Bebinca spoils the weekend

So we didn't go to Motion in the Ocean on Saturday because the weather report said rough seas and heavy rain. Only to find out they did go ahead with the event.

Then we went for the flea market only to see this sign:

Apparently it too even the sellers by surprise. They said they didn't know until they had lugged all their stuff to the plaza... by which time it was too late. But a flea market of sorts did still go on.

 Many enterprising sellers set up shop by the walkway.

 And under the umbrellas in the plaza.

It turned out to be surprisingly fun. And I managed to get some bargains as the sellers were just interested in ensuring they didn't have to lug all the stuff back again.

But don't forget, the flea market proper will be on June 30.

First DB flea market in 2012

PALS' booth. Missed seeing Jacqui there though.

It was really hot!

Next one's on June 3.

DB Farmers' Market

The new Farmers' Market in DB North is really, as Buffalo Wilbur noted: "More of a farmer's market as imagined by John Lewis or Waitrose." Everything was so posh and well-packaged... where were the farmers, where was the dirt?

The only organic raw produce we could see came in the form of leaflets by Homegrown Foods advertising their vegetable boxes.

But it was a pleasant day out, nonetheless. After all, we hadn't been to DB North before so this gave us an excuse to explore and make use of the free shuttle bus.

The food on sale included chocolates, homemade sauces, Iberico ham and truffles... so you can see how upmarket it was.

The cupcake stand did a roaring business.

They were sold out and packed up by 1pm, before most of the other stall owners.

Flea marketing at DBay

The washing machine is working overtime again – because of all the great buys I got from the Discovery Bay flea market.

It was our first outing in a long time since our bout of the winter sniffles. But how could I miss this?

Buffalo Wilbur noted that even if I were bedridden, I'd command a wheelchair and still make my way there.

The PALS corner, along with the other charity stalls, are my still my favourites. They always have the most eclectic mix of stuff.

Here are some of my spoils for the day. Good stuff, I tell you.

For those who missed this one, the next is on April 15.

DB flea market in January

Whoo hooo! The DB flea market is back! Over 130 stalls, crazy buys... I am so excited I can hardly wait. Hope PALS is going to be there setting up their ever-popular stall of donated items.

Date: January 8 (usually from noon)
Where: The Piazza

You can get more info here.

Bui O school fair

"I hope it's not full of big-eyed kids imploring me to buy a glitter bookmark," I told Buffalo Wilbur as we headed to the Bui O School fair and flea market.

Actually, I was prepared to fork out some money for tat as it was all going to the school kids anyway. But thankfully, I didn't have to.

The flea market stalls were well-stocked.

And the brand new stuff for sale wasn't too bad either.

I steered clear of the games stalls, though.

The ones making the best business were those selling second-hand clothes and food.

The Chapel flea market is here

I almost forgot about the flea market, believe it or not, until I saw a notice on a bus stop. By which time I had lost two precious hours. Argh!

How not to grab? Clothes and books were going at three for HK$10. M&S glitter party shoes for HK$20, good winter coats at HK$30... I took a deep breath and plunged in.

It was so good I went back three times, each time with a huge load of clothes and bags for less than HK$100. There were so many people that the chapel people had to get someone to call time before the place closed at 4pm.

If you missed the flea market today, don't fret. It's open again tomorrow (Sunday) from 1pm to 4pm.

Chapel's flea market

This notice, pasted on a corner wall in Chung Hau Village, got me all excited. The Epiphany Chapel flea market usually has a bit of everything, from clothes to toys to weird ornaments. It's well worth a visit.

Flea marketing

Buffalo Wilbur always accompanies me to the Discovery Bay flea market on the pretext that I am the one who will buy everything in the piazza.

But it is invariably he who calls five minutes into the shopping to ask me for money as he has found yet another boy toy.

I didn't get as much stuff this time – I guess the days of bargain Le Creusets are gone – but I did manage to get brand new leather boots from a charity stall for HK$120.

Of course, no flea market visit is complete without a rummage at my favourite stall, always at the same spot outside McSorley's. The guy sells clothes at HK$10 for five and is always swamped by maids buying in bulk to send back home. I got three nice winter jackets, a skirt and a long-sleeved top from this pile:

I was so excited shopping I stupidly forgot to check when the next flea market is. According to the DBay magazine, this is the last one for the year but I am keeping my fingers crossed there might be another before Christmas.

Those who want to know when the next market is, just keep your eyes peeled for posters from PALS asking for your junk. They usually tell you the date of the next one.

PALS needs your "fleas" again

Some readers have asked me when the next flea market at DB is so here's a public service announcement: It's on October 9. Yay!

You know the drill. Jacqui from PALS can be contacted on 2984-1626 or 9197-4371.

PALS needs the money and Jacqui says they will take "anything" so please do make the effort to clean out your home.

More flea marketing

I was so excited about the Discovery Bay flea market today that I woke up at 7am to check the weather report. Sad but true, I live a very unexciting life.

But I still maintain that the flea market is worth getting excited about. So many things, so little time... just check out the photos.

There are loads of clothes, of course, and plenty of ornaments, toys and books.

I was glad to see the charities had a nice marquee-d location for themselves. PALS was doing a roaring trade in accessories.

Poor Buffalo Wilbur was dragged from stall to stall without grumbling and got a good meal at Il Bel Paese for good behaviour.

Then it was back to shopping till we dropped.

And here's something to look forward to: The next flea market is on Oct 9. So there's plenty of time to start collecting stuff for PALS.