For the first time since March I have time to go for a walk to the local shops . Most of them have been open for the whole time as they are essential (co-op ,Wilkos, farmfoods) but a few have recently reopened so thought it would be a great opportunity to have some normality.
I only went into shops that had no queues outside as it was really windy and threatening rain and I had limited time.
So Wilkos was okay with not many people in but it looked like a closing down sale. I asked an assistant if they were in fact closing but she said they had had a lot of customers. So I couldnt get what I needed since there were just empty shelves.
The co-op was better and I got a few reduced priced ready meals. Except the self serve till didnt read 2 of the discounted labels and when I pressed the help button the woman on the serviced till cancelled it. I pressed again - she cancelled it . This went on for about 6 times. I couldn't leave and go to the serviced till as there was a queue building up because the woman who kept cancelling my help request was struggling to serve the one customer she had ( only finding cigarettes) and the other assistant had to get involved. Eventually the other assistant was able to leave her and see to me.
Then I went to the Card factory. No-one else in the shop and I found the card I wanted. All good.Follow the arrows round the shop and arrive at the till and go to the line in front of the till. Where i was then shouted at by the assistant from across the shop. I was in the wrong place. How? Apparently although it was a marked line at the end of the arrows it actually meant no entry! I had to retrace my steps( remember I am the only person to be served) and go to the spot on the floor that was some way short of the arrows that was the designated waiting to pay queue end. The assistant had to lean sideways from behind the counter to take the card from me . I had to go round the front to pay and take the card back from her.
It was all very annoying .
And I am used to being out and about. I have worked all the way through and had to buy food and essentials so its not as if I am unused to the new way of doing things. Lord knows what it must be like for those who havent been out much in the last few months.