I also love the ornate design, structure and function of the Harrogate Bus Station:
 

In my head I remember I want to get some green, black and orange gemstones, as last year, and usually I am drawn to blue gemstones, so I need to mix things up this year.

I know immediately that this is going to be an expensive visit. 

I take my little basket and start in the bargain bucket, and pick up some Kyanite tube beads and a steal of a price, and some blue calcite, a gemstone I have not brought before.

I then move on to the main stand and that's when I do the real damage, my first selection was a string African Blue Opals that was calling me, I have never seen them before and I thought what wonderful earrings they would make.

There where so many gorgeous and wonderful semi-precious gemstones to choose from, so little time, luckily for me I had a shopping list of beads I was after.....

Yep you guessed it, that stayed in my bag, and I just went with my gut, I mean instinct, and picked what caught my eye.

What surprised me the most was a string of purple hematite, mostly as I am not a fan of the gemstone, as everyone has it, as it's a relatively cheap gemstone, but as it stood out from 10 metres away I knew it was meant to be part of my new collection.

After spending an hour on this stall, catching up with fellow buyers I meet last year, and meeting new ones, I handed my basket over to be totted up.

At this point I think it's a good time to check out the other stalls at the show, but I think I had reached saturation point, and needed some substience.

I find the cafe, and order a mocha and a slab of carrot cake, my staple go to snack!

Most of the tables were full, but a spot a table in the corner with 4 seats, but only one occupied, so I approach, and ask if they minded if I took one of the empty chairs, although it came across as a request it was really retorical, as I was going sit there regardless.  As as things happen we start chattting, so that was a nice diversion for both of use.

Full of cake, coffee and chocolate, I can now start my second round of checking out what else is available:
 

It is at this point that I am more focussed about me purchases, as I am looking for some cabachons, to practice my gemstone settings, and also I have a commision for a lanyard for glasses, and the hunt begins, but as you can imagine, I am a bit of a magpie and a child in a sweet shop, so I am too easily distracted.