Posted in February 2008

Fakenham in the Sweet Sunshine

Source: Myriad Life
Thursday 28th February 2008, 5:47pm

More sunshine in March please! Am I being too greedy? After last summer I don't think so. Check out the Myriad Life Market Stall in all its glory!

Another fabulous day, and me with no coat,, who would believe it? Really brought the characters out today, if only I could video or picture them! Can't pluck up the courage to ask permission though.

Check out www.myriadlifeonthemarket.blogspot.com if you want to see a video of my stall.

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Memories

Source: Myriad Life
Tuesday 26th February 2008, 5:03pm

Strange the things that come to mind when doing a bit of DIY, sealing the shower took me back to infant school!

One of our favourite past times at infant school was covering our mischievous little hands and digits with white glue so we could could spend the next half hour peeling it off. This seemed like a great game at the time but as an adult it's a pain when your hands get covered in sealant and you can't get it off fast enough!

I actually love playing a bit of Bobette The Builder when it suits me but I am a somewhat messy worker and gloves never appeal so now although we have a pristine shower unit my hands look like someone caught in a nuclear accident. Fortunately the white flakes are silicone and not skin.

I always was a Tomboy and my early influences were Maurice the man nextdoor who actually was a builder. In admiring imitation I am told I used to get up early, stick on my Pork Pie hat (why I had such a hat I don't know) and toddle off down the garden to build things (no grand designs I can assure you.) I still like messing about with buildery things, last summer I mixed concrete to rescue the patio, let's just say I'm not the neatest of workers but it'll do for now!

If I were a bloke I no doubt would be the kind of grease monkey who never quite gets clean, paint in hair, black beneath the fingernails and silicone behind the ears!

This could explain why I ended up a market trader - forget the girly jewellery thing, really it's the putting up of bars, lifting of weights and driving a van that holds the real appeal. Perhaps not quite the image I was hoping to portray but there you go!

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Is it Just Me?

Source: Myriad Life
Monday 25th February 2008, 5:52pm

I want to save our lovely planet just as much as anyone but the saturation of advice and scare mongering in the media has almost turned me off caring..

It's a dangerous thing I believe, the constant going on about global warming, plastic bags, gas guzzling cars is beginning to get on my nerves and I don't want it to because I care as much as anyone about the destruction of our planet but we need to get it into perspective.

A few weeks ago I saw an article in the EDP where it was suggested we choose environmental concerns as a basis for giving things up for lent. Fine, I'm not concerned with lent and think if you're going to have a conscience have it all year round but the suggestion that 'when you go out in your car (if you have to), try not to accelerate or brake very often!' Driving safely goes straight out the window then! What a ridiculous suggestion.

I'll give up driving my car when the government quit using fighter jets to carve up the atmosphere (yeah I know it's supposedly for our protection but are you aware how much pollution they cause and look how overused they've been lately.)

Also while airplanes are constantly mentioned as major destroyers (I feel so good because I haven't flown for two years - halo!), why does no one mention the damage those humungous cruise ships do, polluting the seas everywhere they go and there are thousands of them. I stood next to one a couple of years ago and they are like tower blocks on water - horrific.

Better get off my soap box now and take it to the recycling bin! Feel a bit better now after that little rant.

By the way - it's nearly Mother's Day, check out www.myriadlife.co.uk for ideas - we've got some loverly brooches.

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Wry Smile

Source: Myriad Life
Saturday 23rd February 2008, 10:35pm

Well if you didn't have a good sense of humour you would never become a market trader - that's for sure. Something I heard today brought a wry little grin to my lips...

I read somewhere that Sheringham has a particularly high rate of obese youngsters. I can't say that I would have particularly singled out Sheringham for such a statistic, I see a fair number of hefty youth on my travels around the county but equally I see quite a few skinny and average weight ones too. Of course not having actually counted them I can't scientifically argue with the figures.

I'm only mentioning weight because it was a tubby teen who remarked whilst carelessly spinning the earring stand today that you could get a certain pair of earrings cheaper at Tesco's. So why the wry smile? Well I've been reading of the frantic battles the shopkeepers of Sheringham have been waging to keep Tesco's away from Sheringham. They feel that this will mark certain death for the high street shops predicting that at least 16 could be forced to close should the fearsome giant be let loose in the town.

