

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  11. Oh my goodness that sounds relentless! I hope it goes well.
    I did chuckle that you had your dress on backwards, sounds like something I'd do!

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    1. Thanks, Hazel! It all came together in the end and no wardrobe malfunctions to entire weekend either! xxx

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  12. Cor, those sunnies are fab and I love your green maxi. Looking glorious. INo wonder your dress was on backwards if you were up so early. went to work once with my skirt on inside out and had no excuse. Good luck with the festival. Looks like it will be a lot of fun. Xx

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    1. You'd have thought the back split and tie front would have given me a clue - I blame Jon! xxx

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  13. Its a good job you enjoy it i got knackered just reading it lol , love the crop tops and them green shoes in the first picture ,Have a great and busy time x

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    1. Thanks Shabby! It was a fab weekend, I fear it's ruined me now though. Two weeks to get ready for Glastonbury! xxx

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  14. Hi Vix, my first visit here...thanks so much for the early morning laugh, (it's 7.00am here in Oz). Your life sounds interesting, busy and lots of fun... what a wonder you are on the sewing machine, your little crop tops are fabulous. Hope all goes fantastic for you both at the festival:-)

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    1. Lovely to meet you - I'll pop over for a visit soon! xxx

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  15. You are well organized! So begins the festival season, it is nice to feel that you need rubber boots, and thermal underwear .. You know that the music festivals in Italy are always in historic cities, in squares surrounded by ancient buildings, as beautiful, as hot. . I show any risk of dying or having visions as in the desert, we can not even bring water bottles for security reasons .. is so absurd that last summer I lost so many concerts to stay home near the fan! And also why your posts are fantastic for me, as well as your clothes .. ah, wearing a dress inside out is a good luck charm!

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    1. Those festivals do sound like an ordeal without water! Ours are usually in soggy fields - but this weekend was dry and sunny which made it very easy to cope with. xxx

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  16. And you even squeezed a post in! You are a star. X

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    1. I can't help myself, JP! Addicted to blogging. xxx

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  17. Oh yes! You'll see The Counterfeit Stones, I've seen them several times and had a very drunken conversation with 'Bill Wyman' in their caravan years ago. Don't ask! You're bloody hardcore you...bare arms in this unseasonably cold weather. Have a fab time, sell loads, laugh lots.

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    1. They cancelled at the last minute - boo! I have seen them before though, loved them. And I thought Bill Wyman liked schoolgirls!! xxx

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  18. Best of luck to you with the festival.

    Lime green platform shoes-be still my heart. I'll bet no one noticed your dress was backward as they were blinded by your fabulousness. Keeping my fingers crossed you get good weather.

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    1. Thanks, Goody! We survived and thermals were hardly needed!
      Those lime go-go boots are amazing, aren't they? I look at them more than I wear them, I'm scared of ruining them. xxx

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  19. Best of luck to you with the festival.

    Lime green platform shoes-be still my heart. I'll bet no one noticed your dress was backward as they were blinded by your fabulousness. Keeping my fingers crossed you get good weather.

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  20. GOOD LUCK Vix! It's sound as though you've got everything in order, ready to go...you'll have a grand time, I'm sure!

    Love all your crop tops hanging on the line!

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  21. Good luck! have a wonderful time, looks like the weather is going to be a challenge so wellies need to go with you. Betty

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    1. No rain, just chilly nights and glorious sunshine - perfect festie weather. Hope that's an omen for the rest of the season. xxx

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  22. I'm impressed you've squeezed in all you needed to do and sewn some new stock and blogged! You are amazing - love those big vintage sunnies! Best of luck xo

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    1. I'm my own worst enemy - I almost kill myself sometimes! I've got a fortnight off now and I'm determined to slow down a bit. xxx

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  23. Vix,You are full of sparkle all the time and I wish you have Guardian column.Good Luck !

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  24. I guess wearing something backwards all day is better than wearing it inside-out (not that I've ever done that myself.....)! I hope you'll show us those little girls skirts soon (although I'm guessing you'll sell out before you can snap the camera! I'm sure success will follow your hard work and planning (even tho.ugh "last minute"). As you said, your corporate experience AND cumulative life experience count HUGELY in contributing to your popularity and productivity. You work hard AND play hard :)

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    1. Thanks, Rebecca! What lovely words. xxx

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  25. of cause i wish you luck - lots of it!
    and a fab time too!
    you look so gorgeous in the green dress and very cool sunnies! you will rock that very first festival of the year!!!!! with all the care you and jon put into your stall it will be a great and successful time - i´m sure.
    much love! xxxxxx

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    1. Thanks, Beate! The first festival was great, I even managed to have my first ever Reiki treatment when i was there - I feel a whole lot less manic and distracted now. xxx

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  26. you and jon are just the most gorgeous couple. i love your passion for what you do, i see it fuels you bc that's a LOT of work doing what you are doing! you are such a beauty! i swear i had a bikini made out of that sears maxi when i was about 13 or 14! xo

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    1. I bet that fabric would make a killer bikini - wouldn't like to be seen in public wearing that backwards, though! xxx

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  27. And your feet won't touch the ground until the Autumn! have fun x x

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    1. Thanks, G!! Two weeks to de-stress before we ruin ourselves at Glastonbury! xxx

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  28. Wow. No rest for the wicked! It isn't half bad though when you love what you're doing.

    That is TOO funny about your dress being on backwards! I'm sure everyone just thought you'd started a new trend.

