FlowerScapes at the Floral Fringe Fair

Last weekend saw the Floral Fringe Fair at Knepp Castle. Our company FlowerScapes advised event-goers how to plant nectar and pollen rich flowers to help our declining insects. The fair was a great success and had a lovely mix of wildlife, vintage, yummy food, plant and craft stalls. Knepp Castle is privately owned by Sir Charles Burrell, and has been in his family for 220 years. Until recently most of the land on the Estate was devoted to traditional arable and dairy farming, but in 2001 they shifted their focus entirely, and embarked on a series of regeneration and restoration projects aimed primarily at nature conservation and a less intensive way of meat production. This method of re-wilding has been successfully introduced in Holland.

Strange and unusual plants being sold

Knepp Castle

Our FlowerScapes stall, before being prettied up with flowers

Not just vintage cars but people too.

Vintage bus

View of the castle and fair

Willow weaving

Lots of plant stalls

Vintage brocante

Steve in action at the FlowerScapes stall

Although there was a constant stream of people, because the stalls were spread out, the atmosphere felt relaxed

I want one!

Wood and willow weaving stall

Restored camper van, yep, want one of these too!

A nice event and the event goers really nice too, all very interested in creating more insect-friendly planting.

The Zombies come to town

Tonight, in a bid to win the Guinness world record for the most zombies in one place, we put our best face on and headed off for Tully's Farm in Turner's Hill. The Shocktober Fest was attended by many fine zombies, some of whom had gone to great lengths to get into the mood...

There were many families there too, as well as the serious zombie-lovers

Got a bit hungry!

Sadly, we didn't quite get there, but it was probably the largest British gathering of zombies...ah, well, hopefully Tully's Farm will try again next year!

Hope you are having a wicked weekend!!!

The Great British Car Boot Fair!

Saturday was beautiful weather and was spent at the Forest Row Festival, Sunday came somewhat cooler, down from the roaring twenties to just 12 degrees, brrrrr...

I have been angling after some more denim fabric to cut into patches to make a patchwork quilt for Sam's bed for some time. Having nosied around various thrift and charity shops, I have come to the conclusion that these shops are definitely becoming rather more expensive than they should be, bearing in mind that they receive their stock for free! I think it's somewhat churlish to ask for up to £8 for a pair of used jeans, so I have turned my attention to the great British Sunday morning past time, namely traipsing around the local Car Boot Fair! It was decidedly smaller that morning, no doubt as rain was forecast, and everyone was huddled up, shoulders against ears, muttering under their breath about the vagaries of the damn British weather. It was nevertheless a busy fair...

Notice the hats and scarves...

Lots and lots of kiddies toys, clothes and books

And traders too, selling fruit and veg, batteries, tools and mobile phone jackets

Re-use, re-cycle, up-cycle, re-purpose...the choice is yours, and there are many bargains galore (but also a lot of tat!)

I came back with Dr Who books for Sam, Pokemon cards for BB...aw, happy boys

Old Dandy comic books for BB, he's a bit of a comic book fan, that chap!

Love these old tea cards!  "Put a bird on it!!!" (qv a sketch from Portlandia, an American satirical comedy TV series, containing some rather funny send-ups of  people and life in Portland, Oregon), if you are a crafter, then you'll get the bird reference!!!

And jars of tiger balms, for soothing achy joints.

I found plenty of denim, enough to be getting on with, and at just £1 per pair, quite a bargain!

Of course, I couldn't come home without a little something for Zaf

Teddy got a little shakin' all over

Hope you're having a shakin' week too!