Being a customer: the highs and lows

All this snow is utterly thrilling (well, Flossie and I think so, anyway) but it makes our days rather same-y; there are limits to how much we I can enthuse about the giant stick. Or hang around waiting for bathroom goods to be delivered, for that matter.

So today, in order to add some variety to my bathroom-and-snow-fixated life, I abandoned the dogs and walked into town with Lesley. A large notice was stuck to the front door directing any deliveries to Sandra for the key.

First to the mobile phone shop, where we both transacted a little business, and I came home with a new phone, with a 5-megapixel camera that I was assured would surpass the iPhone's. I always take a mobile with me when I go out with Flossie, but usually forget my camera. Not any more! You have been warned. Don't know about the quality, but there will be quantity....

Then, inspired by this post and this photo, I dragged Lesley through the blizzard to the open air Continental Market, where she, the non-meat eater, had to stand patiently, her toes freezing, while I picked daintily at devoured a crusty roll from which protruded a huge bratwurst, cooked over charcoal, and a slather of German mustard. Divine, and all the better for being something I haven't eaten for centuries.

We scuttled into John Lewis where Lesley shopped (successfully) for multi-coloured yarn to make her gentleman friend a Christmas present. Working in formal pinstripe suits on weekdays, he favours weekend leisure wear in electric hues that make your eyes bleed. She may need to wear dark glasses to knit this gift. And then, dripping slushily, we got the bus home.

Still no deliveries of shower, basin, radiator, etc. I could understand the difficulties created by the weather, but the absence of any communication was inexcusable. I made the daily round of phone calls, enquiring politely "Where are my bathroom goods now?" One weary woman, unable to help herself,  replied "Probably stuck in a depot somewhere" before apologising and giving me the direct line to the courier, who had failed to ring yesterday as expected.

A very lippy and charmless young woman - I picture her as a cousin of Vicky Pollard -  insisted that the main items could not be delivered before December 11th - nothing to do with the weather, but just because that was how they did it..... Silly me.

Exasperated, I cancelled another order - the one I'd waited in for all day yesterday, except when neighbours stood in for me to allow for dog walking - after being told "delivery delayed because of adverse weather" - and arranged for Richie and I to go and pick up the same items ourselves, in the same adverse weather, from the local depot tomorrow morning.

And then - you know what's coming, don't you - two dogs, one well-wrapped-up human, and a giant stick went off to play in the snow.

On the downside.....

This will get sorted out when the big thaw comes.