Anyone in the North East?

[PennyDreadfuI]

Gateshead has just been added to the govt watchlist and Newcastle is on amber alert. Sunderland have had over 200 cases in the past seven days.

Are we next for a local lockdown? What do you think it will entail? Given Newcastle's reputation as a party city I'm guessing restricted hours for bars maybe - they were packed to the rafters over the August bank holiday weekend, which may account for lots of the new cases.

That's my local Sainsburys! We've probably walked past each other on Gossie High Street before now 👋

My local one to

I got a Sainsbury’s delivery slot for Tuesday morning, only booked it last night so they still seem to have lots of availability. I’ll wait and see how many substitutions I end up with! I think the chronicle etc reporting is a bit irresponsible, have they learned nothing from the last time?!

*too, not to

🤞🏻 @FuzzyGoose

the chronicle etc reporting is a bit irresponsible, have they learned nothing from the last time?!

Absolutely, the stories create the stories.

That's what I'm hoping @shesgonebatshitagain - if he hadn't had the harsh bark I wouldn't have bothered with the testing and would have just had a word with nursery, however now we've had the test we'll be staying at home until we get the result. Although having said that the weather doesn't inspire me to want to go out so think we'll do some colouring and crafts this morning and then have a hot chocolate and film afternoon.

Hello to all the fellow Christmas lovers too - although another one who isn't overly keen right now but I've started my shopping just in case shops do close and delivery times become delayed again. It feels such a shame for all the local businesses this year who won't benefit from the surge in online shopping when the highlights for us are the local events and the Fenwick's window. Have you checked out the Christmas bargains threads - loads of good bargains for anyone wanting to do Christmas shopping a bit earlier.

First world issue I know, but we'd booked to go to a remote cottage in Northumberland at half term. I'll be gutted if a national lockdown stops it.

The worst thing about lockdown for me was the shopping situation. Got peach loo roll in my morrisons delivery so it seems people are panic buying again! I got a delivery slot for tomorrow no issues though, hopefully the capacity in the system has been built up this time.

I also love autumn and the christmassy feels, but its hard to get excited this year. I love nothing more than a solo mooch around Fenwick at Christmas. Really taking my time and taking in the atmosphere, it won't be the same this year.

Bike after quite a while with no issues, the one we have coming today has no bread, or the two types of fish we'd ordered.

Wondering if there was a bit of a chest freezer stockpile yesterday.

I do seem to be able to book ahead for 2 weeks now strangely, and they've started delivery passes again.

Fingers crossed Fuzzy

Morning everyone

I've got a Morrisons shop coming tonight, just packed lunch things mainly but there was a fair few things showing as out of stock so I'm expecting some substitutions.

I've managed to book panto for Christmas. I'm in two minds about actually going but the DC needed something to look forward to. It's the one at Seaton Delaval Arts Centre so only small and they're doing socially distanced pods, reduced audience size, masks inside, and no interval to reduce movement around the building. I could add insurance onto the ticket price for around £3 so I cancel for a full refund if I can't go for any reason, that includes self-isolating too.

@Snoringferret last year DD was an elf at the Metrocentre grotto. She was 22 last Christmas but the whole elf thing made it like Christmas when she was little (not that she needs much encouragement, she's awake by 5am on Christmas day and dresses in a Santa costume to help me with the big Christmas food shop). The Metrocentre aren't having a grotto this year but the company which did it last year is doing one at Dobbies in Ponteland - she's got an interview on 12 October, but I honestly can't see that it'll go ahead.

We love the Live Theatre at Christmas - did you see The Terminal Velocity of Snowflakes a few years ago? It was so beautiful, we went back and saw it again the following year. Other stuff we do: walk along the coast from Whitley Bay to Tynemouth (or from Cullercoats if my shit feet can't handle it) to look at the lights on the last Saturday before Christmas, the to Mr Woods by the priory for white hot chocolate and cake; cocktail at Vicolo or Pleased to Meet You; the Crisis carol service at the cathedral; cinema, usually the Tyneside... None of which will be possible this year, I think.

Sigh.

@BessieSurtees DD inherited her love of Bowie from me, but unfortunately she also inherited her cut throat board game competitiveness from her dad. We always play board games on Boxing Day when I'm too hungover too care who wins. This year I'm not going down without a fight though!

I would love for this thread to continue after this one is full, what do you think?
Would be great to be able to discuss the impact of the pandemic and lockdown in relation to the North East, share local information etc.

I don’t see why people panic buy
You can still go to the shops in lockdown

Some of the scenes in my local Sainsbury’s earlier this where unbelievable. I will never forget a couple in the queue in front of me one huge trolley each filled with nothing but flour and toilet rolls. I can only assume they were either going to flog it on eBay at inflated prices or were developed by some sort of flour toilet roll post millennial building material prototype.

^unless you are shielding or self isolating
Most of the people out panic buying now are not that obviously

You can't go to the shops if you're self isolating though, due to track and trace or having symptoms.
But still, panic buying to me is more extreme than stocking up a bit. So I agree.
You could get home delivery if other people weren't panic buying.

Sorry cross posted with your most recent post @shesgonebatshitagain

Heaton Sainsbos had very very little flour left yesterday.

@Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor

I would love for this thread to continue after this one is full, what do you think? Would be great to be able to discuss the impact of the pandemic and lockdown in relation to the North East, share local information etc.

Already thought about this - I'm on it!

This thread has been fantastic for sharing information and also for getting to know fellow north easterners

Good to hear @PennyDreadfuI

Grishain Cramlington shops were heaving Saturday. 7:30 am Sainsbury's very busy and ques outside Asda waiting for it to open. I called in to Asda at 7pm after work and was shocked at the shelves, stripped of pasta and sauces etc and the frozen isles looked quite stripped too. Looks like Saturday was panic day. I walked past spoons in the village, tables full both the Blagdon seemed to be following the rules one person per table etc.

DH nipped over to Gosforth high street yesterday and said the pubs were very busy. Sainsbury's was low on beer #priorities

Typo but not both.
Ps I second a north east thread its lovely to hear from locals.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Heaton Sainsbos had very very little flour left yesterday.

That's where my delivery is coming from, so I think there's been some panic buying!

@PennyDreadfuI

DH nipped over to Gosforth high street yesterday and said the pubs were very busy. Sainsbury's was low on beer #priorities

I saw groups of young blokes walking down the street.

I also saw young families all wearing masks, walking through the park too.

Which I'm starting to think I may do as it gets colder.

Two extremes round here.