When I woke up on Wednesday morning it was pretty cold and overcast, with a bit of a breeze making it feel even colder. The significance was that it was the day when our coffee and cake crawl continues!
Our Coffee and Cake Crawl Continues at Affinity Lancashire
We’d arranged part two of our tour sampling coffee and cake as we said we would. But the thought of sitting outside in the cold was enough to freeze you just thinking about it. Luckily, by the time we were ready to go out after lunch, the sun got out. What a difference it made, talk about before and after.
It’s strange how when you haven’t been going out for such a long time, you forget what you need to take. Well I do anyway. For example, Jane was making sure I was ready, which I was, and first for a change (Jane: because I was busy getting everything else sorted!).
There I was with coat on, and handbag with all the essential things that you might need. Oh what I don’t have in my handbag has got to be seen to believed, I can tell you. Although I’m not the only one – my friend Brenda is also always ‘prepared for anything’ as the scouts say!
Anyway, I made an effort to get to the door. No shoes so back I went. Went to the door again – no mask this time. Back for that. Then I realised I hadn’t got my glasses on, so back I went. I think my poor hubby thought I was attached to the door by an elastic rope, the backwards and forwards I was doing!
Stop Number One
Eventually we got to Freeport, or should I say Affinity, which has been its new name for some time now. Out came my chariot as we call my wheelchair and with me on board off we went. Here’s our shopping video – with a few comedy moments!
First of all we went to the management office to meet the new boss, who’s a very nice young chap.
There are some empty shops, like everywhere else that’s suffered with Covid. But he was saying they’ve got some exciting new things happening in the next few weeks, so watch this space. The shops we were filming in had been told we were coming. Along with the security guards – in case they took a dislike to us and sent us packing. Well you never know do you.
We set off down to the far end of the site and went into Next first. They’ve taken over the old M&S shop and filled it full of furniture, nick knacks and all the rest for the home. Then off we went to the Clarks shop where my millipede, sorry my daughter, is unable to pass. Like her grandma, she loves shoes. I don’t see the attraction myself but it takes all sorts doesn’t it. We had a look round and back out, again, not what Jane wanted.
Larger Shops – Easier to Get Round
Next came Bon Marche, just to see what was on offer in there. As it’s a bigger store you can get around much easier than you can in Cleveleys when you’re in a wheelchair. I indulged in a pair of pink slippers, well it would be pink wouldn’t it. Although I am partial to a bit of blue or yellow.
Jane was scouring the linen trousers with me keep saying ‘stop, go back you are going too fast’ every two minutes. She took those to the till but when she got them home, they were a bit too short. Although he doesn’t know it yet, Kevin will be taking them back to Cleveleys to get a longer leg length. I just hope they don’t think he’s a cross dresser!!
Then we went then to the old fashioned sweet shop where Jane managed to get some sour sweets for the Brew at Two gang. Don’t ask, it will take too long to tell you. (But you can watch it here on YouTube – loads of people do for their weeks amusement!)
She did manage to get some so off we went then into the Regatta and CragHopper shop where she bought a very nice cardigan. The best bit was that when she got home, it was half the price she thought it was, so she was a very pleased bunny.
Our Coffee and Cake Crawl Continues
By this time, we were flagging and went to the coffee shop where the old Thornton’s used to be. Katie’s coffee shop it’s was called – and we were expected there. It’s a lovely shop and lots of seats outside as well so we went and had a look what we fancied, having told the owner who we were. We had a chocolate drink and shared a massive cupcake, piled high with cream, jam, some lemon sprinkles and a meringue on top. We could feel the calories piling on!
The two men who were in the shop were lovely and welcoming and, expecting our visit, very kindly gave us our drinks and bun on the house, wasn’t that nice. We went outside to wait until the food came and the loaded hot chocolate nearly made my eyes pop out of my head.
A stack of cream with marshmallows and chocolate bits finished it off and my was it gorgeous. We couldn’t have eaten one cupcake each as they were so big. The topping on the chocolate was delightful, I can’t call it any other, all served with warm smiles and a lot of friendliness. We wouldn’t hesitate to go back as it was so good.
New Clothes for Kevin
We could hardly move by the time we’d finished, but off we went to Gap where Jane bought Kevin some new clothes. Cardigans, t-shirts, I was piled high with them. I got a t-shirt, scarf and jumper but the jumper is going back as being a shortie it’s too long on me. Having just about walked our legs off, well Jane did, and going in some more shops, we decided it was be time to go back home to the hubbies.
We did warn them that they had to get the tea ready or else, as we were shattered. I’d been in my chariot the whole time and ached from head to foot, presumably sitting for a long time and not moving. To say I was in agony wasn’t an understatement. Boy was I glad the tea was ready for us, thanks to my dear hubby.
I had a lovely hot bath later and threw some Epsom salts in. They do seem to help with hurts and pains, so I had a lovely soak and it was lovely I can tell you. I’m still hurting everywhere but you know what they say ‘no pain no gain’! But it was so lovely to get out and about again. So hopefully we’ll be off again somewhere next Wednesday for an exercise in filling us up! Our coffee and cake crawl continues another day…
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