Friday 20 February 2015

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


10 comments:

  1. Such a lovely closing image Deb...that sound of a baby's breath... We have not had those foil topped bottles of milk here since so was a child. I'm sorry to hear that you have both been unwell but it sounds like you were in very good hands. Enjoy your magical carpets...

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    1. Oh thank you Caz. I'd forgotten all about those old glass bottles until I saw them and couldn't resist getting some. Sima was the perfect nurse looking after us and made us so welcome despite all our germs. I can't wait to put the rugs down...Just a little bit longer until the dusty jobs are finished then we can decorate in earnest.
      dx

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  2. will you take me with you the next time you go shopping??? You always find the greatest little hidden gems!!!! :)

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  3. I hope you are both feeling much better now. I would love to have my milk in a bottle but its so expensive, I really don't like these plastic cartons. Have a great weekend x

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    1. We are much better now thank you Sharon. It was dearer than usual but nice just for a treat. I've kept the bottles to use again.
      I hope that yours was good too.
      debx

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  4. what a wonderful week! I love ikea, I was there once but I'd gladly go again :) Looks like you had tons of fun and now I cannot wait to see all the purchases in your new home :)

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    1. Hurray...a kindred Ikea loving spirit...I'm sure that it's the bright lights on the dark winter days that attract the moth in me...

      I can't wait to start decorating and getting the rugs and pictures etc up...soon hopefully.
      dx

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  5. Oh, milk in glass bottles! I can't get it at all here. Those shops look divine.

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    1. I know Jayne, I couldn't resist buying a couple of bottles just for the nostalgic memories of my childhood. That cup of tea tasted so good...
      dx

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