Friday 7 June 2013

Didn't we have a lovely time, the day we went to...

Can you tell where it is yet?
This is what I look like serious. By later on in the day I was grinning so much I developed extra chins and ended up looking a bit like David Walliams when he dresses up as a laydee.

It's the one and only Chesterfield, in Derbyshire, in the East Midlands of England. A place I have driven through many times on the way to other places, but never actually stopped to enjoy. It is famous for the twisted spire on its church.
We were invited by the lovely and lady-like Curtise to come and join her on one of her regular jaunts to the Thursday flea market. We followed in the steps of market goers who have been doing the same thing for over 800 years!
The romantically named Knifesmithgate, a row of beautiful black and white tudor buildings.



If they got anything like the welcome we did, I'm not surprised they kept coming back for more! Every few yards people were calling out greetings and offering compliments. Our Vix was like a celebrity. One woman we encountered is even a fan on her facebook page! I've never known anyone who inspires strangers to make so many spontaneous approaches. It's the combination of looking so amazing and her trademark big smile. We basked in the reflected glory.
Strawberry daiquiri followed by Mojito. Post prandial grins all round.


Over a lunch of cocktails we made a lovely new friend in Annie. She is such a sweet, gentle soul and so easy to talk to. We were asked if we were fashion lecturers, performers at the local theatre, on a historical reenactment, or Jehovah's witnesses. We had such a laugh. Just to clarify, the answer is none of the above.




































We got quite excited in the toilets at Wetherspoons. This is the way it works on a bloggy day out: we talk non-stop for a few hours and then realise that we haven't taken any photos, so out come the cameras in all their shapes and sizes and we snap away like seasoned paparazzi.

And then, just when you think it can't get any better, there are the presents! It's like Christmas morning!
A fine woolen scarf with alpine flowers, a 1969 marmite cook book and an amazing pair of original platforms from Vix, to be modelled soon. Travel fridge magnets from Annie.

Photos from a 1964 copy of Woman's Journal, colourful vintage glassware and a wonderful dress from Curtise, to be modelled in a post of its own soon.

Bloggy days out are the very best!

I promise to come round a-visiting you all soon! xx

21 comments:

Curtise said...

Hee hee, I'm still smiling, aren't you? You're right, it was like being part of the entourage of a celebrity, walking around with Vix; she is the honeypot around which the bees buzz like buggery, isn't she? Not that you aren't rather a honey yourself, mind, in your fabulous Hawaiian frock and cheeky hair flower and gorgeously pretty wee face! And not in the slightest like David Walliams, you daft thing!
I DID enjoy the day so much, I am so pleased you enjoyed the market. You haven't showed your purchases! Looking forward to seeing the dress and sandals being modelled (knicks-knocks optional).
You're clever, I walk past those black and white timbered buildings almost every week and didn't know the road was called Knifesmithgate. Isn't that awful?
I really loved meeting up with you again, Tania, you do make me laugh, and I think we need to sort the next meet-up very soon, don't you?
Have a deliciously sunny weekend with lots of alfresco dining - you have vintage glassware for your nibbles now! Xxxxxx

Ivy Black said...

Hurrah! Lovely to see you all together...gives me a warm glow, so it does. What a beautiful city for a bunch of gorgeous gals to visit.
Can't wait for our own get together.
Have a fab weekend.
xxxxxx

Ofelia said...

Getting a double chin from smiling is my kind of day.
This market has been there for 800 years, Oh my!
You all looked wonderful and colorful, loving your hair flower.
How lucky to meet in person not just through the wide world of blogging and what an extra joy that you got along great and have an ever greater time.

Vix said...

