Day 313. *Beeping* scan.

I visited the new Tesco store to do my shopping today. I was persuaded to use the self-scanner and for the first 15 minutes it was relatively enjoyable. Pick, scan, place in bag. Pick, scan, place in bag. Then the novelty wore off. Pick, scan, rearrange packing to stop things getting crushed. Pick, weigh, scales not working, can't scan. My usual 30 minute shop took over an hour. The scanner was mocking me with its persistent beep: You don't know where the soft drinks are. Eggs? Now? Before you buy tins and bottles?

My 8 year old loved it. I would enjoy it more if the store was smaller. Or if I had more time on my hands. Who am I kidding? I hate shopping at the best of times. Add a store guide and then maybe I'll become tolerant. But don't bank on it.

Day 119. Supermarket wars.

Opposite the biggest Sainsbury's I have ever shopped in, work is underway to build a Tesco which I'm led to believe may be bigger still.

Kings Lynn, the town where both of these monstermarkets reside, has a population of about 44,000 people. It would be impossible to contemplate  that neither retailer had looked into the market opportunity for siting its store here, with each store manager able to stare across the main road at its main competitor, but still. Two super-sized grocers on the same road. I wonder what in-store enticements Tesco will use to lure customers back once it opens later this year? Watch this space.

Day 72. Flowers.

I didn't buy these for my Mum. In fact my Mother's Day gift saga deserves a blog post of its own.

At 75p, this rose bouquet from Tesco was too good to leave behind. A little battered around the edges but nothing some ruthless dead heading and trimming couldn't resolve and the two bouquets I bought for such a bargain price actually look pretty stunning for supermarket flowers.

I can't say I'm surprised there were so many reduced bunches. When I nipped out to get some milk on Saturday evening our local store was extremely well stocked. Even taking into account the forgetful teenagers who headed there on Sunday morning, it's fair to say they seem to have over estimated demand.

My Mum would actually have loved these but they wouldn't have travelled well to North Wales. Sometimes you need to treat yourself and I'm certainly worth £1.50.

Did you spot the red nose? £25 now donated to Comic Relief: http://my.rednoseday.com/sponsor/emmahoneybone