Who doesn't have a stock cupboard

Pooky

Pops - what about a obliteration (I typed mobility but it got auto corrected...I like the sound of an obliteration scooter! :rotfl:) scooter, I know they are an expensive outlay but they really do give you some freedom and independence.

My DH is 42 and was very against having to use one but it's been a lifeline for him, his mobility and pain problems mean he can't self propel a wheelchair and he felt uncomfortable in an electric version. He now has two scooters, one heavy duty one for long walks (scoots) around the village and countryside here at home and a portable one for the car, I have to assemble it for him but it's a doddle.

We bung a rucksack on the back of the seat and can load that up, the basket on the front holds loads, you can easily but a bag of heavier items (tins etc) in the footwell.

We didn't have any storage for it at our old house so had a ramp made to be able to drive it into the house where it sat quite happily in the hall. We had to shop around for one that would fit through the front door but the local mobility shop came and measured and suggested different models etc.

It would be a legitimate expense from your Mums estate funds don't forget.

Popperwell

Another good idea and thanks Pooky. At least its a legitimate use of Mum's estate...

GreyQueen

Pops, was about to suggest the 4-wheeled trollies but can see the other ladies are way ahead of me.

They're really excellent. Mum has had one for years and she often goes to the s.m. which is 3/4 mile away without the car and takes the trolley. The 4 wheeled kind have several advantages over the 2 wheeled trolleys. They are pushed when full, rather than dragged by one arm, which strains your shoulder and your back. They're stable, which is great if your balance is a bit off or you just feel a bit wobbly. Inside the s.m. you can balance a shopping basket easily on the top whilst walking around the store, then it's a simple load onto the conveyor, and an unload at the other end. They're great for carrying kilos and kilos of stuff with minimal effort. I've even moved 25g sacks of spuds with them.

About 25 years ago, Mum and I wanted to buy one for Nan but they were scarce and we couldn't find a shop which stocked them. We ended up approaching strangers and asking where they'd got theirs and eventually got a Prestige one via mail order. It has served well and Mum has one, also.

What I would say if space to store the trolley is limited, is look of the ones which fold (the sides are rigid but the whole thing unlocks and pulls inwards, makiing it flattish. Mum's hangs on 2 side-by-side hooks in the shed when not needed.

I've seen all sorts of people using them, even young fellers in their twenties at times. Human anatomy isn't designed to carry loads slung from our arms and it doesn't do us any good. If I'm shopping on foot for anything, I use a small back-pack for tins etc and carry the lighter stuff in bags. I often try to shop via bike, as mine has baskets fore and aft and I can carry a bit of weight although not too much volume.

If anyone is in the market for tinned fish, Lidl have their Nixe wild pink salmon at £1.89 (the tall 418g tins) and I'm laying in supplies of this for Mum- it's cheaper than tuna at the mo and is in date til June 2016. And I have eaten post BB tinned fish (very post ) before and suffered no ill-effects.

Popperwell

Thank you everyone for the suggstions and advice, as I say why oh why have I not considered these options before?

I was thinking of this one...

and for the back pack but it's out of stock at present

Butterfly_Brain

Pops, I got my mobility scooter on ebay for £300 and it does a 20 mile radius. I quite often go shopping on it and as town is 2 miles from my house. I have a big backpack on it and can carry loads, I can do this trip twice before I have to charge the battery.

Popperwell

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

Pops, I got my mobility scooter on ebay for £300 and it does a 20 mile radius. I quite often go shopping on it and as town is 2 miles from my house. I have a big backpack on it and can carry loads, I can do this trip twice before I have to charge the battery.

I'm approx 2-3 streets from the shops(about 5 mins)Thanks...

Popperwell

I have matches but I have just remembered...someone said have a cheap lighter or a couple. Many can be refilled and new flints put in but it's finding a shop specialist enough to be selling the gas and flints...

Butterfly_Brain

I bought some waterproof matches in Wilkinsons sale last year, plus a flint and steel. I also have four barbecue lighters that I bought in poundland plus two cans of lighter gas

Confuzzled

Popperwell wrote: »

Thank you everyone for the suggstions and advice, as I say why oh why have I not considered these options before?

I was thinking of this one...

and for the back pack but it's out of stock at present

also something to consider are the backpacks that can be changed into pull trolleys, now you can't load these up with tons of heavy stuff or you may break the wheels BUT if you're just shopping for yourself that shouldn't be a huge issue... i bought one recently for a trip to glasgow (i also have mobility problems and use a cane when walking out and about as if i walk too long without one my knee locks up from the strange way i have to walk off balance)

i figured having the option to wear it or drag it would be good, well it was good, so good that when we went to ikea in glasgow i bought their bigger family sized one so now both my daughter and i have our own.

this is the larger one from ikea http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/50217766/

and here's an example of a smaller one you can get cheaply off amazon (personally i'd do research and read reviews before deciding on a specific one) i unfortunately can't remember where i bought my first one so i can't send you a direct link to that one http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003MRX8S4/ref=asc_df_B003MRX8S48755481?smid=A3QOQT2E5XFPH0&!!!!!googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B003MRX8S4

also, have you considered having groceries delivered? i think asda only has a £25 minimum and their cheapest delivery charge is £3 i believe so that's about the same as taxi fare... you could stock up on all the really heavy stuff and THEY have to carry them up stairs etc

Popperwell

Great Idea Confuzzled and I still have time to decide(don't have to go out over the next few days...)

This is a US site...regarding food that can be stored and is self heating and probably is used by some hikers and groups on special treks but too expensive in general for the public...interesting though...