Proper shopping

Yesterday, when commenting on her blip, Dawn posted a link to an article about supermarket shopping and how it was killing off the High Street. Ok, this is an old argument but still one I agree with. And it was while arguing with my wife about this very thing, that I suddenly realised what a hypocrite I’d become. Through laziness (I can honestly say it’s for no other reason) I rarely shop anywhere but Waitrose.

This sudden realisation of the depths to which I had sunk, pulled me up short, gasping for breath as I saw the light above me vanishing into inky blackness. I knew I could still save myself from my own failings as a High Street saviour. I decided to start today.

Farnham has everything but a baker and a fishmonger so I knew I could manage just about everything I need, particularly now that a new deli has opened. My problem (if problem it be) is the way I shop. During the week, when it’s just for me, I shop every day, deciding what to eat when I get there. I would feel a bit self concious going into the greengrocer and buying one carrot (etc) so I decided to plan.

Planning food has become a bit of alien concept with me. I know we used to do it when we shopped on Saturday mornings but the skill (if skill it be) seems to have vanished along with my values. So, as I walked into town, I struggled with what to buy. What meals would I need? What do I fancy? Or, rather, what WILL I fancy? All very tricky.

My first stop (after Starbucks, something which I am NOT giving up, no matter how many stores they have around the world) was the butcher. I figured I’d have sausages tonight, a baked potato tomorrow and a casserole on Wednesday. So…lamb and mint sausages, six rashers of bacon and some chuck steak. A bargain price for some lovely looking meat and I have to say, the sausages were DELICIOUS!

While the meat looked lovely and the price was competitive, I have to say the best thing was the service. A lovely chap served me who clearly knew what he was doing when it came to meat. In other words, he was an actual butcher. He was very cheery and made the whole thing very pleasant. I hadn’t realised I’d missed this.

I could say the same about the greengrocer. The shop is called G. Hone and Sons and given the age of the chap who served me, I am assuming he is Mr Hone. Unless Mr Hone is about 85. Anyway, Mr Hone (junior or senior), was again very pleasant and cheery, letting me pick my own veg (note that, dad) which he happily weighed and handed to me. That’s the other thing – very little packaging! That made me very happy indeed.

A lovely old family business

The grand total of my three meals worth of veg was just over £2. For three meals! I reckon that’s a complete bargain. And, like the sausages, the carrots, broccoli and potatoes were lovely tonight.

Now came the test…the new deli. I wasn’t sure if they sold bread and, given I have some variety of sliced meat on a roll every day for lunch, this would make a big difference. I’ve been spoiled by Waitrose as they bake throughout the day and make the loveliest mini baguettes. Still, I was determined to make it work. And I quickly spotted that they did, in fact, sell fresh bread.

Their choice of sliced meat was excellent. A few different types of wild boar salami (I bought some venison and wild boar) and some lovely ham. Lots of cheeses, as you’d expect, of which I bought one blue variety I’d never heard of. Sadly, they do not sell rolls. I decided I’d try the bread anyway and bought a nice round loaf.

I was feeling pretty good as I left the shop, my bag comfortably weighty and full of fresh goodness when a sudden explosion interrupted me. I quickly looked around (as did everyone else in the Borough at the time) to see a big army truck, towing a bigger army grader turning from Castle Street. It pulled up outside the bank and two big, burly army guys leapt out of the cabin, looking somewhat confused.

Of course, he could have just wanted to use the ATM

People were hanging out of office windows (it’s nice to see workers actually being able to hang out of office windows) trying to work out what was trying to destroy our town. Pedestrians were scratching their heads. The army guys just look querulous.

On the corner of Castle Street there is a big, bell-like object which is solid iron. It sits on the corner looking completely out of place as if dumped there by someone who had no idea what to do with it. It looks like it weighs over a ton and it’s been there for as long as I can remember seeing it. And this was the culprit.

The truck had taken the corner too close, not allowing sufficient room for the trailer to make the corner and it went over the bell-thing. That’s not what made the noise, however. It was the wheels exploding when they fell back onto the road. If you look closely at the photograph, you can see how flat the two rear tyres are.

It was all very exciting and drew a very big crowd of interested bystanders. It also caused a bit of traffic mayhem on the Borough when another couple of army trucks following close behind, also turned the corner.

Apart from the fun and photo opportunity, I did wonder why they thought it a good idea to come through the centre of Farnham rather than go around it, avoiding us completely. Still, had they done that, life would have been just a little but duller around dinner tables tonight.

And one further bit of excitement today…I saw a biplane on the way home!

The Bloody Red Baron