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Yesterday we drove to some of the outlying towns and villages to look around, largely with a view to seeing whether we would like to live there. Although we decided that they weren't for us, for a variety of reasons, by far the prettiest and most interesting place was Bradford-on-Avon. It's built in a steep valley with the River Avon running through it, with many really pretty and ancient buildings. It's also declared itself a Free Trade town, which means that many of the shops and cafes stock and use Free Trade products. 

We had coffee/herbal tea and toasted teacake/flapjack in a tiny cafe which must have been in a very old building, with low ceilings, exposed beams, a rickety staircase. DH spotted some trousers and a top in a shop that sold clothes made from Free Trade Cotton and suggested I try it on. I really don't much care for buying clothes, and it is so rare that I see something that I like, that suits me and isn't extortionately priced. But this fitted the bill and he bought it for me. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but the hotel room has those hangars without hooks, that fit on to a fixed hangar on the wardrobe rail, so I ended up laying the clothes on the floor to take a photograph.

By the time we'd had lunch I was exhausted and we headed back to the hotel so that I could rest. We had planned an early dinner so that we could visit the Roman Baths in the evening, when they would be lit by torchlight, but I was just too whacked. In fact we ended up having our dinner in our room as I just couldn't face the dining room. 

I didn't take any photographs while we were out, but here's a photograph of the fabric I bought in Country Threads yesterday. Three panels to practice quilting on; some red gingham to bind the Christmas panels; the cream and red combo is to make a hanging pocket I spotted in a patchwork magazine; the jelly roll is just because I loved it - and having bought the book Jelly Roll Quilts I really ought to make something from it!

Sorry about the small photographs, but Blogger wouldn't co-operate and I can't see how to make them any larger in Picasa - but I think if you click on them they should take you to a larger version.

This morning the rain is pouring down already (it's 7.00am) and the forecast is for rain all day, so we'll probably go for a drive round Bath and visit the American Museum.