It's been a couple of weeks since I've crossed the threshold chez Leclerc; my nearby (20 kms away) quality supermarket.
Having existed on two weeks worth of store-cupboard meals tends to concentrate the mind. What, if anything, had I really missed?
Firstly we were out of fruit, and a day without either a banana, orange, or apple, is painful.
Although I had a reasonable stock of both frozen and canned meats, I didn't have any Lamb or Pork chops; so they were next on the list. We'd also run-out of Dijon mustard, so a few jars of that went into my basket. Yoghurts, butter, and cheese were grabbed. The rest was more prosaic, such as tea, coffee, soap, and eggs.
As you can see by the photos, there were no shortages, and very few people. That's my trolly, bottom left.
But mostly, my yesterday's aim was to buy plants for Haddock's. I always buy my Aubergine, Tomato, and Pepper plants; however, all our Winter leafy green vegetables I sow myself. Our local Gamme Vert horticultural store supplied most of what I wanted; I'll go back in a couple of weeks for the few missing bits and pieces. I need a couple of round, red, cherry tomato plants; essential.
Nothing much had changed. Some wore masks, others didn't. No mad rush, no fighting in the aisles, and no shortages. In fact everything was much as usual; other than the noticeable lack of people about.
Unlike me, they must have been staying at home; unless of course they do their shopping later in the day.
I should add that we didn't enjoy our morning's sortee at all.
Nice looking plants and it looks a good supermarket.
ReplyDeleteIt is good, my only complaint would be that (in normal times) they fill the shelves during the day, rather than at night; which is a bit annoying.
DeleteRosa, Cro asked his readers not to respond to you. And I do comply. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. Today is one. Yes, communication between Cro and me were warped for some time. One may speculate why that was so. However, that was then and this is now. I hoped, and out of a circle of four blogging cronies as they were then, Cro managed to do so, that peace can be made - with a little good will on either side.
DeleteAs you say "life is full of wonders". As to my seemingly not able "to live without" him: I dare say that both Cro and I can live without each other, easily. Yet, something about him spoke to me and, as one should, both of us yielded. Yes, the wonders of communication. World peace. Maybe, just a suggestion, you'd be better advised to focus your attention on TS - now there is a hard (and unforgiving) nut to crack. Good luck.
U
If you don't know who TS is please do count your blessings. He is a bulldozer. One of those strange creatures who can't see the difference between wheat and chaff. You may be, say, a dandelion - by many considered a weed - yet, there you are, dandelion, friendly, yellow, mirroring the sun. Wait for the bulldozer, with no nuance, no finesse. Just plain bad manners. In the meantime, as most bulldozers do, he prides himself on his spectacular sense of humour; sadly (according to him) lacking in anyone else.
DeleteU
I'm sorry to say, he's too drunk too often; I've had to let him go.
DeleteDearest Rosa, who is the one in need of "attention"? Is that why you keep digging away at Cro? And yes, I am "smart" (how odd, I didn't have you down as American; the English would say "intelligent", "clever", use your Thesaurus for variations on the theme); and, to further disappoint you, my French is passable. Though my reading the lingo most certainly more perfect than speaking in colloquialisms.
DeleteLet me take you seriously for a moment: That Cro does, by your assertion, still make mistakes in French is plausible. So what? Next you'll tell me the reason you keep leaving comments here because you are trying to perfect your English.
U
Chloe, your English is deteriorating. Back to your school-books dear!
DeleteI should add, Ursula, that dear Chloe is besotted. She keeps a diary of everything I say here, and occasionally mentions details from several years back. Her obsession is NOT reciprocated!
DeleteWonderful shopping list and empty market. Your plants look lovely.
ReplyDeleteparsnip
The plants are as good as I could have hoped for; just a few missing, which didn't surprise me.
DeleteHere the supermarkets are empty too. That's because only a (very) small number of people are let in at any one time so social distancing inside is facilitated. The queues outside (2 m apart a piece) meanwhile snaking their way down the road. Unless you go as early in the morning as I do.
ReplyDeleteThe real bastard, as I remarked to one of the security guards the other day, on leaving: "What have I forgotten?" I am a shopping list maker par excellence but there is always one thing - not least when nerves in slight tatters because you know how many people are waiting to get in, so you feel rushed. Having said that, there are people - and I couldn't but smile with murder in my heart - who are totally oblivious. Not a smidgen of consideration for others. A few days ago this woman (we could see her through the shop's front) repacked/rearranged/redistributed her shopping between her bags. Three times. At leisure.
U
Yesterday there was a slight queue to get in, but nothing I couldn't handle. Otherwise people seemed very calm and well mannered, and the only thing unavailable was Lady Magnon's favourite PG Tips tea bags!
DeleteSame here yesterday. No queues, no shortages except Nutella, only 2 jars left, biggest jars I have ever seen. I took one.
ReplyDeleteI could have sent you one; it was bought for the boys, and never opened!
DeleteWell, Cro, it's official: The world as we knew it has come to an end. Sixteen minutes ago it was announced that the annual folk festival, namely Oktoberfest in Munich, has been cancelled. This is it. If Germany cancels in April what doesn't happen till October the clouds are gathering and the gods plotting.
ReplyDeleteSix million visitors a year; 6 bn Euros. Lost. Never mind all the piss. I am in knots. And that is only Munich. There are Octoberfests all over Europe, including here at the South coast of England. Maybe Denmark can jump into the breach as I note that they will allow gatherings of up to five hundred from 10th May.
