Today bids fair to be the hottest so far this year. Anyone sensible knows that the best thing to do with the heat is to stay out of it but, equally, the shopping needs to be done and so, with due reluctance, we set forth into the sunshine.

Sunlight and shadow in Baron Street

Discounting the heat, the sunshine does at least make everything look cheerful and lift your mood, something that we denizens of this damp and cloudy island duly appreciate.

The Farmers’ Market

The Farmers’ Market was open and busy as usual. There seem to be three categories of shoppers: those who shop in the market; those who shop at Waitrose; and those who, like us, shop at Sainsbury’s, though there are no doubt some who visit more than one of these sources.

The crockery stall

The crockery stall is usually here on a Sunday. They have an impressive range of items from mugs and cups, through jugs and plates to teapots. I once bought a mug here and usually have a look to see whether anything catches my fancy.

Cafe al fresco

The cafes in the upper part of the street are prevented by the Farmers’ Market from putting tables in the road today but further down, they still can. This is Cafe Millennium and it has attracted some customers for open-air service.

The plant stall

This stall selling plants is another stalwart of the market. It takes up position in White Conduit Street and has a wide range of plants, the selection changing with the seasons. You may recall that it continued to be present all through the pandemic. I hope their assiduity has been duly rewarded.

Sainsbury’s was busy and…

Sainsbury’s was busy in some parts and…

…not busy

…less busy in others. It didn’t take us too long to tour the usual shelves and pick up the usual selection of goodies.

I remember, as a child, going shopping with my mother. We did not enjoy the luxury of a fridge and had to shop for fresh goods several times a week. Milk was delivered to the doorstep daily but in summer inevitably went sour during the day. I was used to drinking tea with white “floaters” on it. I did at least learn how to make “cottage cheese” by passing sour milk through a muslin to catch the residue. Unsurprisingly, I have maintained a love-hate relationship with milk ever since! To this day, I take my tea and coffee black.

Hurrying through Chapel Market

As usual, I hurried through the market to Mercer’s, leaving Tigger to follow in due course with the loaded trolley. The main market forms two distinct groups of stalls with an empty space between them. I have yet to work out the reason for this. It does seem rather curious.

Carrying the coffee

Having bought the coffee, we made for home. Strange, isn’t it, that on a hot day we still find hot coffee a delectable treat? Yes, I know some people have iced coffee in summer but this is a fad that I have never even been tempted to try. For me, tea and coffee are beverages to be consumed hot and that’s that! You can’t teach an old tiger new tricks 🙂