Sunday, somewhere between here and there, we popped into a Flea Market on the Belgian border with the Netherlands. I was curious about the culture I might find there ... would it be like a New Zealand flea market, what would they sell ...
Gert paid the 1 euro entrance fee and we wandered in. The air was smoky, with large fans blowing heat through the series of long shed-like buildings; Dutch filled the air, as did the scent of tomato ketchup from the attached cafeteria.
Secondhand stuff in other countries fascinates me ... it's like a snapshot of what people have in their homes I guess ... not precisely but it gives an idea. I've been searching for the ideal comfortable reading and writing chair, cosy and yet light enough to move around the lounge as the sun moves from one end to the other. Yesterday, the only chair that came close was a cat-scratched pale green vision of comfort that Gert couldn't live with ... perhaps he was right, the cloth was quite damaged and the green wasn't the best green.
We were in the final aisle when my heart picked up pace; not my ordinary everyday heart, no no no ... we are talking of my little bourgeois heart, the one that enjoys brand names on the occasions I am located firmly enough to dream of cutlery and nice dishes. This was no ordinary pottery, it was Denby pottery from The Denby Pottery Company in England.
It makes me smile to write this, I didn't even know I knew this kind of thing. I noticed the shape of it first, then felt the weight and was compelled to check the label. The brand name didn't match the price ... 12euro for a stunning casserole dish.
I was so ashamed, I wanted it.
Then I noticed the big dinner plates were a mere 1euro.
'Gert, we need these.'
'I don't like the colour.'
I very ernestly replied, 'That doesn't matter, these are Denby plates and I've never seen them this price.'
'But I really don't like the colour.'
'Sigh ... I guess you like that white one with the blue rim?'
'I do but there's only one.'
'I know ... what about the teapot?'
'Colour ...' he said, wrinkling his nose.
'Okay.'
'The casserole dish ... I like that.'
'Me too.'
So it was wrapped and is washed and ready for use, courtesy of a shop that went bankrupt once upon a time.
Later in the day, driving back towards Belgium Gert said, 'We should have bought the plates, shouldn't we?'
'I thought so, I don't think I could chip them so easily, they're very nice quality.'
'Perhaps we'll go back for them next weekend.'
'Mmmmm, it's not important, you might have been right about the colour.'
Later that night, Gert is looking through the IKEA catalogue, checking out the price of dinner plates.
'We should have bought those plates...', he said.
6 comments:
Ha ha! Yes, you should have bought those plates and gotten used to the colour:-). Denby stuff is fabulous, my sister-in-law had it on her bridal registry and got a couple of lovely pieces.
My husband goes to the flea market every single Saturday but I never thought of telling him to look for a Denby tea pot. Thanks for the inspiration.
Sigh ... this doesn't help but I'll pass on your advice ;)
Even if you don't like the color at all, after you've bought them, you can always sell them on ebay and get profit for that price. ;)
I liked that "It's not nice color" and then at home "we should've bought 'em". It sounds so familiar.... lol
:) He read the comments and laughed.
Mmmm, I love Denby. Give Gert a smack upside the head from me ;)
Okay, gently but sure :)
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