I had lunch with Issy yesterday and picked up the turkey she had bought at the auction in Market Rasen when she got her own and her step-son's. This way we get free range organic turkeys for about half the price (around £1.20 per pound rough dressed) of similar birds from a local butcher, and less than a quarter of the price from one on-line specialist dealer I found! Admittedly my father has just had the pleasureable job of drawing it and cutting off its head and feet. Meanwhile I was shelling the boiled chestnuts which isn't quite as bad, but is one of my least favourite jobs in preparing Christmas food. The stock for Tuesday's gravy is now simmering gently on the stove, and I have been to the market in Caistor to get the vegetables. That's everything bought except for picking up some fresh milk with Monday's paper, although Pa tells me we have run out of baked beans (I think we can live without them with all the other food in the house), and the nicest coffee is running a bit low which is a bit of a nuisance as some of my guests on Thursday don't drink tea. At least it's back to Carolyn's for coffee after church tomorrow so all the world won't be drinking my limited stocks.
Well, if that's the worst problem at the moment, what's the best thing?
I have done all this shopping - groceries and presents - without once going into Grimsby or Lincoln, without queuing, and without having to rely on Tesco's less than reliable delivery service (see very irritated blogs for last December/January) Gosh, I am a happy, happy bunny - albeit one with her crossed fingers firmly on a piece of wood to avert disasters.
