Monday 3 May 2010

Polka Dots and Paintballs


Well it's been a great but busy week. On Thursday I had a girly day out in Shrewsbury with friends and then Friday saw the final preparations for Josh's weekend at The Big Game paintball battle in Stone, Staffordshire.


Here he is in full battle gear ready to see off the raiders from The North. Of course that meant a teenager free weekend for Mr F. and myself. So of course we made the most of it. Saturday we spent the morning in Tewkesbury at the food festival and the afternoon wandering around the market town of Pershore. We had a wonderful day with a good lunch and afternoon day without the usual accompanying teenage grumbles. On Sunday we were in charge of bringing our soldier and a friend home from the battle so we decided to head a little further north to the Potteries and visit a couple of factory shops that I've been wanting to visit for ages. Here's where we went first.



Who can resist an offer like this?



I'm sure the staff were perturbed by the persistent oohs, aahs and shrieks of pleasure as I spotted goodies around every corner in the sort of quantities that I've never even dreamt about. If only I could get that lottery win and fill trollies full of the stuff!



I've never seen so many mugs altogether at once.



Loveliness.

Gorgeousness.

Goodies galore.


Next it was on to Burslem to the Middleport Factory of Burgess, Dorling & Leigh and the most gorgeous blue and white pottery ever, ever, ever!


I was a little worried when I saw this sign outside the shop


but needn't have worried as there was literally a warm welcome in the shop with a log fire beckoning us in from the raw wind.


This is one of the dressers I will have when I've had that lottery win. Laden with a selection of goodies from Burleighware I'll never be stuck for the right size jug or pretty dinner plate again.

Maybe there'll be space for this dresser too. Or do you think that's just being greedy?


Maybe I need a little girly pink too?


Such a lot to choose from, so little money.


Luckily, Sunday was our wedding anniversary so we did have a few pennies to spend. Goodies from EB

and loveliness from Burleighware.


Then it was a weary jourey home for our young soldiers......but they were triumphant in victory.

14 comments:

Kathy said...

Oh, those dressers are to die for!
You can have more than one if you win the lottery because you'll have
to fill your enormous new house with pretty things!!!!
Love Kathy xxx

MelMel said...

ooohhhh aaarrrrr.....what a lovely day out....I love a bit of EB!xxxx

VINTAGE HEART said...

HI, your trip to the potteries looked like the died and gone to heaven variety!!! lcky you! love your purchases, fab week end for you, bestest wishes ,Linda,

Thedarkerside73 said...

What loviness in both shops! How ever did you choose!

Loved the pink and blue in the second shop! Simply yummy. And of course a girl needs a dresser to fill with prettys when you have won the lottery!


MBB x

Susie's country cottage said...

I love Burleighware and Emma B. What a treat to go to the factory shops. It looks like you had a really good time.
Susie

Andi's English Attic said...

Wow, the EB place looked like a rainbow factory! I would be broke if I went there. Best I stay away. xx

magsmcc said...

Oh my goodness, fill that trolley indeed- my smile got wider and wider with every shot! I now covet the "Country Living" mug. Seriously!

Rosie said...

I had to smile seeing your photos - I love those two factory shops too - I'm like a child in a sweet shop - don't know what to look at first! Last time I was in the Bridgewater shop it was full of tourists either from the US or Canada - they were buying trolly loads of pottery and I was scrapping up to buy just one piece! Glad you enjoyed your visit to the Potteries:)

Knitty, Vintage and Rosy said...

How fun! Love Burleighware.

harmony and rosie said...

I'm not surprised you were so excited, I bet you didn't know which way to turn. The dressers are amazing - and massive! You'd need a new house with your lottery win too!

Kate x

Country Style Living said...

Looks like a lovely day out, I must put it on my to visit list, looks very interesting. Loved your EB Mug!

Mrs M said...

Such a lovely outing. Love all those polka dots!

Curlew Country said...

Do you know that despite literally driving past the Bridgewater factory almost every day, I rarely get time to pop in. Terrible. I am ever so envious, must go again soon.

I love the Moorland pottery wares too, especially "Up 'Anley duck" which is a very familiar phrase around these parts.
http://www.moorlandpottery.co.uk/moorland-pottery-ranges-stokie-ware-c-1_40.html?zenid=a8a79e702e11475bea57259204e48916

As the grandaughter of four potters it great to see that our fabulous local tradition is so valued by Emma Bridgewater and her customers.

Love your mug, have a lovely week.
Stephx

Louise said...

I've always been rather taken with Burleighware. After eyeballing that dresser, I am sure tempted to start collecting the stuff! Really, really lovely. x