digging for treasures

as long as i can remember, i go to Emmaus,

a second-hand shop/organisation 

founded by a priest in France, 

and run as a commune,

set in an old convent 

just outside of Breda.

* 

it's lovely there, as the convent is an old place,

restored a few times,

but it was allowed to retain it's character

{rare in Holland...}

the convent originated a long time ago,

was a lot bigger originally,

but unfortunately a big part was destroyed.

the small outbuildings have survived

and now house the many different sections.

there's a sweet bric-a-brac part,

the electronics-section,

an enormous clothes area,

children's clothes, paraphernalia and toys,

and a caf where they sell cakes

the picture underneath was taken this summer

when i was there with a few of the kids,

looking for treasures,

or just some bits and bobs.

the kids {17 and 10, then}

were having a whale of a time 

on the sea-saw,

and the swings...

the building looks a lot like my dream house, 

as i picture it in my head.

same feel, charm,

with less chairs though 

and a lot less people hanging around...