In fact, I wanted to take part so much, I weathered the cold and the rain on Saturday when I was feeling particularly shit health wise to go looking for some bits and bobs in my local charity store or even, if I had to in Portobello Road Market (known at the end of the day to have heaps of freebies lying around the streets of Portobello Road). By Saturday morning, I knew my cold was pretty yuck, it felt as though it had gone to my chest so to stay in the warm would have probably been a better idea.
Ok, then maybe NOT!
I got dressed, downed the last dregs of my tea which had turned cold very quickly and wrapped myself up with my big scarf (remembered I had left my brolly at work) to take a stroll on Ladbroke Grove to the charity shop which has been there for many years and had a great supply of items to recycle. I had several ideas floating around in my head so was quite excited to be off out on the hunt for a bargain. It began to bucket down as I plodded around looking for last minute throw aways and headed eagerly getting more and more soaked, down to the charity shop. The streets were full of tourists bustling toward the market, the puddles were getting deeper, the rain heavier and my coat soaked so that little puddles began to form on standing still beneath me. I shuffled through crowds of people to get to where I wanted to go glad I had left my camera at home in the downpour. I started to feel very hot (from illness) and very frustrated (at people) at the stop start rate of walking to try to avoid bumping into pausing tourists, gazing at this dull place in the rain as though we were in the midsts of summer time and there was something glorious to look at
I finally made my way past the bus stop on Ladbroke Grove and kept walking. I knew I was looking for the blue sign, which by the way just said 'Charity shop' no specific name from what I can recall. (I don't pay much attention to signs as you can probably tell - my mind is usually floating off somewhere else when I'm outside on the street). I turned back, having realised I'd gone to far and walked past the bus stop again, and stopped. The charity shop had now become a chemist. I had no idea when or why but the pale blue sign had now turned into a very large fonted dark blue CHEMIST sign. My heart sank, the rain smacked me in the face and continued to soak me in every way possible. I trudged back up Ladbroke grove and took a turning into the market, took one look at the black dirty soaked streets felt the heat of my brow and thought better of it.
I returned home, a bit despondent and frustrated really and if I'm honest, ready to kill. The ideas scribbled down onto paper, I emailed friends to ask for any bits they might want to donate to the cause. Having explained that the competition is to support the Sue Ryder Charity I had several offers of items needed, I just couldn't muster up the strength in my cold/flu state to get them.
So, I am hoping that I can take part and find the time to pick them up so that I can start my entry and submit it before the 5th December. I'll add pictures of the items donated when I pick them up.
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Quickie to me (it's PhatGrrl by the way): Some folks have come through, got some shoes finally and a tea pot *don't ask - Oh and found a massive bunch of random plastic flowers in a neighbours bin wrapped in recycle Kensington & Chelsea orange recycle bags. So I asked if I could have them. :D I got a few odd looks from the neighbours kids, but whatever, nice haul me thinks Brian!!!
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