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!

Comments

[sovay]

Ghastly Beyond Belief, by Neil Gaiman and Kim Newman

Bravo!

[karinmollberg.livejournal.com]

Outing&Confession Time: I love flesh-coloured underwear! So practical, doesn't show underneath light clothing like white jeans and works wonders as an anti-aphrodisiac toward the over-eager in case of danger wherefore I recommend it those who still think wearing reading glasses will work as well.

Your lack of Road Atlas does not worry me. After a long gone Tour de Bretagne (not covered by the Atlas Rudi the BMW provided albeit ex-spouse having Known so much Better) I know all about the DIY the heady versions with blank pages suggest: it is always the second road to the right once inside the wildly decorated roundaboutit. You cannot fail, using this tip. However, this was at going west, not sure about the South but I'm middle-aged and can wait.

I am shocked (against better knowledge) your computer shop sells drugs. Glad, you are not taking them, though. I really love wipes for my face, too!

Does this mean, I can start stocking up on Mordor X-mas chocolates at Herr Liddell's? Probably! It's already September after all as long pointed out, just how soon this would come at us over at theboringclub but we have further tips on eels and sleekness for emigrants, so stay tuned...

Glad you found a book on puffins always hoping it will include carnivorous sheep of whose habits more needs to be known. Also, thank you for reminding me of the gardens where sports ghastly beyond belief are taking place and I have picture proof! This spam was provided you for the simple reason that Gobbledygook the internet poem currently refuses to work because of it's horrid new design; I understand there is protesting but still....

You are fully entitled to feel as pleased as you please. I think. I am giving the Indian Princess a diary (with no dates or pre-designed pages) now that I made her start writing her diary, a deed that I will not deny having done; suggesting starting by noting the things happening on vacation and now there is no stopping the roadbook, hehe, says her evil stepmother. I agitate and excersise my bad influence daily but that was a big one, I feel.

Self-contentment can be so wholesome!

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

I always enjoy reading your book haul reports, too - more intellectual than mine, but we take our pleasures where we find them!

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

You are so much more glamorous than I am - and an adoptive Frenchwoman, too! White jeans! I hope you will not feel embarrassed to be seen with me...

And we have maps, many and various, paper and electronic, but I wanted a new road atlas. I shall keep looking (it's an excuse to go into shops where books may be on sale).

I'm glad you are fulfilling the duties of the wicked stepmother.

[karinmollberg.livejournal.com]

Exercise, I probably meant but you know Mollberg Speak.

White jeans are forbidden (as opposed to flesh-coloured underwear that I believe the carnivorous sheep wear after shearing, so trendy of them to be shaven) just like white shoes (recently discussed at theboringclub in an as always intelectal manner so fear not; mine (the jeans but I also own a pair of jeantextile sandals with glitter on them and silver eels to stumble across cobblestones on) are adorned with a strange, rune-like beige pattern to show my origins from Viking Land to Eventuals (a dangerous species yet to be explained in detail somewhat later, mayeb -from The Doubtful Guest people;) and I promise to wear horns to prove my case...