Worthy of Miss Marple.

Hello hello hello! Can't stop it from spilling out! I"VE FINISHED MY SISTERHOOD CROCHET BLANKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finished it last night! Can't quite believe it myself.
I don't have photos of it to show you this minute, but I will tomorrow. And anyway, I wanted to show you the rest of the Duns Agricultural Show we went to last Saturday.

Some floral photos to show you. Such beauty. I tell you this for nothing though. There was an entry, (not any in the above photos), of roses, and those roses were definitely shop bought! They were exactly like some I bought from a supermarket last week.

None of the above flowers either.
Shop bought roses hey! Scandalous!
Hilarious!
I'm not showing you photos of them in case some nutter sues me for libel!
Anyway Those sweet peas above were the real deal, such a great splodge of colour. I do love sweet peas. Their name, their fluorescent colours, their jollinesss.
Hugo and I go to these country shows speculating about the categories. Hugo still rants about the absurditity of the "my favourite socks" category, we saw one year. The "my favourite egg cup" section didn't seem to bother him. I found myself thinking about my granny's egg cups I have, and how I would have won this category if I'd entered. (cough, not that I'm competitive or anything, cough).
There was a good and imaginative section I liked, the "knitted edibles". You can see the knitted cake in the mosaic of photos above. The lady who knitted that cake was out to win that category, no question. Still, she did do a fabulous job, I have to give her her due.

Why is there no Miss Marple murder mystery set in one of these agricultural shows? Specifically the industrial tent, with all these displays in them? Sometimes I'm amazed not to hear screams and see blood everywhere, as one participant discovers her inferior rival has been awarded first, by the corrupt and biased judge.

I wish I was Miss Marple. Did you know this fact?! No, I'm sure you didn't know that fact. But there it is, I've always liked the idea of being Miss Marple.

Oh I do love these shows. Such a sense of community you get at them. People don't have to bother making something, and then have it be judged, but they do it all the same, which I think is admirable. Though of course, winning best cake or jam or whatever does sound pretty impressive doesn't it? The quilt in the photo above was the only quilt entered. But I reckon we'll see more of this sort of thing at these shows in the future, as crafting gets ever more popular.

Shall we move on to the poultry section?
I would loved to have taken the little white duck home with me. How adorable is he/she?
Hugo was convinced all the ducks were sitting in their cages feeling put out with being near the chickens. Do ducks consider themselves superior to chickens?

The poultry section was fascinating. I rarely, if ever, get to be so close to so many feathered friends.

Are these eggs not real beauties?

I'd love to have been present when all the eggs were being judged, and been party to the discussions of one eggs merit against anothers.

All the eggs looked the same to me, apart from their colouring, so I wonder what made these eggs the grand champions?

The noise in the poultry tent was quite something. Every cockerel there was determined his cock-a-doodle-doo was going to be the one to charm the ladies, and take ownership of all around him. I find the sound charming, so I was completely and utterly charmed by all the competing doodle-doos. When you're standing close to a cockerel shouting his head off, it actually sounds quite musical. Some of them had more of a musical ability than others, but I do remember very clearly thinking, "oh! That was a nice cock-a-doodle-do, I wonder who sang that one?"

Don't you just want to cheer this chap up with a big cuddle and a kiss? Call me crazy, but that's my reaction to the bulls, they always look so cuddly and a bit grumpy, which makes me want to give them a big hug.

It's the eyes, the eyes and the mouths, they're beautiful. One of the bulls couldn't keep his eyes open, even while I was photographing him. They would half open, stare at me in a glazed way, then slowly sink closed. Must have been a tiring day for him, bless the big fellow.

We get a lot of curiosity about the breed of our dogs when we go to these shows. They're Miniature Dachshunds, with wire-haired coats. Hugo is usually in charge of the doggies at these things, because I'm snapping away with my camera, so it's him who gets asked what breed our dogs are. Hugo takes a lot of delight in responding to that question with "Aberdeen Angus" (a breed of cow). When the questioner continues to look confused, he relents, and tells them what they really are.

Though Douglas, our boy dog, does look a bit like an Aberdeen Angus bull.

We spent ages watching the sheep being judged, which was fascinating, purely because it's a new experience to us. Plus we got chatting to the mother of the chap showing his Suffolk sheep, the one with the black face and legs, in the mosaic above. I don't normally warm to sheep as a general rule, I don't know if it's something to do with their eyes. But this Suffolk had suitable teddy bear qualities, and Hugo said he looked more like a dog, which is guaranteed to put him in our good books. He certainly wanted to stay cuddled up to his owner, even leaned against him, which was endearing. He didn't win unfortunately. We, who know absolutely and precisely nothing about sheep, thought he should have won.

So! What a wonderful day we had!

The show itself wasn't that big, as agricultural shows go, it was just packed with wonderful things.

And it gave me a good excuse to take lots of photos, and do a jam-packed blog post for you.

Actually, I'm itching to show you my finished blanket, just itching! I'm going to take it along to my Wednesday night knitting group to show the ladies, see what they think. So, dear readers, thank you for joining me on this big bloggy post, and hopefully you'll join me again tomorrow, for the big blanket reveal! See you Thursday! Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Lululiz]

What a great bunch of photographs! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post.

