A Castle and A Mustard Shop - Norwich, England

It was wet, cold and windy so obviously a perfect day to visit a Castle and listen to the wind whistling through the turrets.  Oh the things that me and Mumsy will do.  However, we didn't let this dampen our spirits.  So, grab yourself some mulled wine and a mince pie, pull up the portcullis and I will begin.

I will start at the end of our trip as the sight of a mustard shop will make you feel warm and snug inside.  This is the Colmans Mustard Shop and Museum and what we had set out to visit as soon as we arrived in Norwich.

The displays in the enticing shop windows were both nostalgic and inviting.  The beautiful ornate till with its tactile buttons just waiting to have just one more sale ring through the mechanism again.  I could imagine pressing these and hearing the comforting sound of the tapping and dinging from the sales.  Music to my ears rather than the manufactured bleeping that we get nowadays.

The shelves of rich yellow lusciousness of the instantly recognisable mustard pots was a spot of sunshine on such a grim day.

With presents bought it was time to get back into the Royal Arcade and continue with our lists, along with disappearing into the crowds.

But rather than bore you with the delights of Christmas shopping (I am sure you don't want to read about that!), let me take you back to the beginning of our trip to Norwich.  Norwich Castle.

The Castle is a magnificent building, but maybe a little pricey for entrance.  However, not to worry, it was dry and relatively warm (we needed to thaw and dry out!).  The wind was howling through the rafters so we were grateful to be inside.

As well as beautiful stone walls, the stained glass was a welcome splash of colour in the dark surroundings.

One thing that we absolutely love is to see the worn down steps of these buildings.  Centuries of foot steps all sharing the same space and the steps dipping with the weight over time.  Just a little disappointed when we found the twins 'Elf and Safety' had visited before us and filled in this history.

How about this for a toilet with a view.  Some of the sections had a couple of holes in the benches so that the occupants could discuss the daily affairs while going about their business.  I bet some conversations were quicker than others!!

The views from the narrow windows showed Norwich in the brief sunshine, a reminder that the castle was dark from the protective walls.

There were many exhibits on the ground floor but very shiny glass - no good for the camera!  Now have you ever heard of Custard Cups?  Apparently they were used to serve desserts similar to a syllabub.

Aren't they gorgeous?!

I had to share this case with you though, especially with Christmas knocking on the door.  Just a little whistle that tells such a huge story.

In the basement however, there were bars... prison bars.  Can you imagine the conditions back then?  A lot harsher than now.

So that's a little starter to Norwich.  Next time onto beautiful Cathedral, and Edith Cavell's final resting place.

Thank you so, so, so much for your comments on my last post.  You are all so incredibly kind and will keep the smile on my face as I head for the operating theatre!

           

The Quirky and Crafty Christmas Shopping - Sandringham Christmas Fair, Norfolk

I do love a good craft fair don't you?  Especially when it is in magnificent grounds with lots of space.  With the thoughts of one more month until Christmas, I felt it was the perfect time to start the PANIC and to start ticking the lists I had prepared a couple of weeks ago.  So, to start with, the shopping would begin with the quirky and crafty, and what better place than the Sandringham Christmas Craft Fair.  Grab your hat and coat and cash - I never take a card to places like this - too tempting!  Are you ready to start the festive shopping?  Here we go...

This fair allows you to see the products being made and this particular stall always makes me smile when I have seen it.  This is Dingley Dwellings and the lovely Denise Chapman.  I bought one of her quirky little houses a while ago for Mumsy's fairy glen along with a well.  They are still perfect at the bottom of the garden, so these are hard standing too.

Aren't they great?!  I particularly liked this one but had to resist!

Out of the marquees we heard the familiar sound of the creating chainsaws.  The little elves were busy working their Christmas magic and were dressed a little bit warmer from the last time we saw them (a past post is here).

I love the art that they create from one piece of wood.

And once varnished and torched, the definition is amazing to see.

Another marquee and we came across these boxes with some candles.  Now, I loved them but my two teens who are avid Harry Potter fans spotted a little mistake.  Should it say "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"?  Never mind, I loved them... but resisted!

There are some brilliant characters here, and I especially loved the mustaches on show (must be Movember!) 

Here's another one who was giving a cookery demonstration...

It was time for me and Mumsy to have some lunch and this marquee was full to brimming...

... and I wasn't surprised with the amazing pork baguettes on offer!  Believe me, they were certainly not holding back on the amount of pork they were selling!

Those who follow my Facebook page will have seen this particular stalls wares.  There were irons, wrenches, scissors, violins, nuts and bolts, graters, hammers - you name it!  And, all made from chocolate!!  And yes, you can get a chocolate coffee maker but couldn't see a chocolate teapot!

Why is it that there is always a queue ladies?!!

I digress! 

This stall holder was very curious about what was going on in the next stall...

Well, with an owl flying around and the stall holder selling sausages, it could have been too much of a temptation!

Christmas would not be Christmas without a wreath, and these were just adorable!

So, what did I buy? Oh if only you could smell this lovely package.  It's Christmas in a bag!  Spiced apples, tangy oranges, pine cones... so much delicious gorgeousness just waiting to be put into a bowl as part of the festive decorations!

For a certain Miss Teen a necklace which will be right up her street!

And then from Charles Burke - who is a glass artist, this lovely blue paperweight.

I would have loved to have shown you Sandringham House too, but from the grounds where the Fair was, this was the view... sorry.  But the trees are pretty spectacular aren't they!

So, how is your Christmas shopping going?  Are you enjoying the crowds yet?!!

Next week, Christmas at Hampton Court!

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments on my Coco.  We have had a couple of bad nights with her (including one where I had to carry her home), we're taking each day as it comes.  Also my Dad is gradually improving (hence Mumsy coming out this week).

Take care.