Welcome to Retro-On-Sea!

...and a new look blog!

Juat click on the date - to view the whole blog!
 
Hopefully you can now easily look back at any of your favourite blogs ...or if you are new to Retro-On-Sea you can catch up with some of the old ones and get a feel for what is happening here at the shop and when I am out and about at the seaside.  Often being on a mission to find new and exciting stock for you all to buy!

Visit the website : http://www.retro-on-sea.com/

I have had a great couple of days - I will start with today and work backwards to yesterday!

I am 5 minutes from the sea where I live and yet enjoy the rural landscape of the Somerset levels all around me, including some very pretty Somerset villages.

Today, just 2 villages along from where I live we celebrated the Wedmore Street Fair. Wedmore is a very pretty village - boasting some gorgeous independent shops and has an annual summer fair which is quite a highlight.

The main street running throught the village is closed off for the event and there is a distinctly 'continental' feel to the day. Shops pile their goodies out of their doors onto the street as well as traders and crafts people coming in from the surrounding area.

After coffee, a spot of lunch and a few spots of rain I was soon loaded up with what seems like 'alot of goodies'. Mainly of a wicker variety - no surprises for Retro-On-Sea! A bottle basket, a hamper and even a retro wicker dog bed for 'Badger' our Jack Russell - the star of the show at the top of this page!

If you live in the Somerset area and haven't been before then it is a lovely day out for all the family - Retro-On-Sea are planning to have a stall there next July - so come back and see us!

...and now for yesterday.

I was lucky enough to have  a day down on The Quantocks with my hubbie. The beauty of which is not only stunning hills and countryside for walking etc. inland - but a fabulous Somerset coast road which takes you from Watchet along to Porlock, If you can brave the infamous Porlock Hill you are 10 miles from Lynton and Lynmouth and plenty of open sea.

Porlock was looking gorgeous - a pretty gem in a Somerset old-fashioned world of it's own. Charming cottages, tea shops and a wonderful 'weir' a perfect area for walking and looking out to sea from stacks of large pebbles thrown up on the shore.

This gorgeous 'abandoned looking boat' added to the atmosphere of a truly magical place. It was so great to get to the coast and although the sun was only coming through occasionally, even the odd rain spots looked amazing spotting the big coloured pebbles. 

So....Porlock was just lovely - but I am going to finish with what I consider to be the real gem - overlooked I think by the beautiful Porlock (lovely as it is!) and under-rated I am sure by many. 

I visited the tiny village of Watchet about 16 years ago - and when I say visit - I drove down to this tiny harbour village on the way back from Cornwall - looked very quickly and drove on home.   

It may not have the blue seas of Cornwall (perhaps my first visit was bad timing) or any great grandeur  but I can safely say that my visit yesterday was well worth every minute.

There is is the smallest of stations which has an old steam train running daily.

We arrive in the rain - but this did not deter the traders at the small harbourside market - selling fresh produce and home-made items.

There is a small harbour and it boasts it's very own stritking lighthouse. It's narrow streets are filled with cottages bearing sea-fairing names - each one you can see would tell a story.

The locals are extremely friendly and the there are interesting and crafty shops to look at.

The sound of water was not far away - the old mill race still rushes down the hill and through the streets - at quite a pace!

Here you could see a small community working together and doing it cheerfully.

I wish I could have......

bottled the feel that was there and brought it back....

It has something quite different from the tourist filled towns and villages that are much better known on that same piece of coast...lovely as they are!

For me... the lesser known Watchet won the day... now firmly on my list of lesser known coastal gems.

and as for the shop.....

Retro-On-Sea is very much alive and well...not much time for the seaside this week. We have gathered some fabulous stock over the last few weeks which needs to be put up for sale - keep checking the site!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Retro-On-Sea

We are also getting ready to do a stall in Bristol next Saturday 7th July (1pm-5pm) at the Vintage and Hand-Made Market in Henleaze.  If you are local to that - we would love to see you there!

 

Have a good week wherever you are....

Hello to all our friends around the world who read this blog - it can only be sunnier where you are - our British summer is still raining - but our great retro goodies bring cheerfulness to the dullest of days!

Speak to you all soon.

Ros.

Welcome to Retro-On-Sea!

Where we love all things British retro seaside!

The temperature may not literally be rising here on our British coastline...

BUT

Things are definately hotting up for summer here at the shop...

If our shop is new to you - take a look at our sites and step back in time to nostalgic memories of childhood holidays by the sea in Britain.

We are passionate about supplying our customers with the genuine retro delights that we once took to the beach hut, down to the sea at grandma's or used in the campervan with mum and dad.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Retro-On-Sea

http://www.retro-on-sea.com/

Thank you to our lovely customers who are giving us feedback and letting us know where these treasured items are ending up and how nostalgic it is making you all feel. Fantastic!

