Saturday 5 February 2011

Week #5 of my NEW52 life ...

I've lived in the same town for almost 18 years now, so I guess I should consider it "my home town". Yet despite living here for that length of time, there are still towns and villages within a 10 mile radius of "my home town" that I've never explored ... until TODAY that is!

I'd read about an antiques & collectibles fair that was being held in the town of Wallingford, which is only 8 miles down the road. I'd mentioned to DH that I'd like to go, just to have a browse around, but is facial expression said it all ... not really his type of thing. Not one to be easily deterred, I decided to venture out on my own, jumped in my car and started driving in the rough direction of Wallingford. At this point, it should be said that I'm not a sat-nav kind of girl ... oh no! I prefer the old fashioned method of map and/or road sign reading (both of which are dying art-forms I fear) and with the need for only one U-turn, I found Wallingford town centre and more importantly, somewhere to safely park my car.

You're probably thinking now would be a good time to insert a photo. Well yes it would ... HOWEVER ... I actually forgot to take my camera with me (shock! gasp! horror!), so you'll either just have to take my word for it, when I tell you that Wallingford is one of the most charming towns I've ever visited, or you'll have to come and visit for yourself (and I'd do the later if I were you!).

The town has an abundance of antique shops, little treasure troves, Aladdin's caves full of curiosities and collectibles from every era imaginable. By far my favourite find of the day was The Lamb Arcade. It's a fabulous historic building that has 40+ small businesses spread over the three uneven, creaky floors. It's full of cubby-holes, alcoves and rooms packed to the rafters with charming nic-nacs and beautiful objet d'art.

(c) Anne Brewer Antiques, Furnishings & Gifts

One of the nicest things about Wallingford town, is the selection of independently owned shops. There were thankfully very few of the usual high street chain stores and the town has capitalised on it's quaint, twisty narrow streets and alleyways, as every time you turn a corner, you come across another unique little shop selling things that you never realised you needed, hand-made soaps, hand-made shoes, hand-made jewellery, hand-made cards ... LOTS of hand-made, custom creations ... my kind of town.

6 comments:

kym said...

This town sounds so charming. I love love to venture out there sometime. I hope you found some nice treasures for your home.

Lex (mrshobbes) said...

Holy moses but that looks like such a beautiful shop! I'm so happy you chose to go on your own and find such eye candy and treasures :) And um, yeah, if you've been to my blog you know all about my directionally challenged adventures, lol. So yay you for navigating on your own and figuring it out :)

grannie said...

And why didn't you pop in for a cuppa on your way home missis?? :-D

listgirl said...

What a wonderful New 52 this week Sue! I love small business, handmade, charming, quaint, etc. And so brave of you to go on your own, out of your comfort zone, without your husband.

Tracey said...

What a gorgeous shop! How did you ever make yourself leave??? I love stores like this..my husband's paycheck doesn't love them as much as I do.. :D

Thanks for sharing! Can't wait for the next New 52!

Helen said...

what a fab story ... still lovin' this 52 journey you are taking Sue. Have a wonderful week!