If you have only one mission to do this week, you better make it count. That's why I was happy when I received confirmation for Mrs U's groceries, as this is not your boring local shopping.

Today's shopping list featured, apart from the Lidl usuals, a marble cake, whole chestnuts, 'Get well soon' card, unrefined jaggery (what on earth is this?!) and 5kg of EXTRA long basmati rice.

The marble cake meant I had to walk the extra mile to the big Lidl in Hanwell. Knowing this, Mrs U was ready to drop it from the list - but I wasn't. After miraculously finding the said cake hidden in a carton on the very bottom shelf in the big Lidl, I headed back East. I didn't see a reason to carry things like the 4-pint milk bottle all the way from Hanwell, so bought them in the small Lidl. That way I could carry them only all the way from West Ealing!

Chestnuts and 'Get well soon' card were super easy finds in Sainsbury's. Mrs U believes there is a card shop along the same high street. I don't believe in it. I naver saw it on my way and I think my faith ends at the marble cake.

Mrs U suggested that I can get the EXTRA long basmati rice and unrefined jaggery in the halal meat and grocery store. She was right. I always wondered how would it feel to buy one of these massive rice bags. It felt amazing. Ok, 5kg is not industrial size - but close enough to get the idea for someone who normally buys mere 1kg of basmati rice, and not even long basmati, not to mention the EXTRA long basmati!

It wasn't a short and sweet mission but I liked it a lot. There was not that much to carry after all, I had a decent run and walk and I learned what jaggery is - but I am not going to spoil the fun by revealing it!