A Crafty Visit

A couple of weeks ago I changed my car and have been enjoying getting about a bit more:



It really is the only suitable colour to be driven by a Lincolnshire yellow belly! Easy to spot in a crowded car park.

Having visited a few local garden centres I fancied somewhere different. As this Bank Holiday weekend is the time for the annual Alford Craft Market I nipped over to have a browse. As the event is popular even the overflow car park was nearly full. Once I had bought my parking ticket (£1 for up to two hours) I made my way through the market square where outdoor eating arrangements were laid out.



Then past a reminder of a different era







Out of the market place



A short walk along the main street - another reminder of a past era



Finally reaching the entrance to the market which is held in the grounds of the old manor house.





Lots of outside eating places available there. It was just the weather for enjoying life outdoors. Clear blue sky and the temperature nearing 20C. Next to the manor house is the Methodist chapel which is now an indoor furniture sales area.



Behind that there is a building where the Methodists were selling tea and a choice of quick snacks. I went there and chose tea and a wedge of home made Victoria Sponge which I took though to an almost deserted adjoining garden area. There I was joined by one of the helpers who asked if he might sit at my table. An enjoyable meeting talking about the weather, inevitable in the UK?, and gardening. Then back to the market entrance.



Lots of different crafts on display









The only stall where I made a purchase



I asked the stall holder to recommend something mild tasting and bought



Sampled it last night - lovely creamy taste. Just the sort I like.

More stalls to explore



demonstrations of pottery





and cane weaving





After a great couple of hours in the fresh air it was time to return to the car and back home though not before I had stopped to admire this



Back to the routine outdoor jobs now - weeding and mowing the lawn!

Will I Sneeze?

A panoramic view (four image composite picture) of the field of oilseed rape next to one of the lanes we walk from time to time. This is the field where the farmer was using kite bird scarers some weeks ago.



When I get too close to this lovely yellow display each year I usually end up with a day or two sneezing.

Alongside some nice sunny mornings we have also had our share of heavy rain showers and electrical storms throughout the week.

Still Visiting

The Hedgehog(s) are still frequently visiting my garden. This is a compilation from three different cameras.

Hedgehog Update

The Hedgehogs are still visiting the garden on most nights. Usually just one, though sometimes two are seen. At bedtime last night I could see that Penny was investigating something just out of my line of sight. She kept returning to the same spot. I nipped out with the pocket Nikon and managed to get a flash photo of what had caught her attention:



They are rarely going in the Hedgehog house to feed but seem to be finding plenty of natural nourishment in the wilder parts of the garden.