uncleduck

Isn't it odd how happy childhood memories can be triggered by various sights, sounds, smells and so on?

An hour or so ago I was walking round B&Q, half-heartedly looking for a long plastic trough to plant in.  I say half-heartedly, as a trip to B&Q is a pleasant way to spend half an hour unless you are frantically trying to find something.  I like to just walk - dander - stroll - look around and take it in.  I suppose it's the grown man's equivalent of meandering round a big toy shop.  Who cares if you have gotten lost? - there's all these nice toys to see!

It also reminds me of the builders' merchant that was at the top of the street where I grew up.  When I was little, my Granda would take me along when he was going and I would happily potter up and down the aisles, being amazed at how many types of screwdriver there could be or wondering why anyone would need sandpaper that makes something rough.  I remember the signs going up, before Zammo Maguire gave Grange Hill a bad name, saying they couldn't sell glue to children. 

Most of all, I remember the smell of.... freshly sawn wood.  Mmmmmmmmmm.

I know that sounds sad, but I enjoy standing among the doors in B&Q because of.... the smell!

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Correction - Zammo's way of escape was heroin and not glue, wasn't it? I seem to remember that episode being talked about a lot and being told (ordered?) by our teachers to go home and watch the repeat - probably to scare the daylights out of us.  Like a bunch of culchy 10-year-olds were going to follow in his path, that weekend?  Didn't stop some of our classmates though....