Monday 22 August 2016

Hit The North




Ever since we've been trading at Stockport's Vintage Village Lynn and Philip (aka Mr Dapper) have been regular visitors and, over the last couple of years, have grown to be firm friends. When I mentioned that we'd been invited to a mate's 50th birthday party forty minutes up the road from them they invited us to travel up north a day early and spend the night at their gorgeous cottage in the Rossendale Valley...so we did. The doorway is just a taster of the wonderfully eclectic home they live in.

I'm wearing a vintage Crimplene maxi dress (gift from Heather), Stuart Weizmann boots and customised 1960s leather jacket (charity shops), Lynn's in a vintage metallic dress & 1970s suede jacket, both from Stockport's Vintage Village.

Typically, after last week's mini heatwave, the weather took a turn for the worst so out came the boots and jackets but did that dampen our fun? No!

After spending Friday night in the pub we travelled to nearby market town of Todmorden on Saturday morning. If you follow Lynn's blog (HERE) you'll know that she's obsessed with the place and you can see why. Nestled in the Pennines and surrounded by moorlands, Todmorden is outrageously picturesque and, with a town centre completely free from the retail chains that dominate almost every high street in the UK, it's a real joy to spend time there.


In 2008 a group of locals started the Incredible Edible Todmorden Project, planting public fruit and veg gardens around the town and inviting passers-by to help themselves to the produce. The idea was such a success that it's been copied in 15 other towns and cities around the UK.



Pretty it might be but Todmorden has an odd claim to fame. In 1980 the police were called to a coal yard where a body had been discovered. Zigmund Adamski, a 56 year old miner, had been reported missing five days earlier. He was still dressed in his suit but his watch, wallet and shirt were missing. A post-mortem established that he'd died from a heart attack but discovered burn marks on his neck, shoulders and the back of his head. These injuries had been dressed with a green ointment which toxicology tests were never able to identify. No suspect was ever arrested and the coroner claimed it to be the most bizarre case he'd ever investigated, leading to claims of an extraterrestrial abduction. The police are still forbidden from discussing the case with the press. 


We had lunch in the old Co-op, a 150 year-old shop with a deli on the ground floor and a vegetarian cafe-bar upstairs. I'm not sure what I loved most, the original Victorian shop fittings or the menu - both were incredible.


Next door was one of Lynn & Philip's favourite shops, the amazing Picture House Antiques. With boxes stuffed with black and white photographs, antique glass bottles, 1960s textiles, Persian rugs, vintage kitchenalia, enamel advertising signs and Smiths tour posters it felt like someone had ransacked our house while we'd been away.




After exploring the chazzas we waved goodbye to Lynn and Phil and checked into Todmorden's Queen's Hotel, our home for the night, for a power nap, an Olympic catch-up and to get ready for Saz's 50th Birthday party, due to kick off at 7pm in nearby Cornholme.

Saz and her partner Andy are fellow vintage traders and brilliant company, we met up with them in Goa earlier this year (see HERE). When they're not selling retro clobber they play in a bonkers psychedelic band who you can enjoy in all their glory in the video below.


We wore leis, drank Champagne and ate an amazing Thai feast prepared by the landlady of the local pub. We chatted and laughed until the early hours and still manged to be up for the inclusive hotel breakfast a few hours later.
WEARING: Vintage gingham maxi & silver pendant (charity shop), Richard Shops denim waistcoat (gift from blogger, Bedford Gypsy)
After a final soggy walk around Todmorden we checked out o the hotel, jumped in the van and had a scary journey home as the clutch (already a jittery from the endless stop/start journey on the way) had decided to play up. Luckily we'll be back in Gilbert this week as we're trading at Camper Calling from Thursday so we can leave the bloody thing with the mechanic.

WEARING: Tee shirt featuring John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) & Don Letts' daughter, Jet (birthday pressie from a mate), Black skinny jeans and brogue boots (charity shop), Leather Baker Boy cap (end of the Road Festival, 2015)
We didn't return to the Midlands empty-handed. From the Todmorden charity shops we bought a Jaws tee shirt and some unworn Mexican cowboy boots and Lynn & Phil gave Jon this crazy cat pen holder and a giant Wade tortoise ashtray for his birthday. I got a 50th Birthday present too but I'm being a good girl and waiting until December to open it.


