We all moaned and groaned a bit as we (Jackie, Jennifer and YT) set off for Farnham to set up stall at the Maltings Christmas Market. We could do without this, we decided, on such a cold, uninspiring afternoon. The thought of having to get there at 4 pm and stay till 10 pm was a real turnoff. Nevertheless the intrepid Golden Girls never say no to a challenge and off we went. The Maltings was in festive attire when we arrived. Our table was excellently situated next to the stage stairs so all the punters had to pass us on the way up. We tempted them in with my Incredible Peacock, Kay’s Dragons and Jennifer’s elves. Here's Jennifer guarding her little people (and the books!)
The folk on the next stall were lovely – she a photographer – he helping her sell her superb, framed photos.
Sales were good – as I’d hoped, people seemed to suddenly realise that books make good gifts. Also pashminas and dragons. A good time was had by all. Even the mulled wine was yummy – though at £2.50 a small cupful, rather overpriced.
The following day (Wednesday) the weather was even worse, but like good adventurers, Jackie and I headed off to Farnborough where we’d been booked to do book-readings at The Deli as part of their literary events programme. Last week had been Alwyn Marriage reading her poetry so we were following in prestigious footsteps.
The Deli is run by Matt and Claire. It’s well worth a trip to Farnborough just to take a look at the store. The details are: The Deli 119 Lynchford Road North Camp FARNBOROUGH Hampshire GU14 6ET tel 01252 378955 http://www.capegoldbiltong.co.uk/
Gosh, I wish we had something half that good in Guildford. A true delicatessen with amazing cheeses and a myriad other continental goodies in two rooms stacked high to the ceiling, as well as a lot of South African things – biltong by the yard strung up for the meat eaters (I’m not), and delicious milk tart.
Refreshments were provided, including wine (I was driving, worst luck). At the end of the evening Matt sent us off clutching a selection of cheeses that proved to be nectar of the gods (I’m a cheesaholic…)
The readings went well and, despite a low turnout (it was that horrendously cold night) sales also were most pleasing. This is Jackie, captivating the audience.
Altogether a delightful evening. A big thank you to Matt and Claire.
Thursday – well, it had to come. The day of reckoning. The Day of the Root Canal Treatment. I’d been booked into the dentist for 75 minutes. ‘Are you sure you don’t mind the 21st?’ the receptionist had asked ominously. ‘Not having a big Christmas, then?’
After I’d explained to the dentist about my antibiotic allergy, he scared me half to death with jolly stories of anaphylactic shock (he takes perverse pleasure in engaging me in conversation requiring a response when my mouth’s wedged open and full of torture instruments). Then he got to work with the needle, the drill, the latex (yes, latex), the ground up glass, the rubber bung, the x-ray machine (the thing that really gets me is when they fire up the x-ray-machine and then dentist and nurse beat a hasty retreat leaving me to dose up on radio-activity. And then, to add insult to injury, I’m told not to eat until… tomorrow!
Luckily ‘tomorrow’ (that was Friday) I could assuage my hunger in style. I’d arranged to meet PAZ, a colleague from my teaching days, for lunch at the Osteria Romana in Godalming. I’d never been there before. Well worth a visit, if a bit pricey compared with the usual chain Italians. Great to catch up with PAZ too, we could scarcely believe it was over a year since we’d last met. Where’d it all go, eh?
Oh,yes, and PAZ bought a copy of Laptop (she already has Moon). So a good end to the sales week.
I wish all my book readers, eBay customers, family and friends a great Festive Season and a happy, peaceful and healthy 2008, wherever you are on this turbulent planet. May the world’s leaders have the insight to tackle the eco-threats, and may purveyors of hatred come to their senses before time runs out.
AND FINALLLY... Happy New Year and Happy reading from the Goldenford Elves:-
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1713081576
