Isn’t that gorgeous? So elegant and perfect. So colourful, and yet in no way gaudy. Those glass shelves do a great job of showing off the goods without getting in the way, don’t they?
This week, for ABC Wednesday (the letter ‘G’), I’m going to give you some real contrasts in the world of shops and shopping. I found that wonderful display of gloves in a Venice backstreet, which just goes to show that those Italians are so much more sophisticated than us English folk, don’t you think? Of course, I haven’t had the chance to show you what they do to cakes, yet, but we’ll save that for another week.
So, from graceful and understated gloves in the gorgeous city of Venice, we go to …
George’s Fish Bar, in Bourne, Lincolnshire. Now, George’s Fish Bar (so I’m told) has an excellent reputation and has been awarded four stars for hygiene, so it’s not in the least bit grimy, but elegant and understated? I don’t think so, do you? Love that shark’s head, George!  He has a great gaping grin!
After that, where shall we go? Well, how about Dewey Beach, where the greyhound folk held a silent auction back in 2007, where this gigantic carved wood greyhound was the star attraction?
Not exactly a shop, but certainly a way of selling something. Isn’t that grand? – and just look at that grain!
Talking of greyhounds, here’s a picture from a Meet and Greet I did with Sid last year.
It’s a little mini-shop, you see. Just a table top with a few greyhound goodies for sale to help the hounds. And it was held at the Rainbow supermarket in Bourne, where – despite the greyness of the day) the good people dropped quite a nice amount of money in our tins.
Another Meet and Greet we did was at a garden centre just before Christmas.  And here is a sweet girl greyhound doing a little shopping among all the glittery decorations and gift items.
Her name is Naughty Nellie, but she was being very good that day.
If you look at the bottom left hand corner of that photo, you’ll see a sign for a G Tech sweeper. We have one of those little electric carpet sweepers and they are excellent!
Amazing what they have for sale at these Garden Centres. I mean, they even have displays of garden furniture, and I love the St George flags hanging in garlands from roof to roof!
Can you imagine yourself gently swinging to and fro in this double swing seat?   I would imagine that many of you are also imagining yourself with a nice cool drink in your hand. Just remember, never mix the grape and the grain if you want to avoid those hangovers!
Talking of which -
Have you ever noticed how many of our whiskies have names beginning with ‘G‘? Look at that: Glenfiddich, Famous Grouse, Glenmorangie, Grants, Glenlivet … and further along the shelf are the gins. They might even have some grappa. Quite a few glugs there, for those that like a tipple!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an organized display of gloves. Usually they’re just scattered about on the store shelves. Quite impressive!
I love love love love love the photo of the shop window with all the gloves! that is awesome!
.-= meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Summer’s End – 2010 =-.
What a fun post for the G Day! And I, too, LOVE your photo of the window full of gloves! It is indeed awesome! And of course, I fully expected to see a Greyhound or two here today! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!
Sylvia
.-= Sylvia Kirkwood´s last blog ..Thats My World! =-.
Cute outfit of the dog! and those gloves are so neatly arranged, sure to catch shopper’s eyes.
.-= Jama´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday – G =-.
I do love the Garden Centers in England. I wish we had them over here. The gloves on dispay are quite unique. Do people wear gloves today? Not down here in So. Cal. unless your going up to the mountains in the winter, then you wear snow mitts. Cuddle those greyhounds for me!
Love the photo of the shop with the gloves – how elegant. And I am so happy to see a couple of pictures with the greyhounds – I miss them when they’re not included.
.-= Carol´s last blog ..I Lost a Week =-.
I like all of these photos! So bright and colorful. But oh those gloves…..
.-= Carol´s last blog ..My World =-.
You had me with the fish bar. Oh, how I love fish and chips
.-= Anthony North´s last blog ..GREED =-.
Loved the greyhound sculpture!
.-= Denise´s last blog ..G is for Grafting! =-.
great photos, esp the gloves. and do you covet that wooden dog?
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
.-= Roger Green´s last blog ..G is for Green Wedding =-.
Every picture is a great one!!
The elegant gloves beautifully displayed,
What a piece of sculpture that Greyhound is,looks all in one piece.
But the girl greyhound in the midst of glitter and gifts is truly Glamorous !!
Enjoyed the Fish and chips pic…
It was my staple diet when I was in the U.K
Loved the Great G-word Post.
.-= Nanka´s last blog ..Natures Delights =-.
Lovely fun pictures for the G week!!
The gloves look gorgeous.
And the greyhounds look great!!
And I love Fish ‘n Chips…YUM!!
Have a great week ahead!!
Ohhh, that Glove shop… devine!
Another Gripping post, as ever!
.-= brinkbeestinenglish´s last blog ..Very Important message =-.
oh my!!
so many Goodies here
the gloves are fantastic
and Sid is precious
I love all these pictures Jay. What a fabulous glove shop. Such a pity we aren’t so stylish as to wear them much (except in cold weather). Naughty Nellie looks wonderful too. A x
your shop photos are always so appealing to me- you take me there and oh how I need it now.I’m in a real bad place..sk
.-= sandy´s last blog ..13 prominent childhood memories-THURSDAY 13 =-.
The gloves are simply lovely! A lost art of classic style, at least here in the states. I love coming here to see what locals you’ve come up with each week. And, of course, the greyhounds are gorgeous…even the wooden sculpture.
.-= LisaF´s last blog ..New Beginnings-Florida style =-.
Aww love the doggy in her Christmas outfit. Would you believe our stores have Christmas decorations in them already. 1st September and up they went. I’ve been told to buy gloves in Italy but goodness knows when I’ll ever wear them. Nice g spot this week.
That glove shop is beautiful! And indeed a massive contrast to the fish and chips! Perhaps the line for beauty and elegance passed the Italians first and then got to the rest of the world.
.-= Mara´s last blog ..Garden =-.
I have missed you on Fridays
So I tracked you down and look at what a wonderful post this was.
The dog in the suit really cracked me up.
Here’s saying hi again and hoping to see you soon.
This is a great meme — i would love to know when it starts…maybe i could join in?
Hugs
Claudia
.-= Claudia@DipityRoad´s last blog ..Halloween Before and After =-.
I love the glove shop!
And a chip shop just for George!
.-= liz´s last blog ..A basic lack of knowledge =-.