When we returned to Blighty last September, we were told to expect nightmare conditions.
We were to expect a Winter of empty shelves, of no electricity or gas, and of price rises so horrendous that we would be forced to sell all our possessions.
Personally I assess the state of affairs by how much my weekly shopping bill comes to, if I'm eating and drinking as well as usual, and if my bank balance is looking healthy.
Well, yes, my shopping bill did go up slightly, but that was because I had to totally re-stock my cupboards, fridge, and freezer. We're certainly eating and drinking as well as we are accustomed. And although I needed to buy a new car, my finances are still just about on the right side of 'solvent'.
I really haven't noticed much rise in prices, although I did note that my small weekly bag of liquorice sticks now costs £1.15 rather than £1 a few weeks ago.
My everyday 'throwing wine' has actually come down in price. I buy Sainsbury's own excellent 'House' wine in 3 bottle boxes which have recently fallen from £13 to £8.69. A bargain.
We were also told that several new vicious strains of Covid would be bound to find us, and if it didn't the Flu certainly would. Nothing yet!
But I suppose the most worrying of all the Armageddon warnings was that of 'Strikes'. There would be no trains, no teachers, no doctors, nurses, or doctors. All hospitals would be closed, and dead bodies would line the streets. OK, some strikers are losing their wages, but it isn't affecting us in the slightest.
I'm all in favour of folk being able to withhold labour, but they should understand that striking never improves anything; other, maybe, that the profiles of their Union bosses.
All in all the Labour doom-mongers have done their best, but I don't think it's affecting people too much other than the strikers themselves.
So, the world hasn't come to an end. Gas still comes from the cooker when I turn a knob, and we are still warm. I can't predict our future in relation to Covid or Flu, but my fingers are crossed.
When you say "we were told" you are being taken in by the media, the views of paid journalists. Take no notice of them and live your own life, turn off, don't read, don't listen, follow your own path.
ReplyDeleteWhich is exactly what we did. The scare-mongering was the worst I've ever known.
DeleteI agree with Rachel. There was a time when at either 6' o clock or possibly 10 o clock in the evening, I and now probably many others would be drawn towards the tv to switch on the News. And I'm pleased to say that I've broken that habit of a lifetime because I just don't trust what we're being fed, especially by the once trusted BBC.
ReplyDeleteI actually see more of the real News, the horrors and the daily breakdown of society on my daily Twitter feed, now that the general public document everything with their phones. And of course NONE of it gets on the tv News. They wont show it.
But Cro, you are right about not wanting to watch any evening tv. There's very little to look at. Perhaps tv is still a sedative for the masses.
Current TV is either uninformative, or tedious. There are a couple of programmes I watch that are countryside related, but that's it.
DeleteIt has been thus for years.
DeleteEven before I read the comments I was thinking about Rachel. And after reading, I say again - you should listen to Rachel. Don't believe the media.
ReplyDeleteHere one bottle of red wine costs £9.35
ReplyDeleteI don't need anyone to tell me what to think; I expect we think exactly the same as her.
DeleteUnder £3 for a good bottle of wine is rare here; I bought 5 boxes.
After expecting the worst you are now pleasantly surprised!
ReplyDeleteYes, but it's not over yet. It remains to be seen if we'll be affected by any of the 'doom'.
DeleteI skim the news headlines online briefly as I really have had enough of the doom and gloom. I did, however, miss the item about the Royal Mail cyber attack just as I was due to send a parcel overseas.
ReplyDeleteThis week my usual Greek yogurt had risen to the new price of two pots for £10! I may have to stop buying it at that price.
I hope they're BIG pots, that does sound expensive.
DeleteTo agree with this will open us up to being told that an 'I'm alright Jack!' attitude is not helping those less fortunate than ourselves. However, many Bloggers who deal in frugality and must believe in the Doom & Gloom have not reported a lack of essential suplies and mini (or maxi) holidays.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I am reasonably frugal, as are most OAP's. However I still manage to live to a certain standard. I very rarely go to pubs, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, and I don't have tattoos. I recommend this to those who also live on reduced means.
DeleteI can't remember the last time I watched the TV news, and most things I read online I tend to take with a pinch of salt. Nor do I follow such things as Twitter.
ReplyDeleteCro, you had the advantage that you read about the UK doom and gloom before you arrived, and have been able to experience for yourself that most of it was media hype.
Absolutely. Maybe it's still to come, but somehow I think it's all been political 'hype'. Life goes on much as usual.
DeleteI am about to book a Tesco slot - shall look if they sell liquorice sticks - they sound delicious.
ReplyDeleteI love liquorice. I don't over-do them, but they're delicious.
DeleteOnly bad news seems to be considered newsworthy any longer.
ReplyDeleteAnd the prediction of bad news to come.
DeleteAll is well in the house of Cro! This is good to hear. Things are not dire. The news people are fear mongers and have mostly nothing good to say. Fuel contracts are being renegotiated lower and this is a good sign as well.
ReplyDeleteLets hope so. I think we'll all survive. There will always be those who moan, but they're the ones who believe all the nonsense.
DeleteI agree about television and the news being dire and I watch very little television.
ReplyDeleteHowever on the subject of inflation you are obviously in a fortunate place because the price of food on Lewis has skyrocketed. Although hardly a major issue even my favourite white wine is £1.50 a bottle dearer than a few months ago.
I imagine that about 90% of your food and drink is imported, so that would make a huge difference. Here on the mainland maybe things are a tad more expensive, but then they always are year by year.
DeleteWe will survive... and this too will pass. Yes, prices for lots of things have gone up here. Our monthly grocery bill has not doubled, but almost. Eggs today at the store were $6 for a dozen... (when we used to pay about $2)
ReplyDeleteAs for the news, I don't watch it anymore except for the weather... for my own personal well-being.
We were told that eggs would disappear as the result of rampant Bird Flu; this hasn't happened, and I think the price has remained stable. We were also told that Bird Flu would wipe-out the Turkey population, but as usual there were plenty for everyone.
DeleteThinking for yourself is the best strategy.
ReplyDeleteI think that's always been the case. I'm accused of it all the time!
DeleteI wish the news would report the news, not make predictions. Prognostication is the job of weathermen. And if we could cut the reports on stars and runaway princes on the evening news, that would be just great too.
ReplyDeleteI think the weathermen should stick to looking out of the window! As for 'stars and princes', the less we hear of them the better; although I do find myself getting very angry with them on this page, so I'm a part of the problem.
DeleteIt is very noticeable that the price of food has gone up across the board. Basics like butter and eggs are up and my once spending of £40 has now gone up to £60 for the same items. .
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this post, I wondered how our boxed Cabernet sauvignon price compares to yours (I'm in Ontario). I would be $49.00 Canadian for that (rounded to $50 which equals 30 in pounds). Holy cow, what a difference! You ARE getting a good price. -Jenn
ReplyDelete