Many moons ago, when I was a wee thing, barely out of the school gates, and long before the birth of my second-hand empire, I used to sell stuff on fleamarkets. I'd amass stuff, then sell it on to other folks who could give it a lovely, new home. There was no car or driving licence for me back then, and so car boot sales were a thing to visit for fun, with a view to buying more crap. I loved it and still do. So, getting a call from The Brummie on Friday evening, suggesting a team-up to expunge old tat from the back of a motor seemed like a sterling idea.
Having been a good girl on Saturday evening (a short visit to Aces & Eights at Tufnell Park to catch up with pals consisted of me drinking lime and soda, admiring the excellent 70s porn adorning the walls, and approving of the luxurious pubic hair the ladies had back then), I was up at the crack of dawn (really, if even one of you uses this phrase at me, you're history) to load Betty Ford and head off into the breaking day with Brummie in tow.
The Princess May School car boot sale on Kingsland Road (Stoke Newington end) is a jolly good little affair. Well organised, run by friendly proper Londoners, good tea stall (I had a delicious bit of carrot cake for £1.20 - bargain), arrive by 6.45am, all over by 2pm. Worth getting up for, and a pleasure to spend half a day in good-humoured Brum company. Of all the boot sales I've actually stood at in London, this is probably one of the nicest. Not too big and cheap at a tenner. Others I've parked up at are:
- Kilburn/Maida Vale St Augustines - if you want to feel thoroughly hassled by people wanting to steal your old life for 5p or less, go ahead. One conversation I took part in went a little bit like this: Buyer: "How much for these shoes?" Shoes in question, brand new orange suede sandals, still with tag on, worth £40. Me: "£3." Buyer "Will you take a pound?" Me, patiently and quite brightly: "Oh...er, no, they're new and current season, well worth £3." Buyer: "Hmmm. Well, I have a pound." Me, less patient: "The sandals are £3." Buyer: "Won't you take a pound?" Me: "No, I'm sorry." Buyer walks away. Buyer comes back. Buyer: "Will you not take a pound?" Me, actually looking at Buyer now like she is unhinged, and with a disdain I might reserve for David Cameron or that pasty, pudding-faced chap who sang for Keane: "I'm afraid I'd rather give them to Oxfam than let you have them for a pound." And she didn't mind. Or, in fact, stump up the asked-for £3. Maybe she was mad. But then, I smiled, because I should have known it was all Part Of The Game. That said, if you're going as a shopper, it's worth a nosy. I've had some right laughs standing there, but never made much cash.
- Battersea Car Boot (Battersea Park School): this is in a different league. It was my venue of choice to rid myself of virtually everything I owned pre-Oz trip. I made a small fortune over a couple of weeks. If you've got good stuff to sell, particularly old stuff / collectibles, this is the place to go. It's expensive, though - if you know your goodies are likely to appeal to a broad crowd, book to be among the first lot of cars in (about £35) and you get to set up before the dealers can start hounding you. All very civilised too - Sunday trading and you don't have to be there until 10.30am to set up.
If you fancy doing a car boot, this list from Time Out has others I've shopped at, all worth a bit of a jaunt:
I was sitting here in the late afternoon sunshine, on my sofa, tip-tapping away, and suddenly, The Faces "Debris" filled the room. Is this what 'serendipitous' means? Whatever. It's perfect. One of my favourite songs from "A Nod's As Good As A Wink...", with the wonderful Ronnie Lane (my favourite tiny Face) singing lead, backed by Rod The Mod, written about his Dad shopping on a Sunday morning market. I'd named this post something relatively witty, but Ronnie has inspired me with a much sweeter title. Brought a tear to my eye, as Mr Lane often can. Or perhaps it's the effect of that early start...
Love him. RIP.
