All Hands on Deck

There's been a huge amount of activity on the Market Place today, with carpenters, painters, joiners and other creative types all doing their bit to change the facades of the four main shops to be used in the BBC TV programme.

Ornamental pillars have been added to the pretty two storey shop, with an ornate balcony piece above on the upper window.

Pickwicks has had grilles added to its frontage, with some of the large glazed windows filled in with panelling.

I believe that the 4 shops will become either a butchers, bakers, ironmongers or a grocers, but I'm not sure which is which yet, except for the old bakers just up the hill, which will remain as such.

The other shop on the Market Place had a huge picture window until this afternoon...

It has slowly been covered in ply panels to give it a more olde worlde look. They've also been working on the flat above this shop (accessed through that green hallway below), adding a fabulous William Morris wallpaper to one of the rooms...not that I'm nosey or anything! ;-))

I'm not back at the shop now until Thursday, so it will be interesting to see how much further on the transformations will be. I think the aim is for filming to start next week.

I also wanted to include a photo of the Market Cross, which was looking particularly magnificent in the June sunshine today.

The gorgeous weather has also brought many Glastonbury Festival goers to the town, eager to start their holiday early. Fingers crossed that the sunshine continues and they can all enjoy the celebrations to mark the 40th year of the festival.

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I leave you with some photos of some of the items that I added to the shelves today.

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Love Niki x

Work in Progress

We've had the builders in over the weekend...

I can't remember how long we've been thinking about moving a small section of wall at the top of our staircase to make middle daughter's bedroom a more usable shape and size...but its been quite a few years...

Before:

Apart from the cost involved, I'm not sure why we put it off, except to say that she wasn't sure about having the loft hatch in her bedroom, as she said it would be spooky...Well, at nearly 21 years old, I think she's moved on from that thought and can see the benefit of having a slightly larger bedroom...

Before:
Work has progressed well and the new door frame and wall have been built.

After:

The door has yet to be re-hung, but the transformation is quite incredible. Its surprising what a few extra feet can do within a small box room, and its not anything we will miss from our landing...so apart from the mess and dust, its all good!

Saturday evening we had to take our youngest daughter and her best friend to the Bristol Hippodrome in the centre of the city, as she had tickets to see The Hobbit. Hubby decided to make it a special evening for the two of us too, (and it meant we could escape the dust for a while!)- so whilst the girls were watching the show, we went and had a meal out.

Its been a while since I was last in Bristol on a warm summers evening. After enjoying a fabulous Chinese meal, we had a wander around the docks whilst we waited for the girls.

Hubby and I moved from the SE to the SW over 24 years ago - Bristol was then a very different place. It was trying to shake off its somewhat tarnished reputation, caused by the St.Paul's Riots that occurred at the start of the 1980's.

Today, after much urban regeneration, the harbour side is a vibrant and relaxing place to be. Hubby and I were able to walk amongst young club goers as well as the older generation enjoying the cafes and bars. We stopped for a cuppa at 'Under the Stars', which is actually a boat moored at the harbour which serves food and drinks, and were able to watch the world go by...

Then, as the evening drew in, the show was over and so we took the girls back home.

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Sunday morning I was up early as usual ready for another buying trip.

This is one of my latest finds...I just love it. Its sitting in our kitchen where it looks right at home for now...but I know it can't stay there and as soon as I have space at the shop, I will have to move it in, in the hope of it finding a buyer.

I'll enjoy it whilst its here though! ;-))

Have a great week,

Niki x

Details in the Shop Today...

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Enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Niki x

Mad World...

Just now, the only thing that is making any sense to me, is my garden...a few minutes spent walking around looking at the flowers, puts everything into perspective...

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Have a lovely weekend,

Niki x

PS: I've taken delivery of my new (old!) dresser now...so my weekend may be spent painting it...but we also have the builders here on Saturday, moving a wall and door...so if there's too much dust being created, the painting may have to wait...