Wednesday is shopping day.
Basket and bags at the ready off we go
to see the friendly retailers of Bacup.
As you’ve heard me banging on and on for months
about these lovely folk we thought it’d be a nice idea
to introduce them to you, and as you can see everyone
was happy to oblige.
First up here’s John the fishmonger.
He has the best Scottish salmon for miles.
There’s always a chat about football and the state of things.
Watching butcher Peter carving and prepping his produce is
like watching an artist at work. Mum wanted a piece of lamb this week
to put in her slow cooker. We don’t eat lamb so I hadn’t a clue what to ask for.
Peter soon had me sorted with a nice cut along with two chicken fillets and
half pound of minced steak for a cottage pie later in the week.
There’s always plenty of happy banter to be had and a few recipe ideas.
We need plenty of bags when we get round to greengrocer Kevin’s stall.
His stock of fruit and vegetables is always top notch. So fresh and tasty.
I mean really, surely a carrot is a carrot wherever you buy it.
Well no it’s not. Every meal time we comment how much we enjoy
our veggies.
Philip has eaten fresh fruit salad for his lunch every day for more years
than I care to remember. He makes up a large Tupperware box of chopped
pineapple, oranges and grapes.
Don’t be fooled by his healthy fruit box he’s a succour
for the gorgeous creations from the lovely couple at Patisserie Chanel
Every week he buys at least two of their delightful bakes.
This week it was two raspberry cheesecakes and a pear frangipani tartlet.
There’s a warm welcome and a takeaway coffee to be had at
Ye Old’e Hillybilly Bakery as well a really good range of vegan,
vegetarian pies and cakes and more traditional bakes.
The market shopping gets put in the car and next up it’s a stroll
round the corner to see the lovely friendly ladies In Manning’s Bakery.
It’s impossible to come away without buying a piece of vanilla sponge,
an almond slice and a paradise slice. My favourite is a big wedge of spice cake
topped with icing. It’s a wonder we are not fat and full of spots.
We buy fresh sandwiches that are so big they do us twice.
Half for lunch when we get home and the other half for tea with a piece of cake.
Most weeks we buy a take out soup to warm us on the way home.
We love shopping in Bacup, everyone is so friendly.
It’ll be even better when lockdown ends and the rest of the market stalls
and shops reopen.
I’ve become friendly on Instagram with The Beauty Culture girls
and I fully intend on paying them a visit when they reopen.
I miss going into Wishes Galore card and gift shop, a regular stop off
for me on our weekly outing and a chance for a natter with the family
who own it and take bookings for our local theatre. There’s a good
line up of shows when we are allowed back there. So plenty of
good things to look forward to.
Look at this happy face.
He knows once the shopping is sorted and sanitised
he will have his feet up for the afternoon and a belly
full of good food.
So that was Wednesday folks.
A new series of The Repair Shop on BBC1 followed
by The Bay on ITV and that was a good day all round.
Take care
Lynn
x
