How was your day? (Random off topic chat)

I went for a walk yesterday, and passed by the Angel M&S, Waitrose and Sainsbury's (all basically one next to the other), and Tesco (5 mins further up the road) - there were people queuing in front of all of them, on my way there and back (about an hour apart). So I walked to Camden, and found the same to be the case in front of Sainsbury's, Lidl and Aldi. The same thing repeated in Islington earlier today.
So I learned my lesson, and walked to the Lidl on Tottenham Court Road, and there was no line there. Nobody (but me) does their main grocery shopping on a currently dead/closed major shopping street, it seems.

I'm starting to think I've missed the memo on the return of panic buying.

I know I am easily entertained but just watched The Goes Wrong Show and really laughed out loud. So silly but damm funny especially the very clever end scene.

Waitrose is advertising it's Xmas cherry and amaretti tiffin on A boards in front of all it's outlets, yet I cannot get any.

Such a let down, partner's been looking forward to getting one ever since waitrose started sending us emails about it. Such a let down... no Xmas tiffin for us yet we have to endure the picture of it every time we pass the store.

For the first time I have had a sense of discomfort about the high streets. It's far too busy, too many teenagers just don't think and Covid feels all around. I'm going to avoid all of it now. Late night supermarket shopping has a kind of cinematic quality about it, anyway. A bit Cohen Brothers.

A guy I know is suffering from long Covid and just can't shake it off, pauses at the top of stairs, taking naps through the day, etc. He's about 40, a marathon runner, regular 20-mile runs every Sunday morning, not an ounce of fat on him. Says he would never have believed it possible.

Feels that this final stretch is where you should be most vigilant.

At least Trump is exiting, stage right, shortly!

dippy, yes. It opened a few months ago, and I think you are right about there being a Sainsbury's there before.
There's still a Sainsbury's at the other end of the same street, close to Primark/Oxford Street, too. 

It's a rather complicated junction to navigate, but there's also a Sainsbury's at the bottom of Hampstead Road. Cannibalisation is the word used in the industry.

Anyway, Forrest, as your Christmas plans have unexpectedly changed (or been changed for you), I've slotted Mark Gatiss into tonight's BBC2 schedule. Though with your superpowers, you've probably already watched it! 🙂

And don't forget that Owain Wyn Evans is doing something special on local radio tomorrow afternoon. Only in the north, mind, so you'll need to choose somewhere like BBC Radio Sheffield, or York, or even...Manchester.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've a few last minute 'bits' to buy.

My sister and family biked over, her and the small ones in their icecream seller style bike decorated with tinsel, to deliver cards and drop off some presents from the end of the drive. The small ones shouted ho ho ho at the people they passed and I hope made them smile.

My road did a socially distanced bell ring then carols in the freezing cold this evening. In the days of clapping a musical family bought out their keyboard and did a song each week. Turns out it's much less inhibiting singing songs you've known for years in the dark. Was a rather lovely half hour of flashes of torch light and singing and trying to stay warm.

Not your usual Christmas morning:

Completed a 100Km virtual cycle ride, was aiming for 75Km as had ridden a 100Km yesterday but just kept going as there wasn’t much else to do. At least I am now 200Km in the Rapha Festive 500 (ride 500Km between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve) and can take it easy from now on but not sure if that’s how it will pan out.

Will now go for an afternoon walk to give the legs another modus operandi before settling down to some TV and Chocolate and contemplate what to have for tea as have not done a ‘Christmas Shop’ and will likely settle for a Pizza.

The polar opposite of last year where the Flu left me bed ridden and walking to the bathroom was quite a chore.

I went for a long walk today too, to make good use of the wonderful weather: Islington to Sloane Square and back via Marble Arch/Tottenham Court Road. There weren't too many people around, except in Hyde Park which was pretty busy, but it was just so lovely that I decided against stressing about it and simply tried to keep my distance with a smile.

I've been doing long walks since my winter holiday started, and they genuinely do wonders for my overall "sanity" and well-being. Just me and (mostly) Ian Kenny or Jan-Henrik Ohme (in my headphones, not in person, clearly :) ) these days, perfect! I'm considering going back to running (I've been on a hiatus from that for a while now...) if the weather stays like this, although now that I've said that I will likely summon all the thunderstorms from tomorrow, because, London...

Thank you peggs. :) (Of course there's a storm coming!)