My steamer chairs in use 30 years on
My steamer chairs in use 30 years on

Happy and sunny day securing my steamer chairs at auction, visiting the Buckden Towers Fete with my family and then enjoying my riverside aspect whilst starting work on the chairs as England lose the three match series against Australia

Awake on another gloriously sunny morning and with my cup of tea. I opened the doors to the balcony, fetched my paper and read it in bed. Diana brought my breakfast up again, which is becoming quite a habit. Up then to shower, shave and dress and out to the birds. 11 eggs again. Then to set off to St Neots to move some money around and to Bedford for the Peacock auction. Parking in Luke Street multi-storey car park, I arrived on time and monitored the different sales. I picked up a couple of old radios for £3 (including a Roberts one that needs attention) and then the doll’s house and accessories for £8. I took these back to the car and brought it round to the auction hall whilst I waited for the folding chairs to come up. Eventually, and late, I got them for £95 the three. I discovered that they were Edwardian, made of 40-50 shaped pieces of mahogany each, and are called steamer or veranda chairs.

I was congratulated on my purchase, but noticed that one had signs of some wood-worm. They will be fine when restored. Quickly to Sandy and the Happy Eater to find the family pleased with my purchases, but almost finished their lunch and worrying as to who would pay the bill! Time for a double diet-burger and then, dropping one car and our shopping at home, we took off for the Buckden Towers fete. A splendid afternoon with the musical organ playing, teas on the lawn and the English country events, stalls and follies to try. Away eventually and home, where I began to strip the dark varnish from one chair and watched the England vs Australia one day test cricket on the television. Again (as on Thursday) Australia won with an over to spare and we have now lost the three match series. A salad tea and then to continue my work on the lawn in the glorious setting sun, in a clear sky which, with the full moon, managed to keep the evening light until 10.00pm. I cleared up and then put away the ducks, marvelling on the beauty and peace of our country and riverside home. We are lucky. I popped into the office and skimmed the mail. They want me to lead a discussion at an Economic Seminar and, although it coincides with an auction, I may yet do it.  No news tonight and so my journal and then, after adoring my steamer chairs again, to bed.