Glo Sticks, Ikea and A Shortage of Palm Crosses

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 01 April 2012 13:38:20

Ok, so yesterday didn't go quite as planned; apparently palm crosses are like advent calenders, Easter Eggs with a decent mug and such like - you can't leave it until the day before. I discovered this yesterday. First "sorry we've sold out" came after having made my way up to Durham Cathedral bookshop which had reopened after the stock take which had twarted my attempts on Friday. The next stop was the Fair Trade shop run by St. Nics where I got a "sorry we don't sell them". Next it was off to Newcastle where I started off in the Catholic Cathedral bookshop. There was  a definite look accompanying the "no we don't have any" which suggested Catholics may not do Palm Crosses, (comments section for those who know). So I carried on, off to the Anglican Cathedral which was a bit....well, I'm not sure. Had I entered on my own I would have given up without even getting to the attempt at a shop; it and the "cafe" are located out the back in an area without signposting. Third Party however had been here for a meeting with work and so knew where she was going. On asking I was told no, but then asked how many I was after. On giving a figure of 25 I was told sorry, if it had just been a couple they would have sorted me out but 25 was too many. Still not put off I headed off to the CLC where the v. helpful staff apologised they had sold out; informed me that sales of the palm crosses were considerably higher this year than last and then proceeded to phone round the North East for me. Apparently Bridge Books in Sunderland did have some - but as we were doing this all by public transport we decided that it was a step too far, especially as a v. patient Third Party was getting to the stage of just wanting to get to the Metro Centre.

I deliberated and decided seeing as the kids were getting glo sticks anyway that I would stick with that. Now glo sticks, (and the hooter things I decided to add in as well) were a little easier to source - (wondering whether to nickname myself the Poundland Preacher).

Once we got to the Metro Centre Ikea was mentioned as a possible part of the adventure. Now for most this would not be a major thing, but for me it was - I had never been to Ikea before and it was on the to do list, (number 77). Wandering around I found myself fascinated by the place which struck me as MFI meets Habitat. What caught my attention most was the alt. worship supply section in the corner of the first floor. I had seen the job lots of tea lights before but never been able to source them - here I was able to get myself sorted with a 100 tealights and a set of tea light holders so I am ready if the need arises, (don't laugh - I was preaching the Sunday after the Japanese earthquake last year and a job lot of tealights at home then would have saved me a bit of time searching round town that afternoon). The bags of grey and black pebbles were also noted, but I decided that I had to be sensible and not spend too much on resources I may or may not have used prior to moving down south. I was also v. impressed by the restraunt which did good, sensible and tasty food. So all in all I enjoyed my trip to Ikea, even if it did seem a little too regimented for me with the arrows on the floor telling me how to wander round the store.