Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Cycling (with the lark) to the Vide Grenier

I mentioned yesterday that cycling to a Vide Grenier is always risky (what if I want to buy something bulky?) but I was determined to do it this weekend anyway! It's a challenge to buy no more than fits in a rucksack, right? Here is the rucksack in question, and this is what it weighed on my (long, hot) journey home. Shall we look at what was inside?


Firstly, a cheerful stall reminded me that I'd suggested a camp blanket badge swap to Vintage Vicki and to Josie-Mary last summer, following on from this post. Ladies, it's incredibly late, I'm sorry, but would you like to take your pick from the following if you're still interested? I've visited all these places.

Continuing the badge theme, here is quite a length of some wonderful ribbon. I want to wash and re-wind it, but I think it may end up in my blog shop...

I was in the mood to sort through stacks of crockery (I'm not, always), and when I started going through a pile of soup bowls with pink flowers on them the man on the stall asked what I was look for. 'Les roses bleues', I replied, feeling a bit stupid, because that means 'blue pinks' as well as 'blue roses'. Strangely, he seemed to know exactly what I meant, and started sorting through the stack for me:

Eeek! Totally Floss!

I nabbed these ones too, which are also quite Floss. 1€ for ten, functioning soup bowls. Into the rucksack they went (wrapped in my denim overshirt).I hadn't found any buttons this summer, so I was resolved to find some this time. No big hauls, but 50c for the cute card and 10c each for the pretty ones was a good deal - they were on two different stalls, and were both good value - it was a remarkably good value VG all round!I have a bit of trouble restraining myself from rushing at fabric covered boxes on stalls - I want to look nonchalant and it usually doesn't work. This one was in really good condition -



- they so often look like they've been holding nails in the garage for the last twenty years - and she only wanted 50c for it! Crazy! Most people want at least 2€ for the rusty, dusty ones!And now, it's just possible that, like me, you've been drawn to this cloth. It was on the stall of a professional linen dealer. These are usually Hyacinth Bucket-like ladies who are a bit precious about their over-priced goods, and I have learned to avoid their stalls for my own sanity. But something drew me back...


Oh, how well-guided I was to end the VG with this kind lady and her silent husband! No H. Bucket about her - she had her feet on the ground and was cheerful and happy to sell. 2€ for the red and white checked kitchen tablecloth (no, I'm not selling it on). 2€ for this 1940s - 50s lace and patchwork cloth (stained - will get to work on it next time the sun shines...)2€ for this bundle of fabric offcuts from the same period (in fact, from the same wardrobe, she told me...)And 2€ for this large and pristine printed tablecloth (perhaps a reproduction print, this one - I'll do some research). She had to talk me into them, but I'm really glad I did it!



In the interests of science, I'll tell you what else went into the rucksack to add to the weight. One mobile phone:One bike lock (this is not the combination, enterprising bilingual local bike thieves):One wallet that used to belong to my mum.



And why is the title 'Cycling with the lark'? It's not because I got up early - these were lunchtime bargains. It's because on the way home I chanced a shortcut down an unfinished road which seemed to lead me more directly home. (The road's unfinished because the Council and the contractors are in a row over who is going to pay for putting on the final road markings - sound familiar, anyone?) Anyway, this road did indeed run all the way to where I hoped it would, and was, of course deserted except for me, my bike, and a host of birds. A lark flew in front of me along the side of the road for a good distance.

A final opportunisitic (and wonky) shot of a happy cyclist and her finds!

14 comments:

Jen Walshaw said...

What a great haul and well done for manging it all into the backpack, it must have been like a Mary Poppins bag

Healing Woman said...

Now THAT is my kind of morning. I love reading about all your great finds. I have a flea market I attend every Sunday morning but I load my entire car with "stuff" I love it.

JuanitaTortilla said...

Must have been a great ride home. Not your fault that rose is the same word as pink in French. (Are they?) What about 'pink roses'? :)
Which reminds me of the instance when my husband asked "Why is 'Morgen' tomorrow and morning" in German... I was stumped.

Curious to know what you will make with those fabric cutoffs!

Beck said...

Oh fun!! Thanks for taking me along on your ride, what a lot of treasures you found. Love the bowls, and the fabric, looks like my kind of day xo

Jane and Chris said...

WOW! That was a great haul...love the blue and white crockery.
Jane x

polkadotpeticoat said...

Wow what a haul...you did amazing on a bike I'm impressed!

Unknown said...

Hi Floss...your comment worked!!! You are finding the most gorgeous things, lucky you, love the fabric. I would not have been able to cycle, just incase I found the thing of my dreams, that wouldn't fit in my ruck sack! That is Big will power well done!!
Sophie xx

Lorrie said...

What a fun bike ride! Your determination in bringing home your treasures is admirable. And I love the mention of Hyacinth Bucket - I know just the sort of lady you mean!

Unknown said...

That must have been a heavy bag...love the last photo.

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

I'm almost dizzy with excitement scrolling through your fabulous haul! I especially love the fabric.

Serenata said...

Some fabulous finds Floss, and wonderful that you went there on your bike!

Poppy said...

I can't believe you had all that gorgeous treasure in the rucksack.
Well done on the bike ride!

Lou xxx

Sue said...

You look as though you had a lovely time! Some more gorgeous finds, but I bet the crockery was heavy in your bag!

fee @ chipper nelly said...

nuff respect...as my boys would say!
fee x