David Walliams, Sylvio Belastroni- geddaway with you, me duck, you're blooming gorgeous!
Didn't we have a fab time? That Wetherspoons gets a strong 10/10 for the entertainment factor as well as their bargain cocktails. I'd forgotten about us being mistaken for re-enactment artists.
How good that we actually managed a couple of group photos thanks to the postman and a drunken pensioner in a tracksuit?
Show us yer purchases!
I'm moving to Chesterfield, I've told Jon. The locals just don't appreciate me here!
Hope you've got some salted nuts in your posh glassware, I'm on the Flying Saucers and Lambrusco...class! xxxxxxx

Connie said...

You aren't Jehovah's Witnesses? That's a relief! So fun to see all of you together!!

joyatri said...

Jehovah's Witnesses??? Why would anyone think that? Bizarre.
Your day looks like so much fun.

Kylie said...

Look at that spire! I love it!
I don't know David Walliams from a cake of soap, but I do know that you could never look like him or any other bloke (even a heavily made up one)!
The four of you make a lovely gang, looks like a fab day, and I love those platforms btw x

Penny-Rose said...

looks like so much fun, I love your dress.

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

I loved seeing all the glorious pics of you gorgeous gals having a lark, it's such a treat to have a candid peek at your glorious day out! You all looked so, so incredibly beautiful! All that colour, smiles, laughter, beauty, in one place on an amazing summer's day! What a treat for the locals - an 800yo tradition indeed - I'll bet no-one's ever seen anything like the four of you kicking up your gorgeous heels in history!!!! xoxoxoxoxo

CityScape Skybaby said...

Love these photos Tania, it sounds like a wonderful day you all had. Love the shot of Vix and Curtise with cameras at the ready, as I loved Curtise's shot of you all with your cameras. They must have very glamorous Jehovah's witnesses in Chesterfield! xx

Fiona said...

Sounds like so much fun. This blogging lark is great eh, who'd have thought it would lead to such great friendships and shopping!
x

Melanie said...

It looks as though you all had a wonderful time you lucky ducks xxx

Miss Simmonds Says said...

ooh I wish Chesterfield wasn't so far! When I can drive I'll try and make the next one! What did you buy? Love the presents, especially the sandals and the ladies bending over! The bloggy photos are all fantastic, I bet the talking increased by quite a bit after the cocktails. I laughed at someone's description of you as Jehovah's since they mostly wear dark colours. You lot are the complete opposite! Lovely lovely photos! xxxx

Anonymous said...

Looks like such a lovely day out spent in perfect company xx

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

So many of us are downright envious of you all!! What a glorious outing, and I'm enjoying reading about it on the individual blogs, getting a slightly different perspective!! I thought the various guesses from on-lookers were hilarious! Perhaps one day there will be a bloggers convention held in the Midlands. I'm saving up for my plane ticket now. XXOO

Hannapat said...

Looks like a great day out!! I have to go, wasn't aware of the market and don't live that far away. Thanks for the tip! You look gorgeous and it looks like you had heaps of fun xo

Annie said...

Jehovah's Witnesses! I'd forgotten about that!

What a brilliant day it was. And it was such a pleasure to meet you, Tania. You are as lovely a person as you are beautiful to look at x

I'm really looking forward to seeing you modelling the shoes and dress, and hopefully you'll show your purchases. No spoilers, but I may just burst into a chorus of "Climb Every Mountain"!

Love, Annie xxx

citizen rosebud said...

How gorgeous you all look- I tell ya Vix is an inspiration- and it must be a good life that she inspires so many!

Krista said...

I have loved seeing all the different takes on your glorious day out! You all spoiled each other with goodies and found treasures at the market, stuff for all! I can only imagine the attention you bunch got! The fabrics you found are beautiful and I can see your attraction to them, the first thing I love about any frock is the fabric so I can relate. You are just a cutie!!!!!
XXOOO

Melanie said...

I certainly don't question the Vix Factor but the group of you together - wow!! What a punch. That's so funny how some people wondered if you were Jehovah's witnesses. Well, if they all dressed like you, one might consider... And I would definitely go to your fashion lectures. Great post. What a fun meet-up!

me said...

This looks and sounds perfect! Presents are always good. :)