When a Tesco delivery is something to blog about


We had a Tesco delivery this week.

It doesn’t sound much to blog about, I know. But a supermarket delivery day has become something of a Red Letter Day in COVID-19 Land.

I ordered my shopping some time ago when running short of essentials, but was horrified to discover there were no slots available for more than two weeks. How do I know what I’ll even feel like eating in a fortnight’s time?

But I went ahead with the order anyway, shaking my head in disbelief at the fact that many everyday items were no longer available. I also felt pretty disgruntled at having to pay full price for the products I usually snap up on special offer. Little did I know how lucky I was to get anything at all – but that was Then.

Soon after clicking Place Your Order, supermarkets started firing out emails asking me to avoid booking deliveries and to save these slots for the more vulnerable. I began to feel rather guilty, and also pretty convinced that my order would never be processed, but would be transmuted to a “Click and Collect” slot or a: “Get Your Ass Over Here And Do Your Own Shopping” directive.

So imagine my delight when two weeks and a day after placing my order, a reassuringly large Tesco van drew up outside and a couple of gloved, masked men emerged from the cabin. Just think: a mere month ago I would have assumed they were going to rob the house or kidnap me. But today these masked crusaders are simply your average delivery guys, taking their lives in their hands by bringing us our Amazon packages or our tinned tomatoes, orange juice and dishwasher tablets.

If you consider that the basic human requirements are food, water and shelter, none of the above could actually be classed as “essential items”. But they keep our households ticking over and help to stave off the panic we feel when the shelves fall empty and stocks run low. So a hearty thanks to all those people who AREN’T working from home and who’re helping to create a bit of normality in these abnormal times.


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