Rug-ovely day out!

 

Waiting for the train to take us to Topsham and Exmouth

Although it started cold and grey on Saturday morning and stayed like that for most of the day it didn't stop Old's Cool Traders on their picking spree.  Fortunately GWR behaved itself all day (thank goodness after last Saturday's fiasco) and the worst we had to endure on our day trip to Topsham and Exmouth was a 10 minute wait. 

Into Topsham first and we had a good look at the shops along the High Street and then a visit to Topsham Antique Centre.  We found out along the way that one of our favourite picking spots, Devon Air Ambulance's vintage shop, had been closed due to flooded drains and burst sewage pipes. Yuck!  All of their stock had been destroyed too, devastating news.  Fortunately the  kind people from the surrounding area and further afield have been very generous with their donations and the shop is due to open again in March.  We can't wait!  We've always bought items from there and it's a great shop for inspiration and vintage ideas.

 

Well deserved pint stop at Exmouth's Powder Monkey

We had a really good look around the Topsham Antiques Centre, we could spend hours in there!  There seemed to be loads of new dealers there which is always good to see as the stock changes more often.

 

With Kirk at the Exmouth Antiques and Collectibles Centre

We bought two really pretty brooches, one in the shape of a butterfly which has some real age to it and a sweet heart brooch, a perfect pressie for your loved ones.  The centre agreed to us leaving some flyers for our forthcoming fairs so please pick one up when you go there.

 

Pretty heart and butterfly brooches 

It was then off to Exmouth which has such a great range of charity shops that we never come away disappointed.  We found plenty of very cool vintage things that we'll be selling at our fairs including some gorgeous handbags which we'll be adding to the collection!

 

 

Red beaded handbag (top), Welsh tapestry glasses case (left)
and 1960s tapestry bag and matching compact (right)

The Powder Monkey has to be one of the best Spooneys in Devon for their ciders.  It's thirsty work picking items for sale so we had a relaxing pint or two) whilst we caught our breaths.

Fluffi by Marida Made in England mink coloured hat

The last stop of the day was the Exmouth Antiques and Collectables Centre (5 High Street).  Kirk Axsom does a brilliant job running the centre and there's a really great range of antiques and collectables for sale. Kirk's an expert on rugs too and has some real beauties for sale. All in all Saturday was a 'rug-ovely' day out! 

1980s sewing patterns, some bought at Selfridges London