Car problems recurring along the way, we nonetheless made our way to our little slice of the West Country on Friday evening in the pouring rain and howling gales, what fun! Saturday was the last Farmers' Market in Bridport before Christmas and indeed, there we went when it was still virtually dark on Saturday morning, part by taxi, part by bus; my, we are dedicated! (Or mad?)
We waited for the bus in Beaminster a lovely little village with a thriving gaggle of shops at its heart, and at this time of year, several gorgeous Christmas trees and lots of eye-catching lights. Despite the miserable weather, this little village was doing its best to look attractive.

First stop on a Saturday morning in Bridport has to be here, before all the delicious homemade scones and other goodies sell out. I do love baking but when I'm only at the cottage for a few days, I'm happy to have a rest, knowing this fabulous home baking is at hand. Just don't get me started on why it now has to be called a "Country" market rather than the W.I. market...

On to the first of many charity shops and look at this fabulous window display, sadly not for sale.

I did strike gold in a different charity shop. One gorgeous pink pure new wool blanket with satin edging and 3 smaller wool blankets, just right for my first foray into felting sometime soon. (And a candlewick blanket, a tablecloth, a flower power duvet cover for chopping up and sewing into who knows what, and 2 cushions!)
On to the Arts Centre, home to the Farmers' Market each second Saturday of the month. I have to say, it was very quiet last Saturday, perhaps some were put off by the weather. It is a very attractive building and there is currently a campaign under way to raise funds for its maintenance, with the backing of local celebs Bill Oddie, Billy Bragg and others (sorry, forgotten them but quite a lot of well known people live in these parts).

Much more exciting was the presence of this fellow outside. Do you recognise him? The Munchkin certainly did (especially when he started dishing out the Quality Street, strawberry cremes, my fave no less).


Bizarrely enough, further down the street, it seemed Father Christmas had got into a speedboat (in an attempt to try to persuade some truly mad people to go for a swim on Boxing Day, a local tradition)!

Naturally, I had to stop by Girls' Own Store and I snapped the window display for you...

I was a bit disappointed by this; I mean, I get the red and green theme but I wanted it to be more overtly, well,
christmassy.
Back in Beaminster, I had major luck in finding the most wonderful vintage lampshade in a divine shade of pink. I'll have to take a photo another time, for example when I've actually sorted out what I'm going to do with it... I was less than pleased that the woman in front of me bought all (and I mean about 30) of the vintage glass Christmas decorations at 10p each. Grrrrrr.
Back at the cottage, the decorating began and the Munchkin got stuck into the paper chains; he has discovered a new love.

I took the opportunity to get on with some crochet...
..but not before I'd redressed the table for Christmas with its colourful big holly table cloth, charity shop-find embroidered cloth and a few other entirely essential bits and pieces...
The following day dawned bright and clear and afforded Mr HenHouse some perfect bird watching opportunities. We have lots of different feeders hanging from the trees in the garden and have lots of visitors at this time of year; on Sunday morning, 7 of my favourite, goldfinches, all at once, vying over the prized niger seeds.

The Munchkin pleasingly showed quite an interest in the birds and got out his trusty book to help...

He was, however, even more excited at taking out his scooter which we had bought at the car boot sale the week before, a fabby vintage find! I promise the co-ordinating cardi was not intentional; what do you take me for?!

Our village has a lovely church and the Christmas tree was adorned with lights, though they were not switched on. I do hope razzing round the churchyard on a scooter is permissible!
A good weekend was had by all (and I hope, by you too).