16th March

I was under no illusions that trading books at street markets, in Wales, in winter was going to be tricky. Yesterday felt like a proper test of my patience and endurance. After heavy downpours at previous markets, I arrived in Cardiff, in my mind, fully prepared with tarps and covers for my stock. But what I was unprepared for (I very quickly realised) was heavy rain and a fresh new challenge - powerful gusts of wind! 

When the heavens opened I jumped into action with my covers. However the gusts caused havoc, and every time a corner was secured, the other corner would blow away and flap in the air covering the books in water! I became powerless and devastated as my stock took a soaking. It was at this moment of desperation, a person appeared next to me, and without a word, started helping to secure the tarp in place. It was a fellow trader - Osian from Birb Vending. An absolute hero. 

With the tarp seemingly secure, I turned to saving the wet books as best as I could. A sad task. The weather eased off and trade uneasily continued. But tragically it did not end there. An even bigger gust ripped the tarp away once again!  And once again a kind stranger appeared behind me - this time the lady from Express Brazilian - helping to secure it in place with a smile. 

Now I am sure a lot of people would do the same in that position, but for a trader to leave their stall unattended, possibly lose sales, and leap to my aid was such an uplifting act of unselfishness and kindness and I will never forget it. If your reading this and it was you, thank you! 

I left Cardiff bowed, and deflated but not defeated. It's just another chapter in the Milkwood Books story, feeding the need to read...

24th February 

What a thrill to be set up opposite the iconic Principality Stadium last Sunday! I am still buzzing. Riverside market is literally just that, right along the banks of the River Taff. Its a great spot in the heart of the Welsh capital. 

Driving into Cardiff in the early hours, after an uneventful journey down the M4 from Swansea, I arrived in pouring rain (winter strikes again!). As I have already discovered, books and rain do not mix well at all. But this time, just to add to the fun, it was sideways rain and a strong wind..! Actually It's no fun. And so the first hour was all about keeping the precious books dry. This sadly meant covering them with a tarp, which meant zero sales and there was nothing more to be done but wait it out...

But the forecast sunshine did eventually come out, and so did the books. Not only that. Cardiff came out in force. Not having seen me there before, the books seemed to come as a real surprise to the market regulars. Pretty soon my stall was thronged with people, browsing, buying and expressing their joy at the stock. It was a wonderful feeling. One trader came over and said she thought I was a brillant addition to the market. I found it really moving that she took to the time to do that. It takes a lot of time and effort behind the scenes to make this happen, and its very rewarding when people tell you how much they appreciate it. 

I have to say I felt right at home at Riverside market. It's definitely going to be a regular event for Milkwood Books from now on. So if your reading this and your a Cardiffian I'll be seeing you very soon. Sunday March 8th in fact! 

15th Februrary 

A gloriously sunny Valentine's Day at Mumbles Market. After a wet Uplands market previously, it was a welcome relief to wake up to the glow of a sunrise, albeit a frosty one. 

This location is possibly one of the best in the country. A raised site overlooking the wide expanse of Swansea Bay, and just a stones throw from the beach and a visiting sea. This event has the added bonus of being the closest one to home, and is less than a mile from HQ. Which meant I just had to roll out of bed, and then roll down the hill! 

It's fun to do markets on or around a special day in the calendar like Christmas or as in the case here -  Valentines Day. For one, it makes it easier to have a theme or genre of books to showcase. This week, like  a curator of romance, I selected a smorgasbord of titles from classic romantic novels and fiction of all genders, to humorous takes on love and friendship. Books provoke thoughts and feelings, and whilst I sold plenty, I also had some interesting converstaions, about anything and everything, from the surreal philosophy of Franz Kafka, to how fundamentaly essential bees are to the planet and human survival. Sometimes people don't stop, but just give you a wry smile as they walk past. Thats fine with me too.  One lady had a tiny dog in her bumbag that poked its head out as she bought her books! 

I have discovered a curious thing about the book trade - when you sell a book and then feel sad. The book is there to be sold of course, but some copies are truly special and unique. As was the case yesterday with a rare book about wildflowers. It had a beautiful cover and had pride of place in my display. When a customer picked it up and put it back I was strangely relieved..but then she came back! I had to let it go (reluctantly!) and off it went to find its new home. Bitter sweet. But that shows you how much I care about these secondhand books. It takes a lot of hunting and searching to find a gem like that. I'll have to grow a thicker skin..

9th February 

Today was a big day at HQ - confirmation that I can now trade at Cardiff street markets!  I have booked on at Riverside Market opposite the Principality Stadium on Sunday February 22nd. The market is widely recognised as one of the key attractions in the Welsh capitol, and follows the bank of the River Taff. Launched in 1998, the market has grown to become one of the best farmers markets in the U.K. 

This means I will be regularly trading between the two biggest cities in Wales each month! Milkwood Books feeding the need to read across the country..

1st February 

Yesterday was our first street market of the year and it sure was a wet one! Uplands was also the very first place I ever had a pitch, and it will always be my spiritual home. After nervously checking the weather forcast all week, my worst fears were realised when it forcast heavy rain..eek! As you can imagine, books and water do not mix. So it was a challenge to set up when the heavens opened at 7.30am. As the deluge hit all stall holders battoned down the hatches, and all I could do was ride it out. It's times like these you get to know the traders next to you, and there is a great sense of togetherness and collective humour at events like this. I had the misfortune to position my chair directly underneath a leak...which resulted in a soggy bottom!

Eventually the rain lifted and it brightened up. The good folk of Uplands, who had very sensibly been staying indoors, came out to play and spirits were lifted. My very first customer of the day was Tim from Tide Gallery. He bought a copy of Feminism For Beginners by Susan Watkins. And with that I was up and running. I ended up having a lovely day and left with a smile on my face. Always good to get going after the festive season lull. 

30th January 2026

Its always exciting as the calender starts to fill up. January was a slow month, but at HQ its now a constant flurry of emails and applications being filled in. This year will be the first time I take Milkwood Books on the road outside Swansea. Logistically it will be a challenge, but one I am very much up for. Each event has its own unique character, and it seems also its own unique set of questions. Which keeps things interesting, as there are lots of new things to consider. For example, one festival needs me to have an environmental and ethical policy. Not something I had thought about, but I now have one! 

The other big news this week was the purchase of my very own 3X3 gazebo! It was sourced in Cardiff from a friendly older gentleman. He had used it in his garden and only put it up once. It was advertised as grey, but when I arrived it was soon apparent it was in fact blue! As it happened I actually preferred that colour. So it has joined the inventory of essential stock and will soon have a new life and be bursting with books in a field somewhere this summer.