He Wanted To Buy Some Sausages

We had intended to take a forest drive after shopping at Tesco this morning.

Because I had forgotten to bring a book while waiting in the car, I decided to photograph shoppers at their work,

including this gentleman whose task it was to collect up the trolleys and return a stack to the collection point.

As it turned out this was just as well, because our car responded to Jackie’s attempt to start up with a graunching hiccup.

This meant that forest time was occupied by waiting for the RAC to visit, confirm our own diagnosis of a battery problem, sell and fit a new one. Michael, the very pleasant mechanic, arrived in an hour and took less than half an hour to complete his work.

In the meantime, her smile wiped away, Jackie had returned to the shop to buy lunch.

When Michael told us that the dying battery was seven years old and one of theirs, this reminded Jackie that that one had been fitted when a similar breakdown occurred in Ferndene Farm Shop and the man who had responded to her call on that occasion said he had fought off all competition for the job because he wanted to buy some sausages.

Soon after we returned home Ian brought back Flo, Dillon, and Ellie.

This afternoon I recovered lost files in

This evening we all dined on more of yesterday’s beef in red wine which Ron had insisted we brought home; creamy mashed potatoes, firm cauliflower, carrots, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, with which Jackie drank more of the Chardonnay and I drank Gran Selone Premium Collection Italian red.

80 comments

  1. Yay, more recovered files! I don’t know what the RAC is but it sounds great. Sausages? Yes, please! Or is it Bangers? Automotive batteries just don’t last more than three years here because of the extreme summer heat, Derrick, I have put two batteries in my 2015 GMC Pickup truck since 2015 not including the original battery. The heat basically kills them at 110/115 degrees! Have a wonderful new week, you two! ☺️??

      1. You are welcome, and thanks for the link, Derrick. There must be a similar service over here, I’m not sure. Such a great idea.

  2. Your people photos are so so SO great! People watching is always fun to me! A bit like going to The People Zoo! 😉 😛
    Shoppers always look determined going into the store…and a bit shocked and exhausted coming out. 😉
    HA! on the sausage-man! Glad he could help you today! 🙂
    So glad Ellie is back home to keep an eye on you all! 😉
    (((HUGS))) ❤️

  3. You know I always enjoy your street shots, Derrick. I love the smile on the face of the woman wearing the yellow hat. She seems pleased with her flowers. Sorry about your battery.

  4. It’s nice to see a couple of people with masks on in these photographs. Here in Nottingham, the city with just about the lowest take-up rate of vaccinations in the country has abandoned all thought of covid which is way back in past history to most people. But it’s still out there, of course.

    1. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal. We told him the story about his colleague, but he didn’t vanish into the store.

  5. At least you break down in convenient spots. The last time, as I remember, was close to the roadside burger bar and resulted in a further visit to sample a huge breakfast!

    Mostly remembered but revisited this morning during the retrieval process!
    I still don’t know how you polished off that huge breakfast!

  6. It looks like our RAC is a glorified version of our AAA, which is primarily roadside service — including batteries, as it happens. You do have these issues in relatively convenient spots, although they do put a crimp in the day. Still, having food at hand is a bit of compensation.

  7. It is a great place to watch humanity in its routines. .. and also add a bit of wondering about life.
    Thank you Derrick ? I feel that when I visit back home … and at Tesco.

  8. Sounds as though the RAC is on the ball. The AA, last time I used them, were useless – slow (hours) to respond; lack of communication; unhelpful; failed to deliver on their obligations; in denial about poor service. As for batteries – I’m not shocked.

  9. It’s always interesting to discover words you use across the pond, like trolleys which we call shopping carts. Some people might call them buggies. I’m glad the car was fixed.

  10. Good to see your posts in my reader. Busy places those supermarkets. We really enjoyed going through the ones overseas and trying new foods.

    1. Thanks very much, Suzanne. I’m pleased everything seems to be working as it should now

  11. You have continued copiously capturing people amidst their shopping mission. The stories about dying batteries have always been interesting; the one about your car has a tinge of déjà vu about it albeit with an interesting spin.

    1. I do enjoy your eloquent comments, Uma – and your touch of alliteration here. Thanks very much

  12. Glad the car was fixed and Jackie was able to finish her shopping. Talking photos while waiting on the car is a good pastime. Especially when you are sans your book. I too always have a book with me when I have to go sooner place where ib have to wait.

  13. Seven years is a good long life for a car battery. They do tend to fail in cold weather.

    I enjoyed your people watching photos, Derrick! The grocery store is like a huge bird feeder for hominids.

  14. Your run of bad luck continues Derrick. Maybe you are cursed?
    I get my sausages from the local coop on Sunday late afternoon because those approaching sell-by are always reduced in price.

  15. I will echo many others: Great that your battery could be replaced right where you were. Also, I really enjoyed the pictures of then grocery shoppers. Food shopping is an important activity that most of us do on a regular basis. (The very rich, of course, stick that job on someone else.) Anyway, great how you featured this on your blog.

    1. Thanks very much, Elizabeth. No paper bags given out over here. We can still buy plastic ones. Jackie uses her own shopping bags – except for the lunch sandwiches 🙂

  16. I’m glad to hear the RAC turned up fairly promptly and sorted the issue. I’ve heard some people have had to wait hours and hours for anyone to turn up i the past 12 months.

  17. It’s not often we see Jackie without her smile but I don’t blame her with all the challenges besetting you of late. I bet that smile was back within a very short time though!

  18. I simply can’t believe that you had yet another massive malfunction to deal with. Your attitude in reporting it seems almost to be of resignation. I’m waiting for warmer days and fewer things coming apart.

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