This week was the first of the big winter gales and boy, has it been cold. I've cried 'uncle' and ordered firewood delivered tomorrow morning, so I guess that means I get to spend tomorrow afternoon stacking it neatly. I was starting to eye off various bits of furniture for their warmth sustaining properties, so I gave in.
The roadtrip up the west coast is but a dim memory now, but did I mention that we took in 21 opshops and 2 tipshops, as well as an above average antique/vintage shop and some garage sales?
There are things waiting for me on a veranda in Perth. I managed to fit a number of picture frames in my suitcase, as well as some other trinkets, but the bigger stuff will have to wait for a trailer, or a substantially empty vehicle travelling south.
I'm very excited about the old church cupboard with the metal cross, the wooden bits of crayfish pots, and the large frame with the bevelled glass. But as we know, I'm easily excitable.
The Geraldton tipshop gets full marks for both useful and for quirky. The prices are reasonable, the stock plentiful and interesting, and the indications were that it was doing a roaring business.
I'm not even going to tell you where the antique and vintage shop is, just yet, because there are too many things there that I want to buy. I have a friend who lives nearby and she can be trusted to go forth and acquire desirable items for me. Sometimes, I'm selfish.
Among their eclectic stock were opera glasses (unfortunately no monocles), wooden cupboards, frames, toys, books...you name it, I was prepared to desire it. In an unusual burst of rationality, I settled for a few smaller things which we shoe-horned into the car.
Unfortunately, there weren't any exciting old chairs, settees, love seats or other seating apparatus, but perhaps when I return there will be new things to explore. In my 'if only I had a shed' dreams, these things loom large. Amongst other things.
Having spent another torrid week with Phillip Marlowe, I've found time for a few little jobs. The temptation to sit on the shady veranda and read was awfully strong.
I looked after this:
(although she ate my favourite and most comfortable pair of Camper shoes. She was very sorry but unable to stop herself, apparently.)
I did some work on this:
And was quite pleased with the outcome so far.
I also got this:
cleaned up and inside (where there is just NO room for it!). Still some work to be done but on the upside you can get to the back door now. Casters? Legs? Hmmmm....
I only went to 2 garage sales yesterday, one was a farm clearance (and you know how I do love those!). We got quite a lot, really - so much the guy who helped to carry it to the car didn't think it would fit. It was a very small car. Some neat packing and we made it home safely and even with room to spare.
Amongst the treasures: boxes, boxes, boxes
and this:
which is now this:
and this (well, it will be soon. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?)
I also now have enough ginormous bolts for several interesting rustic hat/coat/key racks.
The second one was a friend's and also proffered treasure, however the excitement was such that I seem to have forgotten to take some happy snaps. I'll try to do it this week.
I'm nearly out of Phillip Marlowe, but I understand that a bunch of Travis McGee novels are winging their way towards me. Just in time, really.
The roadtrip up the west coast is but a dim memory now, but did I mention that we took in 21 opshops and 2 tipshops, as well as an above average antique/vintage shop and some garage sales?
