Lounging on the sofa a few evenings ago, supervising Mum working on her rug (its coming along nicely although, apparently these things take ages to make) and Aunty Biscuit crocheting eyeballs (best not to even ask…although I believe its for a character hat for someone) when the programme on the television alarmed me by mentioning flea markets!!!!  Given that we regularly have stuff rubbed into the back of our necks to stop us catching them, and you could obtain them from your local hedgehogs for nothing) I was surprised that anyone would want to buy any or import them.  I was relieved when Mum explained that that it was just a term for a market where you could buy bits and pieces and not fleas.  Phew!

Later in the programme someone bought a nettle fibre horse cover which keeps flies off horses although they seem to have to step into it.  Aunty Biscuit uses nettle as a dye but says she has never tried making nettle fibre rugs.  I fear after this it may only be a matter of time!  That said, as Mums grey pony would probably eat it, so if  she tries to make a nettle fibre rug she’s going to need an awful lot of nettles and some dock leaves for that matter.  I may bribe her to try something smaller to fit Harrier, not that he needs to discourage the flies, but the pictures could be held against him in the future.

On second thoughts if they have loads and loads of nettles to collect, we may be in for a lovely summer of long leisurely walks and interesting things to sniff.