I gave Mr D a quick call just before the mission and rather than relay the list over the phone he was very keen for me to drop by as he'd been well prepared concocting a detailed spreadsheet printout for me. When I asked him where he'd like me to shop and he suggested Sainsbury's as I'd be also be able to use his Nectar card to pick up some bonus points along the way.

It was fortunate he had given me clear direction as when I got to the shop and saw the considerable queue I would have been tempted to look for an alternative. Combined with the fact that he knew everything he wanted was obtainable in Sainsbury's, it made most sense to endure the queue.

As it was I waited in the sunshine, and it moved pretty rapidly and once inside I was able to follow his list easily, picking up the items and furnishing the trolley as I swept my way around the store. Apart from the essential Sunday Telegraph that he was very much looking forward to getting his hands on, he was most keen on some lambs liver which he expressed surprise at just how inexpensive it was and was keen on making plenty of meals for the days ahead with it. I did manage to locate it and he's right, it did seem very cheap.

When I dropped the items off with him he expressed his thanks, along with recommending a few canal-based walking and cycling routes in and around London, which will give me something to research and plan for an appropriate time in the future.