Much of the stock in Sonia’s Smile is from Nepal. Lovely woollies, felt bags and hats and more recently, colourful  satchels and rucksacks.

Nepal has been through some really difficult times with the borders being closed down and no planes allowed in or out, electricity restricted to a few hours each day.

Just when things were improving they are hit with the devastating earthquake, killing and injuring thousands.

I value all the things in my shop, not for the cost but for the fact that they have been made by skilled craftspeople, paid a fair price to help them live a decent life. Life in Nepal is precarious and my thoughts are with the families, hoping that they can pick themselves up and get back to some sort of normal as they have done many times before.

Again, we are reminded of how wealthy we are.