Hectic times!

Members of Young Farmers' club stockjudging teams practising their 'reasons' before being asked to explain the basis of their judgements. 

A very tiring week at the Royal Highland Show - busy preparing to go, busy there walking round the tarmacked roads of the showground in full sunshine, until my feet were so sore I had to buy orthopaedic looking sandals - the sort of thing you could put over a plaster cast-ed foot. (I'd show you a photo, but about 6 hours after I bought them, I walked through fresh dung and had to wash them under a tap; without going into too much detail, the tap gushed at great force and drenched me.) I came home exhausted and slept for the best part of the next few days.

Tilly, my Jack Russell, so charmed the staff of the Scottish Farmer, that her pic became the profile pic of SF on Facebook.

 A quick glimpse of some of the many crafts that caught my eye . . .

Carrie's unique soft furnishings . . .

top knotch knitwear from roddie and louie

McMac Vintage chest of drawers 

 Susan McGill designs

Barely had I caught up on sleep and work than I had to prepare to be on the road again, this time a short hop to Blairgowrie Antiques' Then and Now fair in the Angus Hotel. 

Nigel and Damian do a great job of publicising and promoting their fairs with adverts in an antiques magazine, roadside signs throughout a 20 mile radius of Blairgowrie and repeated notices on FB. I believe the mighty Neil Mackay of the Pend Emporium - does that make him an Emperor? - advertised privately in the local press, too. Thank you to everyone who promoted the sale, the reward came in the sales made.

As usual, Blairgowrie attracted a good footfall - of people who wanted to buy, rather than simply to spectate, which can happen at some events.

As is almost always the case at fairs, the neighbouring stallholders contributed greatly to my enjoyment of the day. Lesley Tweazle's Treasures above and Evelyn Treasurefinder below were on either side of me, with camera shy Peter slightly round the corner - but not round the bend - he is a great guide on antiques old and not so old!

My stall looked a little different from usual, I have been moving things around at home and have uncovered some hidden gems!

My decluttering moved on this weekend as I sold some bulky items - a tweed jacket, mohair cot blanket, a bulky Arran jumper and some crockery, as well as a length of truly vintage fabric, which - to me - justifies my attraction to it in the first place! 

A vintage 'art silk' camiknicker slip went to vintage heaven - Gladrags in Forfar - where it may reappear some day on a scantily clad lady or maybe a very well clad lady who insists on having the right, vintage, underwear to go with her vintage outer wear.

My camera's rechargeable batteries are gradually becoming un chargeable so I have very few pix - apologies to all those people and stalls I missed. I met a number of new faces, all of whom I hope to see again, ASAP.

"Thank you," to all who contributed to making it a great day for buyers, sellers and spectators!