In Which Various and Diverse Purchases Were Made

I finally girded my loins and took myself off to Basildon this morning for a spot of various and diverse shopping.  I've been making excuses not to go down there each Friday (too rainy, too windy, my hip's playing me up etc etc) for the past two or three weeks.  This week I knew I'd finally run out of excuses and would really have to get my a*se in gear and go.  I don't really enjoy schlepping around town centres but Basildon does have the added advantage of a charity shop or two and the 'Bargain Box' in the church hall each Friday.

I didn't do too badly all in all and arrived home laden down like a pack horse.  Most of the weight came from various tasty tidbits bought in Marks and Spencer's food hall.  I don't go to M&S very often but now and again it is soooo nice to have something really tasty to eat from there.  They had some excellent special offers on, including BOGOF on their wonderful Onion Marmalade - tres tasty with some Cheddar and a nice digestive biscuit - yum!!   There was also buy three for £5.00 on their packets of cold meats which all had really good dates and will make for a bit of variety in P's sandwiches for a week or so.

I then popped in to the 'Bargain Box' - so conveniently placed just behind M&S - where I bought a pair of M&S ladies black trousers brand new with their labels still attached for £1.00.  They're destined for ebay.  Also for ebay was a boxed Champneys gift set (£1.00).  I got what I hope will be a nice top for my Mum (50p) and a Yves Saint Laurent 'Pour Enfant' T-shirt for my nephew (25p).

Then, having seen something rather nice pictured on another blog this week, I braved the hell that is a pre-Christmas Primark store.  Ye gads, that place does some business if their queues are anything to go by.  Anyway, I found what I was looking for - and very nice it is too - at an unbelievably reasonable price - now, I see why their queues are so long, the prices really are extraordinarily good.  (Sorry to be a bit cryptic about this but a certain relative of mine reads the blog and I don't want to give too much away as it's a present!)

Next I lugged my shopping bags into Waterstone's where I was looking for something rather specific for P.  I did indeed find what I was looking for and had it in my hand to pay for it when I suddenly thought 'hang on, I'll bet this is cheaper on Amazon,' and promptly put it back on the shelf.  When I checked on Amazon it was indeed considerably cheaper with the added bonus that I could use some of my vouchers from Valued Opinions to pay for it.  Excellent!  And I didn't have to carry it home with me.

Finally, for even more diversity, I called in to Wilkinsons to buy some large-size washing-up gloves.  Since Woolworths went from Wickford it is nigh on impossible to get hold of large-size washing-up glove here - being as they are SUCH an exotic item!!  I did find a pair in Somerfield recently for something like £1.25 and when I got them home they had a bl**dy great hole in them - the swines.  Wilkinsons had plenty of size L gloves at 67p a pair.  I thought it best to stock up and bought four pairs. 

Now I'm feeling just a tad kn*ckered from all the walking round and carting about of heavy shopping bags.  But that's that out of the way until the New Year.  Any other presents I buy now will definitely come via the internet.

Comments

[Sandie]

Ah good old Wilkinsons. When we were re-vamping our kitchen cupboards we replaced the original handles with pine knobs from there. My sister thought we'd got them from MARK Wilkinsons the upmarket kitchen cabinet maker!! Still makes me smile.

[Jennifer]

Sounds like you got a lot accomplished, even though it was heavy carrying it all. Glad you found such good deals.

[The ShoppingSherpa]

You do know about www.bookdepository.co.uk don't you? Postage is included in the p[rice and they are generally cheaper than Amazon...

[Caroline]

Well done on your bargains, Elizabeth - some good finds, there. I know exactly what you mean about having to write cryptically because of relatives reading - have had the exact same problem myself this week! Have a good weekend.