With the flat now operating at a ‘one in one out’ policy for furniture, focus has necessarily, but pleasantly, turned to smaller delicacies. For such things, a car boot sale is the magnum opus. There used to be a boot sale at New Street in Edinburgh, which was wonderful as i recall. This closed and the Omni boot sale on Sundays replaced it. Me and my pal Julie used to go there a lot, but then she moved to the south coast where loot from the country ‘jumble sales’ took her vintage and retro salvaging to another plain! I’ve dabbled in the Omni centre sale a bit over the years, even participated once, without spectacular success. My last foray into the bowels of the cinema left a lasting distaste for the whole affair. Apart from the challenging environs, a lightless, airless lair of feral bargain-hunters at level minus four of a concrete jungle, the place was rife with stretched Primark cast-offs, electric foot spas and leopard print starched nylon curtains. And enough baby clothing to see any youngster through a long winter in Siberia.

That was two years ago, and things are certainly looking up, even if the crazy ladies dangerously wielding suitcases to cram with maximum tat remain. Last Sunday was an extravagant festival of the £1. This appeared to be the going rate for pretty much every item i laid my hands on. The critical factor for success is whether the traders, and the house clearance del-boys, are in residence. There will always be the pathetic drooping wall-paper tables filled with naff trinkets that no-one in their right mind will so much as glance at. Then we have the disenfranchised relatives looking to make a few quid on the remains of their Auntie’s estate, the rest of which was bequeathed to Bolton Adopt-a-Donkey charitable trust. The proper traders know that at a car boot sale, prices are rock bottom and as such, are the place for thrifty hunters like me to find cracking deals.

So what spoils were acquired at this veritable £1 feast? 1. Salvage sister Gemma sagely advises that this is the ultimate canny British family purchase, a wind breaker for those fateful gale force days at the shore. No more sandy sandwiches for us! This jaunty vintage number sadly came minus 3 poles, but no matter. That can easily be remedied. This set me off to a good start….   2. Next up – the 50p box. Starting safe with a pair of pretty floral bowls.  I have one Midwinter ‘Red Domino’ teacup, so was delighted to find this matching plate in good condition. It’s a sought-after range, and fetches a pretty penny on ebay at the moment. To add to the vintage coronation mug collection, this 1937 piece, the oldest one in my assortment so far. I have never had much luck finding good quality Poole crockery. This classic jug should get me started….Some old sewing patterns (inspired by the sewing bee, I’m planning to get into home-made clothing), and vintage dominos.3. From there, I came across a wily tradesman who drove me down with his relentless bargaining. That is, me, not the price sadly. Still, this full set of red Skyline utensils for £5 was a great find. I collect red kitchenalia so this was perfect. Prices for these on ebay are mad at the moment! Me pal Jules and I have been gathering these classic wares for years. Particularly pleasing is the frying slice, which you don’t often come across.  4. From the same seller, I was rather taken by these Melmex mix ‘n’ match picnic-wares. There is a notable irony in old hospital crockery becoming fashionable. However I LOVE a good picnic, and what better than to enjoy yer tea in a retro chalky pink plastic teacup. There was more in the set but I couldn’t bring the price down any further, and was running low on funds by this point! £5 for the lot.

5. This might be purchase of the day. An art deco lidded casserole dish. Guess what? £1.6. These turkish-style tumblers are great for amuse-bouche (I know, so pretentious that i would even consider producing such an item) or mini desserts. £1. 7. One can’t look past a £1 stack of vintage linens. Well, speak for myself I suppose…

8. Another collection – Danish vintage Melamine utensils. 50p. 9. Jackson’s tea tins. Number 4 of the collection.

The theme is clearly collections. I love gathering up items here and there, especially when they are sourced from various scouts. It’s the thill of the ‘find’ that keeps me coming back for more….

See you there next Sunday?