My Lovejoy and the three Dudes

My Lovejoy

Many years ago before I knew him and before he became a responsible citizen working in the criminal justice system my husband was an antiques dealer. These were what I always refer to as his Lovejoy years. For those of you who don't know Lovejoy was an antiques dealer played by Ian McShane in the BBC comedy-crime-drama of the same name. During his escapades within the antiques trade Lovejoy also had great success as an amateur detective helping the local police solve crimes. Great fun.

Anyway due to my Lovejoy's past experience in the antiques environment part of our retirement plan includes a little buying and selling. With this in mind a few weeks ago we decided to set off on our own antiques road trip with a view to coming home with a haul of exciting stuff we could sell on at a profit. Whilst undertaking this venture we also thought we would kill two or three birds with one stone and visit our mother's and some friends en route.

The trip didn't quite work out as planned. First port of call was Lincoln where Lovejoy's mother and brother live. We perused a few auction room's where Lovejoy poked around with great enthusiasm and I stood around freezing wondering when we could go to the pub for a nice lunch. I'd done my research and watched numerous episodes of antiques road trip, flog it and bargain hunt and this was not my idea of an antiques centre. Lovejoy told me to get a grip as this would be where the bargains were to be found. However, clearly not because we came out empty handed.

We then went to York, on the way up to Newcastle and North Tyneside where we stayed a couple of nights with friends. During this leg we visited Tynemouth Station Market, (this deserves it's own post at some point). This is more like it I thought, lots of fab stalls with a huge array of products alongside specialists in antiques, crafts, collectables and jewellery. However, most of the time we were too busy chatting and enjoying ourselves that again we came away empty handed.

The final stop was Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent where my mum lives. During this leg we decided to visit Nantwich a lovely ancient town dating back to Roman times. The town is full of Elizabethan buildings due to Elizabeth 1st rebuilding the town following a fire.  Wandering around we came across a quirky little antique shop down a side street and found the three Dudes.

These fellows were hiding on a window sill up a near vertical rickety flight of stairs and needed climbing gear to access them. Now these would not be everyone's cup of tea and although not antiques and with no knowledge of age or history Lovejoy was keen and I was excited that we were actually going to buy something so in a flash they were ours for £18.

I also bought this small Doultan vase because it was pretty and I liked it and as a girl born and bred in the potteries I just couldn't resist.

Lovejoy the TV character had a reputation as a "divvie" within the antiques trade a person with almost supernatural powers for recognising exceptional items as well as distinguishing genuine antiques from clever fakes or forgeries. Lets hope my Lovejoy turns out to be a divvie, time will tell.