Well, thank heavens that in this busiest of weeks it’s an easy letter for ABC Wednesday, huh? Anyway, I bet you know what the ‘W‘ in that picture is, don’t you? Yep, it’s wicker! And what a lot of wicker there was in this shop – waste bins and washing baskets and all kinds of stuff. It could have been called ‘Wicker World‘ but it wasn’t, it was just one of those wonderful shops in Stamford, Lincolnshire, which sell a little of this and a little of that, all fancy stuff for the house.
And talking of things for the house, look at this house wares shop in San Quirico D’Orcia, Italy.
Wicker, wrought iron, what-nots and whatjamacallits, wire sieves and wee chairs – and even a water tap in an obelisk! We don’t get obelisks with taps in them in Stamford!
Now, Italian shopkeepers love wicker. They display all kinds of goods in it. Even on the market stalls.
See that? All draped in white sheeting, full of whimsical stuffed toys, and manned by a man with wild and woolly hair, yet there it is. The wicker basket! I tell you, they simply can’t resist them!
And here – this norcineria in Castiglione del Lago has some incredible edibles all set out on the pavement in wicker baskets, wooden trays, wedged into racks and wobbling atop barrels.
What is a norcineria? Well, as far as I can make out, it’s a shop that specialises in small delicacies, such as white truffles, spices, wine vinegars, whole vanilla pods, and in particular, pork products, especially wild boar.
I’m not sure we’re allowed to display food in wicker baskets in this country. It probably contravenes all kinds of worthless regulations about shop displays, not to mention health and safety. How we all survived in the old days when people did what they liked in their own shops .. well, you have to wonder!
But there. Back home again, here is more wicker in a junk shop in Oakham, Leiestershire.
Did you know that wicker can get woodworm? Be careful if you buy any in a second-hand shop, and watch for the tell-tale holes and dust. I once bought a bicycle basket made of wicker which promptly went into the bin because – yes, it was wormy!
Ah well.
What fascinating shops. I could spend hours there!
You always come up with the most, the wildest, the most fun words for whatever letter is the day’s choice! I love it! Always look forward to what you’ll come up with and it’s always terrific! Hope your week is going well! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!
Sylvia
.-= Sylvia Kirkwood´s last blog ..Thats My World! =-.
have an odd affection for wicker; don’t tell anyone.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
.-= Roger Green´s last blog ..W is for Weddings =-.
I had no idea wicker got wormy – fine photos – love the little shop of tiny things, truffles and all. Looks just dusty enough to be fun.
.-= Tumblewords ´s last blog ..W for ABC Wednesday =-.
Wonderful post and wicker hampers. Great place that one whatjamacallits,
.-= Nanka´s last blog ..Warli Art =-.
You sure find a lot of W in your town!
.-= Jama´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday W =-.
What a great post for ‘W’!!! I love it. I’d love to go poking around those old shops too. However, Wicker is not for me — collects dust too easily and I have to have whatever causes the least work, then I can cram into my days what I like to do!
Lovely snaps for the letter W.
Keep it going Jay.
.-= Shail Raghuvanshi´s last blog ..Without You =-.
I like the way your post winds round and round and wends it ways back to the beginning.
Also would take wicker over plastic any day.
.-= VioletSky´s last blog ..W is for Watchtower =-.
that was wicker-spectacular!
.-= meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Merry Christmas =-.
i so love your stores with personality . What did you think of the Tourist/../ i was not that impressed, seemed somewhat contrived to me-her ..bleh
.-= sandy´s last blog ..At last you are here -Dahling!! =-.
Beautiful photos, Jay. Someday I must go, the photos make it all look so charming and inviting!
Happy Holidays to you all, scritches to Sid! Hope you are well.
.-= Sistertex at Spacial Peepol´s last blog ..A Greyhound’s Christmas Wish =-.
Wonderful. Wuv da Wicker. Have a sweet Christmas Jay.
.-= Baino´s last blog ..Merry Christmas One and All =-.
Wicker – I love it.
Happy Christmas to you and yours Jay and all good wishes for the coming year. A x