Bring on the Rumtopf

The Mothership descended on Oxford this weekend amidst a shower of frozen food and BidUp TV purchases. Oh, and she also brought the Mentor. Since there is no room at the inn, they were staying at the hotel down the road by the Kassam Stadium and were keen to sample the delights of the boot fair that they see setting up each time they come. I’d never been myself but I new the kind of tat that would be on offer. And I knew I had to watch my mum like a hawk. Turn away for a second and she will have bought us some unwanted trinket, a hideous ornament, yet another toy for Bethan, or perhaps a TV (she has been trying to force one upon for ages).

On the other hand, my mum is an excellent haggler and if there was something I wanted, I was sure she would get a good price. The only thing I could think of looking out for a Rumtopf (or “Rumpot”). Its a German thing – a large ceramic jar in which you accumulate spare fruit over the summer preserved in sugar and rum for eating through the winter. Ever since Fendog told me about them I have been on the look out for one as its sounded delicious and a good way to deal with the gluts of fruit I get from the allotment. But on eBay they tend to go for about £15-20.

The very first stall we passed, I took a quick look and thought “Bingo!”. But I wasn’t interested in a bingo set. And thankfully my mum didn’t see it. The second stall…. amongst the assorted contents of a house clearance, there was a Romtopf – as good as new and totally unused. It even had the original instruction leaflet and a “History of the Rumpot”. When the guy told me he only wanted £3 for it, I didn’t even need to put the mothership into action. A bargain. I can’t wait for the summer to get this baby going.