Since the beginning of lockdown, Tigger has carried out the weekly shopping on her own, in response to the supermarket’s request that people shop singly, not in pairs or groups. Now that restrictions have been eased, I thought it was time I joined her as I always did.

We went to the shop early, thinking there would be fewer people then and hoping to avoid the heat forecast for later in the day. We were successful on both counts: the weather was cool and the shop was not crowded.

Chapel Market
Photo by Tigger

On the way, we passed through Chapel Market which was fairly busy but not like a usual Sunday “before”.

There was no queue to enter the shop and so we went straight in and did the business. We knew what we wanted and shopping didn’t take long.

Jusaka

As a reward, we went for coffee on the way home. There were other customers in the main part if the shop and so we asked to sit at the back where we often sat when calling in after work.

All done!
Photo by Tigger

As usual, we had taken our reusable cups with us to save on throwaway cups. The latter are now used universally in coffee shops whether you sit in or not – greatly increasing wastage and pollution, I imagine.

According to the news, Covid-19 infection rates in the UK are increasing again. This is an inevitable consequence of the easing of restrictions. We will not eliminate the disease completely unless and until an effective vaccine can be produced and mass vaccinations carried out. Until then, we will have to accept a continual stream of infections and deaths.

Jacques Prévert 1900-1977

After our trip to a hot and sunny Brighton, we are spending a restful day at home. We did have one – well, actually two, if you count our usual coffee – errands to run.

The first was to drop off something in Naoroji Street (named in memory of Sir Dadabhai Naoroji).

To go there, we took the longer route which passes near the New River Head. Through the railings, you can still see these two buildings belonging to it. That’s as close as one can now go without an invitation. I, for one, would like to see them closer and know more about them.

On the way back we took the shorter route which goes through this narrow lane. I call it the “Garden Passage” because it passes through a community garden and seems not to have an official name. At the best of times you need to give way to people coming the other way and even more so now.

The passage leads to Lloyd Square and thence to Myddelton’s, where we bought our usual coffee. (Didn’t really need to say so, did I? 🙂 )

There was a pleasant breeze but it was still hot (and forecast to become warmer still). From the look of the cloudy sky, however, there could be rain or storms later.

As for us, we shall probably stay at home for the rest of the day.