Just got back.
Tired.
The roads were empty initially, all these cars still parked outside houses. I noticed some traffic lights weren’t working and then crossing lights not working. It made me feel the apocalypse was nigh.
Then as I got near the retail park i had in mind, it was nearly full at 8 am , only a few car parking spaces left.
I got one, got my mobility scooter out. And went to B&M. No toilet rolls, but i don’t want any anyway. To packs of kitchen rolls left after people dived in. Got the last two. That was good, because yesterday I refused to pay the overinflated charge another shop was trying to charge me. These were just 99p each.
No tinned meat for love or money. But I got cat food, treats, and litter. So that was sorted. At this point tinned dogmeat is looking an attractive option...
So, not much at B&M.
Then I went to HomeBargains. A bit better there. I found some Big Soup which I like and doesn’t raise my blood sugars. So half a dozen cans of those, the shelves were full of them. No tinned meat again. Then i saw loads and loads of those packs of 3 Branston baked beans (which I love!), so i got 6 of those. Everyone else was going for Heinz. So that was my haul from HomeBargains.
Then went to Farmfoods, there was absolutely no one in there, in comparison to Sainsbury’s and Aldi on the same site which were totally packed (I didnt go near either of those, I wouldn’t shop at Sainsbury’s even if i were starving). Anyway at faarmfoods they were stocking spam on the shelves. I asked the lady to pass me two. She said i could have more, but I couldn’t do that, there were so many pensioners on foot in that retail park, there is no way i could deprive one of them of vital food.
Then I went to the £1 shop. It was empty. That was a surprise. There was a notice on the door asking customers not to clear their shelves but leave some for other customers. I found loads tins of pek there, so i bought 3 tins. I just cannot bring myself to buy more than 3 tins of things, I have to leave some for the next person.. i also bought a few sweet treats at Poundland.
Then it was back to the car, but on the way was a factory outlet store. They don’t sell food but I went in. And guess what in the corner of the shop were three fully stocked small shelves of some essential foods. I got a tin of ham there, and 3 tins of fish in olive oil. I would have liked more ham, but i had to leave it for the next person.
Then back to the car, so put my stuff in. I am on my scooter. I am tired. And this woman comes up and insists on helping me, getting my bags in the car and my scooter in the car. Then she gives me a hug. Social distancing doesn’t exist. Everyone was friendly and kind to each other this morning. People were chatty and helpful to each other. An old gentleman was confused what washing powder to get, so this lady next to him patiently talked him through what was on the shelves, and helped him choose (I am assuming his wife wasn’t well, and he had not done shopping on his own before). The whole of this morning was like that, extraordinary kindness between total strangers.
On the way home i decided to fill the car up with petrol. But at the Esso garage, more than half the unleaded and super unleaded pumps were locked, only the diesal ones were fully functionaing. Was it just a delivery that was overdue?
I had noticed when i drove past when i went out that the hand car wash place was empty, no customers, and when i came to the fuel garage, i passed it again, and the forecourt of the hand car wash was dry. So i just had this wierd thought. I just thought to myself, I will go in for a car wash and make their day! I drove over to the car wash, and these delighted East Europeans leapt out and energetically began cleaning and washing my car. So cheerful they were.
Very limited English, but enough for me to understand. I had locked the car doors so they wouldn’t open the doors and clean inside as they do at this car wash.. but they are yanking at the doors and i am shaking my head no and trying to say it doesn’t matter. But I ended up unlocking the doors, and they cleaned inside and the windows inside the doors, very cheerful all the while. He couldn't open the boot, it is a wierd boot opening which floored me when i first got the car. He was quite upset he couldnt open the boot to do his job properly, and so i ended up getting out of the car, where i had intended remaining socially isolated, and showing him how to open the boot. Hilarity ensued at the wierd boot opening. Finally they asked for £7.50 (it used to be £5 still at Xmas), but that is still cheaper than the other car wash down the road where they don’t do such a good job and charge £10.. so I gave him the £2:50 change (from my tenner) back as a tip. He actually said to me ‘Are you sure?’ And i said yes. His eyes looked very grateful and there were tears in them. Why? He must have been having a hard time financially. I assume.
So, I have had a rewarding morning. The British spirit is still there from wartime Britain, and these East Europeans I include in that.
I am shattered.
I hope your day is as productive as mine.
Take care.