According to Denby, who has a store at 20 Birch Ave., the militaria market has grown up in recent years. It used to be that only school boys were interested in collecting these things. Now with cap badges going for up to $4,000, the market has matured to the point where the collector has to know what he's doing or he can get stung.

Across from us two young men were setting up a battery of drums; they cast furtive glances at Rachel as she cracked open a bottle of rum, tipped it three times toward the poteau mitan, and took a drink.

Likewise, guard rails would have made little difference. They are fitted to the track to contain derailed wheels on the approach to tunnel portals or bridge parapets.

A closer look at Conservative candidate training techniques reveals that its not all been yoghurt knitting and yoga in a yurt in Notting Hill.