The Coconut Shy prize

 Happy new year m' rusty trolleys,

We went on our bi- annual trip to 'the big lights' of Truro this week - Cornwall's only city. It doesn't quite feel like a city, but it has a very handsome Cathedral which can be seen from all approaches. The eldest child enjoys its 'Hogwartness'.

 

 

 

Tucked down a little alley is the 'Mega Loft' and next to that, the 'Enjoy' clothing shop started by Bernie Beale (died 2019, aged 81). We always called him 'Mr Boogie Woogie' as this was the name of his vintage store in the old Falmouth church, that later became the Phoenix Picture House. Bernie was quite a character - once you met him, you'd never forget him.

 

The above image of Bernie graces the wall of the Mega Loft  courtyard, above a shelf of potted pelargoniums ( I wanted to take a picture but someone else's bonce was in the way).

Bernie traded at the first ever Glastonbury. He specialised in kitsch fashion, fabulous junk and crazy props. He was responsible for many mad art head installations, and involved with the Truro lights festival. One year he was seen holding cables together at the turn on ceremony.

There's a lovely tribute article by his good friend on Cornwall live here.

 

 

 

 

One of the last times I saw Bernie was at a local ice curling Christmas Fayre. He had made a hilarious Coconut Shy from old doll hairdressing heads. The blond haired, blue eyed giant heads had seen better days; in fact, some of them looked positively zombie-ish, with missing eyes, face paint and punk haircuts.  Passers by were invited to attempt to knock the heads from the sticks. My eldest daughter, then a toddler, flung a bean bag and managed to topple one. 

 

"Oh well done!" said Bernie throwing his hands excitedly into the air "pick yourself  a prize from the box!". There sat a tatty cardboard box with the randomest collection of house clearance junk - old rusty spanners, moth eaten maps, chipped cups. Our then toddler daughter delightedly pulled out this -

 

 

The old chocolate tin lid was so rusted, we could not open it. For years it sat by a radiator, under the telephone table. Every now and then, I'd give it another go, curious as to what may be inside - an old love letter, some ashes maybe. Then the other night, monsieur effortlessly popped the lid off. Inside? - nothing, not even rust. 

 

The Pony Tail palm (Baucarnea recrvata) was getting too big for the teapot, so it has been relocated to what will now be known as 'Bernie's tin'.

It's been too soggy and dark for outdoor gardening. Indoor tea trolley gardening is the way to go -

 

 

 

The charity chopped tea trolley (£5) used to be in the greenhouse. 

Spiders removed, now it is groaning under the weight of books and house plants.

 

 

Jar of collected sea glass and a cook's measure of Vriesea era.

 

 

Alien finger suckers in a cracked teacup (Crassula ovata 'Gollum'...or is it 'Hobbit'?)

Other re-used tins filled with jade and baby Echiveria canas.

 Fibonacci spiral of the Aeonium tubuliforme

Do you talk to your houseplants too?

I hope that you are keeping well and dandy.

Please send news from your part of the galaxy.

Lulu xXx

 

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