Camden…..

After familiarising ourselves with the train system…..5yrs since I’d been on it & things have changed….also fortunate they weren’t on strike last Wednesday !!!! We arrived in Camden to visit a couple of speciality shops & happened upon these little antique shops……along the walk….absolutely delightful……something we don’t see much of now in Perth……then we got to the dearest little store ‘Loop London’…… they specialise in wools many sourced from individual wool growers…spinners & you can still smell the lanolin on many of the different wools…embroidery threads of all kinds ……individually designed buttons…..so lovely to see it for real & not just a website or newsletter……well worth the visit as so inspiring …..after visiting Loop we were told of a beautiful sewing shop call ‘Ray-Stitch’ which was just a 1 minute walk from Loop as the girls in Loop were raving about it……we walked along & definitely not disappointed…..it had an amazing array of beautiful linens…notions….patterns….anything you need to sew with….a sewers heaven.

A visit to Leek

Continuing on our walk through the town of Leek….I happened upon a dear little shop (1st Photo) called ‘Laura Lees’ with so many homely antiques….then low & behold the shop next door I have followed for what’s feels like the beginning of Instagram…Old Whyte Interiors…..it was established in 2015 evolving from a passion for Rustic French Interiors to what is now their store…..I couldn’t believe I stumbled upon it even though I was aware of the address……so here goes….some photos of inside the store along with the owner who happily chatted away about where she sends to customers including Australia even though transport costs are high….amazing these little shops hidden amongst the dark disused buildings of the milling days…….some have started to be reclaimed ……

Biddulph grange gardens

The sky was brilliant blue but the breeze was very brisk…..it was my second visit to Biddulph Grange Gardens as it’s one of my friends favourites being it is literally on their doorstep …we stopped for a quick bite in the cafe then a wander around these beautiful gardens that have a long history ……many volunteers help in the gardens….it has different sections including the lovely Japanese garden ….the blooms are stunning & being here in the English weather the size of the blooms & without blemish….a floristry designers delight…..also part of the Biddulph Building houses 9 luxury apartments owned privately while the overall gardens are managed by the National Trust……It was /is a garden created by James Bateman for his collection of plants from around the world…

‘Home & Vintage market’

Saturday….the weather was gorgeous & especially as we had tickets to the ‘Home & Vintage Market’ in the village town hall close to Haselmere Surrey …..this was an an amazing array of vintage collections that had an appeal to many….old children’s toys….furniture….what we would call bric a brac but quality collectors items….hand dyed vintage French linen….patched cushions….old French gardening urns & chandeliers….the list goes on but it was lovely to see so many women purchasing little bits of someone’s heritage finds to add to collections or that special spot in their home or as gifts as I heard some say….the atmosphere was one of excitement as women found their treasures ….much encouragement was to be heard & support for the dealers/sellers….