See you soon!

89 comments:

  1. I've never been to Todmorden but it looks lovely. I love those weird stories, I guess we'll never know the truth... It's all very X-files. Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend xx

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    1. You'd love it, I'm sure. Apparently it's the UFO capital of the UK, but don't let that put you of, no aliens abducted us while we were there although Jon is acting a bit more strangely than normal! xxx

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  2. What a freaky story!

    Sounds like a busy/fun weekend for you.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Isn't it weird? A fab weekend, lovely to go somewhere new - we travel to different places most weekends but as we're working rarely have a chance to explore. xxx

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  3. Oh we are so glad you liked our weekend bolt hole and you've found some wild and wacky facts for sure.
    We feel so blessed to live in the house we do near to the place we love to escape to.
    Happy 50th to you both our lovely friends x x x

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    1. You are lucky to have Tod on your doorstep but where you live is stunning and you've got a super pub on your door step, too! xxx

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  4. What a wonderful place to visit, I think I could spend hours there! :)

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  5. Todmorden is a lovely little place and I would definitely enjoy visiting the shops there. The story about the coal miner's body is rather bizarre - every town needs a good murder/ghost/alien abduction story.

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    1. The shops were fabulous especially Picture House Antiques, I could have spent a fortune in there! xxx

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  6. It's fecking brill up north!! What a fab post and lovely to see you and Lynn and the chaps of course (Jon's T shirt is the bollocks). I do remember reading about the Adamski case and being convinced it was to do with UFOs. How mad that they won't discuss it!
    Have a great time at Camper Calling...we're due another heatwave so get the sunnies out.
    Loves ya.
    xxxxx

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    1. I've been Googling all about the Adamski case ever since, the policeman who discovered his body reckoned he'd been abducted by aliens 5 months to the day after his grisly discovery - spooky!!
      Isn't it glorious? I don't want this weather to ever end! xxx

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  7. It was so brilliant to see you both! Glad you enjoyed your jaunt to the Weirdness Capital of Calderdale! I have a little prezzie for you both as a souvenir of your trip to Todmorden... it will be in the post soon! :) Have fun at Camper Calling! Saz xxxxx

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    1. Thank you for inviting us - we loved every minute!! I'm excited, what weirdness have we got in store?
      See you in October little green men permitting! xxx

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  8. Todmorden looks lovely, I told my sister about that strange story as she's into all of those crime scene things - very strange indeed! Hope you have a great time at Camper Calling xx

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    1. I bet was was intrigued! It seems such a wonderfully quaint town despite the aliens - maybe they were attracted to Todmorden because they're as bored with Ppoundland, New Look & Greggs as the rest of us! xxx

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  9. I'd never heard of Todmorden, it's now firmly on my metal map! You can't beat a little road trip. Xx

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  10. What a beautiful place, I love how there are no big chain stores so it looks so beautiful and unique. I love Jaws so although I pretty much only wear t shirts to the gym I'd snap that shirt up in an instant and make it work. Isn't it great you've had the chance to meet so many lovely friends through trading vintage :D

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    1. Chain stores - they make every town almost identical, so depressing!
      The Jaws tee shirt has found a new home now. I'm not really a teeshirt wearer either but always search for ones with wacky logos in chazzas. xxx

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  11. differently sounds like an X-File story. How odd that the police won't talk about it. Looks like a lovely place.

    It's gonna blow! Think I have a new favorite band.

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    1. Aren't they fantastic? I've watched that video over and over again, it does make me giggle. xxx

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  12. I love the idea of a public garden. I think they should be everywhere!

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    1. Isn't it a brilliant idea? Sure beats pretty but useless flowers in municipal flowerbeds! xxx

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  13. I love the idea of a public garden. I think they should be everywhere!

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  14. I love the idea of a public garden. I think they should be everywhere!

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  15. I really enjoyed your visit to friends, they look like fun people. I love the video/music too! The community garden idea is wonderful, we have a couple of community orchards near here and you have reminded me it's time to check what's growing up there. Hope your van holds out and gets you home safely.

