A wander into Greenwich and a makers market

This weekend MOH was off on one of his long bike rides, so when I saw that the London Makers Market was taking place just down the road I thought it worth a trip. And I wasn’t disappointed. I even managed to dodge the rain.

I was prepared for all weathers though, but still managed to catch the sun a bit - I wasn’t quite expecting that. As I walked through Greenwich Park, it felt odd to be on what was my usual route to work, and so feeling the novelty I purposefully took more of the route. And it was good to see the familiar views.

I couldn’t help but stop and admire this lily which was almost as tall as me - isn’t it gorgeous?

I was hoping that the ‘special’ gate in the flowerbeds would be open, it isn’t always - but today it was. It’s my most favourite way to get in and out of Greenwich Park, and the view of the Queen’s House is one of the reasons why.

But it’s also a great view looking back towards the Observatory. As you can see by now the sun was out and Greenwich looks even more glorious in the sun.

The London Makers Market

The market is taking place on the first weekend of the month in the colonnades of one of the iconic buildings which is part of the Old Royal Naval College, and just one building away from where my office is - not that I’ve seen that for a while. It was great to see a good selection of artisan products from small businesses and social enterprises.

Unsurprisingly I left with a few purchases.

These moon and half moon earrings by Pivot appealed to me because they’re asymmetrical, and I immediately thought they’d be a good match for my asymmetrical bob. I wasn’t expecting to be blown away by their back story. Pivot are a social enterprise who make jewellery with people experiencing homelessness, helping them to pivot their lives. The products can be made in hostels and every piece of jewellery bought takes their makers one step closer to leaving the hostel.

Great designs and a really great initiative.

I also left with a selection of greetings cards. I am the type of person that has a stash of cards, which comes in useful when birthdays creep up on me - and because I often see the perfect card for someone at the opposite time of year to when their birthday is. The first set below is by Maria Zvaric who specialises in watercolour, loving bold colours and botanical illustrations; the second set are by Mari Burkinshaw who specialises in hand-drawn and painted elements which often include animals, nature and vintage finds.

My card supply is well and truly stocked up - and beautifully so too. I’ll be looking out for future markets to check out even more of these small artisan businesses, certain that I’ll discover some more fabulous finds.

A new mustard yellow enamelware jug

All the rest of my enamelware is the traditional white with blue rim, and over the years I’ve added various pieces. I’ve pie dishes, pie plates and tumblers and I’ve got my eye on a baking set, if only the traditional colour way were to come back in stock.

I’d spotted the mustard yellow items and my head was turned. For a while I pretended not to lust after it, but in the end it was no use. So when MOH asked what I’d like for my birthday I spotted my opportunity. He did say another jug, but that wasn’t too surprising. And then he said, not the blue and white - he knows me well.

It arrived this past week, and it is gorgeous.

I’m still a white and blue rim enamel kind of girl, but now with a branch out into mustard yellow!

For me its primary purpose will hopefully be flowers, and I knew I’d have some in the garden that would work. I cut the allium heads and set those in the jug alongside some of the longer stemmed clematis which is in full flower on our patio. Don’t they look great?

The colours of the sweet peas also went well but sadly it’s not a sweet pea kind of jug.

I’m hoping they do a smaller version if I’m honest!

Wisteria at Wisley

One of the advantages of visiting RHS Wisley at this time of year is to see some wisteria close up. I hadn’t realised before we went, but of course it makes perfect sense for Wisley to have wonderful wisteria. On this visit we tried many new paths, and after a wander through a garden full of box and ivy and leaving through this grand gateway we were about to head straight into the flowering wisteria.

And unusually straight past the peonies both in flower and in bud, well for the time being anyway.

Wisteria really is a wonderful plant, and I’m sure you can understand the pull to see it much closer up.

Wisteria is plentiful in our local area, it’s even in our neighbouring gardens - but I’ve not been able to get up this close to any of them. Isn’t it magnificient?

I have contemplated our own plant, and growing it against the cottage wall at the bottom of our garden would work well for us. I’m less sure if it would work quite so well for our neighbours living in the cottage though, so it’s never happened. I just have to admire from afar, or up close if I get the chance.

The wisteria had fairly grand surroundings.

And happy bed fellows.

With a final backward glance we headed off to explore more of what the gardens had to offer, and spoiler, there was plenty more to see.