Mythly

Month: April 2025

  • Something a little different: Illustrated nature guide cards

    We’ve been waiting for the right moment to show off these beauties – and what better time than now, when nature is well and truly buzzing! These illustrated nature guide cards by Angie Spurgeon identify common British birds, bees, butterflies and wildflowers, turning these beautiful cards into a little gift your friends will want to keep 🙂 

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  • York

    Part 1

    In November 2024 I received an email, telling me I was shortlisted for the York Book Award. My book, The Stitchwort Curse, had only been out for a few weeks, and I couldn’t believe it! I was invited to visit York, speak at the schools involved, and meet the students. I was honoured and delighted to say yes!

    York is quite a long way from Devon, and a bit complicated on the trains, so lovely Mr Dawe took time off work to drive us up. We left Devon at 5am, and were in York in time for lunch, and sightseeing!

    If you ever have chance to go to York definitely go, it’s beautiful. We only had a few hours to look around, there’s so much more to see! We’ll be back!

    The exterior of The York Ghost Merchant, a very small shop in the quaint, cobbled street called the Shambles. The shopfront is brick, with black paintwork. A red rope is across the door, the shop is so small only a few people are allowed in at a time.

    York was full of roadworks when we arrived, so navigating was a bit stressful. There is a park and ride outside the town, which might be easier if you’re just there for a day. We were staying in a hotel, and had overnight bags, so we found a 24 hour space at the station car park.

    As soon as we’d parked we immediately headed to The Shambles to visit the York Ghost Merchants. I’ve seen York described as the most haunted city in England, the most haunted city in Europe, and even the most haunted city in the world! The York Ghost Merchants certainly lives up to the ‘city of a thousand ghosts’ reputation, if you look up at the first floor window above the shop front you can see row upon row of ghosts!

    Yes, we bought 5 ghosts; one for me, two for my daughter, one for my parents (who were looking after dogs, cats, kittens and our other teenager) and one for a friend, who doesn't know about their ghost yet, it's a surprise... (so I can't post this page until they've had their present!)

    One of my teenagers had come along for the trip, so we excitedly joined the queue. We were very lucky, the queue can reach 3 hours long, but on a weekday afternoon, outside of school holidays, it was just 20 minutes.

    One of the ghosts we adopted! This one is plain white with black eyesockets.

    The shop is amazing, it’s so hard to choose a ghost as they’re all completely charming. There are also peepholes to look through, cabinets to open, and when you’ve made your selection you can photograph your ghosts in this little scene. The staff are lovely too!

    The York Ghost Merchants https://www.yorkghostmerchants.com/

    The Society of alchemists, where you can buy dragon egg bath bombs and other magical delights!

    Mission Ghost accomplished we explored the rest of the Shambles, including the market and street food.

    We didn't go inside, but this looks like a scene from a Studio Ghibli movie.

    As we only had an afternoon for sightseeing we decided not to try and rush through a visit to York Minster, but visit again and do it properly! There’s so much to learn about the minster I’d rather do some research beforehand, so that I don’t miss anything.

    The very large, beautiful and imposing York Minster.

    Hidden Wonders of York Minster – Atlas Obscura https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hidden-wonders-of-york-minster

    One of artist Mr Finch's spiders, on the ceiling of The Imaginarium.

    I’m not usually a big fan of shopping, unless it’s a bookshop. As we were exploring my teenager said how so many of the shops in York were an ‘experience’, and I think that’s why we enjoyed it so much. I’ve wanted to visit the Imaginarium ever since they first exhibited some of Mr Finch’s work, and I was so happy to see some giant spiders on the ceiling!

    The Imaginarium (@imaginariumyork)https://www.instagram.com/imaginariumyork/

    We walked into what we assumed was a cake shop, but no. It was soap! The Yorkshire Soap Company was another amazing shop, with candy pink carousel horses, and a terrifying velour mannequin. If Willy Wonka ran a soap shop instead of a chocolate factory…

    The terrifying pink mannequin (I'm not good with dolls, ventriloquist dummies, robots, mannequins etc)

    The Yorkshire Soap Company https://yorkshiresoap.co.uk/

    A pink carousel horse, and beautiful soap cakes.

    It was time to go and check into our hotel, and grab some dinner. Then we were back out for a Ghost Walk!

    York at night, the lights reflecting in the river.
    Our wonderful ghost walk tour guide.

    The stories were the perfect blend of history and spookiness, all while surrounded by the ancient buildings where it all happened!

    I've been reading the other shortlisted books; 100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Cafe is by Julian Sedgwick and Chie Kutsuwada, and I really enjoyed it!

    Then it was time to head to bed with a book, and hope our hotel room wasn’t haunted…

    Is that a York ghost in my bed?!

    Part 2 coming soon… (that was a lie, I’m rubbish at doing things quickly! Hopefully this month!)

  • New hare and raven gifts from Chris Down 🙂

    If you’ve visited us recently you may have spotted some beautiful new hare and raven gifts from Chris Down 🙂 Colourful and eye-catching, they make a lovely treat for someone special (or yourself, because you deserve a treat occasionally too!). Available as keyrings, mirrors, magnets, ornaments, coasters, tins, mugs, tote bags – and greeting cards of course!

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