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    1. They're so lovely! Selling vintage at fairs really has enabled us to meet some wonderful, like-minded people!
      A community orchard? How lovely! xxx

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  16. Sigh, your photos look so cool and quaint! Still festering in the Monsoon here.
    Happy B-Day to Jon and an early happy B'Daty to you!
    (Just celebrated my 51st in July.)
    Bibi xox

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    1. Happy Belated B'day to you, Bibi!
      Todmorden must looks like it's on another planet what with your heat! xxx

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  17. Sounds like you had a fun weekend. Todmorden looks very picturesque indeed, in spite of the dark clouds looming. That old Co-op place looks gorgeous, and I would love to have a good browse in the antique centre. I might have bought a Smiths tour poster! I'm loving both your outfits, and Lynn's, and Jon's John Lydon T-shirt! xxx

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    1. Those skies don't half look menacing!
      I loved the old Co-Op, I'd love to fill my kitchen with old shop fittings. xxx

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  18. It's possible that I romanticize, but I like pictures of a rainy England. I also like the length of the sleeve of your jacket. Feminine in an attractive way.

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    1. Northern England's definitely rainy!! xxx

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  19. Your friends' house looks like it would be an Aladdin's cave, I an intrigued by the huge key. Hasn't Lynn got the most wonderful hair? I wish our Co-op looked similar to Tormorden's, I wonder if they have a monosyllabic shop assistant too....surely not? Glad to hear the party was a hit, enjoyed the music, reminded me of early Blondie. Hoping that the clutch repair is not too painful and that you stay dry this weekend. x

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    1. She has got amazing hair, hasn't she? I've never seen her look less than perfectly groomed.
      There's loads of quirky bits in their garden. Philip goes on site visits to old factories and can't resist raiding the skips! A couple after my own heart! xxx

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  20. That tortoise ashtray is fab. Todmorden looks really lovely, and the Edible project shows it's not just lovely for tourists, it's lovely for residents.

    The Zigmund Adamski case is wierd!

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    1. Hooray for tortoises, they rarely get a look in in the vintage ceramic world.
      Isn't the Zigmund case odd? I've done some reading up about it and it gets odder and odder. xxx

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  21. Todmorden looks beautiful. That Victorian cafe is right up my street. Never visited but now it's definitly on my to see list xxx

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    1. They filmed some of Life on Mars, Happy Valley and Juliet Bravo in Todmorden and the rest in Hebdon Bridge, which is just down the road. xxx

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  22. Todmorden is a smashing place, I love it there. Hebden Bridge is also very nice.

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    1. We really wanted to visit Hebden Bridge but the van was playing up and Jon didn't think it would cope with another steep climb - maybe next time. xxx

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  23. i have the exact same pen holder on my dressing table along with others hiding in vegatables.

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    1. Spooky! I've seen mice in veg but never cats! xxx

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  24. Fab band, saucy girl in the green dress showing her knickers, ah I used to do that back in the day - a long way back in the day!

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  25. What a beautiful place , Just the sort of town i love to visit xxx

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    1. It reminded me of Totnes in Devon, my favourite town in the UK! xxx

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  26. wonderful, fabulous trip!!!
    an ancient town, gorgeous views, tasty food and cool shops - and the best: friends!!! no need to fly to NYC or tokio....
    :-)
    xxxxxx

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    1. There's so much good stuff on our doorsteps. We sometimes forget to be a tourist in our country in our rush to see the rest of the world. xxx

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  27. So much goodness in one weekend and one post. I enjoyed the video! Your gingham maxi is so fun! And I can now see where some bizarre ideas for the episodes of Midsomer Murders are coming from. Much love!

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    1. I've never seen Midsomer Murders, can you believe it? xxx

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  28. What a weird story about the dead man!!! Your pals sound brilliant and a Thai feast is right up my street!! Mmmmm...
    Xx

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    1. The food was wonderful all weekend long. We don't have any Thai places near us, I really ought to make my own. xxx

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    1. It is! Pretty, quirky, historical with added aliens! xxx

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  30. We have some avid gardeners that grow produce to give away, but nothing I know of that organised-what a great idea.

