"The Diary & Teacake" - DFW'ers Virtual cafe-in-a-crisis

Santiago99

I wish your road sweepers would come here. Our streets have had various amounts of broken glass on the pavements for weeks now, and today I had to lie flat on the canal towpath to fish out some plastic packaging that someone discarded after their lunch. 👎🏻 Pleased to hear that some parts of the country are much better though!

I agree with the apathy on grocery shopping. I’m struggling to buy fruit and vegetables because it all goes off so quickly, but I need healthy fresh food too. It’s so difficult trying to find the balance. @[Deleted User], I’ve found that Lidl’s have been generally well stocked for me, if there’s one near you?

savingholmes

We went for a walk about half an hour ago. I'd never seen it so quiet - it was like a moment from a horror film where you are expecting to see squeaky empty swings playing to themselves or triffids suddenly appearing with their hisses. In 20 minutes we saw 1 car and 1 couple of girls on the drunk side... Our dog loved it.

We have been very fortunate to get click and collect or delivery slots and have had lots of fruit and veg. About  20% of my order didn't come and another 10 items were substituted but they are working hard in difficult circumstances. I think I will succomb to making another banana loaf soon - I still have enough flour. I've ordered some dates to go in it... if they arrive. This week I've felt rich though eating baby leaf salad, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery etc - the current crisis brings fresh appreciation for things we've been lucky enough to take for granted for years. Thank you to all the farmers and labourers out there, the wholesalers, distributers and supermarket staff. We are grateful.

findingthisdifficult

How are we all doing?
Time to top up the cakes, lemon drizzle and red velvet coming up...

Both Mr FTD and I have been furloughed for another month, although our furlough pay wasn't as bad as I had originally thought.  I did say to him though, if this had happened a couple of years ago..we would have ended up in a right pickle.  I'm grateful to have been getting us back on the straight and narrow.

What are we all doing with our time?  I've done more colouring and signed up to some courses online to keep the brain active.  The weather has turned here so we're dashing out for exercise when there's a break in the showers.  Have to keep remembering to pop out and start the car, due to not using it...starting to get paranoid that it will seize up out there.

[Deleted User]

Question for the Café...and MSE-ish to boot! 
My new debit card arrived today...but to use contactless, I need to make an actual Chip & PIN transaction or use an ATM. Which one do we think would be the less germy option?   I honestly can't decide - I can see disadvantages to both options.

Apart from pondering the big questions in life about germy debit cards - work is taking up a lot of time, but I'm finding time for some trash TV, knitting and listening to some insightful podcasts (to counteract the trash TV). I've also got a huge TBR (to be read) pile of books, which I thought I'd be further into by now - but current book just sends me to sleep so I only get a chapter or so a night before I'm zonked out

findingthisdifficult

I would maybe go to the ATM armed with a wipe then anti bac gel or hands washed as soon as you can, most places are taking card payments only so ATM use is also likely to be a little less maybe?
I also have a huge tbr pile too, I'm struggling to get in to any of them though so it's pretty slow going.

savingholmes

You could use a key or pen to push the buttons

findingthisdifficult

@savingholmes that's a good shout!

findingthisdifficult

Afternoon all, hope you're all keeping ok?

Any plans for V.E Day celebrations? 

GeorgianaCavendish

Dropping by with a carrot cake! Hope everyone is doing well and keeping safe  

savingholmes

Still going strong. DD's birthday today. A friend called round for a socially distanced chat and surprised her which was lovely. Anyone want chocolate fudge cake with white chocolate buttons?