I understand their fears. In Diss it seems many shops are steadily disappearing, giving way to a plethora of charity shops and vacant spaces. I can't say for sure if this is because Tesco's and Morrisons now have large stores in this town or if it is natural economic decline, or expensive rents or if the independent's products simply didn't work.

However, I also can't see much difference to Myriad Life's takings to when they weren't there.

I can't help but wonder if the local shopkeeper's of Sheringham (some not all I shouldn't wonder) apparent dislike of the market is similar to their fear of Tesco's. When trade is difficult businesses often seek to blame outside factors rather than rationalising whether they need to change their business to suit the economic climate and customer demand. Interesting question.

There is also the argument that Tesco's will bring more people into the town and there is always the likelihood that while they might shop there they will also explore the rest of the town. Surely there are sufficient shops selling niche product that cannot be affected by the supermarket or will their spare cash all be swept away by the supermarket?

Back to Diss - Tesco's sell jewellery but so still do Myriad Life, we still have regular customers and new customers but would we have more if the supermarket wasn't there - I really don't think so.

In conclusion, these are 'challenging' times for independent businesses and on the whole they appear to be rising to the challenges. If less energy gets spent on worry about supermarkets and 'others' and more energy gets spent on providing exciting product and service for customers it could well be that the strong independents, the flexible independents, the innovative independents just might win the day - we'll see...

As for the tubby teenager, I'm sure she will be back - after all she did like the bracelets!

Check out www.myriadlife.co.uk - for something a bit different!

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Experience Sheringham

Source: Myriad Life
Friday 22nd February 2008, 6:22pm

Sheringham Market appears to have been left off an important leaflet created by Sheringham Plus Community Partnership, Myriad Life wonders why...

Myriad Life is hoping that http://experiencesheringham.co.uk will be adding information about the market Sheringham has every Saturday and Wednesday (March-October). An email has been sent to the administrator but as yet no reply. It was only sent a couple of days ago so I will wait until next week and then give them a call if I don't get a response in the meantime.

I first noticed 'Experience Sheringham' when I saw a leaflet advertising attractions, retail outlets and eateries in the 'market town' in the newsagents opposite the car park where the market is regularly held. Naturally I scanned the leaflet fully expecting to see mention of the popular market held every week throughout the year but guess what, nada, nothing, zilch!

Even though the North Norfolk District Council has a prominent logo on the leaflet and website (to whom market traders pay their rent), no promotion of the market exists.

Myriad Life has been surfing the net looking for websites that mention the markets that our stall visits because we have decided it is time to promote these markets as well as others. It is our mission to make the public aware of what is available, that it is important to support small independent local businesses (which we are) and realise that the image of 'Fly-boys' and rip off merchants is not correct in our rural town markets. Many traders are no different to shop-keepers, it's just that they choose to move their shop around visiting regular markets to expand their customer base.

Nearly all the traders we know are just normal business people trying to survive and provide the best service to their customers.

If you have any ideas about how we can further promote Norfolk markets please get in touch!

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Papworth Revisited

Source: Myriad Life
Wednesday 20th February 2008, 7:45am

I can barely believe it and am still touching wood all round. This Friday is the first outpatient appointment The Tough Ol' Thing has made it to

Since Mum's major heart op in September we have been in and out of the N&N and Papworth like the proverbial yo-yos. Five months, three ops (2 major) and 2 procedures later, several A&E visits, 2 transfers to Papworth, many sleepless nights, tears and fears and here we are at last preparing for a normal check up. It doesn't seem real and believe me I am still holding my breath!

Just doing normal things like going to the shops, walking round the rec etc leave us grinning with happiness now, it's been some journey and although I know it's not over yet I feel we are reaching a major milestone in what quite frankly has been a nightmare on many occasions.

I will have to miss Diss of course but I really can't mind about that, I'm sure my customers will forgive my many absences over the past months. The market inspector has been very supportive which helps a great deal. Hospital appointments always seem to come at the end of the week, but when it's a surgeon or consultant it's usually impossible to change the day.

Still that's a small thing, I'm looking forward now to saying thank you - yet again!

Will be back for chilly Sheringham on Saturday so roll up, roll up!

www.myriadlife.co.uk for delicious jewels, passionate pashminas & beautiful batiks!

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Types

Source: Myriad Life
Sunday 17th February 2008, 4:43pm

You know I've being doing this market trading malarkey for some time and still the types of people visiting markets never cease to fascinate me...

