PPUK drop-in centre?

[Moo]

As we live right in the middle of Norwich, and the ordeal of Christmas shopping draws ever nearer, I wonder whether any PPUK people would like to recharge their batteries with some mince pies and coffee and suchlike on a Sunday* sometime in December?
You could pop in and out at intervals, leaving an accumulation of parcels and packages rather than cart them round the city.

If anyone likes the idea, could you suggest which Sunday would be best?

xxx M

* free on-street parking...

 

[JoceAndChris]

That's very kind Moo! Wish I was shopping in Norwich this Christmas - but I rather fear a far less glamorous programme of shopping, and jars of home made apple chutney all round!

 

[Feltwell]

It's a lovely offer - and I love Norwich, even though I detest shopping - but it's a long long way from Shropshire!

I think I shall do my usual, buy as much as I can on t'Interweb and then do a Saturday morning dash to Shrewsbury to go round some of the little individual shops to finish off. One of the few towns left round here that hasn't just got the standard selection of high street names.

Although I must do more than usual this year, Christmas shopping is hellish enough but as Mrs F will be 8 months pregnant by then it really isn't fair for her to do much!

Am I alone in thinking that the likes of Bluewater are a vision of hell???? And that you would have to pay me substantial amounts to get me within 10 miles of the place? Merry Hill (or Merry Hell as I prefer to call it) is the West Midlands equivalent, somewhere I do my very best to avoid!

 

[Tom]

Am I alone in thinking that the likes of Bluewater are a vision of hell???? And that you would have to pay me substantial amounts to get me within 10 miles of the place?

No, you're not alone! I hate shopping with a passion and do the very smallest amount only when absolutely necessary. My OH does all ours Now and then I shop online, which I don't mind, but I avoid going to the shops like the plague!! I remember going to Meadowhall in Sheffield once. As one of my friends once said, I'd rather shove wasps up my a**e!!! :lol: :lol:

 

[skier-hughes]

I must be odd, I love shopping and I don't care where, on-line or it can be in lovely Chester, Lichfield or any of the large shopping malls.........

 

[fluffytail10]

Well I live in North Walsham and it sounds like a fantastic idea to me!!!

 

[Moo]

Thanks, Fluffytail - that makes one down and umpteen to go.......

 

[Penners]

What a kind idea, Moo!

I can sense coach-trips being planned even as we speak, all of them converging on Norwich. I think your very kind offer should be recompensed with a profit-sharing scheme at Jarrolds.

We're not sure what our Christmas shopping plans will be, yet. The words "studious avoidance" spring immediately to mind. But if you do succeed in attracting a select PPUK gathering, I'm sure our kitchen staff could be persuaded to donate a mince pie or two. And I'll wear my frilly apron.

 

[Moo]

Is that a promise, Penners?
The frilly apron would, of course, be a major attraction. But the item that would draw the crowds would, surely, be the chance to meet the legendary Mrs P.

 

[biffvernon]

Hmmm, Norwich. Carrie Tree and her band are playing at the Dragon tonight. So beautiful.

 

[philmac1944]

ref shopping mall hell; have you read J G Ballard`s dystopian "Kingdom Come" ?
scary...luckily for you folks around Norwich, the story is centred around here.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Moo -thanks, that's a very kind offer.But, tis a long way from Flintshire...

Also, SWMBO tells me she ahs already finished all the Christmas shopping for this year; by bonfire night! :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[JoceAndChris]

Now that is beyond impressive - how??

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Joce - she is a woman of considerable talents :wink: , and even more considerable lists; a trait inherited from her mother, whom I believe is currently planning next Christmas' menu!

 

[Moo]

I do so admire people who can plan so far ahead. I'm afraid I just can't get into the Christmas spirit until well into December, and it always involves a last-minute dash round the shops on Christmas Eve.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Moo - I hate shopping in real life; Cistmas or otherwise. All those people. I'd much rather sit at home, do it on the electrical interweb, in front of a roaring fire with a glass of mulled wine in hand.

Providing the posties play ball, it's all very straightforward.

 

[HeatherJ]

Moo - I would love to as I am originally from Norwich and I believe that I know the building next door as I worked there once upon a time - St. Giles? I would love to see what one of those look slilke restored... Unfortunately I am in Canada, so it is a bit far for me too.
-Heather

 

[Pford75]

Moo - What a kind offer.

Mrs F and I operate some kind of 'tag team' approach to Christmas shopping in general, to avoid the need of having the brood in tow. Not only do children tend to get bored and fractious, distraction techniques can become ridiculous when trying to purchase something in a shop without them realising.

However, if something goes ahead, I would be delighted to match this in with one of my solo sorties. My plan is mostly web-based this Christmas, but there will almost certainly be a need for an emergency dash. Norwich is a lovely place to shop in general, although I do miss the atmosphere from when I used to work in central London and Christmas was approaching....(nightmare for shopping, but even amongst adults there was a sense of excitement in the air).

 

[Moo]

You're on! When do you suggest?
Of course, it doesn't have to be a Sunday - I just suggested that because of the parking and the fact that the city isn't so crowded.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

What a lovely idea Moo, just wish we were still in NN so that we could join in. Still, we know where you are if we are in the City at any time.xxxxx