Monday 4 January 2010

Having fun in London town - Part 3 - The purchases!

I promise we’re almost at the end. I could probably bore you for a whole month of Sundays about my trip to London but I promise that it is now pretty much at an end.

The theme of today’s post is less words, more pictures, you’ll probably be relieved to hear.
So I present to you The Purchases!

I spotted a couple of little independent bookshops on our travels and there was no way I was going to pass by them without walking in and buying something. Much as I love Waterstones and all other book chains, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t, I love love love independent book shops and think it’s so important to support them and keep them in business by buying a little something from each one.

I always find something just a little bit different in these shops. There are no tables of 3 for 2 offers which are screaming at you to buy them, you are more free to wander aimlessly up and down, looking at the shelves for yourself and it is then that certain things jump out at you and grab your attention.

At Gloucester Road Bookshop (couldn’t tell you the name of the street but it’s about a 3 minute walk from Gloucester Road tube station) I came away with a hardback copy of On Green Dolphin Street by Sebastian Faulks. A great book that I have read but it was a borrowed copy so I am very pleased to have my own copy, and for a mere £3! I also snatched this tidgy copy of Lark Rise to Candleford. Couldn’t even tell you why I bought it. Just liked it a lot. Who knows when I’ll read it!
And at Nomad Bookshop in Parson’s Green (I think it was on Fulham Road but don’t hold me to it!) I came away with The Boy With The Cuckoo Clock Heart which sounds very fairytale-like – a story of a boy who has his heart replaced with a cuckoo clock and who mustn’t lose his temper for fear of setting it off. Apparently it’s written by a French popstar, which is, well, just bizarre. But I’m pleased I found it either way.

At the Tate Modern (everyone knows the best part of any museum is the gift shop) I picked up this little children’s book. “Who’s it for?” I hear you ask. Erm....me. I just wanted it ok?!

Also at the Tate Modern I got this which provided us with much amusement. I have 2 others in the series which are instructions for British servicemen in France and Germany in 1944. There are reproductions of actual pamphlets given to soldiers in the Second World War to help them assimilate in their host countries. You know what though? The American one is still relevant today – we really haven’t changed that much as a nation. I suggest copies of this are given to passengers on every flight from America to England.

It contains gems such as....

"Don't be a show off. The British dislike bragging and showing off..."

"Keep out of arguments. You can rub a Britisher the wrong way by telling him "we came over and won the last one." Each nation did its share..."

"The British don't know how to make a good cup of coffee. You don't know how to make a good cup of tea. It's an even swap."

And I know that you’re all dying to find out what I bought at the Marmite shop. Come on, admit it. You are. As I said in this post, I went a little overboard because the prices of everything had been slashed in an attempt to clear the stock before the shop closed down. So I came away with...

I know.

I wasn’t joking when I said I went overboard.

Pictured here you will find:
- 2 t-shirts
- The big bumper book of Marmite (which is hilarious by the way, they must have had such a giggle putting it together)
- 4 coasters
- 3 tea towels
- An oven glove
- A postcard in a frame

And not pictured is a big tote with a marmite jar on it. I’d got to the till and he rang the purchases up and said that they had the tote on offer for £5 when it was normally £15 and would I be interested? At that point I really felt that I’d gone so far, I might as well carry on so all my purchases went in that.

I am currently working on spreading all these things throughout the flat because I think there’s definitely a chance that there’s a bit of Marmite overkill going on.


And here ends the London posts. (You’ll be glad to hear.)

I think I did pretty well with my purchases, I tried to get things that I can’t get in Hull, nothing worse than coming home with a load of stuff you could have bought anywhere. (I think the Marmite products can definitely come under that heading!)

Now.

What the hell am I going to blog about for the rest of the year?!

6 comments:

lemonade kitty said...

I love all those marmite goodies you got, washing up will be a pleasure with a "Marmite tea towel" to dry with...Love lucey xx

Unknown said...

How wonderful are those snippets of advice for american servicemen! The Tate Modern's gift shop is brilliant isn't it? Also I love Marmite (to eat) and those goodies are gorgeous! suzie xxx

The Curious Cat said...

Loving the marmite products! So kitch and cool! Lucky duck! And as for Lark Rise to Candleford - read it - it is brilliant...if you like Bronte writing and have a nostalgia for past times gone you will love this... The series is wicked too. xxx

Petit Filoux said...

haha loving your marmite purchases!! Don’t like the stuff myself but love the font/ pictures they use, kinda retro in a way I guess! I’m sure you’ll find stuff to blog about!! Don’t think I’ve said it, so Happy New Year!!! X

ps the mittens are nearly nearly there… send me your address when you want, it might give me the final push to finish them!!

Pps and hooray to you having snow in Hull – finally!!!! We’re forecast for some more but I’ve had my fair share, I don’t want anymore thanks very much!! Makes travelling/ walking so much more difficult… and I don’t think I can justify “working from home” too much more!

PinkCat said...

You have to read Lark Rise To Candleford - it's great (one of my favourite books!) and so different to the TV series (although I look both)!

I love your Marmite goodies! I can't help but think they would make me hungry all the time. x

Diane said...

Fab purchases - I love Marmite! Larkrise to Candleford is back on Sunday - Hurray!!! I'm sure you'll find something to talk about for the rest of the year. The big city has just gone to your head for a while. You could always come and sample the delights of Sheffield! xxxxx