Sorry for disappearing for a while. I booked three days off work last week, so I had eleven days off with the two Bank Holiday weekends. I had plans to Do Stuff. I was going to declutter my flat, do some crafting and enjoy some nice trips out. Unfortunately it didn’t work out that way. I did have a couple of days out, but I paid for them afterwards. I spent most of my time off either in bed or parked on the sofa because I was in pain and too exhausted to do anything. My mind was keen, but my body wouldn’t oblige. This was pretty depressing, as you can imagine. I try to keep the blog as my happy place, but I’m finding even the simple things (going to work, looking after myself, managing my flat) a struggle because I feel so unwell.

Anyway, I thought I’d share some photos from one of the nice things I managed to do. First, some background. I live in what you might call a less desirable part of town. This is because property is so expensive on the south coast, so it was the only local area where I could afford to buy a flat. When I bought it there were plans to regenerate the area, so I thought it might be a good investment. Then the recession happened. To give you a flavour of my experiences here, imagine being woken up in the early hours by a drunk Polish man covered in blood snoring on the landing outside your flat. It’s not what I imagined when I was clawing my way onto the property ladder.

However, there are some nice things too. I live near the gardens (which were regenerated before the money ran out). It’s a ten minute walk from my front door, through the gardens, to the sea. It seems the regeneration project has started again, because there was a ‘tea party’ in the gardens on Sunday. There was a vintage market, live music, circus skills performers, art and many cake stalls. It was fantastic to see the gardens filled with picnicking families. I could only manage a short time. I hoped to go back later to meet friends and to watch a fire eating show, but I was too tired.

OH and I browsed the Vintage Market, but we didn’t buy anything apart from a red velvet cupcake and a chocolate brownie. There were handmade items as well vintage ones – some people were selling handmade cards and I wondered whether I could/should sell cards. I don’t know, would people buy them? I resisted the stall selling gorgeous Cath Kidston goodies too – I’m very proud of my restraint.

We sat on the grass and enjoyed the music. I wrote a wish on a strip of fabric and hung it on the wish tree.

Some of the art was, um, interesting. There was living art – a man balanced on one leg on a tree stump whilst wearing a bee mask. This was to represent narcissim, apparently (?).

This sculpture was positioned next to the children’s play area. I bet some parents were faced with awkward questions that day!

As you can see, it got very busy.

I hope the tea party will become an annual event. In the meantime, the vintage market is held on the first Saturday of each month. If I feel well enough, I’ll go for a browse again next month.