Hey all you cool cats and kittens, guess what? It’s grocery day!
LOL, seriously. Who hasn’t wanted to open their blog post with that line? Wait, what? You haven’t seen Tiger King? Get outta here right now. Talk to me in seven hours when you have finished watching that train wreck of a documentary on Netflix! (If you have seen it, hooboy!, amiright? #TeamJoe or #TeamCarol?)
Now, where was I? Right, it was grocery shopping day in Chouterville and that meant breaking our isolation to walk out of the campground, across the street and into the local Lidl food store. When we were there last, the shelves had been wiped clean and we didn’t get much. Luckily, we had plenty of other stuff, so for the last two weeks, we’ve done pretty well for ourselves in the food and wine department.
We could have easily gone another week or two with our food stash, alas, we are running out of wine. And Steven needs cookies with his evening tea like I need oxygen to breathe. So for wine and cookies, it was time. Fresh meat and veggies would be nice, too, but I had no idea what I would find on the shelves.
Because of the lockdown rules we can only go one at a time, so we figured one of us would shop and the other would come and help carry it all home. Sending Steven to shop would have been a waste of time, so I took one for the team. I really prefer shopping on my own, anyway, so I was okay with this plan.
We set my departure for 1:00 p.m. For the first time since lockdown went into effect, we had to fill out the required document attesting to why we were out. We checked the box that indicated we would be buying necessities. Even though Steven was only going to meet me in the parking lot and would basically be out of the campground for about five minutes, he filled one out too. The fines imposed for not doing so if asked to produce it are stiff, so why take chances?
Steven had everything ready for me to grab on my way out the door. Shopping bags, a Euro coin to get my cart, a couple of sani-wipes to clean it off and a baggie full of money just in case my credit card didn’t work. We decided I would not wear gloves, but I would wear a mask. I left with strict instructions to text him as soon as I arrived (lest I fall and break my leg on the way, which he always seems to see as a possibility) and also when I had paid for my groceries so he could come help carry them back to Bijou.
I have seen countless photos of the lines outside stores in the states, and since I had not stepped outside the campground, I had no idea if I would find the same at Lidl. Nope! Turns out to be about a dozen shoppers in the store, so I took my sweet time and got almost everything on my list. I did not get flour or semolina. I wanted those so I could make the Batbout bread I learned to make in Morocco. It is cooked in a pan on the stove and not in the oven, so it would have been perfect for us. I have yeast, but only gluten-free flour and no semolina. Bummer. I also didn’t get yogurt, because Lidl’s selection is mostly the crappy sweet stuff. I couldn’t find their plain variety, though I’m sure they have it.
I also didn’t get a box of hair color, but it was not essential as I already have a couple in my stash. I don’t usually color my own hair, but when we went to Morocco I figured there might be a lack of salons (and I didn’t see any for women, only men!) so I planned to just do it myself. It was easy enough, so before lockdown I bought a couple more boxes. I saw that shortage coming a mile away.
As you may recall, when we first arrived in France we found a steep learning curve regarding bagging groceries at lightning speed. We have upped our game, though, and now can sling it with the best of them. But that’s when there are two of us, how was I going to do this on my own? We decided I’d just chuck everything back into the basket and bag it later as Steven was making his way from Bijou to the store. I did get some items into bags, so it didn’t take me long to get it organized once I had texted Steven.
I headed out the door and because I wanted to stay away from people getting carts, I wandered with my cart over to the edge of the parking lot to watch for Steven. And that’s when I found out about the electronic shopping cart theft deterrent. Apparently, if you try to walk out of the Lidl parking lot with a cart, the wheels have sensors and once you cross some unseen magic line, they lock down and will not roll. Who knew?? Have you ever tried to drag a heavy and uncooperative shopping cart across a parking lot? It ain’t easy, let me tell you! Is there any such thing in the States? I’ve never seen it!
So from the far side of the parking lot, we gathered up our loot and carried it home. It was heavy and awkward, but we got it done, no problem. We did take some time to wipe some things down before we brought them in, and put some things in different containers, but soon enough we had it all put away.
Steven went to work putting my phone and credit card in the sterilizer, while I took a break. My veggies were still outside and I needed to wash and prepare before refrigeration, but that was for later. First, after such an exciting and productive day, it was time for a well-deserved happy hour! Tomorrow we begin our second round of a 14-day isolation. This is our life now. 🙂
NEXT UP: Cut & Color at Salon Steven!
