The rain is still coming down here, but thankfully we have not got the problems which are affecting parts of the South of France. That region has had 400mm (about 16") since Tuesday. France 24 news says:- At least 15 people have been killed and another two are still missing in France 's southern Cote d'Azur
Due to the fact that I have not been outside for two days, other than to read the rain gauge, I thought I would do a different style of post today.
Brocante means second hand or flea market, vide grenier literally means "empty attic", but in our local shop, at Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure, called Le Vide Grenier you can buy anything from battered old books to fancy furniture. I even saw a complete church confessional once!
During the summer months, almost every weekend, one village or another has what we would call in England a car boot sale (in America, probably a yard or garage sale); here in France, they are simply Brocante. Generally there is a lot of what looks like rubbish being sold, but what is rubbish to one person is often desired by another. It often surprises me how people buy articles which look, to me, as if they are rusty and/or broken; obviously I have no taste!! Last year I had my first taste of selling at our local village Brocante sale and what great fun I had. I even managed to bargain in my terrible French, but I met many people, had a wonderful day and came home with a few Euros in my pocket. Hopefully I will get to the Brocante again this year and see if I can make a bit more money. Of course this year, now I have my blog, I will take many photographs.
As you can see from the pavement outside there is a wide variety of items for sale.
Any one for a teddy bear, or perhaps you are a musician?
Quite a fancy sideboard or perhaps an old book or two.
Due to so much, and such a large variety for sale in one place, items get piled on top of one another!
Chairs placed on top of small tables!
Our solid oak dining room table which we bought at this shop a couple of years ago.
How much is shipping? just kidding. I did see several things I would love to have. I love those kinds of sales. Good luck and have fun. Can't wait to see what you bought so we can be jealous. Have a great day. Becca
ReplyDeleteOh, and I think I will quit complaining about the 4" of rain we've had this week.
ReplyDeleteWe have cute little shops such as those. They are often called Second Hand shops, and as a child I lived near one called Trash and Treasure. I found it delightful!
ReplyDeleteBecca the Brocantes have just about started, and they go on for the whole of summer (what summer!) so I try to keep my money in my pocket. If I bought even a small thing at each one I would be broke! If I buy anything I will let you know but the table will keep us going for a while. Diane
ReplyDeleteMarjie, Trash and Treasure is a great name for a second Hand shop.
ReplyDeleteSince I wrote that article the death rate has risen, and there are a huge number of camp-sites closed down, people on holiday have nowhere to stay. It sound pretty desperate down there at the moment. Diane
Oh, I am SO addicted to yard sales and love that sideboard. I'm thinking many people from the flood will need some help with used items to get them by.
ReplyDeleteHi Gaelyn, I wish money grew on trees and then I could really enjoy these second hand places:)
ReplyDeleteYes there are going to be a lot of people in a bad way I think down South. It could not happen at a worse time with so many people on holiday there. Diane
Oh that gorgeous shop!!!! I used to have one near where I lived in the UK, and I spent many glorious hours rummaging about in it. Am looking forward to finding one here eventually, when things quieten down with the builders. As for the rain: we are under orange alert for the rain, which is coming down in torrents. But at least this will put water into the ground after a dryish winter, and when the sun does come out everything will go to bone dry in a matter of hours. Max, our Tamworth pig, is over the moon with the wetness, because now he can get a move on with digging up his paddock now the earth is wet!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like many second hand shops that we have here. Downtown we have a salvage store, that's great if you want some unique architecture. They sell windows, door knobs, doors, metal gates, or anything that is kept from a building being tore down.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photos, and I hope the rain lets up!
I think that those shops are the best. Finding treasures in amongst the dusty broken bits is so rewarding. ANyone can pay a lot of money for great things in a fancy shop... half the fun is the surprise in a junque shop or yard sale.
ReplyDeleteI just love outdoor markets and second hand stores. Your table is wonderful. Only the monks are missing. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteThat is afwful about the rain Diane!!
ReplyDeleteAs they say 'one man's trash is another man's treasure' and I know Gaelyn would LOVE these sales. :)
Vera I can just imagine how Tamworth is enjoying the weather - just perfect for him. As you say the sun comes out and the ground is rock hard in no time at all. Hope you find a shop near you.
ReplyDeleteLyndsey, the salvage shop sounds like a brilliant idea, Most bits and pieces taken from old buildings are interesting. I like that idea.
longpastremembered, Yes I love them, I can rummage for hours in there, just wish I had more money to spend :)
Mary we are really pleased with our table, when we can afford it, we would like to buy a couple of carvers for the end. We have 6 solid oak matching chairs for the sides which we found earlier this year. I will feel like royalty sitting in a carver at the end;)
Yes Joan the death toll has now risen to 19, very sad. It will never stop amazing me what some people buy, and sometimes what they pay for it!!! As you say one man's trash is another man's treasure.