Visit www.myriadlife.co.uk for gorgeous pashminas at excellent prices.

There are those who think that market trading is probably a bit lazy really. Chuck up a stall, chuck out some gear, take a wad of notes and make off into the sunset.

Even my brother once commented "but all you do is sit there all day, it's not that hard." It seems everyone in this world is convinced they work the hardest. I could say "but all you do all day is check people in and out of your hotel Mr Basil Fawlty - how hard is that?"

Quite often the punters (customers to the uninitiated) think exactly the same. Occasionally I give them a brief rundown of the 5am start, the three hour set up etc but without them shadowing you all day it's hard for anyone to totally comprehend what someone else does, regardless of occupation. We live in an 'instant' society where we see 'what is' but don't think about the preparation, non-visible hours of slog that goes into creating a business.

Next time the competitive 'who works hardest' argument crops up, I think I'll just say, "only idiots chase their tails, I find it best just to chill." Will report back on the reaction to that.

Well the sunshine really cheered things up this week. After a drizzly miserable day at Fakenham, Diss proved to be much more amenable. A welcome posse of regulars floated to my patch which always makes me smile.

It was yesterday at Sheringham that I got to thinking about the types that visit markets (finally I get to the point of today's blog!) At the end of the day a couple in motorcycle leathers visited to make a few purchases, they happily chatted about the freezing temperature, biking, their trip etc and were very pleasant. Bikers usually are very nice for some reason, obviously they have a hobby that makes them happy and their good humour is notable.

On the other hand there are two ladies who visit who look like 'ladies who lunch', their hair is formed into similar styles to one another, they are immacutely turned out, and they appear to be quite well off (though I do know appearances can be deceptive). Every now and then they buy something. But they really don't like to acknowledge me at all, I can't remember ever seeing them smile, even at each other, they are so straight faced and stand offish I do wonder about them. I'm even scared to say 'hello' now because I dread the glare. Probably they don't even realise they are being like that.

A very friendly well spoken lady in a shocking pink hat with trousers to match bought clip on earrings. I understood from her conversation that she doesn't live locally (I would guess from the accent a posh London type). A few minutes after she'd made her purchase and disappeared she re-appeared with another lady and I offered this lady a card so she could look at my website. This lady informed me she is local and knows where to find me, she wasn't very friendly but I think she was trying to cope with the gaggle of young boisterous boys accompanying her.

Variety is the spice of life or so they say - you get plenty of that as a market trader!

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Love is Most Certainly Not in the Air!

Source: Myriad Life
Thursday 14th February 2008, 5:06pm

I didn't feel the love today out at Fakenham market, I just felt the freezing cold, miserable drizzle. Hearts and flowers PAH!

The only discernible Valentine's present purchased from my stall today could have been a crystal rose pendant but it could just as easily been for Mother's day, some people do buy early. I stuck it a red pouch and gave the man who bought it a big smile because whatever - he was obviously trying, and such men should be given every encouragement.

You would think that selling jewellery there might be a queue of earnest young (or any aged) men queueing to buy a romantic gift for the lady in their life (or someone else's life for all I know) but I learnt a long time ago that trading doesn't work like that, not on the market anyway.

I would say that I would expect women to be queueing for gifts too but I don't sell jewellery for men, it doesn't seem to work round here. Just so you know I'm not entirely sexist even though I'll happily admit I am a bit sexist on occasion.

It's a weird day really, I think most people get a bit jaded with all the named days for this or that and find it easiest to ignore it as much as possible. I'm a bit like that with Christmas now, every two years would suit me just fine. I don't think I'm miserable, just busy and it takes quite a bit of time out of normal life to deal with these events.

As for it being half-term well forget that. The weather was so grim we could hardly expect a gaggle of excited children charging down the aisles. I wouldn't blame them for staying tucked up at home today, I wish I had stayed put on my nice soft pillow.

Teenagers and children rank as among my favourite customers. Despite all the bad press I generally find it is adults who can be rude and thoughtless. Generally the children and teenagers are so excited to be buying something whether it be for themselves or as a gift their enthusiasm can be infectious. It is a rare child or teenager who doesn't say thank you or engage in happy conversation whereas I had a few adults today who blurted out questions without a thought of saying please or thank you.

Anyway, tomorrow is another day - come and make it a happy one, I'll be at Diss.

www.myriadlife.co.uk for that late romantic gift or any other occasion!

