We were stuck in a traffic jam on our way to Harrogate last weekend. It added about an hour to our journey, so we were not very happy about that. We decided to take a different route on our return journey and we were so glad we did, because we discovered a cornocopia of garden plants, delicious food and drink and hundreds of antique and vintage items at Crimple Place Antiques on the Leeds Road at Pannal.
We are regular, sad viewers of the Antiques Roadshow and Bargain Hunt, in the vain hope that one of our family heirlooms will one day keep us in luxurious, all inclusive cruises for the rest of our lives.
We entered the building full of expectation, looking for something familiar, and we found loads of items with high price tags that we had long since given away or simply put in the bin.
On the other hand we also found loads of items that we possessed and cherished at home under lock and key that were worth very little, and in the “under a tenner” section.
So is life.
We had a delicious coffee in the Cafe attached, and enjoyed a casual stroll through the Garden Centre and lovely Art Gallery at the rear of the building.
On our way back through the Antique Centre we had a sudden rush of blood and bought a beautiful vintage lamp that had clearly come from a very smart house and two very large second hand plant holders that will look perfect in our new garden.
Total cost of lamp and plant holders after a nifty bit of bargaining was £37.
I was happy with that, but on reflection, were it not for the traffic diversion, I would still have £37 in my pocket!
