I Want to Ride my Bicycle

The clocks had gone forward overnight so it was dark when I got up on Sunday morning. I made tea, brought it back to bed and read for an hour whilst Jon and Stephen snoozed beside me. Toast and coffee were consumed whilst watching the news in the kitchen.

There was a distinct chill in the air when I popped Jacob outside in his pen but I dressed for summer nontheless, wearing my Kharibou block printed dress, a vintage suede waistcoat and the first pair of Lotta of Stockholm clogs I'd ever bought, five years ago.

We popped down to the charity shop, handing over some donations (completed books & a couple of tee shirts Jon no longer wanted) and finding a few bits and pieces at the same time - a 1980s Hong Kong made leisure shirt, 7 for All Mankind "Roxanne" jeans, some Cos textured cotton ankle grazers, a 1980s Spanish leather bag, a Holland Esquire shirt in Liberty's Wild at Heart print (which originally retailed at £135), a German army shirt in Flecktarn camoflague, a vintage dressing gown, a 1980s paisley print shirt, a 1970s prairie skirt and a cotton cut work leisure shirt.

Back at home I laundered the finds and Jon & I had a lemon muffin and a posh coffee for lunch. Afterwards Jon helped me touch up my roots, normally we do them every 5 weeks but with a trim booked at the hairdressers later in the week I brought it forward a week.Leaving Jon to scrub the kitchen floor, I did a quick clean of the lounge then sat and did some visible mending on our friend, Kev's jeans. 

I thought our tea looked so pretty I took a photo, prompting Jon to call me an Instagram w*nker. Those are Morrison's edamame and sweet potato burgers, served on a slice of sour dough bread brushed with tapenade and accompanied by a salad (glace de reine lettuce fresh from the garden) and some sweet chilli jam.Later we watched another couple of episodes of Scandi cop thriller, Deadwind, followed by Peaky Blinders, the coolest period drama ever made.

It was much milder on Monday when I popped to the Kinky shed to sort out the stock I'd sold over the weekend. After my Wii Fit session and breakfast we drove over to Liz & Al's to drop off Liz's present, in time for her birthday on Tuesday. We had a tour of the garden and their veg plot - which put our efforts to shame - and spent a lovely hour or so catching up over a coffee.

By mid-morning the warmth and sunshine had made a welcome reappearance. I wore the 1960s Indian cheesecloth and crochet maxi dress I'd bought from a charity shop in Walsall back in December and the previous day's Walsall charity shop find, the German army shirt.

After lunch we had a look at the pond to check on the progress of the frogspawn, which seemed to have increased in recent days.

I decided that I was going to give cycling another try, something I've lost the ability to do since my hip replacement. I've got three bikes, my childhood Moulton Mini, which is missing a front wheel, the vintage Raleigh shopper (above) with the knackered gear stick....

...and this ladies city bike which I bought off eBay for £4 fifteen years ago and although I didn't really need it, thought it would be rude not to buy it.  Very wobbly at first, I managed to cycle up and down the lawn 8 times before collapsing in a heap underneath it, much to Jon's amusement. Both tyres are knackered so we've ordered replacements, maybe by this time next week I'll have made it round the block in one piece!

Jon showing me how it's done! 

I've always bemoaned the fact that I own no practical clothing and if I need to do anything strenous or sporty I'm all of a tizz, I'm not attracted to sensible clothes so rarely look at them in chazzas (and wouldn't dream on buying them new) but our wonderful clearance charity shop, with its acres of space and laid back Sunday morning vibe has led me to browse rails I'd normally never consider, those of the trousers and jeans. These Cos cotton ankle grazers I snaffled for £2 on Sunday are comfy and were perfect for my cycling training, far better than risking tearing one of my precious dresses!

I made broccoli and cauliflower au gratin for tea, we watched the final two episodes of Deadwind followed by Stanley Tucci's Searching for Italy, a gorgeous series on the BBC i-player combining travel with good food. I defy anyone to watch this and not want pizza.

The temperature had plummeted on Tuesday morning. After my Wii Fit workout I wrapped the eBay sales before breakfast. Jon did a post office run and a supermarket shop whilst I spent the morning ironing and listing stock on eBay including some of our recent finds -  Alexander McQueen, Moschino, Free People, Superdry, Coast, Gabicci, Quiksilver, Hawes & Curtis of Jermyn Street and Adidas Originals.

I wore the same clothes as I'd worn the previous day. Well, I never did claim to be a style blogger!

I thought it was about time I shared a close-up of this vintage green leather bag, adorned with Portuguese Escudos (which were still in circulation the last time I visited) and a UK shilling and 2p piece. I was the only bidder on ebay and won it for a song.

After lunch we walked down to the baths for the 2pm public swim but were a bit early and had to wait in reception for the hydrotherapy class to finish. I spotted these vintage posters on display. This time we completed 24 lengths, we're improving by the day.

Back at home I tried out another of Sunday's finds, the Seven for All Mankind "Roxanne" jeans in Woodland Green, priced at £3. I'd heard of the brand but didn't know much about it and was astounded to discover that these jeans retail at £200. When I tried them on, I discovered why, they are the most gorgeously soft and comfy jeans I've ever worn in my life.

My legs are quite long considering I'm short but the jeans need almost a foot hacking off the hem. The size label reads "27" which translates as a Uk size 4, which must be an example of vanity sizing 'cos I ain't that small!

Posh jeans worn with my Masscob for Liberty velvet "Badin* jacket (eBay), hand-embroidered Greek top from Lindos, olive velvet boots (River Island via the charity shop) and a 1960s Pakistani bag (jumble sale about twenty years ago)

I'm off galvanting with Nikki tomorrow, I'll be back soon with tales of our adventures!