Monday 2 July 2018

The day we met in Chester

It was with great reluctance that on Saturday morning we said goodbye to Shropshire, where we spent what must have been our best holiday in many years.

The weather, for starters, was in complete contrast to last year's Welsh washout. After a false start on our first day, which was gloomy with some persistent showers, it gradually got warmer until we were treated to a veritable heatwave in our second week.



But let's make a little jump to our second day first.

It was the Monday of our first week when we got up early to make the one and a half hour or so journey to Chester for a most exciting event: the long awaited blogger meet-up with Vix and Lynn and their partners, Jon and Philip.

Needless to say, I'd been counting down the weeks and days and finally the hours until 11 o' clock that morning.

When at about 9 am we set our satnav and drove off, in my mind's eye I was imagining two other cars doing the same from different directions, to arrive at our designated meeting point, Chester's Upton Park and Ride, at approximately the same time.



As the hours became minutes and we were nearing our destination, I was getting quite nervous: what if they didn't like me?

Then, while driving through a residential street, our satnav, the silly thing, declared that we had reached our destination. Luckily, I'd come prepared and, after following signs to the famous Chester Zoo, we made it to the Park and Ride with minutes to spare.



We were the first to arrive, but soon our fellow travellers, who'd had the same problem, arrived in convoy. I can tell you, it felt quite surreal to see Lynn and Vix, whose blogs I've been following for years, get out of their respective cars.

It turned out that there had been no need for nerves, as we hit it off right away.

Lynn did seem to be a bit put off that we weren't the same size, which scuppered her dreams of living next door to each other and raiding each other's wardrobes!



After taking photographs - in case we'd forget later - and exchanging of presents, we hopped on the bus which would take us to the town centre, the girls sharing the naughty bench in the back.



Obviously, there wasn't the time for proper sightseeing, but what I did see out of the corner of my eye looked enticing enough to warrant a return visit.


We decided to explore the town's plentiful charity shops first, with Jos following us around, trying to capture us all in action, which wasn't an easy task with us darting around and chattering away.


But we were all too excited and the goods on offer too bland and expensive, so that in the end I was the only one who didn't leave empty handed.


I considered buying this cute little clutch, but baulked at the price, then spotted these emerald green, Italian made heeled jellies, which looked brand new, were only £ 3,95, and exactly my size!


By then, hunger and thirst directed us, guided by the app on Jon's phone, to the nearest Wetherspoons for a spot of lunch, where we were introduced to this legendary establishment's delights.


After a lengthy lunch, there was still time to visit Chester's vintage shops. Here, Jon's app did let us down, but with the rudimentary town map I'd printed off the Internet and accompanied by lots of head scratching, we finally managed to find Bridge Street, Vix and Jon leading the way through the grand looking Grosvenor Shopping Centre.


After a disappointing first shop, we did manage to find some reasonably priced true vintage in a shop called Soho's, which was located upstairs in the magnificent old black and white building you can see above.


Although a lot of oohing and aahing took place, again I was the only one making a purchase.

Both Vix and Lynn insisted on taking a photograph, so thank you girls!

All too soon, it was time to make our way back to the bus station, where we asked a chap to make this photograph of the six of us together.


Imagine the ensuing hilarity when said chap turned out to be our bus driver!

Back at the Park and Ride, we said our goodbyes with heavy hearts, vowing we will do it all over again next year.


Back in our cottage, we excitedly opened our presents, feeling as if Christmas and our birthdays had come at the same time.

Vix and Jon's  included a pretty Summer frock and jacket, a copy of The Face dating from 1980, with my then idol Siouxsie on the cover, and a brooch I'd admired on Vix's blog for me, as well as a Think Britain apron, flat cap, pocket square and Tootal scarf for Jos.


Lynn and Philip's presents came in one of Lynn's famous Doodly Bird bags, and included books and magazines (which I forgot to photograph), a scarf, brooch and earrings, a gorgeous handmade wall hanging and a sweet little photo wallet and miniature grooming set for Jos.

