summer hols....

The schools break up this week and everyone's scattering for their annual summer getaway. The lure of Brittany and Cornwall beaches will see families heading off to a cottage, gite, caravan or tent with cars jammed to the ceiling with bedding, groceries, games consoles, spades and buckets, wellies and waterproofs.

Beach basket Normandy

And, of course, the festivals are well underway - in case you're in search of ideas (and tickets), take a look at http://www.venue.co.uk/festival to see what's on, where and when. The venerable Womad is next week but there are lots of other smaller, quirkier ones - we're lucky to have more than our fair share in the South West so there are plenty to choose from.

I'm disappearing for a few weeks to fire my imagination and source new products. The technical glitches that have bedevilled the Greenbaskets website for the last few weeks are finally fixed (hoorah!). There are some special offers on there for late summer bargain hunters (while I'm away, orders can be placed on the site but won't be despatched until 15 August).

Have a great break....

Bristol Zoo...

Wow Gorilla

Bristol Zoo is 175 years old this year and is holding a series of celebrations and events to mark the occasion. One of the children's favourites is the gorilla trail. The city centre is full of multi coloured gorillas - see the Bristol Zoo website for a video of a flotilla of gorillas coming up the river!

On Saturday 16 July, the Zoo is hosting Bristol's Big Village Fete, a community festival with music, theatre, dance and games. Greenbaskets will be there, with some of this season's range of baskets, along with Greengarland, who'll be demonstrating willow weaving.

Unfortunately, the Greenbaskets website is out of action at the moment due to technical problems which are proving difficult to resolve. Thanks to everyone who's been in touch to let me know and sincere apologies to everyone who's been trying to see the list of forthcoming events. Here's hoping it'll be sorted out soon....

Meanwhile, come and see us on Saturday and you can start spotting gorillas too!

here comes summer...

The summer solstice has come and gone and the holidays are coming. A couple more weeks and the kids will break up. The motorways will fill with families, caravans, buckets and spades and pets, all heading off for their two weeks on a Cornwall beach.

To put us in the holiday mood, Whiteladies Market was lovely in the sunshine this weekend. We had an accordionist to accompany us and add a little French flavour:

On Sunday, Tobacco Factory Market held a drop in bike repair session. Here's one bike (and basket) in action:

And here are two of my customers, three baskets between them. The music at the market was wonderful (as ever) and we all danced and sang along.

To all those of you already on the beaches in Cornwall, hope you're enjoying the sun and sand. Party on!