A Good Reason To Avoid Tesco
I don’t like Tesco and never shop there, except in an emergency. But today it is revealed that executives spent twenty-eight million pounds flying around in private jets. So how much of your spend there, paid for this and other executive toys? It’s all here in the Guardian.
I really only use two major supermarkets; Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. Asda after all is American-owned and there is no Morrison’s near here. Occasionally like today, I’ll use the Co-op, but I do try to use smaller shops if I can.
Christmas Shopping By Yourself
On Friday, I tried to do a bit of Christmas shopping.
I wasn’t very successful, but then as I don’t have much to buy, was it really surprising?
To me, one of the joys of shopping, was going with C to the shops to buy presents for our children and their families.
I also used to go alone to buy presents for her. And that was what I really enjoyed.
But then I’m a man who enjoys shopping!
What also didn’t help was the bad weather and the fact that Oxford Street was so crowded.
Where Shopping Trolleys Go To Rehab
The BBC this morning is running an article on BBC Breakfast this morning, about how shopping trolleys are rebuilt. I think this was the company here.
It’s certainly better than dumping them in the canal or the Paddington Basin.
Not The Best Shopping Trip!
I tried to do a bit of personal shopping today. I need a couple of pairs of decent cord trousers and I want to get one of thse new-fangled tablet computers to see if I can blog on the move.
The only pair of trousers I tried on, were a pair in Armani with a button fly. And I hate button flies!
I’m also still no nearer to finding a tablet computer for my requirements.
In the end, I gave up and had a coffee and a snack in Carluccio’s before buying my supper in Marks and Spencer and coming home.
Is This The Worst DIY Superstore In London?
When I used to live in Newmarket, I used the B & Q store in Cambridge a lot. This one in Leyton is my nearest DIY Superstore and it’s only about half-an-hour on a 56 bus.
Is This The Worst DIY Superstore In London?
The staff at Cambridge were helpful and knowledgeable, the store usually had what I wanted and the check-out was quick. On the other hand, Leyton had just one visible person in the store today, there was no-one to ask for what I needed and the check-out queue was long and not moving. So I put the stuff I’d wanted to buy, back on the shelves and left.
I suppose it does have a bus-stop in front, but I doubt I’ll ever go there again.
Why Can’t I Shop In One Store?
Sainsburys and Waitrose are side-by-side at the Angel, but as the picture shows, I have to shop in both.
Why Can’t I Shop In One Store?
This Waitrose doesn’t sell any decent gluten-free bread, whereas their store a mile or so at Highbury Corner does. So before going to Waitrose, I had to get the bread from Sainsburys.
IKEA On A Miserable Day
To say that today is miserable is an understatement.
I needed to go to IKEA to pickup a shelf and after a breakfast at Carluccio’s in Upper Street, I got a 341 bus to the store in Tottenham. It was another big red taxi, with a personal driver.
The Upstairs Lounge On A 341 Bus
I even had the upstairs lounge all to myself. Although the view wasn’t up to much.
The Terrible View From The Lounge
I did get to IKEA in a reasonable time, as the roads weren’t that busy. I did speak to a friend by phone on the journey, who was tending to his father’s grave in a woodland cemetery in the rain. I think I got the better bargain.
At least coming home with my shelf, the empty bus meant I had no problems about where to put it.
Bringing Home The Shelf
But then there always seems to be space for parcels on the 341 from IKEA. Perhaps most people take the easy option and drive. Although this guy didn’t with a chair.
I should also say that the LACK shelf I bought was an ideal product to buy in the rain, as it comes tightly wrapped in plastic.
A Disappointing Starbucks
After Pudding Mill Lane I went to Eastfield to do a bit of shopping in the Marks and Spencer there. I successfully bought the jumper I wanted and some food for tonight.
However, I was not able to buy any coffee.
A Disappointing Starbucks
Because of my stroke and a slightly wonky mouth, I do not drink coffee from cardboard or plastic cups. And that’s all you now get in this branch in Eastfield! They used to have proper mugs before the Olympics.
So I came home thirsty!
But then Eastfield is one of those gluten-free deserts. Now it seems I can’t get a coffee there in Starbucks. I usually drink in one of their stores, as I can have something to eat if I want.
Essex Road On The Up!
I took this picture yesterday of the Essex Road in Islington, as it approaches Balls Pond Road
Essex Road On The Up!
I remember when the area was very run-down in the 1970s, but now it’s on the up, with some quality shops and businesses.
What is missing though, is a decent coffee shop!
The Anonymous Widower 