This was definitely one of the highlights of our holiday, and my heart still makes a happy little jump whenever I think about this day, which by now is already an unbelievable two weeks ago.

And, as we were all visible on a Monday, I am linking Vix, Lynn and myself to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.

46 comments:

  1. You all look so colourful and interesting - I bet a lot of people had to look twice! How lovely to have a blogger meet up whilst on holiday!

    Chester is a beautiful place. Did you walk along the wall around the town? I wasn't too impressed with the charity shops when I went there about 5 or 6 years ago.

    What lovely presents you got and I loved your green jelly shoes!

    Hope your week is going well
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Veronica. Unfortunately, there wasn't much time for sightseeing, so we'll have to return to walk along the town walls ... xxx

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  2. i wrote it at vix´s - i´m green with envy ;-D
    this sounds like a very fund day and you all look super stylish - and you got some very sweet presents too!!
    hugs! xxxxx

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    1. It was indeed a fun day, with hindsight it seems like it was a dream ... xxx

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  3. Yay! I only said to Jon a couple of hours ago that it's been a whole two weeks since we met. How lovely that i got to relive it all over again!
    Fantastic write-up, great photos and an absolute joy to meet you and Jos! xxx

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    1. More than three weeks ago now, can you believe it? It was an absolute joy to meet you and Jon, and of course Lynn and Philip, too! xxx

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  4. Isn't it the most wonderful thing to meet up with other bloggers? I've always found that we hit it off immediately! I love seeing your purchases and all of Jos' pictures of you all "in the wild"! So glad you had such a fun holiday!

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    1. It was absolutely wonderful, Sheila! Jos had a very hard time following us around for the pictures "in the wild". I'm sure you can imagine, with three excited girls ... xxx

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  5. I'm so jhappy you finally had good weather on a holiday and that you were able to do a blogger meet-up. What absolute fun.

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    1. We couldn't believe our luck with the weather! And we simply had to do a meet-up, it would have been a shame not to, seeing we were so close ... xxx

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  6. What a fun day!

    You all looked smashing.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Thank you Suzanne, it was a fantastic day! xxx

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  7. Wow! What a fantastic day, Ann! I love your outfit and that gorgeous red bag. You all look fabulous! I love the green jelly shoes you bought. I look forward to hearing more about your holiday, Ann! I bet Phoebe was happy to see you upon your return! ;) XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha! Phoebe was indeed happy to see us, and kept following us around for a couple of days! xxx

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  8. You look so beautiful and happy in your pics! I luuurrve your bright green outfit with the amazing maxi skirt! I can only imagine the excited chatter when you met (loved the description of your three cars converging on each other).

    So glad the weather was glorious!

    Happy thrifting ;)

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    1. Thank you! I just kept having that image in my mind ... xxx

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  9. wowwww, what a magnificent day, I would love to join you for some rummagging and chatting, even if I would probably squee and jump and behave like an over-sugared kid!
    You look so gorgeous, love to see everyone is looking fabulously stylish!. Glad that you enjoyed a sunny day!
    (Those jelly shoes are really cute and so lovely presents!)
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! It would have been lovely if you'd been with us. And we all squealed and jumped as well! xxx

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  10. I read about your meet up on Vix's blog, and said that you all looked super stylish, and very colourful, especially when gathered together!
    I've met Kezzie and Sophie (in the Sticks) and they're both lovely, it's so nice to meet up in real life.
    Chester looks like a lovely place, I've never been, but what a shame the charity shops weren't up to much.
    So glad the weather was better for you than last year.
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel. It was amazing to meet in real life! xxx

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  11. Aaah, what a lovely meetup! It's always so fab to see bloggers get together and hit it off.

    I wonder if Chester's chazzas are pricy because it's a touristy sort of town? Bath's are usually rubbish too. Your dress from the vintage store is excellent, and you got some ace presents.