[Lucy@attic24]

oooooo can't wait for your blanket reveal tomorrow...are you happy with it? Do you love it? Ahh I hope so...I did my ta-dah today, i so love my BB.
Loved all your showy mosaics today, you make these shows sound like such fun, its yrs since I've been to one.
Enjoy your knit night, and "see" you tomorrow..don't be late!!!!!!!!!

[jane smallcombe]

What a post!!!! You are a superb blogger! Cannot wait to see your blanket tomorrow! Bye for now! Jane ;-)

[Lyn]

Oh I so enjoyed reading that post. We were in Wales to early this year to go to the shows (one thing we love to do) but we are going to The Halifax Agricultural Show this Saturday, never been before. WIll no doubt post about it.
While on holiday I bought a book called Marple, The life and times of Miss Jane Marple by Anne Hart. Excellent!
Love
Lyn
xxx

[Emma]

A country show has to be one of my favourite things in the world. It's like going back in time. Your images have made me chuckle and the colours are so very cheery. Thankyou!

I have one small objection to this post. Where's the blanket??

[Karen]

Hello Vanessa, What variety of exhibits in that lovely show - we don't seem to have them down here anymore which is a shame as I really enjoy them. Love the expression on the little ducks face. I bet they will love your blanket at knitting club, can't wait to see it myself. Karenx

[Laura]

I thoroughly enjoyed tagging along with you to the Agricultural Show. It reminded me of our county fairs, although the category of favorite egg cup is new to me. Of course, I loved the knitted cake and the sheep. I also liked the chickens, eggs, and jams. All very pretty!

Can't wait to see your finished blanket!

[melissa]

I always feel a "kinship" to those who also love doxie's. I have a mini red smoothie, and she is just the light of the house.

[Hen]

Ooh, you're such a tease. We'll all be waiting with baited breath for tomorrow's reveal!
However, very much loved today's post about the show, as you know, I am a fan of these things. I love those bulls, I don't care what anyone says, they look cuddly! I picked two gorgeous roses from the garden today, my fave ones "Jubilee Celebration". Quite how they are flowering again, I don't know, I could barely get past the weeds to get to them! Oh dear. Sewing or gardening, gardening or sewing, just can't find the time for both. Now if only my sewing could pay for a gardener - I wish!
Hen x

[Jaki]

ooh! thanks for taking me to the Show with you, I enjoyed every photo and your wonderful stories!!

And I agree with Hugo, I think the ducks would be a little put out being right next to the chickens ;)

[Mummy Boo Bear]

Lol I do have an image now of genteel england, and a Miss Marple lurking about an agricultural tent, just waiting to catch who dunnit! you are priceless.

Love the photos and your blog post today. Cant wait for the big reveal tommorrow. Have fun at your knitting night.

Till tommorrow.

MBBx

[Kate Bruning]

I think you and Hugo need to stage a mystery murder at the next show you go to. I wish they had a section with all of the craft and food competitors in cages so we could see what they looked like. Do you think there would be signs warning you to keep your fingers away in case they bite? Speaking of suffolk sheep, we have one as a pet (his name is Chewy because he chews grass) and will never be eaten (as was the original intention at least by Jonno) because he is as tame and loving as a dog. Almost as smart too - but maybe our dogs aren't the brighteset sparks... very lovable though. Thanks for the vicarious country fair trip.

[Liz]

Can't wait to see your blanket photos!!!!

Miss Marple - gotta love her!!

[Marie]

Miss Marple would be in her element, nosing around, eavesdropping on all the locals. Popping up from behind a Victoria sponge to confront the villain of the piece. You've brought it all to life with your lovely, colourful photos, in fact all your posts this week have been a real treat, thanks! Looking forward to seeing the finished blanket tomorrow.

[Charlene]

Thanks for sharing once again - I love going to shows and wandering through the industrial tent too... not that I have done it for years - why not I hear you ponder?
The simple answer - We don't live anywhere where there is a SHOW! :(

I can't wait to see your finished crochet blanket - I bet its to die for gorgous. I'm already in love with the colours from the snippets you have shown already.

[maggie]

Great photos and tales of another grand day out, you ought to write this as a column for a local village magazine, or county magazine, have you ever thought of it!

[Dragonfly]

Oh, I just LOVE the white duck photograph! I may have stolen her to give Miss Marple a real run for her money!

[snoopydog]

What a great post; so full of interesting details and, as always fabulous photos! Bulls are very cute fellows, I have to agree. That snowy white duck too.... straight out of a Beatrix Potter book. Delicious!

[Isabelle]

What a lovely and funny post (Miss Marple!) :o)
I do wonder about the egg criteria too, if anyone knows??
Looking forward to seeing your blanket!
Bye
Isabelle

[The Curious Cat]

Quack quack - I would have stolen that duck -that is pure cuteness!

[Lynne]

I love this post, makes me a bit homesick I'm afraid though, sitting here in Sweden. I enjoy Agricultural shows, especially the Industrial Tent. I often think I would like to enter something, just for the fun of it. I even picked up some forms for the Penrith Show when I was over in the UK in June. My sister was going to enter some photos in the Cumberland Show. The first time that she has entered anything. But the show got cancelled due to the rain! What a shame, my niece had been practicing making scones to enter as well.
Was the Duns show up in Berwickshire? Lovely part of the country.
The photo of the duck is an absolute treasure!