Margaret and I were wandering around an indoor market, taking shelter from a showery and cold day, in a pretty, but seedy looking, run down area on the outskirts of a large seaside town. There were numerous stalls set out selling everything from knick-knacks to new clothing and home grown local produce. The market was packed with many families and people of all age groups. Some from the local area, and many visitors from further afield taking advantage of the shelter afforded by the market.
We were both a little weary from wandering around, and we decided to have a refreshing cup of tea in one of the several café's, that were strategically dotted around the market area. We sat in a seat at a table by a large window, overlooking some purpose-built stalls, one of which, was a smart looking little construction, occupied by a smartly dressed, well turned out young man, with a re-assuring manner and smile to match. The sign emblazoned above this stall in very large eye-catching letters shouted! ANY GOLD BOUGHT.
The market was extremely busy in this indoor area as many people were drawn in by the inclement weather. As we sat enjoying our refreshment, we noticed quite a number of people in conversation with our young gold merchant, obviously negotiating, and he appeared to be doing quite a good trade. We then took to remarking on the people who were doing the business, there were quite a number of fairly young people, some housewives and some more mature adults. A very mixed set of folk, who overall, looked as unlikely to have enormous amounts of gold to sell as Midas or Aladdin had before their wishes were granted.
After some idle thought and speculation, the obvious conclusion we drew, was that as a result of the economic situation and the general tightening of belts; Grannies gold was being sold, along with many other family heirlooms to fund peoples bills and lifestyle. A very sad reflection of the times indeed!
We were both a little weary from wandering around, and we decided to have a refreshing cup of tea in one of the several café's, that were strategically dotted around the market area. We sat in a seat at a table by a large window, overlooking some purpose-built stalls, one of which, was a smart looking little construction, occupied by a smartly dressed, well turned out young man, with a re-assuring manner and smile to match. The sign emblazoned above this stall in very large eye-catching letters shouted! ANY GOLD BOUGHT.
The market was extremely busy in this indoor area as many people were drawn in by the inclement weather. As we sat enjoying our refreshment, we noticed quite a number of people in conversation with our young gold merchant, obviously negotiating, and he appeared to be doing quite a good trade. We then took to remarking on the people who were doing the business, there were quite a number of fairly young people, some housewives and some more mature adults. A very mixed set of folk, who overall, looked as unlikely to have enormous amounts of gold to sell as Midas or Aladdin had before their wishes were granted.
After some idle thought and speculation, the obvious conclusion we drew, was that as a result of the economic situation and the general tightening of belts; Grannies gold was being sold, along with many other family heirlooms to fund peoples bills and lifestyle. A very sad reflection of the times indeed!
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