England Day 6: Glorious Treasures

England Day Six! Officially past the halfway point of the 11 day trip at some point this day. And of all the days of my trip, this is the blog that will be the shortest because I was so busy enjoying, I hardly got out my phone to take photos! Part of me regrets it though, because silly me forgot to get a photo of meeting my friends Ali English and Annie Griffith. We drove to Ali’s home, and prepare yourself for this beautifulness. I tell you, between Bryony’s house and Ali’s, I came home entirely inspired to refresh aaaaaallll of my home decor. Ali’s house is so magically maximalist in the best best best way.

She is a skilled professional herbalist, so her home reflects that.

She enhanced this tapestry fabric below with hand painted Froud faeries made with licensed stencils. And look at that cabinet! And the mushrooms and everything on top!

Her kitchen is adorable too.

A kindly hedgewitch lives here. There is no doubt. Greenery and stunning artworks are tucked into every corner.

Ali also creates her own stencils and offers her services in interior painting. Annie’s home also boasts some of her work on the walls.

Basically just point your camera anywhere and you’ll find a stunning vignette that tells a story.

The fireplace screen! The tapestry! The sitting mushroom! The cosy sofa that begs to be sat on.

Another vignette upstairs.

The stairs landing.

After ogling Ali’s house, we went to the town of Horncastle, where I had my requested fish and chips! I wanted to try real British fish and chips, and oh my goodness, I think they gave me a shark instead! Ali quipped as much when she saw the massive portion I got. The fish was delicious but the chips were out of this world.

I had to take a photo of this sign. ;) Hares!

After eating at the park across from the fish and chips shop, we set out to peruse the charity shops and antique stores. Our first stop was the co-op, which was a one of a kind experience. I’ve never seen a retail space more precariously stuffed with piles and piles of items. For me, raised on garage sales and digging through bins for treasure, it was fascinating and fun in equal portion. For others in our group it was a bit much to take. I totally get it.

In the back of the building, you open a door into the garden, where this greets you. I didn’t take a photo so I had to find one on Google.

Photo by Talk Photography

This hallway downstairs was filled with chairs. And it looks like it ends there doesn’t it? No, it veers left and keeps going.

About halfway down the hallway I found this very interesting amateur take on Arthur Hughes’ Ophelia.

And the only other photo I took was of this sweet hare who was beyond my budget but not beyond my admiring.

I went into this trip wanting to get most of my souvenirs for self and others at antique shops, and I found many treasures on this day.

For myself, I got a lovely tiny brass bell that makes the most crisp tinkling ring, a reproduction brass Victorian hand with ball, a Welsh dragon wooden love spoon, and a British robin soft lightweight long sleeved Christmas top.

For coworkers I got a Queen Elizabeth emblazoned teacup, a British robin in winter snowscape plate, and a painted floral egg. For Tom I found a PlayStation themed Christmas jumper at a charity shop. It was the only one and it was his size. And a pair of coordinating though not matching Lincolnshire imps made of brass for my friends Bryonie and Desi. And because of charity shop prices, I didn’t spend very much at all really. 

After antique shopping we popped over to Tesco and I got some Tunnock’s chocolate tea cakes and wafers to share with coworkers when I get home.

Back to Ali’s house we went to relax for a while and see her “faerie court” collection of fey from incredible artists. Fiend made some scrummy carrot soup we all ate, and by then it was past seven and we still had a long drive home, so hugs and into the car we went.

The next day we would be going to Northwood Fairy Trail outside York. And I do believe out of all the days of the trip, we all took the most photos on that day. So day seven should make up for the lack of photos today. Stay tuned!