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The Sport of Haggling

Source: Myriad Life
Monday 11th February 2008, 2:29pm

Whether to haggle or not to haggle, that is the question. Let me give you the answer - not on my stall!

I think I have already mentioned that on my stall every last piece of jewellery is labelled clearly with the asking price, and the batik pictures are clearly marked too.

On Thursday at Fakenham I had a visit from a very pleasant young lady from Trading Standards who apart from introducing herself, said "all seems fine here, I can see that everything is priced." And off she went on her way.

On Friday, a lady of advanced years decided she would like to buy a pendant. Holding it a aloft she said "you can give me something off, I'll give you seven for it."

Now aside from the fact I immediately baulk when someone says "you can take some money off," or "I'll give you x for it," because quite frankly I take offence at being told rather than asked. It isn't polite, it's assumptive and on occasion a little aggressive.

Politely I explained that the price of the pendant was clearly marked on the label as £8. To which the lady replied "but I'm a poor old pensioner, you can give me some money off."

The "I'm a poor old pensioner" line has been used before. I am not a heartless soul and I know that some elderly have it tough but they also get a fair amount of financial help, bus passes, discounted train travel, concessions even in some pubs on food and so on and so forth.

"What about me, the poor (oldish) market trader" I said as gently as I could "I spend time labelling the stock with what I believe is a very reasonable price, I was up at 5am to get here to display it all, and I'm sorry but that is the price I expect to be paid. Also, it will go in a very nice gift pouch - free of charge."

"Well it isn't for me." She muttered but handed me a note and that was that.

Now I know the tradition is to haggle and I appreciate that some people see it as a sport and I can also see that it has its place, mostly abroad in my opinion where prices get inflated for tourists. Also I know it happens a lot at boot sales and bric-a-brac markets. BUT, if I wanted to play the haggling game I wouldn't price the stock and then no doubt trading standards would rush back to tell me off!

In truth, I have a number of regular customers who I often give a discount to. Also if someone is buying a few items again I am happy to knock money off, whether it is requested or not. It's a friendly thing to do (a mark of my appreciation for their loyalty) and it's done at my discretion but during times when trade is poor I have to be more careful. I'm here to run a business after all and I doubt many people pop into Debenhams and start haggling over the prices.

The media has its part to play in all this of course. There seem to be a number of programmes which encourage people to beat business folk down to the bare minimum on price and because the cameras are rolling the trader invariably seems to relent. This is not realistic. If these business people did that all the time their businesses wouldn't last for long. I did notice on The Apprentice a few actually refuse which makes a refreshing change.

So if you want to haggle go abroad - that's my advice!

Visit www.myriadlife.co.uk for very reasonably priced jewellery, pashminas and framed batik pictures!

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Smiley Smiley Sheringham

Source: Myriad Life
Monday 11th February 2008, 10:21am

And so it goes on, have pinched myself several times but everytime I glance out the window the firey ball of happiness is still there...

Come Monday it is my belief the weather is always good. I am sure that if I checked statistics proof would be there that the weather can be bad on Mondays too but somehow it always seems to me that as soon as I don't have to go to market the weather is fine.

It's that psychological frenzy that the universe is somehow picking on me if the weather collapses Thursday through to Saturday, (or Wednesday through to Sunday in summer) then it's perfect Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Such is the irrational fear of forces beyond my control making life difficult. It is a general trader psychosis I believe, I'm not the only mad one!

But the evidence of the past week shows that it can be nice for several days in a row and my faith is restored - and hey you gotta have faith! 'Thanks George' as Heather in Eastenders would say.

Sheringham was bliss, happy punters, happy traders, a full day (now it isn't dark by 4pm). We are all being lulled into the false hope that spring is here already, looking forward to Easter and keeping our fingers firmly crossed.

You see that's the other problem. The minute we have good fortune in the weather stakes we don't allow ourselves to get complacent and the pessimism creeps unpleasantly back. Well it's been so fab this week - it can't last.

Seize the day! That's what I'm trying to do - tomorrow can look after itself...

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Two Sunny Days in a row

Source: Myriad Life
Friday 8th February 2008, 8:56pm

Weather obsessive - sorry but it's part of the occupation. Reeling from the impact of blue sky and bright sunshine for not one but two days trading

It makes a huge difference

nearly everyone smiles, apart from the ones that always are grim anyway

traders become incredulous at such marvellous conditions and manage to moan a bit less about trade

the suncream I slap on everyday regardless of season earns it's keep

I start to worry about wrinkles again from all the squinting but it's actually a pleasure to have this concern for the first time in 2008

BUT there is always someone who brings on a cloud by saying

aaah must be global warming for it to be so nice in February

still could snow up until April at least

Brrr - cold though isn't it!