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Yes, we’ve run into the locking wheel at Walmart in the States. Having to park the rig in an outlot once, I found out the hard way that those carts aren’t allowed to go that far. :). We haven’t seen any lines at stores near us, but I hear they do happen for the senior hours in the morning. So you have to 14 day self-quarantine after a grocery run, sick or not?
It is not a requirement that we isolate for 14 days after being out in public, that is our choice. And if we have any reason or need to go out again before then, we will. It just feels encouraging to know we are healthy and self-sufficient. 🙂
Yep, grocery shopping is not as enjoyable as it once was…
Who ever thought we’d avoid shopping! It is – was – my therapy!
Looking wheels on the carts are very common in SoCal, they can be triggered by crossing the magnetic barrier in the parking lot or even if the alarm goes off as you push it out the door.
The produce section looks great.
I had no idea there was such a thing. I guess I’ve never tried to take a cart out of a store lot before! Good to hear from you, Jeff!
The produce aisle looks amazing all those fresh vegetables I didn’t see much of that in your cart except for snickers bars and potato chips how long is that gonna last you. But then again I see your point snickers bar will last five years in the wrapper if you don’t open it the vegetables won’t last five days.🍫🍪🍰
There are tons of veggies, they are underneath the Snickers and chips. Your eyesight must be failing. 🙂
So glad you are able to get provisions. Your spot looks so nice, too. Alarmed that you can’t get flour. We can’t get flour in the states either. I literally woke up the other night in a panic at the thought of no more [sourdough] bread, let alone delicious bread of any kind. Good grief! But seriously, and on an unrelated matter, just have to say, “Steven: those socks though!” Keep posting and stay well. Love the pix, love the narrative! xoxo HH
Lidl’s bakery is full of fresh bread and croissants every morning, it’s killing us. Also, my Mom gave him those socks for Christmas, aren’t they so cute?
It’s a new world, isn’t it? I feel just the same after completing our grocery shopping (we can still go two-by-two) – in other words, just glad it is over and I am safely back home!
I’ve seen so many comments about lack of flour, here and on FB. In our small town, we have a couple large grocery stores and one small natural food co-op (open to all). The co-op always has flour, a good supply including bread flour, sprouted whole wheat flour, and gluten free blends. I guess the majority of residents don’t normally shop the co-op, but right now it is the best stocked store in town and doing a very good business. We are members, and I am happy to see it thrive. So, maybe look for smaller shops?
There has been a lot of discussion online about whether or not we can travel further than the closest store to us. Who knows, really, but finding flour is not really worth all the trouble. I’ve got a Corn-Kit and I’m gonna try to cook it in a skillet. LOL, probably be the worst thing ever.
Nice socks, Steven!!
A present from my Mom. Those socks actually say “Spain” on them!
I’m mighty impressed with do-it-yourself hair color gal! And totally relate to the necessities of cookies and wine being the driver of venturing outside! So fun to track your adventures, stay safe and happy!
Desperate times and all that. 🙂 Hope you guys are safe and away from the hot spots! Our beloved WA state sure has suffered. 🙁
OMG the locking wheels cracked me up! I’ve not seen it but it sure would keep people from stealing them!
I have never seen it before either, but apparently it is a thing in So Cal and other spots? You’ll know you’ve found one when you have to carry the cart, lol.
What a strange world we live in. Glad you are keeping healthy in this new normal.
We could not have guessed this situation, ever. Hope you guys are well and in a safe spot, too.
“Sending Steven to shop would be a waste of time,” LOL!!! That’s how Eric feels about shopping with me, but that’s because I love to wander the aisles, leisurely inspecting all of the things to see what’s new. It’s not so much fun now, though. The Piggly Wiggly is our only option in Apalachicola, and while it has a surprisingly good selection, I just want to get in and out as quickly as possible, preferably without having to breathe.
So glad you guys are safe and in good spirits.
Piggy Wiggly! I didn’t know there were any left! When I was in college in Denton, TX that’s where we shopped. It was kind of on it’s way out then! Got your email, too. We have no idea why WP chooses to ID bots. You are not the only one!
Didn’t seem to be too much wine in that trolley!
Check again, my friend. It is there!
