Monday 22 June 2015

vintage finds, ships in the woods and Bohemian Bristol


 



I was the luckiest. Ahmad got the short straw a few weekends ago. He stayed  in a hotel in Bristol for a meeting about maths papers and I got to stay with Hannah and Bob and explore the Bohemian quarter, Montpelier. Well it was a swanky hotel with a George Clooney Nespresso machine in the bedroom and amazing food...so he didn't do too badly...

Before he left us we explored Leigh woods and discovered totem poles and curious carvings, red deer with full antlers and an art installation 'Withdrawn' by Luke Jerram. A ghostly flotilla of abandoned fishing boats. We peeped inside one of the cabins and spied forgotten objects. A sou'wester and  tortoiseshell reading glasses. Lonely possessions...Jilted by some natural disaster? We asked the questions the artist wanted us to ask...and maybe some he didn't...

Saturday whilst Ahmad worked, Hannah, Bob and I had brunch at The Bristolian cafe. It was lively and friendly,so busy we had to wait for food. We didn't mind. We ordered coffees and played board games and were soon served up with massive portions of freshly cooked waffles with fruit and honey, or eggs florentine (they do eggs benedict too,) or baguettes with scrumptious free range eggs. The portions were good for hearty eaters but much too big for me or Hannah...We'll definitely go again, but agreed to share one portion next time.

Bob left for more boyish pursuits and we found la belle boutique. They had the prettiest delicate antique lace and silk blouses that looked as though they would fall to pieces if you as much as breathed on them. It was so hard not to. And there were throws and rugs, soft leather handmade shoes and cute little toy tin boats, powered by candles, or rusted olive harvesting buckets. We could have spent ages there. 

Exploring Montpelier some more, we found bargain thrifted dresses. The softest washed out grey cotton one for me. It needs a bit of adjusting a bit too big and I'm not really a frilly person but the fabric is lovely and it only cost £2.50. Sweet Hannah treated me to a 1950's enamel flour tin to store the remainder of my sack of spelt flour in. It was so much fun to spend some time with her and her new city...

...Isn't it good when your daughter is grown up enough for you stay over?
dx


8 comments:

  1. Just wanted to let you know that I'm really enjoying your blog. You're a wonderful writer and certainly live in a charming little corner of the world!

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    1. Ah thank you Jane. Your comments are very kind especially as I often think I'm rambling much too much and it must very boring for anyone to read.
      We are very lucky to live in a lovely county and so close to lots of others.
      Have a good week,
      debx

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  2. Debby, I so enjoyed the photos of your lovely get-away with Hannah. It looks like you two had a grand time. I love your new flour canister, and what a sweet little thrifted dress!

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    1. We had such a good time thanks Emily. I hope that you are ok, I've missed your lovely blog post recently.
      Take care,
      debx

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  3. what a fun outing and I am looking forward to when I can stay over (however I think a one bedroom apt is not very big...). I love how when your husband is working you get to have a fun vacation!!

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    1. It's so much fun Karen. Hannah's flat only has one bedroom but fortunately all the rooms are massive and they have the most enormous old comfortable sofa...
      I know I definitely got the long straw that weekend.
      dx

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  4. hello debby,
    lovely photos.your new dress is wonderful but the white enamel flour canister is a dream.
    blessings regina

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    1. Thanks regina. It's lovely isn't it...I now feel like a 1950's housewife when I'm baking!
      Take care,
      debx

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