Pick'n'Mix - the joy of the chaz in '26!

Miró

@goldfinches Thank you so much for the info re Persephone Books - I think you have opened up a whole new world of escapism in a rather dark world just now! Have signed up for 'the letter' and will now be scouring the chazza shelves to try to find one of these fascinating books! 📓

C_J

Ooh, Abingdon - thank you for the reminder, @goldfinches. I haven’t been there for ages (I remember it used to have lots of charity shops but I think quite a few have disappeared, especially from the precinct which is being redeveloped). I must definitely go again soon. There used to be a Mercy in Action shop around the back of the precinct, next to Mason’s the fabric shop, which looked a bit tatty and chaotic but often yielded some treasures so I hope that is still there.

Another reason for visiting Abingdon is the wonderful Lewis Baker hardware shop on Bridge Street, just around the corner from Sue Ryder. Have you ever been there? It is fabulous, full of all kinds of everything.

Floss

@goldfinches I would love a trip to Bath, but sadly it's at the start of a costly week for me - DS2's birthday, a gig at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and DS1's 40th birthday

goldfinches

@Miró - I'm so glad to have lightened the gloom a little bit for you. My favourite Persephones are Miss Buncle's Book, The Home-Maker, Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day and They Were Sisters. I'm looking forward to finding out what yours are. Good luck with your search.

@C_J - no I've never been to either of the shops you mention but will look out for the hardware shop particularly because the similar shop you mentioned in Kidlington is definitely a treasure. I might be going back to Abingdon quite soon because there is a Vegan Market on March 7th which a friend suggested we try so I'll have a better look around then.

@Floss - sorry you can't come to Bath but I am wondering about suggesting that some of us visit the 99p shop in Otley once it has moved to bigger premises. It might be rather fun to descend en masse as we all have such different tastes.

No shopping today but I am still using the quilted coat I bought last year every day so the price per wear must have reached single pennies by now.

MrsCatz

I too like miss Buncle and Miss Pettigrew, next on my list to read is The Blank Wall which was made into a film. I do like their recipe books but I have had a few that I didn't enjoy at all and abandoned part way through.

Mine is this one, https://persephonebooks.co.uk/collections/grey-books-wwii/products/few-eggs-and-no-oranges I think anyone who wants to understand WW2 and the hardships people went through should read it. I do wonder why places like the Imperial War Museum and Bletchley Park son't stock it or Operation Heartbreak which was the original version of Operation Mincemeat.

Miró

Yayyyy….. first sighting of Daphne and Mr Daphne this year😊 Picking up the droppings from the bird feeders!

Floss

Ooh more ducklings on the way??

Miró

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902625#Comment_81902625

Hope so…..Off to set up a feeding station, fresh water supply, paddling pool, snacks etcc…. just in case ….. 🦆

Wednesday2000

Aw. She is a celeb because of this forum.

Magpie100

Daphne!!!

One nice find today: a pair of Brasher Grisedale walking trousers. I had a pair of these from a charity shop in a 12 and have been wearing hem but they are ahem slightly snug. So delighted to find a BNWT pair for a tenner in a side 14. Already sold the originals on Vinted for £4, so I'm calling that £6 for a pair of brand new and lovely dog-walking trews…