Ambling round the Festival

Islay and I spent the day wandering around to look at the last preparations for the Festival goers. And Islay took the opportunity to say hello to all her friends. Like the man from the market who has just rented the little shop that used to be Ticking and Toile for his junk/antiques. He has a sheepdog that Islay is friendly with, and so she had to run in to say hello.
She also went into The Bookshop to say hello to Jackie. Jackie was in the big window, putting the last touches to the display. In previous years, there has always been something spectacular in that window, but this year there isn't anyone amongst the staff who are really creative. So it was Haydn to the rescue with some of his art work. The Medusa's head with writhing snakes is particularly good, and he has done several masks. The theme is vaguely travel, and the images do come from all over the world. There's even a crystal skull, with a poster for the latest Indiana Jones movie.
Up at the Castle Gardens, there are lots of stalls, including a bouncy slide and old fashioned roundabout, with the seats attached to chains. Berkely Owls are there, too, and there is going to be live music all over the weekend, and the puppet theatre. I stayed for a while to chat to Julia, who is selling Fairtrade bags - and trying to make the point that Fairtrade needn't mean sackcloth and self righteousness. Some of her stock is really beautiful - I was rather taken with a felt bag from Mongolia.
Down in Backfold, the Bone China Tea Rooms, which have been closed and up for sale for some time, are now open. They have tables with umbrellas outside - umbrellas covered with bright pink raffia.
The Globe now has banners outside, and a chalk board of events. I was too far away to read it, and I didn't want to cross the road in all the traffic, but I did catch a glimpse of some black and white photographs on display inside.