Trash talk

Camden. Queen Victoria. Paddy's. Jamison.

In descending order, and ascending fire resistance, Rachael's favourite markets.

We recently patrolled the carpark of the Jamison shopping centre, which is in Macquarie, just west of the City. Every Sunday the Belconnen Rotary Club host a Trash and Treasure market. It's like a massive, organised car boot sale. And it has been running for something like 30 years.

James thought it was mostly trash. In fact, entirely trash. And he wasn't wrong. The theory is, one man's trash is another man's treasure. But, you see, it has to BEGIN as one man's trash. Its not treasure until the right person has claimed it. And James did not find any treasure. Don't get him wrong--he is as cheap as they come. And actually not overly discerning (genetic inheritance from his paternal lineage we think). There just isn't much that's Jamesy at a place like this.

Rachael, however, did find treasure (even though she's not a man). These markets are composed at least 40% of household 'goods' and tacky bric a brac; 20% of clothes and shoes; 10% of books and DVDs and the remainder is just unclassifiable. If you want a rooster with a side of hammers, come here. Rachael did not want a rooster, but she did want some books. Rachael is as big a bibliophile as they come, and with whole boxes of Goethe, Shakespeare and Dante for sale for $10, she had some conniptions to contend with (incidentally, the best place for cheap books we have found so far is at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets charity stall every Saturday and Sunday. 50c for any paperback and $1 for hardcovers is pretty unbeatable!)

She also wanted to scope out the potential of this Canberra Cheapside for flogging her own household 'goods' and clothes and shoes (she will never, never part with any books, no matter how many boxes threaten to avalanche upon her foolish bookish head, and no matter how many cold sweats James lurches awake in after nightmares involving same). For $15 a space, it looks very probably worthwhile. If we take the plunge (which means getting on site before 6am to set up) we will be sure to let you know.

Overall, trash fantasy. Highly recommended for book lovers and/or people seeking meaning in their lives by amassing rubbishy acrylic paintings of dogs.