In these new dystopian times I'm trying to stay positive; my overriding sense of humour is being, and will continue to be, tested to its absolute limits. And because the landscape is changing on an hourly basis, it's a struggle to keep to the path; and to stay sane.
Don't get me wrong, my personal situation is by comparison (judging by the decimation of my local high street and the number of desperate callers currently ringing James O'Brien on LBC - to use just two indicators) not as perilous as I know it is for some. But at this critical time in all our lives, we need decisive leadership and reassurance. And a modicum of hope. All of which are in short supply at the moment.
We're all clinging on to whatever lifelines we can - family, friends beer, music, whatever. Though, for some, even those touchstones may not be enough.
The corner shop at the top of my road has always been 'there for me'. And never more so than now. Recent footfall has increased considerably and, despite now being increasingly populated by Tesco refugees, it will, I'm sure, be vital to my physical and mental wellbeing as social distancing becomes the new normal.
Cornershop: St Marie Under Canon - 2020
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ReplyDeleteThe corner shop is a cornerstone!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child we had a tiny general stores at the top of the hill behind my house. The 'Top Shop' we called it, this was way before the clothing store of course. Run by a kindly lady with a huge bun (bun, I said) it was the first place in my town to stock Freddo bars. Fond memories.
Hold on in there.
Not sure what a Freddo bar is, but I'm guessing that was a big deal. On a slightly similar theme there is only one pub in town - The Gladstone - that sells Branston Pickle flavoured Mini Cheddars. It is (and will continue to be, I hope) one of my favourite drinking establishments.
DeleteOh John, a 1970s childhood without Freddo bars, you were deprived!
Deletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddo
Love the sound of those Mini Cheddars.
Ah, thank you for filling in the gaps of my 1970s Cadbury's chocolate knowledge. I was, and indeed still am, a finger of Fudge man myself.
DeleteI loved Freddo bars and a generation on my daughter was a great fan too. Did you watch the telly program Back In Time For the Cornership - it ended last night and followed the history of the corner shop over a 100 yrs. will be on iPlayer and a welcome respite from the news. Haven’t been to the shops since Monday but might venture out with my disposable gloves tomorrow.
DeleteMr WIAAs dad was the Cadbury rep for the North of Scotland and he was still getting a bumper box of goodies at Xmas until he died at 89. He charmed all the lady owners of corner shops.
You mean like the Milk Tray Man?
DeleteIndeed - black roll neck an' all. We still have a bundle of those "calling cards" featuring the Milk Tray Man somewhere - Might be the time to start organising the rest of my loft.
DeleteMy local corner shop John’s sells the best rolls in Glasgow
ReplyDeleteWith a name like that why wouldn't he?
DeleteIn my neck of the woods the baked good of choice was the buttery and in Aberdeen the rowie. Our local baker Jack Cooper made the best. Struggling to find my appetite at the moment - when I next go out I will hopefully find some butteries.
DeleteThe Buttery. And the Rowie. But which is best? There's only one way to find out. FIGHT!
DeleteAh but they are exactly the same thing it's just that in Aberdeen city they are called rowies but we country folk in the rural hinterland call them butteries. I didn't go to a corner shop today but a TESCO Metro - Suddenly something simple like heading in with a short list and a basket is a major social event. It was really quiet so easy to keep my distance and despite the sparse shelves I was really chuffed with my finds. No butteries sadly but I did treat myself to a Fredo!
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