Map Stores on High Street, Harpenden

Image: © Jeremy Bolwell Taken: 15 Jan 2022

When I spotted the shop sign, my pace quickened and so did my heart beat for as an ardent walker there is little I love more than a map shop. "Great!" I thought, "Now that's what I call a shop!" and anticipated browsing some maps and possibly purchasing a few much needed ones. But then much to my wife's amusement the shop turned out to be a very upmarket independent 'boutique' purveyor of some uber-desirable household items from ceramics, homewares, designer products and lifestyle must-haves for the most discerning aficionados and the elite cognoscenti of on-trend knick-knacks, cutting edge beverage containers, candles, planters and the like. My wife went in and of course I followed. Here was quite a few minutes I wasn't going to get back, but of course I have to accrue brownie points so that when, or if, the tables are turned I can browse, ponder and weigh up products and items that I LIKE. I have to say that every single item I saw in here was extremely buyable; I carefully fitted my hand around ceramic coffee beakers, inhaled several exotic candle scents, admired very expensive looking 'objets' from brands from Copenhagen, India and worldwide which I had never heard of and all had that inscrutable, unattainable aura, that fleeting, never to be experienced allure exuded by high class international hostesses, Swiss bankers and super-yacht brokers. Needless to say I left empty handed. I already own too much clutter, too many beverage containers and would be too scared to actually use such designer items anyway. Maps I do need though.

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