Thursday, July 3, 2008

Surf n Sale





Who said "Trunk sailing” wasn’t exhausting!




Last week we went through the newspapers looking for garage sales. It’s amazing how many of them there are each summer. Having just moved, we were in the market (pardon the pun) for a few items.

How different things are nowadays. Today we used the computer map-quest search, for all the street names we didn’t know. Plotting a route to take in our onslaught for the goodies. It’s amazing how many people get themselves out there ‘in the hunt’. Long caravans of vehicles practically racing each other to see who can get there first, ~ ‘follow that van!’.

Whilst in the planning stages I got a little curious. I remembered the English TV program “ Steptoe & Son” the ‘rag and bone men’ from the successful BBC series. I remembered the same people in real life from when I was a kid growing up in England. That brought to mind other well known names related, I thought, like trunk sales, rummage sales, garage sales as well as the famous ‘Flea Markets’. I decided to google the origin. ~ What a pleasant surprise and such a good read. This is the link:


These are part of the loot from our sojourn into the world of sometimes mad, who said it doesn‘t pay to get ready to rumble!




BarBells for exercising. $5.00





Cabinet to hold microwave.. $4.00





Finally what I figured was 'The Prize' ~ Marble Chess set $1.00!!





We arrived home, feeling a little like “Fagan from Oliver Twist!” having picked someone’s pocket.

C'ya

22 comments:

Janice Thomson said...

Wow look at that chess set for a buck! Actually you made excellent deals on everything. Excellent read on that link - I tend to agree with the first definition... :)

drips of paint said...

wow, $1.oo treasure ...
take me next time you go shopping ...

I like garage sales ... adding to my still-life collection for painting.

good health to you & wife:))

zirelda said...

Isn't yard saleing fun? It's big business here. I love the chess set and agree. It is the prize. I once got a hand made signed pottery fruit bowl for a quarter. I had it for years.

DarkWing said...

eww, I like the chess board...i'd probably end up playing checkers on it though :p

Eric Valentine said...

You are probably right Janice, but I can believe the second also.. :)

Eric Valentine said...

Hi Tim, yes, painting a garge sale scene could work out good.. :)

Good health to you also mu friend. :)

Eric Valentine said...

Hi Zirelda, yes it is lotsa fun and it's nice to haggle & get a nice article or two. :)

Good looking with your door.. :)

Eric Valentine said...

Newnorth!! Nice to see you again, it has been quite a while, you have been missed. :)

Yes checkers would be good too. LOL

Shades said...

the chess set is the best buy of the day, Eric..!
:)

swenglishexpat said...

Eric - Fantastic bargains! Boy did you do well!

Eric Valentine said...

I think everyone is of the same mind Shades, it really was a good bargain. :)

Have a good day with your camera.. :)

Eric Valentine said...

Yes it was a very fruitful day out Swen. It pays to know what you are shopping for, and then comes a pleasant surprise like the chess set. )

Augs Casa said...

Looks like you scored mate. Sounds like you are doing well with the move and all. Cheers from the Midwest.

Eric Valentine said...

Howdy Augs, it's been a while since I saw you around. Yes things are settling down now my friend.

Summer can be a busy time especially when you have a small family like yours.

Nice seeing ya Mate.. :)

Stacey said...

Hi Eric,
I love a good bargain ;-D

Oh and they still show "Step toe and Son" over here.

Hope that your well and settling nicely into your new home. :-)

Eric Valentine said...

Hi Stacey, wow that is a surprise to hear. I didn't know that show was still running, it's getting to be a regular Coronation street! LOL

Have a great week. :)

Stacey said...

Hi Eric,
It's all the replays, there is a few channels that show all the old programs...and Coronation Street is still running...I don't think that one will stop ever (LOL)
Take care Eric :-D

Eric Valentine said...

We love watching all the Brit sitcoms over here when they are on.. There's been some good ones.

I'd love to see "On the Buses" on TV here, but I doubt that will happen. :)

Judith Shapiro said...

it's so nice to get your comments on my blog. always a great pleasure to hear from you. the chess set is of course amazing; the microwave shelf a deal; and i looked longingly at the barbell set until i realized i've got one just like it in the basement. sheesh. perhaps i'd better dust it off. all the best to you.

Eric Valentine said...

I think everyone welcomes a comment at times Judith, I just like looking around interesting blogs hoping to get different ideas for a post.

Nice of you to visit. :)

Forsythia said...

Eric, your yard sale piece reminds me of a story I have to tell. I'll call it Uncle Dan's Clocks.

Eric Valentine said...

That story sounds interesting Forsythia, I'll have to keep an eye open.. :)