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    1. Isn't it a great idea? I'd love to be able to go for a stroll and come back with something to make into dinner. xxx

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  31. Ohhhh...this is like an episode of Miss Marple with a bit of sci-fi thrown in, except for instead of a little old lady we have a gorgeous gingham doll and her punk lovin' husband.

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    1. A winning combo, Connie. Maybe we should pitch it to the BBC? xxx

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  32. Awww, that kitty pen holder is so wonderfully cute. Vintage kitsch like that brings me an inordinate amount of happiness. :)

    Love (!) your gorgeous crimplene maxi dress. That colour palette seems to be plucked straight from the end of summer/start of fall.

    Many hugs & happy Wednesday wishes,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. I can't resist a bit of ridiculous kitsch either and that cat is both mad looking and useful! xxx

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  33. over the years you've shown me pictures of your gorgeous country but this place takes the cake. i'm dying to visit. love everything about it. that is a strange story though about the extra terrestrials. yikes! you look beautiful as always. xoxo

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    1. It really is a fantastic part of the country although the weather isn't for the feint hearted, they get more rainfall than most. xxx

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  34. A wonderful time spent with friends! Your life never has a dull moment and so happy that you share them with us. Of course you and Jon look fabulous!

    I love the idea of a community garden. If only I had the time, energy and skills to launch this idea in Denver!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed coming along for the ride!
      All cities and towns need a community garden, don't they? xxx

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  35. That Co-op looks amazing. Love the 'mystery' and the idea of the community veg is great! x

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    1. It's even lovelier inside, Victorian shop fittings, shelving and ornate cast iron radiators - I want it all! xxx

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  36. Tomorden looks absolutely stunning, interesting, beautiful. Thanks for the tour, Vix. (just wondering, though, what does "chazza" mean???? And I still love that check gingham maxi dress on you, looking wonderful. xx

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    1. Hi Elizabeth! Chazza is slang for charity shop. Every time I wear that maxi dress it starts to rain, I think that's why I'd stuck it at the back of the wardrobe and forgotten about it for three years! xxx

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  37. I shall have to put that place on my list of places to visit! Looks like another great weekend.

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    1. You could combine it with some fell walking across the Pennines and the Lake District! xxx

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  38. *is dewy eyed from pretty gingham maxis and reading too many blog posts in one sitting*

    xxx

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    1. I bet you are! Well done for catching up. xxx

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  39. What an excellent time this seemed to have been, except for the car acting up, of course. It's an absolutely gorgeous town, isn't it? Wow. Great friends and great times, you can't beat them.

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    1. Just the break we needed between festivals! xxx

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  40. It's so lovely to see Todmorden through your eyes after being introduced to it by Lynn. It only gets better. I love the sound of the food project. It's the best way to bring any community together and that big Kindness sign is so lovely. Ooh but that mystery is intriguing! I don't dismiss anything and it's fascinating that everyone's keeping mum... Anyway, glad you didn't let the weather beat you. Sounds like a top weekend and party. Xxxx

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    1. Hello you! It's a lovely little place - I was excited when we had to drive under the notorious bridge that featured in the last episode of Happy Valley. I can see why Lynn & Philip love it so much. The weirdness book is fascinating what with vampires, spontaneous human combustion, grisly murders and aliens! xxx

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  41. Todmorden looks amazing! I wonder if they'll ever get to the bottom of the Zigmund Adamski case?
    Lovely to see the weather didn't dampen your spirits - something more Brits need to learn!

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    1. If the weather stopped us from doing anything us Brits would never leave the house, would we?
      The more i read about the Adamski case the weirder it gets.. xxx

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  42. really Nice Place and nice Boutique Stall ther <3 wonderfull miss fix..
    http://paperdollz.co.uk/

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  43. What a beautiful place and how strange about that murder. It does look very picturesque though. I love your maxis! Xx

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    1. It's a gorgeous looking place , it's strange that so much weirdness has gone on round there! xxx

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  44. I made your food at the Old CoOp! I saw you and wanted to say hi but it was too busy, and I didn't want to interrupt once you had your food. I hope you enjoyed it! <3

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    1. No!!!! What a shame you couldn't escape and have a chat. The food was absolutely amazing, I wish we could eat at the Old Co-Op all the time. xxx

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Lots of love, Vix