U
Not only that, but I see today that our local 8th May market and celebrations (when France won WW2), have been cancelled. Life will never be the same again.
DeleteNot only that but a Bavarian brewery that has been brewing beer for nearly 400 years has had to close. Another sign of things to come.
DeleteI’d forgotten France won WWII - thanks for reminding me Cro.
DeleteThey remind themselves every 8th May.
DeleteThe last time I ventured into our local supermarket I felt quite stressed. Even though social distancing measures were in place people still reached across me when they were too impatient for me to move out of the taped off space. I just grabbed whatever was closest in order to get out as quickly as possible. My husband now does all our shopping. I stay at home.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will have noticed my last sentence. Neither my wife or I enjoyed our trip. Usually I find shopping quite pleasurable (being a foodie), but, like you, all I wanted to do was buy what was needed, and get out.
DeleteAll the people here are outside the supermarkets waiting to get in. Still issues with flour, can't get any.
ReplyDeleteWe had a very small queue; maybe 20 people in all. As you can see by my photos, the place was almost empty... and it's a BIG shop.
DeleteThe only time in a month we have actually gone shopping ourselves was last week. We went to our little grocery. No one else there. My husband went to the shop, stood outside, gave his order item by item, had a chat, chose his own tomatoes which were out on the pavement. All nice and civilised. We both washed hands when we returned, left the tomatoes and a few other groceries on the outside table and that was that. Our daily briefing says that it isnt necessary to wash groceries so we don't.
ReplyDeleteNo one was wearing masks though there were a few wearing gloves, and touching everything including their faces. They are obviously just for show.
Our garden shop finally has plants and we bought a few of the summer vegetables last week and planted them. No basil yet.
I did wash my hands when I got back, but not the fruit or vegs.
DeleteWere you also wearing a mask? If not, let me suggest a full rubber face mask for your next visit - Fred Flintstone or Emmanuel Macron. Take your pick. Lady Magnon can be Edith Piaf or Wilma Flintstone.
ReplyDeleteI actually forgot my brand new mask in the car. I didn't go back for it because I didn't want to lose my place in the queue. We did consider dog face masks; we've seen some quite nice ones.
DeleteMy son is booking a supermarket delivery slot for me once every three weeks and a local firm is taking doorstep orders for fresh fruit and veg and delivering them one day a week - so with that and my freezer I am managing well. Your supermarket looks well stocked
ReplyDeleteFrankly, it looked no different to 'normal'. Plenty of choice, and prices correct.
DeleteFascinating to see Leclercs so empty! You are lucky to find well stocked shelves though. We are still struggling to find bread flour and tomato puree.
ReplyDeleteNo PG Tips or hand gel, otherwise as usual. I do like Leclerc.
DeleteIt is amazing how worldwide shopping out at the supermarket is now kind of an adventure.I'm a coward.I Don't go shopping. There are deliveries here that bring me everything I need or want.
ReplyDeleteAs I said above, we didn't really enjoy our visit; we both felt as we needed to do everything as quickly as possible, and get home.
DeleteWe are all beginning to sort of settle in to this different way of life. I just have to think that we are so lucky to have a house, garden, food and, at the moment, beautiful weather. When I see all those on the frontline, there is no way that I can moan about anything. Obviously, we all want some normality back in our lives .... let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long. XXXX
ReplyDeleteI honestly think it could be quite a while before things get back to anywhere near normal. Even then, I expect people will still wear masks etc. Expect long term change.
DeleteAs I said before we do delivery and pick up. Our grocery stores are like yours with a limited number of people allowed in at a time and lines in the stores to keep people distanced. There is talk now that soon nobody will be able to go inside and it will be just pick up with everybody ordering on line and picking up in a time slot. Too many of the workers have gotten sick and died.
ReplyDeleteWe still have and expect more shortages.
After my purchase of the plants, I still required a few more. We visited a roadside nursery, where we had to stay in a numbered parking bay, write our requirements on a paper, stand well back, and pay after delivery to the car. It was all too complicated, so I left.
DeleteHere in Texas, Cro, we're doing the order online and pick-up thing. Haven't been inside a store in over a month. Some shortages. Disinfecting spray or wipes hard to find. Talk about opening things up again... (IMO much too soon). Our 'new normal' will become an even newer normal as time passes. And yes, masks may need to be worn for quite some time yet. Hope you and Lady M stay well and safe.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that delivery services exist here too, but only in large towns/cities. To deliver to us out in the country would be almost impossible.
DeleteWe have to queue to get into the supermarket here in north Auckland; 2 metres apart and I wear a mask more for my benefit as I have compromised lungs but don't want to give my germs to anyone else. We ran short of toilet paper; whoever knew that was a thing but can mostly get what we require except hand sanitiser same as everyone else! I have a freezer full of meat and stocks and soups, a pantry full of grains of all descriptions so only go out to get some shopping for a neighbour whose husband is elderly and has had a triple bypass op.. they are advised to stay indoors. We are very lucky in NZ that our PM has been a fantastic leader and we are down to 5 (as of yesterday) new cases. I hope you and your lovely family continue to be well and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland
Your PM has done a very good job, she has been praised universally. I find it strange that hand gel is still in short supply. It's a very simple product, and small containers are not hard to find. One might have imagined small makers springing up in every back room!
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ReplyDelete