NO - IT'S FLIPPIN' MAGNIFICANT!!!

Sadly after a bad night's sleep I managed to forget my camera so no video of Diss this week in the rare sunshine, and it looked so pretty too. Never mind, better get the one of Fakenham downloaded first.

Sunny Sheringham tomorrow - I can't wait...

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Filming at Fakenham

Source: Myriad Life
Thursday 7th February 2008, 5:33pm

I made a few small videos at Fakenham market today on my digital camera, downloaded them ok but can't seem to upload them onto my other blog, my technical expertise in this area is lacking, it's sooo frustrating

Where there's a will there's a way and no doubt after much head scratching I will get there somehow. It seemed to be straightforward enough, they loaded onto my pc well enough but then from then on I was lost. It was fun to do but annoying I can't show them yet.

Hopefully more people will get the market bug please check out www.myriadlife.co.uk for further information about the markets I visit.

I'm determined to get more people interested in shopping at markets. Especially in these environmentally challenging times. Here starts my one woman campaign.

The problem is while many traders moan when trade is slack and frequently bemoan the demise of the good ol' traditional markets, no one seems to want to do anything positive to save them other than turn up and hope for the best. Some councils are better than others in lending a hand but there is rarely any money to be spent on promotion.

When French markets arrive, everyone says 'bloomin' French over here stealing our customers' but let's face it they can be so much more appealing (not that ours aren't but we could honestly do with a few more aesethically pleasing displays), they make an effort with layout, ambience and lure customers with a bit of the exotic (even though some people have gone off them because they see the prices as over-inflated).

Anyway, I hope this blog and my other blog myriadlifeonthemarket.blogspot.com will do some good in showing how good and interesting local markets can be.

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Customer Service - A little can go a long way

Source: Myriad Life
Tuesday 5th February 2008, 2:36pm

The Tough Ol' Thing just came upstairs where I was working away on the computer with a big grin on her face.

John Lewis where Mum was taken ill last Thursday had rung up to see how she is getting on.

A year or so I was taken ill myself strangely enough in John Lewis but that was the Cambridge branch. I can therefore recommend both Norwich and Cambridge branches for excellent friendly first aiders should anyone be unfortunate enough to feel peeky while out shopping!

It's a big deal to make the effort to care about your customers. I try very hard on this score and think people really do appreciate it. That quick phone call today made Mum feel cared about and everyone deserves some good attention which is even more special when it comes from a stranger.

On the stall I spend a lot of time listening to people's latest news, problems, family concerns etc, not just to get their custom but because I really believe there aren't many people who bother to listen these days. Many people are in such a rush to tell you all about themselves they don't take a minute to take an interest in someone else. Granted there are some days when it does my head in - I am no Samaritan Saint, but on the whole it's good to communicate, share experiences and take a moment out of a busy day just to have a good old chat.

Lots of market stall holders do the same, they take time to 'mardle' with elderly folk or just plain lonely folk who perhaps only venture out to the weekly market for some company. I know of one lady of advanced years who loves to escape the old people's home where she lives, she tootles along stopping briefly to pass pleasantries and we always look forward to seeing her.

Of course you do get the odd nuisance. I used to have an old chap who would visit several times a day and block the front of the stall (a terrible error). I didn't mind the first couple of times but when someone becomes a permanent fixture it can be a real pain. That was in the early days when I was more of shrinking violet, these days I am quick to politely move someone on or navigate them away from customers who actually want to peruse the stock.

Please do visit www.myriadlife.co.uk if you'd like to peruse the stock!

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Domestic Distress

Source: Myriad Life
Monday 4th February 2008, 1:01pm

Working at home has one big downside, for me that is, somehow my partner manages to get out of it all the time, yes you've guessed it - household chores.

I spend three days 'out at work' a week, in summer 4-6 days depending on if I have a show/country fayre or it is a bank holiday.

The other days are spent researching stock for the market stall, ordering, buying, inputting it into the website www.myriadlife.co.uk which involves photographing each item, writing descriptions etc. I label all the stock individually which some people think is madness but I know that customers like to look without having to ask. Sometimes I travel to buy stock too. Then there is the marketing of the merchandise which is a whole new ball game, as it's not just about when it's on the stall I have to attract hits to the website too.

