See you later alligator...

Another long absence as I took my daughter up to York for half term. The Viking Festival was in full swing with Viking folk wandering the streets en masse. At least I think they were all Vikings. With the current trend for bushy facial hair, it's often hard to tell. 

We visited the Jorvik Viking Museum where you go back in time and travel through a 'real' Viking village, even passing through their homes. If you have kids and are up that way, it's a must. 

We also visited the York Dungeon and Connie was thrilled to have achieved that when it's recommended for 10 year olds and she's only 8.

She spotted a man trying on evening dresses in Long Tall Sally which led to an interesting conversation.

We also squeezed in a bit of chazzing but found very little. I did score this little Topshop tweed waistcoat though...

 I love, love, love tweed but it's hard to wear without looking like Miss Marple. One of my many struggles in life I'm afraid. 

The car boot sale at Murton proved more fruitful and I found a peg rail to use in the kitchen for £1.

One day, when I finish the kitchen, this will hold my pretty aprons. 

That reminds me, I never showed you what became of my hymn board which is now in use as a tea towel holder with the addition of some iron hooks...

Ta daa!

It took me forever as the screws on the hooks were deeper than the wood so I had to find a thin piece of wood to go behind it and stain it to match...  How very dull.

Now, the two empty spaces are usually filled with number cards turned back to front with our important phone numbers on them. I took them out for the photo in case any of you are psychopaths. Who might want to phone my dentist. Or something. 

Back to shopping...
I  saved the best for last...

At our local car boot sale, I spotted this alligator effect suitcase. I reckon it might be forties or fifties? The boot sales often have old luggage but I hadn't seen an alligator one before so I snapped it up for £4. (No pun intended.)

It had clearly seen better days so I set about bringing it back to life with a tin of shoe polish.

It struck me as interesting that the alligator effect had dried out in the creases though. Almost like a real skin would do. 

And here it is after a little, okay a LOT of polishing...

Good as new eh? I wonder if it might be real alligator after all. A vintage alligator case must be worth a bit more than £4 right? Whatever, it makes a stylish place to store things.

Wishing you fruitful chazzing, thrifting, op-shopping or car booting in your part of the world until next time.