For some strange reason, it's now considerably cheaper and a lot less hassel to buy our stuff, from one of the local supermarkets, we prefer ASDA at the moment then have it delivered.
They tend to deliver it in large trays, which they bring to the front door. Very few things are ever stacked. We take the stuff, leaving it in the porch, sign the guy's computer pad and off he goes. Largely because of the cost of transport, it saves us a fortune, at least 15 bucks a time.
There is some loss of selection of some things. Fresh bread from example. The British don't know how to make bread. It's generally a sort of gloop with thickening agents added, then steamed until it develops the appearance of bread. Finally, it's run, briefly, through a toasting oven to give it a crust. As you can imagine, it's disgusting.
There is, as far as I know, only one place to buy reasonably eatable bread, but it's some distance away. I don't really want to know how it's made in that place.
The best bread in this area, by a long streach, is had in France. But it's a two hour ferry journey, (not counting the two more hours because of British customs checks). The French also do rather good meat, especially chicken. But you need to go on market day and even that can be hit or miss. (Sadly, the French don't cook too well. Their stuff is either tasteless colour or gooey and greesy. Very greesy).
The best fish by far is had in Spain, but that takes all day just to get there. Flying, sadly, is out. The companies, apparently, don't like passengers taking food on board, incase they can't sell you their own, over priced what-ever-they-call-it.
My wife still goes into town, mainly to meet her friends. But rarely spends much. She says there is a market there, but these days, only sells cheap trinkets, toys, sweets and cheap clothes.
