Note to self: Watching rugby before markets ISN'T a good idea.

The inspiration behind Chocolat and Co .... and doesn't she just know it .... the hound, that is!

Note to self .... do NOT watch early morning rugby on days you have a market, unless the match is at 3 in my morning.

Matches at 6 in the morning that only finish 7.30 or later, delay me ... and they delay the chauffeur too!

At least my Sharks won.  I’d have been miffed if they hadn’t.

Just to add further drama to the day, it was raining when we arrived at Coatesville!  My first thought was to not even bother unpacking and head home .... but then I remembered I’m not supposed to be scared of all that wet stuff .... so we stayed and got ourselves set up.

The hound joined us today too as, for the first time in a long time, there was NO-ONE home!  

Coatesville hums .... lots of stalls and lots of foot traffic and yet today has been quieter than usual according to my crafting buddies who're regular participants there.  As always at any new market I attend, I’ve had lots of positive feedback.  It’s SO necessary as it’s easy to loose faith in what you create.  

My friend Emma .... and she's NOT smiling!

“Global Warming” did it’s usual job in drawing potential customers in ... then it’s up to me to persuade them to buy something.  Not always the easiest of tasks.  It still amazes me that people think “Global Warming” is a painting and their jaws drop when I tell them it’s a photo.

They all want to know HOW I managed to convince 7 Pukeko to stand still on a tiny mound of grass in a wetland.  It’s MAGIC and proof that ANYTHING’S possible when you believe it enough!

Aha .... now she's smiling!

We even had our share of celebrities at Coatesville Market today!  Kim Dotcom was browsing ... he’s so much taller and larger than I expected.  I’ve seen him in photos and knew he was big but didn’t realise quite HOW big he was .... and he’s got the tiniest of wives.  For those unfamiliar with NZ’s rich and famous, Kim Dotcom is the founder of Megaupload, a file hosting service.  He’s facing criminal charges in the US for criminal copyright infringement in relation to his Megaupload website and is fighting extradition to the US.

He had his wife and children in tow today ... and numerous nannies ... but no visible security entourage.

Saturday's swim with the hound!

The hound loves the busyness of the market and all the extra attention she gets.  She lies under the table looking out at the passing parade.  Other humans with hounds don’t understand what’s happening when their hounds suddenly lurch towards our stall, but I do!  My leg’s suddenly whipped by a tail that’s wagging vigorously as nose touches nose!

I think she might enjoy the markets almost as much as I do.  

Molly, the Weimaraner, who swims along parallel to the beach ... up and down.