Guernsey Day 3 - The Folk Museum

Date: 28 July 2009 19:44:55

Another shiny and sunny day in Guernsey. After a visit from one of the aunts for a coffee in the conservatory, The Mister and I went up to Saumarez Park to go to the Guernsey Folk and Costume Museum. I probably haven't been to it for about 20 years and over that time they have done a brilliant job of tidying it up and adding more exhibits. I was particularly fascinated with the exhibition of Singer sewing machines, embroidery samplers and a lovely patchwork quilt. They also had a display of wedding dresses and many tools and craft equipment from over the centuries, as well as farm implements and a brief history of tomato cultivation on the island. There are lots of things I love about this place, partly because there are many exhibits that I can recall seeing in my grandparents houses. They also had a display of Cobo Alice dolls. These are dolls, originally made in the 1870's from unbleached calico and then stuffed with sawdust. They were then dressed with offcuts from clothing. They are a fantastic piece of social history, and the clothes that they were dressed in showed the fashions though the ages. I would love to work out how to make them but there seems to be very little information available online. After our educational trip to the museum we had lunch with my mum, sister and baby nephew who remained asleep all the time. I don't know how my sister can moad about how tired she is... he is always asleep when I see him!!! (Louise - just in case you are reading this and are feeling especially sensitive - this is a joke!!!) We then headed to the beach and went swimming - it was unbelievably cold water though. The Mister confirmed that it was indeed 'bollock-retracting cold', which was good to know I think!! Can I just say though, it is BLISSFUL to actually spend some proper time with The Mister!!! More pics....