    Wishing you the very best of luck this weekend!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne! Yep, next time we go to Cardiff all the cool girls might be wearing backwards clothing no they've seen mine! xxx

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  29. Wow, you are buzy! Hope the weather is great for the festival. I really love that green 70s maxi by the way! :)

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    1. The weather was ace, thanks, Laurie! xxx

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  30. I am exhausted just reading this - I want to know what you're taking to be able to keep going like this! The Acoustic Festival looks like a blast; I'm sure your crop tops and other wares will be very popular. Have a marvelous time and sell lots!

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    1. It was a blast - a few nightmares for the organisers with bands dropping out at the last minute but, for us, brisk business and gin in the sunshine. xxx

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  31. No rest for the wicked lol! Good luck - I've got everything crossed for you xx

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    1. Thanks, TCG! It worked - we survived! xxx

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  32. Yowzers to the paperwork!! Well done to you!! So.glad you had a successful weekend in Cardiff and hope the festival goes well!!

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    1. Thanks, Kezzie! Hope you had a wonderful trip, too. xxx

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  33. Oh, how I love to experience your festival season vicariously through your posts. Sounds like the best kind of work.

    Looking at your smiling face in these pictures certainly put a smile on my face in return. xo

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    1. Thanks, Lou! Just about to start trawling through the festie photos - anything to put off unloading Gilbert! xxx

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  34. I'd love to be your worker bee and tag along on the summer festival circuit. Your white shirts and child skirts will fly off the racks I bet.

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    1. Thanks, Sam! I bet you'd love our festivals, this one is eccentric and very British - Morris Dancing and ghost stories after dark. xxx

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  35. Best of luck with your '16 festie season! Those vintage linen crop tops are brilliant, you really are a demons sewist. Oh and if you ever decide to leave those lime green platforms in your car ya better lock the door haha!

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    1. Hehe! I get emails from blog visitors asking me to sell them - never!! xxx

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  36. Love your sunglasses Vix and that green dress is fab - perfect festival attire! Have an awesome time. - Tasha

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  37. You are industrious as hell! So inspiring, lady, you guys have so much energy and do a beautiful job with your wares :) Loove those vibrant maxi dresses, as always.

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  38. GOOD LUCK, ahhhhhhhh I am exhausted just by reading what you did. You have thr energy of a 2 years old,ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, and that , my friend, is rare and wonderfulllllllllllll
    BUENA SUERTE!!!
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. I'm more like a 200 year old now though! xxx

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  39. Excited to follow the festival season with you. It's always a thrill! The green and white maxi is gorgeous, and I'm lusting after your green go-go boots.

    Thank you so much for sharing your hair flower with Hat Attack. It looks lovely with your ensemble.

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    1. Thanks, Judith! That green maxi doesn't get out as often as it should, it's usually too chilly! xxx

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  40. Hi Vix! Your energy is amazing. Such cute tops, I bet they sell like hotcakes. Good luck! Sell out! Did I mention I want to move in? You have so much fun!:-)

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    1. You'd be very welcome to, Cherre! xxx

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  41. I would totally buy Cedar a Kiny Melon skirt!!

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  42. I'm lapping up all the limes -- what a delicious color for Summer '16! One predicts the crop-tops will fly off the rail, especially if the purchasers have already acquired a tan that will be flattered by lace. But what, pray educate us, is "steam punk gear"? Victorian meets pleather?

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    1. Hello Beth! We went for a Time Traveling Victorian meets Mad Scientist and filled a rail with tailcoats, ruffled skirts, prim and proper maxi dresses, corsets, Pith helmets, buckled boots and walking sticks. xxx

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  43. I think you've lured the sunshine out with all those cropped tops and that groovy lime cutaway dress! I am yearning to get my sewing machine out now!

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    1. I have missed my sewing machine while we've been living in a field! xxx

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  44. Hope you had a great start to the festival season! Those sunglasses were definitely too good to pass up, they look fab xx

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    1. Thanks, Sarah - glad I got them, we needed them all weekend. xxx

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  45. Love Jon's Farahs! Andy has a pair of Farah's from the 90's, camel coloured. We call them his old man trousers, hehe!

    Love your zesty dress too, hope you have fun at the festivals xxx

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    1. We've had some amazing 1960s Farah's stuff - I didn't realise they were such a cool American brand back then. xxx

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  46. Festival season! So glad Jon did the booze run, he is a dear man : > Loving your maxis, naturally, and your latest stash of crop tops. What a talent you are, and such a light presence in my life. xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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  47. Toddling off for the weekend regardless of how skint we are or the weather.....so need a break ...crystal ball says the hip will get better...if not , a nice motorised buggy for the summer season ...lol

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    1. Ha! Don't wish that on me! Managed to drug myself up and drag my arse around the car boot sale (very slowly) this morning - splashed out on a funky walking stick! xxx

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  48. Funny about the dress backwards. But I'm sure nobody noticed - you are just so radiant and beautiful, who cares about such details! Love the green frock and the whole outfit - a tropical beauty!

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    1. Thanks, Natalia! I'm just wondering if the people who asked to pose with me for photos noticed and wanted to show the crazy woman off to their mates! xxx

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  49. I hope the festival went well - you and Jon certainly do work hard.

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    1. Thanks, Mim - it did. The weather helped. x

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  50. That House of Lavinia dress is one of my favourites of yours. Gorgeous fit and pattern, like big old raindrops and you look so summery. I don't imagine you've been wearing it this week!
    Cor blimey you've been busy. Welsh Wales is always kind to you. Look at all those tops! You're amazing! Really enjoyed Wallander, although actually I think I missed the last one. Seems I have catching up to do in every department! Xxxx

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    1. I've been persevering with summer clothes this week but it isn't easy, usually accessorised by Jon's woolen socks!! Finally watched the last Wallander last night, I enjoyed it just as much as the Swedish version. Our Ken's great! x

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix