The forecast was sun and showers for the South West so it was down to Lou and me to put the signs out and run the boot sale just the two of us, the turnout of sellers was poor with only 24 deciding to brave whatever weather with showers due at any time I was surprised that they decided to sell outside. With puddles galore to deal with we were delighted that the buyers turned out in force to support the sale. We decided that as the buyers had made such a great effort of support knowing the promised rains that we would not charge them the 50p admission (goodwill) About 200 cars with a total of up to 500 people on site the sale started in the sunshine, the buyers came to spend and they certainly did and sellers delighted with their takings.

I watched as most of the buyers carried out their purchases in carrier bags galore many of the items bought to sell on eBay and probably listed before midnight today. I also watched in Truro and Falmouth shopping centres during this week of the early January Sales, lots of people about but not a lot of carrier bags which is a worrying sign! I predict 2014 is going to be a very difficult year for the High Streets and that buyers will turn to our Car Boot Sales as a reliable source to buy second hand household goods and clothing! Within one and a half hours the promised showers arrived and by 3.20 pm the Cattle Market was deserted with our Community event completed.
But the gossip was all worth it; Marge was full of happiness apparently on a promise for tonight with her beloved Richard (Dicky) you know for his age he is very active, keep it up son, keep it up which is another of Marge’s hopes my lovers.

I was really pissed off for one of our ladies who has been dedicated to fostering children for many years and up to recently all of her foster kids have been good to deal with, however she has recently taken on a 13 year old lad who swears punches and kicks her and is not a great pleasure to have ‘living in your home’ I know foster kids have had a rough time in life but when someone takes a foster kid into their homes and this type of abuse happens despite all efforts to try to understand the kids problems. I would personally draw a line especially if he lashes out and kicks the foster parents actually bruising them with his violence. I also was a foster kid during the war years, how times have changed in my day it was the foster parents who were the violent ones and sod all was done about them!!

Our Rosie was so looking forward to her few days in the Highlands of Scotland where she had booked a ‘naughty Christmas’ few days with Gordon her man in waiting and how he waited! I am not sure if she was under the influence but on day two our Rosie tripped on a protruding slab at the hotel crashing down to the ground with a thud that was heard for many miles. Staff rushed from the hotel to help our Rosie and an ambulance was called so Rosie was taken to Inverness Hospital where it was discovered she had severe bruising but had not broken anything apart from the backs of the ambulance men. She is such a love but the disappointment on Gordon’s face was priceless. I joked with him ‘Bet that spoilt you naughty few days Gordon my lover” Without a chance to answer Rosie says “You must be joking with all the bruising I have got it will be months before we get around to any of that sort of stuff” Poor, poor Gordon, you will have to take yourself in hand my son until she gets better it could be months and MONTHS my bird! I believe Rosie will claim from the hotel for the protruding slab and the hotel will counter sue for the damage she caused to the slab!

Today was special despite the rains, there were really nice people about and a very friendly atmosphere prevailed, I believe loads of our regular buyers come along for the sociability of the occasion, to get some exercise fresh air and perhaps the odd bargain but to meet up with friends and families and have a good old chin chat! There is no other activity that I can think of that provides the facilities for this type of atmosphere created by our Car Boot Communities at all of our locations.
But for me it was a special day as Lou and I dealt with the setting up of the Car Boot putting out the directional signs and meeting greeting our customers, it is not often just the two of us work alone on the sales just like the old days of almost 25 years ago and Lou doesn’t look a day older from a distance of half a mile and without my glasses. Thank you all for your support my lovers and roll on the start of the seasons!

It’s about this time of the year that we decide ‘Who is the Car Boot Sellers of the Year’ and there are a lot of candidates, have you got any recommendations? Drop me a line to