Excellent in parts

[shewhomust]

I went shopping this morning: that is, I walked into town on my own so that I could drift around and look at things and take my time, all without feeling that I was keeping durham_rambler waiting. I wanted to buy fruit and veg, and things for lunch, and that was pretty much a success: I found the things I was looking for (and some I wasn't: greengages! I love greengages!) and we have already eaten several of them. But I also had a list of non-edibles, and drew a complete blank on all of them:

I failed to find a birthday present.

While I was in M&S buying (among other things) greengages, I thought I'd replenish my underwear supply: they had the style and fabric I wanted, and in my size, which I suppose is a good start, but only in a pack of mixed black and "flesh colour" (about the shade of the foundation my mother stopped using in the early '60s).

The remainder bookshop no longer has a road atlas of France (let me guess, the holidays are over).

My favourite computer shop couldn't supply me with screenwipes for my shiny smeary new toy. "I just use meths," said the proprietor, which is not so convenient if you're on holiday!

However.

My search for a birthday present took me into the Oxfam bookshop. This isn't entirely random; they usually have a selection of general bits and pieces, though today they were in the process of moving everything to make room for their Christmas stock. Yes, really. Despite which, I managed to buy three books:

Sea Room, by Adam Nicolson

"the story of one man, three islands and half a million puffins" - how could I resist? The islands are the Shiants, off Lewis.

King Death's Garden, by Ann Halam

Yay! Ann Halam (who is also Gyneth Jones)!

AND - drum roll -

Ghastly Beyond Belief, by Neil Gaiman and Kim Newman

This is ridiculously collectable, and I never expected to find a copy at a price I'd be willing to pay. Oxfam appear not to have heard about it, and despite a sneaking feeling that I should have told them they had underpriced it, I just pounced.

I should feel that I have failed at shopping, but I can't bring myself to do so - too pleased with my books!