So you see it is in fact a full time, neverending job which I love. BUT somewhere in between all this I have to pay attention to the domestic duties which I HATE.

My other half works at home half the week too but while when I am at home working I cannot rest if I know the washing needs doing, the kitchen floor needs washing, the bathrooms need attention so I try to fit it all in along the way, in between labelling pendants etc.

However, 'im indoors manages quite slickly to ignore as much of this as he possibly can and as much as I want to be like that too my conscience and basic hygiene won't let me. AAAgh! It drives me bonkers.

I've tried pleading, ordering, begging, I've tried it all. And yes he will get out the vacuum on occasion or fill up the washing machine but it never equates to an equal effort which I don't expect but a bit more would be nice. I could show him this blog and he'd say "you make it sound like I don't do anything" and that isn't true, he works very hard but hey so do I!

At the moment we can't afford a cleaner but we do have someone to do the ironing which is brilliant otherwise I would be bald with tearing out the follicles.

Why do women lose everytime, even when we are striving to run a business? Beats me.

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Spoke too soon

Source: Myriad Life
Saturday 2nd February 2008, 2:54pm

Talking of treacherous conditions - as I did yesterday, it's just as well The Tough Ol' Thing wasn't discharged last night after all...

Thanks to a doc who hot-footed it out of the hospital mid afternoon yesterday leaving Mum's notes unready for discharge she didn't get released until today. Wily doc I say, she escaped before the blizzard and I didn't have to drive home with a heart patient in conditions which no doubt would have given her chest pains again.

Nearly had them myself, it was not nice.

So much for not travelling on sheet glass ice, we live on a hill which makes matters worse when snow arrives. I had to be so careful not to break a leg in my efforts to navigate myself around the car this morning to free it from the icy tomb in which it lay. Perversely I quite enjoy watching other folk navigate the slalom that is our hill, their wheel spins, anxious expressions and nervous edgings are quite entertaining to watch.

Eventually I managed the journey to the hospital without incident and now we are safely tucked up with our cups of tea as hoped.

Phew!

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Sigh of Relief

Source: Myriad Life
Friday 1st February 2008, 9:14pm

The words - clear echo-graph - and -loose wire connection- were the most wonderful words I heard today. They even made the snow bearable.

Although my dear old Mum or 'The Tough Ol' Thing' she is these days known was not released from hospital this evening as hoped, it appears her tests are on the whole pretty much clear, she is feeling better and I can't wait to get her home tomorrow.

After a night's bad sleep worrying it's so good to end the day on a positive note. I don't care what the road conditions are tomorrow if we are tucked up in the warm together by teatime.

As for my 'dear darling van' the brakes were fine, it's just a loose wire connection tripping the warning light - phew! So much good news on one day - I feel quite heady, or could it be the glass of celebratory wine.

Unfortunately I will have to skip my Sheringham market tomorrow but I can hardly feel glum with so much good news in the offing. I doubt anyone but the hardiest punter will feel like perusing the coast in sub-zero temperatures but no doubt someone will notice my absence.

A couple of years ago a customer admonished me for missing a Thursday at Fakenham when we'd had heavy snowfall. "But I wasn't prepared to risk my life on snow laden roads for nought but a few bob." I protested with what I thought was a fair excuse, despite the dodgy Yorkshire accent, a county with which I have absolutely no connection whatsoever.

"But you could have set up in the sheds!" Retorted the disgruntled customer. Never mind about any wishy washy misapprehentions about skidding off icy roads into a tree! Nothing like a bit of Norfolk directness.

I have in fact navigated horrendously icy roads in the past. One particular new year at Sheringham sticks in my memory. I drove at about 20-30mph all the way there which took well over an hour opposed to the usual 40mins or so. A few times I thought of turning back but some kind of morbid determination over took my better judgement. I saw a few cars that had skidded off the road that day. My biggest fear was the hill on the descent into Sheringham town and I dreaded it all the way there. However that was the least of my worries. On arrival I had to borrow a spade from Clive the picture man to shovel the ice away from my pitch (some traders think of everything - a spade for goodness sake!) No one came to Sheringham that day - no one. I took less than a penny despite the mortal risk of the drive there.

These days I have a bit more sense - well a bit!

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