Because the clocks have changed, I half-expected Sainsbury’s store to be thinly attended this morning, partly because some people would have forgotten to change their clocks and others would find it difficult to get up an hour earlier. In fact, the difference, if there was one, was unnoticeable. Either people are now better at remembering the clock-change or the prevalence of radio-controlled clocks means that their clocks and mobile phones “remember” for them.

All of our clocks but one are radio-controlled and the clocks of our computers and mobile phones also change without any interference from us. The one clock of ours that is not radio-controlled serves as a check that the hour has indeed changed.

Sunday in Pentonville Road

Until a few weeks ago, this would have been the usual appearance of Pentonville Road on a Sunday morning but today, it struck us as odd.

We had become used to the tailbacks causing solid ranks of barely moving vehicles along the whole of this section of the road. This was because repairs to the gas main near the traffic lights led to the closure of the inner vehicle lane. When we looked down the road today, we saw that the obstruction had been removed bringing a return to free-flowing traffic.

Chapel Market

We crossed through the market as we always do. The number of stalls was about what it has been throughout the latest lockdown. It will be interesting to see what happens on April 12th when restrictions on shops are lifted. Will there be an explosive expansion of the number of stalls or will some – or even many – traders have gone out of business as a result of being unable to earn income for so long?

The plant stall

The plant stall maintained its usual substantial presence in White Conduit Street. I am still uncertain as to whether they are theoretically allowed to trade under the current restrictions but, if not, then they have git away with it so far, and their efforts have been rewarded by having plenty of customers.

“Distanced” queueing at the checkout

Shopping at Sainsbury’s proceeded as it normally does, though on reflection, perhaps it was a little less crowded than usual.

Checkout queueing habits have changed during the pandemic. In the past, there would have been a separate queue for each checkout but these days, people form a single queue for each pair of checkouts and then, when it’s their turn, go to whichever of the two becomes free. If you don’t know about this then, because of “social distancing”, you may think that when a checkout becomes available it’s up for grabs. You then find yourself the object of verbal abuse for queue-jumping!

On my way to Mercer’s

As usual, I was seemingly ungallant and left Tigger with the shopping while I hurried ahead to Mercer’s to order our coffee. That task completed, we hurried home to drink our coffee, put away the shopping and plot our next move. What will that be? Well, we shall see, won’t we? 🙂