Bea-u-tiful Weather

There has been the most beautiful weather in south Essex today - clear blue skies, bright sunshine and very little wind.  It was far too nice to stay home so I took myself off for a long-overdue trip to Billericay.  It was an absolute joy to sit at the back of the bus (I have to sit there so no one falls over my shopping trolley) and enjoy the passing countryside.  Although there isn't a huge amount of open country between here and Billericay, there are some pretty vistas en route - a couple of farms that face onto the main road, villages on sunny slopes, and the ever-busy flock of geese that seem to live permanently in a little orchard.  (I was sure those geese were destined for Christmas dinners but they still seem to be alive and well - maybe they're being bred for Easter!)

As I hadn't been to Billericay since well before Christmas, I'd amassed quite a long list of items I needed from Waitrose.  Although Waitrose is hideously expensive it is the only place where I can buy certain items in the vicinity (there is a limit to what you can buy when the only supermarkets in our little town are Aldi and Somerfield).  I'm not talking exotic items either, but basics like organic chicken (totally unavailable in our town), Marigold Bouillon powder and the most delicious yogurts ever made - Waitrose own Malaysian Coconut yogurt - yum!  It must be a sign of the times, but even Waitrose had some good offers on - including organic free-range eggs on special which meant they were 27p per half dozen cheaper than Somerfield (and as the Somerfield organic free-range eggs are disgustingly pale yolked I've given up buying them.)

After a very satisfying jaunt around Waitrose, I moved on to the charity shops.  There are six of them  in Billericay high street but, if truth be told, only two of them are really worth visiting.  The others are very expensive - although good bargains can be found with 'posh' shirts for P to wear to work.  The only real 'glory hole' of a charity shop is closing on Saturday for three weeks for a re-fit.  Hmm, we all know what that will mean - higher prices and fancy hangers.  I don't know why charities have to 'gussy up' their shops, it's much more fun to poke about in boxes and flick through over-crowded rails to find that elusive treasure than to have everything laid out like some chi-chi boutique, and charging fairly chi-chi prices too.  Anyway, they had 50% off all prices this week and I found a nice navy zip-up hooded jacket for DN for £2.00 (no way I'd have paid their full price of £4.00) and a vintage Tootal paisley scarf for 25p.  That's already been washed through and is drying on the line as they are good sellers on ebay and I want to get it listed this Thursday.  I also, amazingly, found a good book for re-sale - something which is getting harder and harder to do.

The bus journey back was, if anything, even nicer as the sun was higher in the sky and there seemd to be some real strength in it again - it felt as if spring may be just around the corner.  Sadly, that illusion was ruined when I watched the weather forecast - it seems to be turning colder again!!

Comments

[Clive Blake]

Speaking as a resident close to your Mum's home, and knowing your philosophy, I think you have let down the side by shopping at Waitrose. Perhaps you should make a public apology. What's next, Harrods or Marks and Spencer? Back to Somerfield I think! I sense some weakening of your ethics. Nevertheless excellent blog.
Regards
CB

[Wendy]

Really enjoyed reading your page today with your journey to Billericay. I agree with you about the charity shops - it is fun to have a good poke about. When they are too tidy you don't feel the same excitement.
I agree with you about your trip to Waitrose. It makes a change to go somewhere different once in a while to find certain things.

[Cathy]

Hello there
I hate it when they 'clean' up our charity opportunity shops. Like you said, they will then start to charge higher prices and thats just not on.
Love digging around in some of the odd corners to see what bargains are there amongst the things that haven't seen the light of day for how ever many years :))
Take care
Cathy

[sharie]

You must have had MY good weather, dark, grey and dismal here yesterday.
Well done on the finds. I'm trying to avoid the shops but I keep having yearnings...

[jenny read]

Hiyah, it's the singing teacher who swaps for meat! I too got a great load of bargains the other day from a charity shop. A beautiful complete 1940's dinner and tea set complete with tureens and meat plate and teapot etc. Didn't need it but couldn't pass it by. £30 that's all. Also got a fabulous long, funnel necked sheepskin coat as new. £8. Everybody asks me where I bought it from and I proudly tell them! It's lovely to know there are people with same ideals doing exactly the same with their spare time! Even if I won the lottery I would still shop in charity shops for the buzz you get when bagging a bargain. Love reading your blog. Don't hurt your back with the new bed moving and hope you are enjoying your lovely de cluttered sewing room. I'm having a declutter at the moment. Got far too much 'Stuff!'.
Love Jenny xx