This week, I’ve managed to get some supplies in. Usually we have a good stock here, mainly because of winter but also because of Brexit uncertainty. Recently though the supplies have dwindled, mainly due to financial concerns and I was becoming increasingly anxious about the empty shelves in the supermarkets and in my ‘larder.’ The one day I went to the supermarket and thought: great, no queues, only to be told to get a trolley or basket and join the queue around the corner. Oh my, it snaked around the car park. The sun was shining, I had nowhere else I needed to be, so joined the queue after being told to keep 2 metres apart – that’s about 6 feet in ‘old money’ I think. The mood of the queue was good, we all behaved well, and a few of us had shouted conversations with each other. After 30 minutes I managed to get into the store; still no tomatoes, no pasta, no green tea for my son, and only allowed to purchase 3 tins of vegetables which included beans. When you have an almost vegetarian in the family, 3 tins doesn’t go far I can tell you.

The following day I went to a discount store and managed to buy tinned tomatoes, passata, tins of mixed beans, and even some free range chicken. It was stocked so much better than the big supermarket, and though limits on purchases were in place, they were less draconian, and they seemed to have plenty of stock. I also only queued for 5 minutes to get in. The main difference being of course, that with limited stock, and limits on purchases, one can no longer afford to be a ‘brand snob.’ Maybe this is a good thing?

One thing that has annoyed me terribly, is the spoiling of products, including food. I’ve seen opened cereal boxes, and not just the cardboard box the contents packet too, opened boxes of salt flakes, plastic packets of food bags that have been opened and their contents pulled out, multi packs of crisps torn open. I don’t know if people are stealing some of the contents, or just spoiling them, especially the cereals, out of some misplaced sense of fun and devilment. I’m sure food tampering is a criminal offence, and in these unprecedented times, it should be stomped on. With all the cameras in stores, it should be easy to spot these people.

Speaking of supermarkets, my induction is next week, and hopefully I’ll be able to start work soon afterwards. I’ve already stated I’ll work shifts if it means I get the job. I used to work shifts, many years ago, and the beauty of night shift in this particular store, would be no customers lol. I’ll take what I’m given. My son commented recently: it’s taken a pandemic for me to be offered work… Brat! lol

I noted recently that the local council will still take our recycling away, though they won’t sort at the kerbside; I don’t care about that to be honest. They’ve altered some collection days, and further state they won’t take food waste for now and that we should bin it. Thankfully my rubbish bin is now secured in my garden, or goodness how much rubbish would be in it from other people! They also state that house inspections will not take place for now, unlike my agent who sent someone out recently. Seriously, with a pandemic in full swing, and not being able to shower for more than 2 months, you’d think they’d cut us some slack; no chance. The rep stood staring at the damaged ceiling, then at the bathroom, and commented he thought it had been fixed already. Ha! He told us to call them if no word from the builder but we’re not doing that for now. Who wants a builder in, who takes things apart, then maybe can’t get the parts, or becomes sick and leaves us potentially in a worse state than we are now? Not me. I’ll chase it when this is over with. For now, we can bath, and I can continue washing my hair in the sink; it’s a minor irritation and we’re getting used to it, it just gives me neck ache for an hour or so afterwards.

My son’s university is closed as are many of them, and thankfully they’ve been very forthcoming with information, and in returning the monies already paid for the cancelled graduation ceremony. They’ve also been in touch with the student loans people and have confirmed that the final payment will still be made, despite the university being closed until who knows when. That’s a load off my mind; my son uses some of it to pay me rent, and without it, I’d have had to dig into my savings until my wages started coming in. So, a bit more food in the store cupboard, a guarantee of rent money from my son, and hopefully wages too very soon.

Take care out there and be safe.