A while back one of the blogs covered the subject of treasured possessions.

I’d like to tell you of some gloves…

I have a pair of sheepskin mittens - that I now realise are over 50 years old - there is a tear in one that I haven’t worked out how to mend. They are my ‘snow’ mittens, so you can guess they are rarely worn. I got them in Majorca when I was a teenager and can recall happy holidays there.

I also have a pair of sheepskin gloves that belonged to my mother, who died 21 years ago. I love to put on the gloves and think my hands are where hers once were.

The ones for my glove story are black driving gloves with a fabric back and leather palms. I have had them for years.

Once, about ten years ago, I dropped one whilst walking in our local NT deer park. I only realised it was missing when I got home. I went back the next day and retraced my steps. Reader, I found it. Sadly Mr Fox had found it first. It had a tear, but was not incomplete.I held onto it for a fair while and couldn’t think how to repair it. In the end I put a piece of iron on fabric on the inside to hold it together and stitched over the top to strengthen it. It has held well, even with pulling the glove on.

I have another sentimental attachment to them and that is the shop that they came from.

When I first came to live here there was a marvellous shop in town. At the front they sold some luggage, handbags and gloves. In an adjacent area they stocked games from playing cards, chess and darts to cricket equipment and footballs. Up a few steps there was a section for swimwear and sports shoes. Then, at the back, a saddlery and equestrian accoutrements. The smell was wonderful, leather and saddle soap. 

Sadly it closed down and there is nothing like it now. When I wear my gloves I can recall the magic of that place, a good, old fashioned shop, quite unlike the ‘sports shops’ of today. The chain sports shops and online shopping have put paid to good personal service.

Do you have or have you had a favourite shop that is hard to find nowadays?

Take care everyone.  

Love,

Another Sally xx 

A Moodscope member