Diane
The dépot has some nice stuff. Isn't this rain just awful? And those poor folks in the VAR! When will we have summer?
ReplyDeleteI have to say Dedene I am really fed up with the weather. My only consolation is that I can watch it out of the window and I can find plenty of work to do in the house. Poor Nigel is stuck in England in a miserable little 2 up 2 down, with thick net at the windows so people cannot stare in. He says work is equally as miserable. He will be be back here 13 July for two weeks. I just hope the weather improves for him. Diane
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for visiting, I do like your blog - will pop it beside Marjie and Gaylen's in my favs.
ReplyDeleteI will stop complaining about squelching across my excuse of a lawn to pop the vege scraps in the compost bin. NZ winters are wet, but nothing like the rain that has hit parts of Europe over the past couple of months.
Sending care and dry huggles, Michelle and Zebbycat
Hi Michelle and Zebbycat, The sun has sort of made a small effort today, but the ground is soooooo wet. One of my neighbours large fir trees has just fallen over as the ground is so wet!! Have a good day Diane
ReplyDeleteHi Diane! Your dining room set is gorgeous and so is that side board! I bet you had a blast doing that! It sounds like great fun seeing just what's out there. Shops like that are so interesting; however, we have very few of them here ~ mainly yard sales.
ReplyDeleteIt has been many years since we've had a yard sale but will be having one in July. I have no idea how "stuff" accumulates so fast and those sales are a great way to pass it on.
That's horrible with all the rain and I feel for the folks having to tolerate it. Here's to sunshine and dry weather! You have a great day!
That shop looks as though it would be fun to browse around.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for thoes in France that have suffered this week. What strange weather it has been this year, as you and I have both already mentioned here I recall Diane.
I love your oak dining table!
ReplyDeleteEeek to the fir tree falling over - so much evergreen-ness to deal with as a starter.
ReplyDeleteI hope the neighbours have a friendly and skilled arborist to chop and machine mulch, to clear away that tree in a friendly "green" way that doesn't upset any neighbours.
You have my care and huggles on your side, Michelle xxx (Zebbycat is warming up my side of "his" bed, so he can then snuggle up and know His human is warm enough to keep Him warm)
sending human snuggles and huggles, Michelle xxxx
Pam - Mid West Kitchen - I have to say both Nigel and I are very happy with our table and chairs and they were not expensive.
ReplyDeleteThe weather has been a bit better today. No rain but grey most of the day. Diane
LindyLouMac, You are so right about the strange weather. Thankfully today was dry though very overcast.
ReplyDeleteYes the shop really is fun. I go in there on a regular basis just to be inquisitive. Diane
Pam - For the Love of Cooking- I have to go along with you on that comment. We love it. Diane
ReplyDeleteMichelle we live well and truly in the country so no neighbours to upset. The neighbour in question is a retired carpenter, so he has all the equipment to sort the tree out as and when he feels like it. Lucky for him I guess he is what he is!
ReplyDeleteThey are coming for aperitifs tomorrow night so I will find out what he is up to. They are such nice people, French speaking, and language is a bit of a problem, as my French is useless. We always have a good time together, and usually sort out things in the end, we laugh a lot which is the important thing. Guess you are sleeping while I write this cuddled up to Zebbycat. My sister-in-law lives in Sydney so I am pretty much up to date with the clocks:)
Do I say have a good day or have a good night...... Diane
I hate to say this, but those photos look as if they were taken at my house.
ReplyDeleteDX, Sorry I sneaked in there when you were not looking:) Diane
ReplyDeleteSo many areas around the globe have had record breaking bad weather. So many lives lost and so much destruction. care and prayers
ReplyDeleteCould I have fun in that store. With a daughter in her first apartment, and a niece about to move into her first, I am straining at the bit not to take over. I must remember the fun that I had, in making something out of nothing, and let the kids set the pace. ooh, is it hard
Your quiche looks and sounds delicious. I know what you mean about not writing down the amounts used in a dish. I no not pretend to be a cook, but there are a couple of vegetable casseroles that I have successfully made even though I am never sure how much of what to throw in. one day
Take care - stay dry
Hi Mya, I am beginning to wonder if the weather is ever going to improve, It is cold wet and miserable today! Yet again.
ReplyDeleteI am sure your niece and daughter would have a ball in the shop......
Diane