1940s weekend

A hot, sunny day meant a jaunt to Ramsbottom where things were very '40s: vintage clothes...

And shoes...

And houses...

Then a walk through the woods.

Where we found some unexpected allotments in a little clearing.

There were bluebells in abundance...

Steep, craggy drops...

And ferns unfurling.

Wild garlic is everywhere in these parts.

In Irwell Vale, preparations had been made for a Forties tea dance later in the afternoon.

We stopped for a snack and were surrounded by women in fur stoles and red lipstick, and little pillbox hats. They looked quite formidable actually. Like members of some committee or other.

Meanwhile, the chickens on the village green were taking a dust bath.

We met some friendly ponies - sadly, I didn't have any mints about my person. So they soon lost interest and went back to dozing in the sun.

I think the whole thing really gets going tomorrow - steam trains, a wartime-themed wedding, the usual unintentionally funny battle re-enactment. We just took a long walk instead and spotted a few details here and there. I'm not really a crowds type of person.

Tomorrow: a day of pottering. Perfect.