Another essential weekly shop for John, this morning, and a chance for a chat and catch up 👍

Arriving at Asda, I noticed that the staff were all sporting unicorn headwear...unusual enough, but then I spied one member of staff who had gone one step further, and was sashaying around with a unicorn rubber ring around her waist. 🤔 They certainly brightened up the store and put a smile on the faces of (most) customers, but I was curious to find out what it was all about. Sadly, a young Asda assistant had recently passed away, and her funeral was held today. As she loved unicorns, her friends and work colleagues decided to honour and remember her with a unicorn tribute. It was a sobering moment to hear that, as restrictions are being lifted, people are still losing their lives. A touching tribute, at a very sad and difficult time. 💔

With masks now being compulsory, it appears that other measures within the store have been relaxed...so, no one-way system in place. This did mean that I completed the shopping in record time, and even John commented on how quick I had been...mind you, I hadn’t had to push my bike up the hill today, so that certainly helped, too. 🚵🏼‍♂️

Six full shopping bags, receipt and change handed over, John and I had a good old chat about how he was getting on, and how his models were progressing. Having completed his double decker London Bus, John has now started on the chassis for the Ghost Busters’ car, Ecto...a 1959 Cadillac (see photos). The chassis alone weighs a considerable amount and the bus is HUGE!

I asked John about any other hobbies or pastimes that he may have, and it turns out that he is quite the bowler (crown green, not spin or ten-pin 😉). Starting when he was just 12, John has been competing in matches and tournaments far and wide, for the past 60 years, no wonder he’s good!

We talked about the demise of local bowling greens, closed down by the Council - no doubt the result of money saving measures - that have been added to the long list of local amenities and facilities that have gone the same way. Sadly, it seems, the very services that contribute most to our physical, emotional and social well-being, appear to be the first services to be cut in times of economic stress. A short-sighted and damaging move, in my opinion.

Before lockdown, John would bowl five times a week, meeting with friends, travelling to numerous venues and mixing in various social circles. A full, happy, healthy lifestyle...let’s hope their petition to re-open the greens is successful 🤞🏻