This response is spurring us on to

increase the variety and amount of items we have for sale each week.

So we literally will be working our socks off to bring you some great items in the shop each week!

(But LOVING every minute of it!)

Well it hasn't been the sunniest of June's so far -  but despite this I am looking forward to some promising trips to the British coast in the months ahead. Hopefully also visitng some unchartered waters to report back from.

In the meantime...I am going to share a few of my favourite photos that I took down on the south west coast last year..some right on my doorstep and others a little further afield.

Feel the salty air...and enjoy!

Here comes the rain again!....

so brighten up your day

Visit Retro-On-Sea....

and let the sunshine in!

Speak to you all soon,

Ros

Welcome to Retro-On-Sea! 

Where we love genuine British
retro seaside collectables.

You can find us at :

www.retro-on-sea.com

We will be having some great items in the shop over the coming weeks - everything from 1950's towels for the beach hut to 1960's and 70's items for your campervan! The stock is always changing - so make us a favourite or give us a 'Like' on facebook to keep in touch with all the news!

Well.... summer has finally arrived!
and it's amazing how good it makes us all feel. Early mornings never feel so bad when the sun is shining - there have been plenty of freshly laundered retro sheets and towels hanging out to dry here as well as newly painted 1960's cafe chairs lined up in the sun in beach hut colours. Everyone seems to be loving the beach style furniture - so more is on it's way.

We are very lucky to live 5 minutes away from the beach and it is so good to see everyone enjoying themselves. Our Jack Russell adores the beach and equally loves getting there in my one top Morris Minor - complete with red and white spotted scarf, he sniffs the sea breeze and must suffer from a good dose of 'nose ache' by the end of it all!

Speaking of the coast and beaches I would seriously recommend a great new book for all you coastal lovers.

Secret Beaches - South West - by Rob Smith

is a fabulous new book and it explores the secluded shores of south west Britain. Complete with QR code technology you can download all the information to your phone. It takes you all the way from The Lizard in Cornwall right through to the Jurassic Coast. Each destination shows you a walk, the beach and a 'pitstop' location for food and drink. There are hidden gems which we will certainly be investigating in the future. If you have a holiday booked in the west country for later on in the year - this would be a great time to plan some great places to visit while you are there.

I love to write poetry and I get such inspiration whenever I am by the sea. Even if you think you won't be any good, pack a notebook and pen on your travels this summer. Sometimes you can get wonderful inspiration by not only looking around you but by listening.

The last time I did this by the sea - I shut my eyes and listened to the roar of the tide coming in, the sea gulls and the excitied shreaks and chatter of the children both near and far along the stretch of sand. Even if you are the only one that reads it - have a go - that creative talent could be unlocked!

As we approach 'Picnic Season' once again, the shop will be having some great rugs and sets to get you in the mood for eating out of doors.

Vintage inspired picnics really are a

'girls best friend' 

so a little thought goes a long way. Us girls are particularly partial to an open-top car, (the rug can be useful for keeping warm on the way home). Strawberries and a bottle of something rather good can never fail to impress. The excuse of a birthday or anniverary is always good but a specific event is never essential - just give her long enough to find her headscarf and retro shades and whisk her away! It will work every time!!

Although we are very busy online at Retro-On-Sea, we are planning to get out and about a bit over the coming months.

We have just booked our first stall at a fabulous vintage and craft market in Bristol for July. If you are near enough to visit this on the 7th July in Henleaze then we would love to see you. We promise to have a great selection of goodies for you to see and buy!

In the meantime..

enjoy

this wonderful weather!

If you can get to a nearby coast then have as much fun as you possibly can.

Speak to you all soon,

Ros.

Welcome to Retro-On-Sea!

Where we love all things retro seaside and so enjoy sourcing items from the 50's, 60's and 70's. Items that are perfect for your seaside retreat, beach hut or campervan!

If you enjoy this blog, buying or just browsing in the ebay shop then please do let us know by giving us a 'LIKE' on our business facebook page.

www.facebook.com/retro-on-sea

We are constantly on the look out for great retro items - new stock will be coming through the door weekly in the shop over the summer.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Retro-On-Sea

I am often asked if I have a 'real' shop here in Somerset where people can find us. The answer is 'not yet!'. I do however treat my virtual shop as the real thing - customers are important, how my stock is stored and shipped is just as important and I want all of your purchases to arrive looking wonderful! If you ever want to collect items from here that is never a problem and I have weekly pick ups from quite a few of you! 

As we head to the weekend I want to share with you a particular highlight of my week.....

I took a detour from the coast and headed inland.....

to the Reading Carriage Sale!

