It sounds the ideal set up, aonk. 
WORD PAIRS -APRIL 2026 (Old thread full )
You swap sleeping positions with your pet , where are you sleeping tonight?
Last letters become first - March 26
So far I’ve had very mixed experiences with places that have stayed open or recently reopened.
Garden Centres for example. We needed to just get out so when these reopened we headed off and tried three locally over a couple of weeks. One was well run with used trollies being sanitised by a mature worker who also explained the rules, pointed out the hand sanitiser and policed the queue, but in a nice way.
The two others were very scary places. Signs ups yes, mainly disregarded and only a couple of youngsters who had probably given up trying to tell others (mainly elderly couples) what to do or not do.
Reading between the lines on other threads, I’m wondering if others will be very cautious about visiting certain shops and much will depend on how well thought out and organised they are...or will you be rushing in regardless?
It sounds the ideal set up, aonk. 
I guess I’m lucky in many ways. We live in a smallish town. There’s a Marks and Spencer’s, Waterstones, a small Next and a few others. These are 10 minutes walk from my house so no worries about drinks or loos. One very nice cafe is doing takeaway coffee so I could be tempted on a fine day. Sadly I think that quite a lot of the shops many not reopen. I will leave visiting larger towns or shopping centres until later in the year.
At this time of lockdown I've realised I have far too much stuff and I have attempted to declutter. So, no I won't be rushing out to buy more when I have more than enough clothes, etc. to keep me going.
I'm not rushing out to the shops. I am quite happy continuing to shop online
I would love to go to shops and browse for items. I shop online but its not quite the same as seeing the item up close...I don't have a car anymore, not allowed to use buses yet. I live alone my family are hundreds of miles away and no shops nearby to walk to..I don't have friends nearby, they have no transport to visit me....I expect there are lots of people like me out there. We do get forgotten, but maybe in July we can at least use a bus, with mask and all the other things required, I will be on cloud nine just to go into a shop and speak to a human...
I won't be rushing to town for a browse round the shops. What's the point?
If I wait at a bus stop will buses drive past if they've already got the maximum amount of passengers (10 or 12) on board? Several could go whizz by before one that is half empty arrives.
Join a queue to get in as well as out as with the supermarket.
If I get tired I won't be able to sit down as the benches are taped up.
If I get thirsty I can't get a proper 'sit-down' drink as they're only takeaway - no thanks.
Later I'll need the loo and they're also shut.
Then a queue for the damn bus again.
I'll stay safe and comfortable at home.
It’s easy enough to transfer info from one iPad to another (Lots of YouTube videos if you aren’t sure) and you can buy a new iPad online easily enough
I won't be going. I like to browse take my time etc and that will not be possible so I will stay home and buy on line. The only shop I have been to since lockdown was a garden centre where you had to phone for an appointment and they only allowed 2 couples in at a time. So we could browse freely with plenty of space
Hope you have a lovely trip out
Nothing wrong with enjoying getting out and about.
I wonder if you'll be able to get a cup of tea anywhere?
It seems that everyone is planning to be cautious about going to the shops and I totally agree. However I will find it hard to resist the temptation! Firstly 6 of my 7 grandchildren have their birthdays in June or early July together with DD3 and her husband. All presents have been bought on line but I would have loved so much to browse the toy shops and other shops to get ideas for these. Secondly I like to try and look nice. I watch my weight, take care of my skin and enjoy wearing subtle makeup and trying to find flattering clothes. I hope no one thinks I’m vain or superficial but I do enjoy shopping trips as well as many other things in life!
Been shopping online nice to take time to do this. Not a shopper really although been to garden centres.
Love having a browse round shops, but until they re-open the loos, I'll have to wait. To be honest, there is nothing I can honestly say that I need - can you need a summer bag? - but I miss having a nosey round. Fingers crossed that charity shop I do a half day's volunteering at, will open soon. Fortunately we have our own loo and I'm assuming we'll be able to use that.
Realised that my iPad is on its last legs, so ancient I can't upload the latest updates so a trip to Apple Store as soon as I can and hope their knowledgeable staff can transfer all my bits from old iPad to the new one.
