Journal: Saturday 24 November 2024

Busy running errands today and the first time for years that I've been in the city centre on a Christmas shopping Saturday. It's fun if you haven't any serious errands to do!

There's lots of atmosphere, decorations, special free events, seasonal food and families trying to get jobs done. I arrived about 12.30pm and that was okay (I imagine the morning was fine, too), but it became more of a melee as the afternoon progressed. I was out by 2.30pm and waited minimal time for my purchases.

The picture is of my "Xmas" lunch - a Christmas dinner pie of turkey, stuffing, carrots and gravy with chips or mashed potato and peas or braised red cabbage (and more, quite tasty, gravy). It was okay - the pot of tea that came with it was much needed. I enjoyed the bright lights, though, and picked up a bargain - more later.

The day started with a trip to my nearest shopping centre in Queens Road which, along with shops that you need, and a range of restaurants and cafes for every occasion, also has Jeff's Hardware. Increasingly rare, these little shops often have everything you need and a reasonable price. Jeff's Hardware has seen me right for a multitude of bits and pieces without having to trek to and around a larger store (coincidentally buying others things that you didn't need when you walked in).

This time I was after a toaster, nothing fancy or Homes and Gardens, just something that browned bread to a delicious crunch. Jeff's had one and sitting beside it, a stick blender, also reasonably priced. Job done, another happy shopper made her way home.

The next errand was into town to return some items and collect a prospective Christmas present. I'd planned to have lunch in town and also wondered whether I might pick up one or two pre-Black Friday bargains.

It's been ages since I bought any yarn and I headed for haberdashery, only to find it had moved to the second-floor and in its place was a clearance area. Not much I wanted or needed (and not at that price, clearance or not), until I came to two sets of curtains, lined and blackout, at half price, perfect for one of my bedrooms. Half price! 🤪

They were very heavy and I was walking, but that did deter me from spending much more, so a bonus. I tracked down the relocated haberdashery (next to the Christmas shop, which was delightful) and fortunately, nothing was on sale. I picked up a knitting magazine which I had been thinking about buying for a while and set about the journey home.

It was dark and drizzly by then, Storm Bert (a cheeky fellow taking out power lines and throwing snow about with gusto) making its presence felt. My car window had been open most of the week, through snow and rain, so things got a bit steamy with the heating on.

Lots of traffic by that time, the new clutch, which is very fierce, playing havoc, but it wasn't too long before I was home, unpacked and enjoying a cup of tea.
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Shopping, Walking