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.
The Curry’s Still Working!
Last night’s curry seems to be still working. I feel quite refreshed this morning, despite getting up at three to put some posts on this blog. In fact that is a good thing, as I always used to work through the night before I had the stroke.
Wikipedia says this on the health benefits of curry.
Some studies have shown that ingredients in curry may help to prevent certain diseases, including colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. A number of studies have claimed that the reaction of pain receptors to the hotter ingredients in curries leads to the body’s release of endorphins, curry is claimed to be one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs.With the complex sensory reaction to the variety of spices and flavours, a natural high is achieved that causes subsequent cravings, often followed by a desire to move on to hotter curries. Some refer to this as addiction, but other researchers contest the use of the word “addiction” in this instance.
I don’t go along with wanting stronger curries. But here are a few observations on my life.
- I was born a day after modern India and I’ve always had a psychological connection to the sub-Continent. I’ve also enjoyed my visits there.
- C and myself regularly ate curries.
- I do get a craving for going for a curry at times. Last night was one of those days.
- When I moved here I seemed to ask several people, where there was a good Indian restaurant. I was finally sorted in Boots by a combnation of an Asian pharmacist and a customer.
- I was very disappointed when Waitrose stopped making curry and rice for one. Does anybody still do them?
- The day C died, I went for a meal in one of the Indian restaurants we used.
I should say that when I have a curry out, it’s usually in a proper restaurant, where they have tablecloths and use gram flour.
Perhaps it’s just down to releasing endorphins, as is stated in the extract from Wikipedia. After all, I feel better when Ipswich win.
Allergies
This chicken Provençal from Waitrose was rather nice.
Waitrose Chicken Provencal
But why can’t we have the allergy information on the front? That way, I wouldn’t need to pick up the package and turn it over.
Incidentally, this dish has fish in it. That surprised me, but it was defined as anchovy on the packet.
On the subject of allergies, Waitrose has brought out a range of chilled foods by Heston Blumenthal. All seemed to have added gluten. A pity really, as I recently heard of a sensitive coeliac, who went to his restaurant and had no problems.
Real Michelin Chefs Use Microwaves
I was in Waitrose buying some supper, when the young lady in front at the prepared vegetables shelf picked up some mixed green vegetables and put them down. As I picked up another one, she said that she didn’t have a microwave. I said not to worry, as a friend of mine, who’s a Michelin-starred chef uses one. She smiled and said perhaps she’d get one.
Good Idea, Bad Packaging
It was a good idea of Waitrose to sell prepared onions.
Good Idea, Bad Packaging
But why do they put them in such terrible packaging. It was bad enough before I had the stroke, but now it’s downright impossible.
As they stick two packets together it makes it even worse. I’d just like to buy one prepared onion. Please!!
The Highbury Corner littleWaitrose Just Gets Better
It’s now got goat’s milk and St. Peter’s beer and look at these two images of their free-from shelves.
It’s certainly a better selection than some of their bigger stores, with a very good selection from their range of gluten free products, like biscuits, cakes and bread.
The only products I can’t get are things that are heavy with a long shelf life, like beer and cleaning products, but I get those delivered from the Waitrose at the Angel, after buying them in-store. Incidentally, I haven’t used on-line shopping for groceries since I moved here.
A further point, is that later tonight, I checked the High Holborn littleWaitrose and the goods stocked and the layout of the Free From area, appeared to be the same or virtually so.
If this is a policy, I like it, as it means I can pick up a snack by just asking where the shelves are located. Assuming of course, that they haven’t run out.
So what would I change in a perfect world.
1. Waitrose usually has the EatNatural breakfast museli with buckwheat, whereas I prefer theone with vine fruit and have to buy it from Sainsburys.
2. The St. Helen’s Farm Goats Milk Yoghurt is not available in littleWaitroses.
3. There is no gluten-free beer in littleWaitroses. But I get those in once a month with the toilet cleanser.
In other words, I can live with that. But just as the goats milk has now turned up, I feel that if too many complain, adjustments to the stocking policy will happen.
A Better Way To Pay By Credit Card?
There are certain things, I don’t like where money is concerned.
The first is smart-phones, as they are just status symbols, beloved of the light-fingered. So if anybody suggests that I need those to do things like buy a train ticket, a coffee or a pair of knickers, or even replace my rail ticket then I say a big no!
I don’t like too to always have to carry more than one payment card. At present, I usually carry two; my Freedom Pass for transport in London and usually my John Lewis/Waitrose credit card for purchases. I would like to be like the Queen and not carry any cash, but as I do like coffee, which is almost as good as milk for my throat, I’ve always got a few coins in my pocket. So I have a small folder with these cards, my Senior Railcard and a few of my business cards in my pocket. My wallet stays at home most of the time, when I’m in London. I did lose the folder once and within a few hours, the bus driver had phoned me saying he’d got it and I could get it from the garage.
So I was rather intrigued, when I saw in the Sunday Times, an article about Square, a payment company started by one of people who brought us Twitter. You upload your picture, a recording of your name and credit card details to a web site and then when you go into say Starbucks, their iPad app recognises you and your name recording is the password. You can get your receipt as a text message to any phone as new as a Nokia 6310i. I knew I was right about smart phones being dead end technology. Nothing will persuade me to get one. If for instance, a shop, a theatre or a train company said I must have a smart phone to purchase their product, then I will make sure that I take my business elsewhere and give them all the bad publicity they deserve.
I can’t wait to walk into Starbucks on Upper Street, say “Anonymous Widower” and get my cappuccino.
Wot! No Potatoes!
I bought an egg and potato side salad in Waitrose this morning for my lunch today.
Wot! No Potatoes!
I’d half put it on the plate, when I noticed it had lots of tomatoes and no potatoes.
I was in the Islington branch today and showed them the photo. They gave me another one, which I’ll have for lunch with some smoked salmon.
One For The Freezer
I like a fish pie and use a recipe from Jamie Oliver to cook a big one for a party.
Yesterday I had a fish pie from Waitrose for my supper.
A Waitrose Fish Pie For One
Last night’s was so good so today, I bought another one and put it in my freezer.
It may not be as good as mine, but at least it’s gluten free, readily available and in the double size it would be ideal for entertaining a lady. Not that I’m being lucky in that area at the moment! But then who wants a wreck with a gammy left hand, poor eyesight, a stubborn mind and no driving licence? But I do have a little bit of what attracted Debbie McGee to Paul Daniels. I’m also taller than Mr. Daniels with more hair! So I’m not giving up yet!
The Angel Was Like A Morgue
I went up to the Angel as I usually do and it was like a morgue. There was only myself and one other in the queue in Starbucks and I got my preferred window seat. I didn’t see anything worth photographing for the blog.
Waitrose was empty too and I think the staff were lonely, as many talked to me, whilst they were stacking shelves and looking for items.
There weren’t any chuggers or smokers outside the shopping centre!
And of course the bus was virtually empty coming home.
Perhaps, some big event has finished and everybody has left. The bus doing press-ups has gone too!
The Anonymous Widower 