Or rather the “waste and recycling centre”, as it has been rebranded, not least by a massive sign proclaiming “We are NOT a tip, we are a waste and recycling centre!” They also had another sign next to it reading “Recycle now, you may benefit somehow”, which has to be the least self-assured and most self-centred exhortation to recycle I have ever seen.

Anyway, to the tip (or WARC) went two huuuuuge binbags full of flattened cardboard boxes, an old stereo which made an annoying clicking noise, an old clock radio alarm with a horrid bright green display designed to keep you awake, and half an old door which HA had been going to make something out of. Or perhaps he made something out of the other half, I forget.

Inspired, I’ve just been through my books again and sorted out another 20 or so to take to the Oxfam bookbank next time I head over Byker way. There are no cardboard boxes left in which to transport them. I shall take this as a good sign.