Pyjamas, magical carpets and upside-down cars,

We went to London for a week, but you wouldn't  know it. You wouldn't have accidentally bumped into us if you'd been there. In fact even if you'd planned to meet us, you wouldn't have seen us. Except for the first evening. We arrived Friday suppertime, meeting up with Ahmad's sister in Ikea after work. Dinner and Scandinavian shopping all in one go. 

Don't you love Ikea?  Especially on dull winter evenings, like we were having two weeks ago. It's all those bright lights and lamps and colours. The cosy little room-settings and the knick-knacks in the market place. I stocked up with simple cotton fabric for cushions and blinds, brightly coloured packets of seeds, a mustard lampshade, coffee (always coffee) and chocolates.  I was excited to meet Sima, then catch up with friends and my sisters over the next few days in London and Sussex. But then the horrible virus that spoilt our New Years eve plans came back. So we missed everything. All over again. 

We were housebound and pyjama clad for the whole week. Good job I packed three pairs of pj's...A week of temperatures, coughing, sneezing and blurry tv watching of millions of episodes of Judge Judy ( I'm sure that Ahmad has a mini infatuation...actually correct that...major infatuation ) The Grand Budapest Hotel (again,) and The book Thief.  All whilst A's sweet sister, took time off work and made us hot chicken soup, lemon drinks, and cold compresses in true Florence Nightingale mode. Thank you so much Sima...

The only thing that raised us to our feet for more than a few minutes was the screeching of an out-of-control car speeding down the road in the middle of the night. It somehow ended up precariously balanced on it's side, on top of the little edging wall at the end of the grass verge; demolishing a whole length. We rushed to the window to see three young guys amazingly manage to get out alive, and escape down the road...Followed by the cacophony of sirens, as police and fire engines arrived.

When we finally went home a week later, wearily dragging our feet to stock up with food at a local deli on the way, we spotted a carpet shop where I'd once found a bargain rug. I wanted to show A what awesome carpets they have, and how cheap they are.  No buying, just looking. We didn't have the house dimensions or the energy for standing around. 

We ended up buying four carpets! Not because of aggressive salesmanship. There was a closing down sale with rock bottom price. A fraction of what we would pay elsewhere.  (I can give you the address if you're interested...)

Happy with our bargain finds, driving back through the Cotswolds I spotted a sign for Burford Garden Company. It made me think of Hannah...A mini version, with her grandparents, spending happy December days buying Christmas decorations. Admiring all the sparkly, fairytale things that appeal to little seven or eight year old girls (and their mums and dads and grandparents too). We had to go in.

It wasn't as sparkly as I remembered, but it wasn't Christmas either. It did have an amazing food section though, that reminded me of a Victorian pantry. Full of colourful packets and glass bottles of milk just like we used to have. And rugs, nice ones that were two or three, or even ten times the price of the ones we'd just bought...That made us even happier with our new bargain rugs...

...It was good to get back home, play with our magical carpets...Oh and to tip up the glass milk bottle, give it a shake then press my thumb in the little circle of foil covering the top. Feel it give way and make that sound of a baby's breath...Just like it used to do...  Then make a nice cup of tea...

peace and love
debx