Included in the sale was a fine machine vice, weighing in at what seemed like several tons & a petrol driven leaf blower (every model engineer's workshop should have one).

Prior to the sale a letter was presented to the auctioneeer, it is quoted here with the sender's name omitted to protect the innocent:

Dear Mr. Auctioneer,

This is a plea from the bones. Please, please do not sell any heavy items of machinery to my beloved.

The distance from the garage to the workshop gets longer and longer and the poor old bones are protesting. Your co-operation will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks – yours sincerely,

XXX (Mrs.)