Bath time in front of the coal fire.

This picture taken at the Richelieu Brocante  a couple of weeks ago brought back childhood memories.

Friday night bath time in a tin bath very similar to this one and in front of the living room coal fire. Circa 1950's

My parents lived in a terraced mill cottage, my mother was a weaver and my father a maintenance fitter. The house had no bathroom and an external WC at the end of the yard. The bath, as I remember, hung on a nail in the yard when not in use! This was the norm for that type of property at that time.

By the 60's they had an internal bathroom installed and the tin bath was no more.

Does not bear thinking about today but that was how it was and remarkably I have some memories of it.

Today the baths are sought after for mixing plaster! well in England that is. It would be a brave soul who mixed a bath of French plaster; it would be set before it had been mixed!

Chaumassay Brocante

We met up with friends, Jean and Nick, at the brocante in Chaumassay yesterday. The disused railway track made for an interesting venue..

The former Station house made a superb backdrop and housed several craft displays..

Among them was the work of a man who has been making models out of used matchsticks since 1969.
Each model was labelled with the number of matchsticks used and the total hours taken to produce the work.
The label for this model read:

 "Maison Bretonne, 26,000 Allumettes, 2000 heures de travail. 2006"

This model of a corn mill was correct in every detail even down to being able to angle the sails the better to catch the wind...

 

They were truly a labour of love!

AND no brocante would be complete without...

Our search for a kettle stand for our copper kettle continues...

Mishaps at the Brocante...

Just when you think things couldn't get any worse....

along comes some old chap to offer advice..

"Eh lads! I've got just what you need. 'Ere you are, use this spade..."

"It's just the job for shoveling broken pots!"

I hate to state the obvious but perhaps it would be as well to check the table first!

Our First Brocante of 2012

This afternoon we visited our first Brocante of the year, and it did not disappoint. It was held in the lovely little village of Marigny Marmande, which is only about 7 km from Braye.

Such was the range of goods on offer, I was tempted to start our Christmas shopping early...

But I refrained!

As usual at these events, the turnout was good and the atmosphere was enhanced by the undeniably French piped music playing loudly all around the village.

There was something for everyone, young or old...

And when the hunger pangs kicked in, there were generous helpings of Poule au Pot served at midday. This photo was taken at half past three; so no rush over lunch then...

We maintained our unbroken record of no purchases but we were sorely tempted...

Once again, we showed great restraint.... and unparalleled cowardice!

Toussaint - Brocante

Today is the feast of All Saints or Toussaint and in France it is recognised as a  Bank Holiday. And of course a feast day is an excuse for a Brocante - in Richelieu, at least!

The day dawned overcast with light rain but undaunted we headed down to the square for a look at the wares on offer. As is usually the case with events  like this, attendance was good and the range of items on sale was quite bewildering.

Baby equipment was well represented....

 

as were toys for the children.....

And for mum and dad, the standard portrait for above the bed - (I jest not!)

Stalls filled Les Halles; just about every inch was taken up.

 

A Brocante is very much a social occasion - a time to see and be seen......

And that includes the sunshine, which had graced us with its presence by the end of the morning.

But as we leave these events one thought is always at the forefront of our minds.....Who on earth will buy that mirror with the corner broken off it, or the doll with its arms missing, or a 1968 copy of Le Monde with half its pages missing ....... Who indeed?!