Nope, no shopping spree planned here.
It's been bad enough getting the essentials.
I can't see me rushing out to shop except to bookshops as I love to browse and bring books online is not the same. As for a kindle I have one but hate it, just love the feel of books and how you can swap with friends. We can't try any clothes on in the shops so I don't see much point in shopping for them, it will save me some money.
When hospitality opens in July the holidaymakers should bring custom to shops. However, I always have Waitrose or Sainsbury deliver to self-catering holiday accomodation to save transporting food in a hot car. Not good for local small shops, but safer and more convenient in the current climate. I think by July the panic button will be off. I hope so.
She was also not able to get home delivery as she is in her forties
What's this all about? Round here anyone of any age can get home deliveries, now that the initial chaos has subsided and supermarkets are more organised for home deliveries.
We're in our 70s and do click and collect to free up home delivery slots for those who can't get out at all.
We're not likely to be wandering round shops anytime soon, other than nipping into a very local Asda for a paper occasionally.
In my village three shops have been emptied already so Covid affected those,
I’m the same as Missfoodlove as food I need, I must admit after been only food shopping and a coffee at the garage when I get fuel I haven’t been in shops but last week decided to look in Matalan if there wasn’t a queue just for a treat as I had seen in a magazine something. I went in with a mask no one except the staff had masks on so felt daft but hay ho and got what I wanted and left. It wasn’t enjoyable at all and I won’t be doing it again in a hurry. It didn’t feel carefree like it used to, but that’s just me, my bank account is so much healthier now and need a new car battery which I’ll get next mot x
I used to love browsing around the shops, but as it won't be the same with all the restrictions I will probably wait a while and see how it goes. I am especially missing the charity shops.
I’m still shielded but will support shops by using their mail order. I need bras too but, as I usually try on about six before I find one that fits, that will have to wait.
Olliebeak - me too! I walked through town this morning to see which shops will be re-opening and some which I guess will never open again but I shall not be visiting any of them. The only thing that might tempt me would be some coffee shops. I have heard that M&S plan to open their cafes but only for takeways, which is not the same!
My husband and I went to a garden centre. I didn’t go in but he did. He was desperate to buy some garden canes for his beans. They had a trolley of pots at the door and staff giving you a pot to take in and then put back in the trolley when you came out as a way of regulating how many people were in the store at once. He was mostly outside and said he didn’t have to go near anyone. He used a mask and gloves. For the lady who asked if there are any other people who can’t stand in queues - my daughter and I both have ME and can’t do this. It is a real problem for people like us. It excludes us from using food shops if there is any queue at all. She can’t get up and down from a cold dirty pavement. She hasn’t got the strength to carry a chair to sit on. She lives very close to a Waitrose and we used to drive her there and she liked to have a cup of coffee and perhaps buy a paper or a treat. She was also not able to get home delivery as she is in her forties. My husband and I can as we are over seventy and also order for her and take it round to her without entering her flat. There is generally not much thought given to the needs of disabled people I am afraid. For example when it was OK to go out for a walk or a run but not OK to go out and sit. Disabled people in flats would also have liked to have had a little fresh air and seen some greenery.
I've been shopping in Major Supermarkets and other shops such as B&M and Wilkos - they've had all essentials PLUS lots of other stuff. Not missed being able to get things that I might want to buy.
I've used 'online' for some DIY stuff that I wanted.
I've shopped from my catalogue - even bought a new pair of boots for next winter at 'Sale Price'.
What I'm REALLY MISSING is being able to have a lovely sit-down with a cup of coffee at a certain High Street Coffee Shop.
Of course, I'm also missing my 6-weekly visits from my hairdresser ....................... PLEASE come back soon, Mandy
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Not rushing to nonessential shops. I’m prioritising family in terms of seeing other people. We’ve managed so far with an odd trip to our local supermarket and fruit and veg again from local farm shop. We have had two treats recently though. A local pub we like started doing take away and we had fish and chips and after a long dog walk a little cafe in our village had set up a drive or walk through version of McDonalds and we had a breakfast muffin and coffee.
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