If like me you have had a love of gypsy caravans since a small child..

dreaming of living in one, travelling to wild and remote places down beautiful country lanes, then this wonderful auction in Reading is quite a treat!

This sale was a first for me, but not for my husband Michael - so it was great to be with someone who 'knows the ropes' as such.

We were there by 7.30am - there was a great chance to look around at all the lots before bidding started at 9.00am. There was a wonderful selection of carriages for sale - anything from a humble hay cart  right through to the most beautiful of rides.

Lovely as they were.....

It was the array of other items for sale that really made my day!

I was in vintage carriage sale accessories heaven and with my love of photographing vintage collectables - so was my camera!

There was lot after lot of the most gorgeous leather trunks and suitcases, everything from bowler hats to gladstone bags.

Top hats and hat boxes of every description!

There were certainly a few lamps that would have fitted into a seaside retreat quite happily and there were certainly some bargains to be had!

The bidding was entertaining and exciting - with the usual dealers there for the day from all over the country and world!

I could have got completely carried away and the quality of some of these items was just beautiful. It is so good to see that many of these traditional, gorgeously made and crafted items are still so sought after.

It brought together a wonderful mix of people - the atmosphere was fantastic and the excitment of the bidding made the day. Not to mention a delicious cooked breakfast and lashings of tea and coffee all there for the taking!

My caravan had to wait for now - I managed to capture this picture of my hubbie Michael surveying lot number 70 for me - perhaps not the fastest way to get home on the M4/M5 !

There again...it may be a little too grand for the garden!

Thank you M for (as always) sharing your wonderful knowledge with me - and for a grand day out!

Speak to you all soon!

Ros.

Welcome to Retro-On-Sea!    

I hope that everyone had a good weekend - well here in the south west of England we had some lovely sunshine - it was just brilliant to be able to wander out without a raincoat!

This morning I am SO excited about these lovely new messenger bags that I had to share them with you all.

I have lots and lots of ideas for things that we want to sell in the shop but limited time to make them all - so I have a wonderful helper who is a whizz at bringing these ideas to life. It is so fun seeing what she has created each week and here we have our latest messenger bags - made with love at Retro-On-Sea!

Each bag has been made of wonderful quality fabric and trimmings. These have such a great fun nautical British coastal feel. Perfect for summer holidays - each bag is slightly different and so individual.

From today they will be for sale in our Retro-On-Sea ebay shop. Please take a look!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Retro-On-Sea

If you would like to purchase one from us direct...

and maybe don't have access to ebay - then we would love to hear from you. We have more available so please send me a message either through the message service at

www.retro-on-sea.com              

or just email me directly at      

rosdavis66@tiscali.co.uk

and I will come back to you!

Happy shopping!

Speak to you all soon,

Ros.

Welcome to

Retro-On-Sea!    

.....and all things 

retro seaside.

I am passionate about genuine retro seaside collectables and so enjoy finding items for peoples beach hut, campervans and seaside retreats.

Today I am dreaming about feeling some warm summer sunshine on my face and a return to summer dresses and sunhats.

It doesn't take much though and if the skies lift the warmth will soon return. This week I have been so encouraged by the amount of people still preparing themselves for summer - buying anything from beach wind breaks to deck chair covers!

As promised we are trying to fill up the shelves of our ebay store as fast as possible - so keep looking every week for new items!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Retro-On-Sea

All these lovely things come through my door in Somerset and look so fabulous altogether - I wish you could see them - perhaps I will post a photo at some point! I always say I am lucky to meet some wonderful people who supply me along the way and I get the chance to visit some great places too. 

So many fellow sellers in the vintage retro world have become lovely friends.

We all share that love of the wonderful world of vintage and retro - preserving things that are worth keeping and up-cycling something into another life - to be enjoyed!

We are about to embark on a whole summer of British celebrations and most of us are certainly going to use it as the biggest excuse for being jolly. Alot of the well known names in the world of interiors and new retro have embraced this as an opportunity to sell some lovely new British items and there is a real dollop of retro nostalgia in there too.

As well as supporting these well known names - the British stallholder and small business retro vintage seller would love to see you out and about at a variety of fairs, markets and online this summer. There are some wonderful genuine retro items out there that need good homes and the love and detail that goes into anything from homemade bunting, cushions fit for a queen or simply tea and cake cannot be surpassed! There is a wealth of talent and ingenuity out there which needs you!

Please support our glourious British cottage vintage and retro industries this summer - all happening in a town or village near you!

So on that rallying note I will step down from my soap box and say,

'Bring on the sun', preferably on the bank holidays (including lots of tea and cake) and enjoy the nostalgia and spirit of our very, very green and pleasant land!

Find us at :

http://www.retro-on-sea.com/

Speak to you all soon!

Ros.