venta

I just popped downstairs to make myself yet another hot drink, when I heard a ferocious clanging, as of a school bell signalling the end of playtime. I went to look out of the window, fearing that, in view of my recent state of health, someone might have sent the plague-cart round.

So I can now - only a few years late - answer a question that was posed on here:

There are rag-and-bone men still patrolling the streets in south-east England. Unless like their north-eastern counterparts, they don't announce themselves with a cry of Nyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag-bn, but ring a handbell. Out of the window. While driving. Something which, unlike the use of mobile phones, probably isn't explicitly banned under law.

The truck pulled up outside our house, and a man wearing a donkey jacket leapt out and knocked next door.

- You got any <notsure> you want rid of ? I'll take them away ?
- Yes, I have.
- Any radiators ? I can get rid of them for you.
- Yes.
CLATTERING
- What about <alsonotsure>, would you take that ?
- Yes, bring it out.

It was exactly like a really poorly scripted scene in a sitcom. (Subsequent nosiness on my part revealed that <alsonotsure> was, in fact, a cooker. )

Had the nextdoorneighbour requested a call ? Did he formerly have all his scrap radiators piled up in the garden looking obvious ? I've no idea. Rag-and-bone man didn't knock on anyone else's door, he just drove slowly off. Clanging a lot.