Today, being dies dominicum, according to the Emperor Constantine, or, in our own debased but expressive tongue, Sunday, we set out just after 11am for Sainsbury’s to do our weekly shopping.

Chapel Market, closed to vehicles

As usual, we passed through Chapel market where these barriers were in position. Chapel Market leads an ambiguous existence as both a market and a one-way street open to motor vehicles. On Mondays, when the market is closed, it becomes an ordinary street with vehicles passing along it or parking while their drivers visit the shops. On Tuesday to Saturday, the lower half (to the right in the photo) is occupied by stalls and is therefore impassable to motor vehicles but the upper half (to the left) is empty and vehicles can drive through it. On Sundays, this section is occupied by the stalls of the Farmers’ Market and, for safety’s sake, the barriers are out in place to exclude vehicles.

In Sainsbury’s, we each sped off to collect our own list of items, thus reducing the amount of time we spend in the shop. After this we were lucky to find a checkout where a customer had just left.

Though it seems ungallant, on exiting the store, I leave Tigger with the shopping trolley and a supplementary bag, and hurry off to Mercer’s.

Near one of the fruit and vegetable stalls, I again saw this antique market barrow. One day, in the unlikely event that the stall is not busy, I will ask how old it is and for how many generations in has been in their family. Until then, I can only make (probably inaccurate) guesses as to its age.

This is the fruit & veg stall in question, doing a good trade, as always.

When I reached Mercer’s, I found that there were several customers ahead of me and some of these were ordering food as well as drinks. It was going to be a bit of a wait. I tried to be patient by telling myself that it was good that they were busy as that would ensure their survival to continue supplying us with coffee! Did it work? Well, partly. I tried to entertain myself by watching activity inside and outside the shop.

Outside, as usual, was the stall selling plants. It was quite busy, suggesting that gardeners are setting their gardens in order for the new season, is this where people come to buy plants for the window boxes I have mentioned in my posts? Quite possible, I suppose.

While I was in Mercer’s, Tigger was waiting patiently outside. I waved to her a couple of times to let her know it was busy but she could see this for herself.

At last, our order was ready and we hurried off home with it.

What shall we do after lunch? The weather looks a bit iffy but perhaps we shall go out for another walk. If so, I shall be sure to let you know! 🙂