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    1. Thank you Mim. It was absolutely wonderful. I do think you are right about the charity shops in touristy towns usually being a bit rubbish. But never mind, I did find some lovely things elsewhere! xxx

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  12. How lovely to be transported back to our fabulous day together. And yes I am put out that you are a lot smaller than me and I now can’t raid your wardrobe. I am so happy though that we got to meet at last. Roll on next year when we can do it all again xxx

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    1. I often think back on our fabulous day, a memory which both Jos and me will treasure forever. I'm sorry we can't raid each other's wardrobes, though ;-) xxx

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  13. Lovely to read your account of the day Ann and it made me smile to read "what if they didn't like me" as the same thoughts went through my head when I met up with Vix, Curtise & Co a few years ago...I guess it's quite natural to be a little nervous. So pleased you've now been to 'Spoons but sorry to hear that Chester's vintage was so disappointing...much like Sussex, I've all but given up, it's SO expensive. Xxx

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    1. As I am quite a shy person, I think it was indeed only natural to be a bit nervous. And now that we've discovered 'Spoons, we have been visiting others during your holiday as well! We are still quite alright with charity shop prices here. xxx

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  14. So happy to see and read that you had a splendid visit. No surprise there, of course, with such lovely people! thanks for sharing with Vis Monday, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thank you Patti. We all got on like a house on fire, as they say! xxx

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  15. I thought exactly the same before I met Vix for the first time! I'm so glad you had such a lovely time. I look forward to hearing all your other holiday adventures. xx

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    1. We certainly had the most wonderful weather, even if not from day one. I had to go out and buy more summer stuff, would you believe? xxx

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  16. What a great report. The photos are excellent.

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  17. How fun! Now that is my idea of a perfect day. Meeting up with other vintage loving folks, shopping, eating and presents. Doesn't get much better than that. And you all look so fabulously stylish!

    Theresa

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    1. Thank you Theresa, it was a most wonderful experience and strangely enough it felt as if we'd known each other forever! xxx

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  18. What a fun day and your outfits are all so on point.
    Meeting other vintage loving people is always a good idea!

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  19. What a fun and fabulous visit with your blogging friends. Of course I knew that they would like you. You three look like a beautiful rainbow of fashionistas. I love the pink jacket that you got from your friends. Have a wonderful day.
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com/

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    1. Thank you Elle! Can't wait to wear that pink jacket, when the weather has cooled down! xxx

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  20. Dear Ann, I am so glad that you are back from your wonderful trip - because I miss your posts! And this is such a happy one! I can only imagine the nerves! I would also feel a bit nervous if I was about to meet you and Vix - it's like meeting legends! :)

    You are incredibly beautiful and colorful, fun group! I would probably stop and freeze if I saw you all in real life (and didn't know you from blogs). You look amazing!!!

    Lots of love!

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    1. Aw, that's so sweet Natacha. It turns out there was absolutely no need for nerves, and there would be no need for you to feel nervous if you were about to meet me. To be called a legend, though, surely that is too much praise. xxx

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  21. What a colourful group you were at your meet up! I have been eagerly awaiting your holiday posts ever since you mentioned you were coming to England, can't wait to see where else you went xx

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    1. Thank you Claire! I still have to thank you for your excellent tips on parking in Bridgnorth. And we did go on the Cliff Railway as well ;-) xxx

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  22. Oh I am so glad you got to meet up with Vix and Lynn! I met Vix at a Vintage Fair and she was so lovely! I would love to meet her again when she is less busy!x

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    1. Thank you Kezzie. It was lovely to be able to spend time with Vix and Lynn. They are both such lovely people! xxx

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  23. ohhh a blogger meet up! It is wonderful to meet other bloggers, I think.
    I love the picture of you all together:)
    Huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you so much, Tina! I have that photo on my phone, to remind me of that day! xxx

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