Inorganic Collections...

Yep, it is that time of the year that our street's appearance turns to custard and there is a near constant drone of people cruising by in their vans and utes looking for "treasure". It is such a curious phenomenon and it brings out a very interesting side in people. I love nothing more than a good clear out so I really look forward to this annual event, as sad as that might sound! So eager was I to start adding things to our pile, that the kids and I began hauling it out to the kerb several days in advance. We spent a great afternoon baking gingerbread...

and then making trips to the front of the house with all our junk. We have since found out that putting things out before the specified time is prohibited and considered "illegal dumping". That would explain why no one else in our street had anything outside their house! Oh well, you live and learn. What has shocked me over the last few days is what people will take! There was nothing of any value or consequence in our pile and yet, a lot of it was taken. Old rolls of carpet underlay, broken broom handles, broken plastic toys, and perhaps the most astonishing, our old toilet cistern?! I am really struggling to think what value any of this would have to people. I awoke yesterday morning to the sound of a hammer out the front of the property. It was a man smashing our old BBQ apart to take the metal. We have also mysteriously "gained" a few things, namely old clothes which certainly don't belong to us! The good old inorganic collection is a Kiwi institution and this week has shown me that this tradition is still alive and well in suburban Auckland.

FYI: This deflated Dora ball of Harry's was taken within hours of him wheeling it out to the road and placing it on the pile. One little man's trash must be another's treasure?  :-)