Stamp, stamp, stamp, stamp.

PJ is very busy sorting all his Italian Postage stamps.  They haven't been touched for many years, worrying about the damp getting to them he hauled the boxes and bags out of hiding and began sorting.  He says it's no problem as it keeps him quiet and out of mischief - no argument from me!
Today we went to a Stamp Fair in a small village just outside of Birmingham.  The village hall is behind the village shopping centre and surrounded by car parks. 

 I have since learnt that it is now 'the old village hall' as there is a new bigger hall and sports complex built.... somewhere!  But I digress, the hall was filled with rows of tables covered with Stamp boxes and books with chairs for customers sit on.  For those not in the know - one sits at the table, tells the dealer what he is interested in or picks up the appropriate book (box) and then sifts through the contents.  Should he find anything of interest it is removed, using tweezers, and put to one side while the purchaser continues to peruse. All jolly civilised!!!
In a side room was an old friend - old like as in since the children were young.  He was a young man back then, running his late father's shop while his mother sat behind the counter watching and chatting to customers.  When we visited the shop we filled it, but the sales were good, I always made sure it was worth putting up with us all!  Next door down the hill, which I don't think is visible in this old photo was the haberdashery shop where I bought my threads for Cross Stitch.

 I was devastated when they told me that they were leaving, my two favourite shops!!  They had to just pack up and leave so the redevelopment could take place......... and that was it.  The alley was kept but modernised with new rents - shame but I suppose that is progress!
Simon carried on selling his stamps from home, nursed his mother through her final illness, and started to visit Stamp Fairs.  That's how we renewed our acquaintance when PJ came off the road and into an office.  However time and work became busy and the stamps were put away until recently.
Simon is now organising Stamp Fairs all over the country and is certainly looking good on it.  We bought several items from him, we knew we would although we just kidded ourselves we 'would have a look round and then go for a meal'.  Doesn't work like that!!!

So here is:
My Mother's Day present from my girls, a watermark viewer (Italians love lots of different watermarks!), several stamps and an ALBUM.  Yes, he succumbed.  See it at the back, held closed with elastic bands?  In his favour I have to say that it is amazing, full of stamps and details of STEAM ENGINES.  
I also bought this book ..............

Now I am not one to brag but ............. Simon asked me if I wanted it signed and then called the author over, who just happened to be in the room, and he signed it for me!  I only bought it as I thought it would be a good prize in the Birmingham History Forum raffle.  Will have to think twice now!!  
I also bought this little postcard which shows how our local village was before we had a library - remember ........progress!

                                 and how it is now according to google earth!







Where we were going to have lunch was packed out so we came back to the 'Robin Hood' and boy! was that packed out as well, but we decided to stay and wait.  When we arrived at our table the queue for food was loooooong so we decided not to have a carvery meal, opting for a salad (salmon for me and ham for PJ) and a guy who was at the back of the queue when we ordered just managed to get his meal and was going for gravy when we were paying the bill!!!  And the salads were delish!!
Altogether a very enjoyable day!!

BTW - Thank you girls for my book!!