Uncle Albert at Orpington Summer Fete

Image: © Ian Capper Taken: 3 Jul 2009

I was walking towards the Walnuts Shopping Centre (see Image) when I came across this old man selling bottles of water, apparently from a spring in South East London - it was labelled Peckham Spring Water. It was a hot day, so I was tempted, but at £1 for a small plastic bottle, I thought the price to be a bit steep. In any case, back at the office I could drink the best that Thames Water could offer, for free. So I declined. I don't know what else he was trying to flog from his Reliant Regal - Trotters Independent Traders, it said on the side. Or indeed whether there was anything of interest in the battered suitcase on the roof. The sheepskin coat looked a bit warm for current conditions, so I didn't ask if it was for sale, and the Mona Lisa didn't look as if it quite matched the original in the Louvre. And I'm sure the parking meter wasn't there last time I walked past. I wished him much success in his trading and went on my way. (By way of explanation, Uncle Albert was character on the BBC Comedy "Only Fools and Horses") On a more serious note, Uncle Albert's presence was part of the Orpington Summer Fete that was being put on that day and continuing into the weekend.

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