LAST Thursday was a really nice day. It was necessary for me to go shopping at Asda, Hollingbury and I was not looking forward to the event in any way.

However, what a truly wonderful surprise, and experience, it proved to be.

I got out of bed when the alarm went off at 7.30am, washed, dressed, had a quick glass of Lucozade and drove to Asda at 8.25am.

I had left my husband in bed with a cup of coffee and a list of jobs to do, as I felt I would be away for some time.

How wrong can an old lady be? As I walked round the car park looking for the end of the queue, an assistant walked by and said “if you are over 70 go to the front”. I didn’t need telling twice. I gave my husband a quick call to tell him I wouldn’t be as long as I thought.

I had taken a book and my husband’s three-legged shooting stool with me as I had feared a long wait.

I walked round with ease, as only a certain number of customers were being allowed in at a time.

I managed to purchase everything I wanted, which included toilet rolls.

There was pasta on the shelves, although I didn’t want any, and plenty of paracetamol.

There were a few shelves which were rather sparse but it was a pleasure to walk round without the usual push and shove.

A lot of people were wearing masks, or, like me, had their mouths and noses covered with a scarf.

I was very lucky when I reached the check out, as a cashier was just opening up her till.

I made a point of thanking the cashier and the young man who was standing in the foyer, for their courtesy, and for the store being so well organised.

When I got back in my car I telephoned my husband to say I was on my way home so to switch the kettle on. When I arrived home he was looking rather harassed as he hadn’t expected me to be so quick.

I unpacked the car, put all the shopping away and was sitting in our conservatory drinking tea and listening to Mr Blackbird singing his little heart out in our garden by 10.05am.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff for making my dreaded shopping trip a really pleasant experience.

Christine Luffman

Hollingbury