That's what I did today. Nothing like getting prepared well in advance.
As today is supposed to be our last sunny one for a while we took the bus into Douglas. I quite enjoy the ride... 50 minutes tootling along the coast road with no driving or parking hassles.
Fortified by a strong coffee and a chocolate shortcake I managed a two hour amble around the shops to choose gifts for my niece's two children. I also bought myself a walking pole and a lightweight rain jacket that will pack into my bumbag.
P was quite horrified at the amount of money I was spending willy-nilly so when I suggested stopping somewhere for a sandwich for lunch he quickly proclaimed himself tired of shopping and we had to hurry off to catch the next bus that was due to leave in five minutes.
We had a little excitement on the way home. As the bus was negotiating the main road out at the edge of town, two police vans passed us at great speed, lights flashing and sirens wailing. A little further on we saw the police officers dealing with what appeared to be a domestic incident, with one officer assisting a young woman who was clearly in distress and a young man being restrained up against the wall. The bus passed by too fast for us to gawk in any detail.
It made me realise how thankful I am to only have a Grumpy Old Man to deal with and not a violent one.
We always start our Christmas Hamper/Cupboard around now JayCee. You just buy a few extra food or drink items every week and before you know it you've got a lot of nice stuff for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll start that soon Dave, before we have a worldwide shortage of chocolate.
DeleteThere is a lot to be said in favour of grumpy old men.
ReplyDeleteDo you speak from experience here, Tasker?
DeleteI've just made a load of Christmas cards for a friend. Now I must think about mine. As for presents I shudder at the thought.
ReplyDeleteSadly, as time goes on I find our Christmas card list is shrinking.
DeleteTasker - perhaps you could supply us with a list!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes please!
DeleteI never realised that the Isle of Man's currency is called the willy-nilly. Did you buy Northsider a pink balaclava with a furry bobble on the top?
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas presents are a surprise, but you are not far off there YP.
DeleteI'm not sure we passed you this time, JayCee. We went from Birkenhead to Belfast a total of 8 hours crossing. I did sleep some of the way so may have missed you...
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to hear your good news about the house!
xxx
Oh well, next time!
DeleteApropos of nothing - we like your little whirly globe thing over there-》
ReplyDeleteWas that a xmas present?
I noticed it on Debby's blog http://lifesfunnylikethat.blogspot.com/
Deleteand copied the link. Nifty isn't it?
I saw an article in the newspaper about starting Christmas shopping early due to shortages in places! Yikes! It will be here before we know it. Good job, JayCee!
ReplyDeleteI am not usually this organised!
DeleteI'm hoping to be given a bus pass when I'm in Brighton. I shall enjoy being chauffeur driven to the shops.
ReplyDeleteOur bus service is reliable and I find taking the bus is generally stress free.
DeleteFar too early for me but it has got me worried about our supply of Xmas crackers. I usually order them from eBay around this time. I noticed 2nd hand books from Britain are now twice the price. Anything arriving after Brexit is being subjected to delays and extra taxes . May have to resort to making my own out of loo roll cardboard inners again.....never!
ReplyDeleteOh yes... Blue Peter crackers!
DeleteAll I can say is thank goodness for bank account number the internet and grandchildren's desire/need of cash rather than goods. Gift cards come in a second best alternative - posh gold class cinema ones especially.
ReplyDeleteI always send the older ones money but I enjoy choosing gifts for the little ones while they are still not too fussy!
DeleteGreat minds think alike...I bought my first Christmas present this week for my 4 yr old GS. No idea what to get for the three other young ones. Like you, I give the two older ones cash.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the ride home was more instructive than one would like...as you say, simply grumpy is better than violent.
I found the scene from the bus quite unsettling. I sometimes forget how fortunate I am to have lived a boring, quiet life so far.
DeleteI have also started my Christmas present buying . I have quite a lot of presents to but so I like to get them earlyish and be organised so that I can enjoy the festive season. It’s a lovely feeling to know your ahead of the game and then there’s not too much stress ! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI don't have many to buy but I like to buy gifts for the children so that I can wrap them, which is the best part xxx
DeleteI've begun my Christmas shopping as well! Isn't it fun?
ReplyDeleteOh yes indeed
DeleteI'm normally quite organised about my Christmas shopping but even I haven't got started this year. I seem to have lost the impetus
ReplyDeleteI just had a sudden urge!
DeleteMy daughter was telling me last weekend about all the different shortages we can expect around Christmas so during the week I bought the last of the ingredients I will need to make my gifts this year. Now I just have to remember to make them.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, and I shall need to remember where I have put my presents!
Delete