Put Out More Flags

I've never actually read this one - I know it is set at the start of WW2 and one of the main characters is called Angela, and it is regarded as funny, farcical and well observed. I enjoyed Waugh's "Scoop" - I must try and track this one down...

I thought about it because I went up into the loft for three specific items - and when I moved a box to get to them, I found my bag of patriotic bunting and Union flags!!

So there will be more patriotic flags than ever to display next week! 
What I went into the loft for - fabric, card and giftwrap. We have a wedding present for Saturday - but it had no box. So I wanted to custom-make a box, and also a gift bag.

Two of those large flat card packets used by online booksellers would make the box and its lid. 

And I had some fabric from Marion which made a neat bag for the gift. 

The box itself took a lot of time, measuring and cutting- but it is the sort of precision mathematical task I really enjoy. Covering the box neatly would be the greatest challenge, but I knew exactly what I would use.

About 5 years ago, I went into a fancy chocolate shop in Bournemouth which was closing down. The sort of place where you can select chocolates to go into a fancy box, and then have it gift wrapped and be-ribboned. All the products were greatly reduced. I picked up a couple of bars of plain chocolate for Bob, and cheekily said to the guy behind the counter "What's happening to all the gift wrap?" He picked up a large roll of silver kraft-paper, still in its cellophane.

"Five quid?" he said, clearly not really interested. "Done!" I said. When I got home, I discovered that I had 100 metres of quality paper, 50cm wide. And furthermore it was double-sided - choose gold or silver! Such a roll retails at around £30.I put it into the loft here, and decided that I would use up all my existing wrapping paper, and not buy anymore. And then I would start this roll. So now it is in use. 

Here is my box and the lid. I'm pleased with the way it has turned out. Now I just need a card for the happy couple. 

And a new pair of tights for myself .Dereham Tesco could only offer opaque black winter tights, or super cheap 5-in-a-pack 'nude' ones. Have stores stopped selling 'quality' tights since the pandemic?