During the Covid 19 lockdown I am ...

[Frank Manning]

We had a massive home delivery from Sainsburys this morning (still no wholemeal bread flour) but after showing some of the posts on here to Sue, she insisted that everything was thoroughly washed in cold running water.

As for Teddy Bear tableaux, these two bears are being punished.It isn't meant to be fun for them, I consulted the Chief Constable of some place north of the gumption line who suggested public flogging. Picnics are not essential travel - Isolation is still making me barmy as you can tell.

[JoanneB]

[quote="Jan Rosser" post_id=265977 time=1585653740 user_id=33

Joanne I went to my local M&S yesterday morning for "happy hour" for all us over 70's and vulnerables and had to queue - markers on floor directing you and keeping you well apart although one lady was walking the wrong way - you always get one don't you

Very well stocked even toilet rolls but I just wanted basics like fruit/veg/bread etc. Worse part is the washing of everything when you get home - I thought there was something wrong with my apples until I realised they still had soap suds on them
[/quote]

We had been going to ours at 8.30 when they opened since we came back from Singapore in February, usually 2/3 people and us. The first day they announced elderly hour a queue of about 60 all in a huddle, that's why our friends chose to go middle of the day!

[Whynd1]

Went to my local Mark's foodhall this morning. Much stricter than last week,they had closed the main door and were sending you up the stairs by another door. Not sure why.
Ample fresh food but no fresh bakery products and very few tins of stuff.

Very eerie in the village though ,whereas its normally very busy only a few people out and about.

[Jan Rosser]

Went to my local Mark's foodhall this morning. Much stricter than last week,they had closed the main door and were sending you up the stairs by another door. Not sure why.
Ample fresh food but no fresh bakery products and very few tins of stuff.

Very eerie in the village though ,whereas its normally very busy only a few people out and about.

My local M&S is on a retail park so only really accessible by car or bus and they are not running as often - the queue was no more than 10 people but it was very well organised. Loads of bread and cakes but freezers a bit bare in places. I agree about how quiet it is - I’ve been out for my walk this morning and saw very few people thankfully - the more we isolate the better to fight the virus - take care xxx

[Mervyn and Trish]

I may be changing tactic and going to Sainsbury mid morning on Saturday instead of Oldies Hour on Monday. Saturday is the only day we regularly buy a paper and when I recce'd last Saturday it was quieter than on Monday morning. I'll have a look this weekend and if it doesn't look safe I can tactically withdraw and go on Monday.

We're heaving a moderate sigh of relieve. It's now 11 days since we were herded together on an airport bus on our return to the UK, which felt like our biggest danger so far, and we are still well. So fingers crossed. Hope everyone else is still okay too.

[towny44]

I was hauled over the coals by the family last weekend during a video get together, and told that as Mum's (my wife not my mother) sole carer I was banned from doing anymore shopping or going out anywhere, in case I picked up the virus and could no longer look after her, and told to get cracking and get on-line shopping organised.
We don't usually do on line shopping, but I signed up for the priority elderly list at Sainsburys yesterday, and should have access by tomorrow, and will be checking to see if it does indeed give me priority booking slots. I can't seem to find anything on the Tesco website for me to the same with them, unfortunately, and they never seem to have any slots available. We had a top up shop done by my eldest son's wife yesterday, which will keep us going till the end of next week, so let's hope I can a Sainsburys slot before then.

[Manoverboard]

Good plan, moby - stick to chips, much safer.

You are so right … have ordered up another couple of bags of ' Albert Bartlett's ' finest

[Gill W]

Have you tried Iceland, John?

They give priority to over 65's so my husband signed up. It seems that you have to lurk throughout the day for shopping slots become available. He made an order on Sunday for a delivery the next day. The trouble was, only half the order was available on delivery, but it might be a back up plan for you to get things to tide you over until you can get a 'big shop' done.

For the time being I will continue to do the Sainsbury's run once a week, but apart from only half an order being received, I was impressed with Iceland's communication. You get a 2 hour delivery slot, and its narrowed down by text message.

[Manoverboard]

... so let's hope I can a Sainsburys slot before then.

It may depend on your area but I have found that ( very ) early in the morning and late afternoons are generally good times for checking for slots. I also found one for last Monday morning during the preceding Sunday evening … they are random and short notice so build ( and save ) your Groceries in your Basket so that you are poised to strike at a moments notice.

ps … you may need a confirming e-mail from Sainsbugs before any slots will show.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I've been through the Sainsburys over 70's robot registration on the phone but still don't have an email to grant access to slots. I've also tried Morrisons and they don't seem to have a priority system. I tried to register with Iceland last week but got a "we're not accepting new customers" message. If we get stuck we do have a lot of people offering help locally but for now I'll go over the top once a week. In the meantime our milkman continues to deliver basics.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I lied. Iceland has let me in now. But no slots!

[Gill W]

Keep looking, Merv, the Iceland slots seem to pop up at random

[Mervyn and Trish]

Thanks Gill.

[Onelife]

For those who are interested Tesco's slots come online at midnight...so my wife tells me.

[Manoverboard]

To Merv I would suggest that the best time to go to Sainsbugs on a Saturday is 12:45 … everybody else is having their lunch

[Frank Manning]

Once Sainsburys have you registered they recognise the vulnerable status as soon as you log on, and you are offered a slot. It worked for us and we had a delivery this morning.

[Stephen]

For those who are interested Tesco's slots come online at midnight...so my wife tells me.

Bu99er all this morning. There were few for yesterday evening but by the time Mrs S faffed about trying to maker up her mind they were gone

[Manoverboard]

Once Sainsburys have you registered they recognise the vulnerable status as soon as you log on, and you are offered a slot. It worked for us and we had a delivery this morning.

You got lucky Frank.

[Whynd1]

I'm not so sure. In my area when I managed to log on yesterday there were ample slots right through to Monday. Whether it makes a difference as I have a delivery pass not sure. My brother could only get a Tesco slot by logging on just gone midnight for 3 weeks time. I have booked for Monday and will be adding my 92 year old fathers shopping to mine. Will then have to take it up to him .

[Manoverboard]

Just logged on and there were no delivery slots for the next three weeks although that is probably because we have already had a delivery this week.

What has changed however is a limit of one per item … including milk

ps ... ordering two different sizes or types of milk seems to get round the restriction

.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Keep looking, Merv, the Iceland slots seem to pop up at random

And thanks again. A quick run round the sites this morning. Sainsburys has finally let me in, but no slots. Morrisons no slots. Iceland no slots next week...… but one tomorrow afternoon! So I've grabbed it. That'll replenish the freezer and be a few less things to find when I next go out into bandit country.

[cruisin_duo]

Good luck with your shopping Mervyn. Shopping seems quite organised here with only so many people allowed in the store and the one out then one in policy. Managing to get some of the previously out of stock items, but ice cream has disappeared, and toilet rolls are still going very quickly even though only one pack per person.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Crikey. Just managed to get a delivery slot with Sainsburys for next Tuesday. Be interesting to see if it all comes.

[barney]

May be a bit radical but Mrs B went to the shop and fulfilled her list.
Never done online and never will
#shoplocal
#supportlocal

[towny44]

Crikey. Just managed to get a delivery slot with Sainsburys for next Tuesday. Be interesting to see if it all comes.

Snap for Wednesday.