Glad to hear, was a bit worried they may have been out!!!
🙂 Good old Lidl and their rapid-fire checkout assistants! Ju and I didn’t use Lidl much before we started travelling but very quickly got into the swing of the blurred-arms game, chucking stuff into bags like something from The Matrix. We upped our game after a while and separated cold/fresh and other stuff, taught us some great team work and communication. Have you ever been tempted to just calmly pop things in your bags, forcing the manic assistants to halt the game due to lack of ‘pile it up’ space on the checkout? I know, I know, it’s cheap in there for a reason, but one day I’m going to rebel against my own tightness (no, I know, I’m not).
We’re allowed out here in the UK and have been out for a walk today, seeing a few other fellow walkers, cyclists and runners, most people respectfully keeping their distance. We’re being very British about it all, trying to smile and make a small joke with folks as we pass. At one point we stood on a bridge over the motorway, and a few lorries passing underneath waved, hooted horns and flashed lights at us. The traffic was light and mainly commercial, but it was good to see the world still functioning with our own eyes.
In breaking news, the chip shop down the road has re-opened! Huzzah! But it’s closing again tomorrow. Boo, hiss. Ju managed to get in there and grab some fish and chips today, as we’ve not had the national dish in several months and I feared I might throw a chair through the window and fire up the fat if we missed out again. Word is although they’ve set up a system to keep people apart, some folks just couldn’t grasp it and would wander straight into the shop as-per-normal. Hmmm, they’ve probably saved me from putting on a stone, mustn’t grumble.
My folks are still in full-on-isolation. I doubt they’ll be out the house for the next 3 months (at least). Pretty grim, being part of the collective no-fault house imprisonment of a million and a half people (I can only think in UK terms, brain too small to handle the scale of the US). From their point of view, with their health as it already is, it’s life and death, so they’re just getting comfortable in there, no other choice. Dad’s asked me to get him some lettuce seeds and it sounds like he’s re-purposing the garden. I get to drive his car, which almost resulted in Ju and I being chucked out the windscreen when we took it to the shops – the brakes on that thing work – I don’t bother using the brakes on our motorhome any more, I just use my hand out a wide window as an air brake, works better.
Okey dokey, keep smiling! Looking forward to your next blog post. Cheers, Jay
You had me at “Fish & Chips”! What a wonderful, newsy comment! It sounds like you are making the best of a really bad situation. I fear that in the UK, like the US, the worst has yet to come. We get through part of our day, believe it or not, by planning our escape from here by reading OUR TOUR and mapping your journey while planning ours! I know you have maps, but it’s fun to do it for ourselves! What great adventures you have had! I know you are happy to be near your folks. For us, tomorrow is a big Family Zoom with our three kids. That’s also how we get through all this. It’s so good to hear from you, thank you for commenting! Please tell Ju to wear her bike helmet when you are driving. And remember, we’ll always have Spain! 🙂
I honestly wish the paperwork was required here as too many still think staying home doesn’t apply to them 🙁 Seems that availability is starting to improve although still no toilet paper for grocery pickup which is the only way I’m shopping these days. We do have the locking carts in Arizona, but I haven’t had the pleasure of having to drag a locked one! I’m glad I haven’t colored my hair in six years – I’d be in real trouble!
My hair is not grey, it’s white. I’m not ready. 🙂 How did I not know about these locking carts? You can bet I won’t go near the edge again, those carts are heavy!
I never thought I would be homesick for Lidl but seeing your photos of the familiar aisles makes me long for the life we have had to leave behind, along with Betsy (our motorhome), in Europe. We are just so glad to have had 2 1/2 amazing years full time on the road before this thunderbolt descended on the world.
As much as we would like to be still in Europe, we are grateful to be in isolation in NZ, where not so many are sick and things are under control.
Those locked trolleys are buggers to drag across the car park eh.
That Batbout bread sounds interesting, how do you make it? We learned tagine in Morocco but that was about it.
Take care you two, stay safe and hopefully, we can get back on the road sometime this decade and finally meet you in person. Alan
I long for the day when you return, as that would mean things have gotten better! We might be right here when you get to Betsy again, you never know! I will send you the Batbout recipe! It is made with flour and semolina, and cooked on the stovetop. I’m sure you ate it, it’s sold in every store, it’s the flattish disk. So delish! Stay safe!