Showing posts with label bargains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bargains. Show all posts

Wednesday, 9 November 2011

Ah the Red Cross!

Olga (daughter-inlaw) and I have a lot in common, we seem to think the same way about many things and like much the same stuff, one being that we both eagerly look forward to the first Saturday of each month.  So if asked what we are doing on that particular Saturday Olga and I have been known to reply in unison...RED CROSS! Both of us spend only about 1500 ISK per month each around $12 AUD on clothes and that also includes apparel for Ross and Henry.  We get more enjoyment and satisfaction from that 1500ISK spent at the Red Cross than probably any other money spent elsewhere.


At the local Red Cross you stuff as much as you can to overflowing in a plastic shopping bag for 1500 kronur and the odd separate items are 200 kronur.  So after 2-3 items are in the bag I consider the rest as free...I rarely try anything on...if it doesn't fit I will give it away, return to the Red Cross another time or recycle into something else...plus I always need cotton rags in the studio.  A couple of months ago I scored a brand new pair of levi's boot cut jeans, did not try them on and they fitted better and more flattering than any pair of jeans I have bought in the last 15 years.

On the outside I may not look that animated but deep within I am filled feverish with anticipation...wondering what I will come home with. I am not sure about the reasoning behind it but I think there are 4 things in play here...for me at least (I can't speak for Olga).  Firstly the surprise in what you find, not having any preconceived idea of what you are looking for but then finding it anyway and it being so much better than you could have imagined is exciting.  Secondly the thrill of the bargain....getting something for virtually nothing gives you a little tingle of smugness. Thirdly there is certainly no immediate shopping gratification here in this little town (you just can't go OP shopping when the fancy takes you as I did back in Australia) the having to wait...I think...heightens the experience.  And the final point (the most important) is that one can pat themselves on the back for doing a little bit for the environment by not purchasing everything new and recycling some of what has already been placed on this planet.

So last Saturday Olga and I both scored in the old sewing basket line, you can see Olga's here and this is mine, only 200ISK about $1.80AUD plus my lovely son Ross actually paid for it, so when I use it I will always think of him.



The padded lid is a little stained but apart from that it is in excellent condition no holes or tears in the lining and the cane work on the basket is perfect.


 
 Small joys are just the best!


Sunday, 31 July 2011

I miss....

Apart from family and friends I have to say at this stage I am missing Australia very little,  after 10 months I still feel a strong sense of belonging here...that this is the place I am meant to be. 

However I do miss a couple of things...firstly the good old fashioned Aussie flyscreens.

Pic source

 Yes Iceland has flies and quite a few in summer. I don't know why but flies buzzing around a room make me feel irritated...they upset my psyche somehow...they belong outside not inside.

 this is what nearly every window sill looks like...aagh!

  Flyscreens are not used here, so to let fresh air through the apartment I also let in flies, flies and more flies.  I hate flyspray and in Australia I probably only went through 1 can of flyspray in 2 years...but here after a month I have nearly finished a whole can.  Maybe by next summer I might have to see if I can get a flyscreen door made. 

The other thing I miss is secondhand/antique shops, there are none in this town...although I do get my fix once a month with the red cross second hand clothing day and the odd market stall events...where there is always the slim chance of picking up something old.  However the other day Olga, Ross, Henry and I went to Arkureyri for shopping and we always call in at the antique/secondhand shop there and this time I managed to score a little bargain...a bronze champlevé lamp....(similar to cloisonné)...

probably originally a vase but later turned into a lamp....which is just what I have wanted for years.  It needs a shade and I will most likely have to try and make something to suit...but for approximately $25 AUD it is definitely a steal!


I have 3 Australian dizzy dames arriving next week, a friend and her two companions on nearly their last leg of 160 days around the world trip...really looking forward to them arriving.



Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Lummudagar 2011!

Mostly I have found Sauðárkrókur to be a quiet, sleepy little village by the sea, which mostly suits me to a tee...however the place certainly does comes alive for Lummudagar!  In the 9 months I have been here I have not seen so many people in the town at any one time.

 The car parks were full

 The free camping ground was full

 So full that people camped up on the hill

There was certainly a festive atmosphere around the town. The main street was closed to traffic on Saturday afternoon and stalls were set up along the footpaths the length of the old part of town.


Lummudagar is pancake pikelet day and you can stroll through the town and get your fill of free pikelets and coffee provided by various stall holders, groups and businesses.  There were competitions for the tastiest pikelets....I don't know who won but I thought the ones outside the florist were amazing.  

There is also a competition of the best decorated district.  Each area has a particular colour to decorate with...I live in the old part of town and our colour was blue.


 



 

 
I think this guy might have been giving the finger to the other districts in the competition.

Other areas up the hill were red and above them yellow.  Towns and farms within the Skagafjördur region also participated with Hofsós going purple, Hólar green, Varmalið orange and the farms pink.  Not sure of the outcome of the competition but it was fun to walk around town and see how people decorated their house and front yard.  Unfortunately I did not get to see the other areas and only have one photo from Gill's collection taken a few days before the event of an early bird in the yellow district.

Yellow district

The carnival atmosphere was in the air all Saturday, children of all ages were well catered for, 

there were jumping castles,

Go Cart rides

Lucky dips

and crane rides!

For older folk 

there were motorcycles,

music on rooftops

and markets galore

 where bargains could be found and tasty homemade food consumed.

 Of course I love a bargain or two ten.  I managed to get a couple of hats, a few scarves,  some woollen jumpers, one to wear and a couple to turn into cushion covers...all for around $18AUD.  The extra hats and scarves will come in handy when family are here over Christmas as I am pretty sure my sons will come very ill prepared for the winter.

I also bought my very first Icelandic antique...I never see anything very old for sale here but this day I came across a little hand carved wooden box, it is no bigger than an eyeglass case but is a lovely shape with great patina which felt beautifully smooth in my hands.  I paid approximately $17AUD...a bargain me thinks!

I have heard a rumour that the old post office has been nicknamed Australia as the other two properties on the street are known as Russia and Germany.  The flying of the Australian Flag on the front of the old Post Office on Lummudagur will possibly help cement the name into local folklore.  
The house on the left of this pic is the guesthouse Mikligarður otherwise known as Russia and you can read the history behind the nickname via the link.

and next door to Russia is the red house otherwise known as Germany 
(I have no idea why, when I find out I will let you know).

For more great pics of Lummudagur 2011 which showcase the carnival atmosphere 
(far better than mine), check out the gallery on Feykir the local area newspaper.