You know how kids get a sticker if they’re brave/don’t cry when they visit the dentist? I think parents should get one of those for surviving the school shoe shop. Honestly, the seventh circle of hell is a more pleasant place to hang out than the John Lewis children’s shoe department in the last week of the school holidays. Which have been great, by the way. Lots of camping, paddle boarding and barbecues, with a week in France to boot. But man, am I ready for them to go back to school. Srsly. All that cooking! All that constant parenting! At least when they’re at school you get a break from all that. Yes, I know it’s going to whizz by and before I know it they’ll be all grown up blah blah blah but right now, I can’t wait for next week when I’ll get some hours in the day to get stuff done (or nap).
Current white in the fridge: Taste The Difference Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Price: £7.00 - Buy From Sainsburys
Made by a great Chilean producer for Sainsbury’s, this is a crisp-as-clean-sheets Sauvignon Blanc from the cool Casablanca Valley. It’s not too pungent (the ones that are really, really grassy are not my thing) but has got lots of fresh gooseberry aromas and gorgeous citrusy flavours. Put it with salmon fishcakes. Or equally, feet up with a bit of telly on the side.
Current red in the rack: Puy de Dome Pinot Noir
Price: £9.95 - Buy From Lea & Sandeman
Love this wine on so many counts. It’s made from one of my favourite grape varieties, Pinot Noir, for a start. It comes from an off-the-beaten-track region, the Auvergne in central France which counts (just) as part of the Greater Loire region. And it’s such a great take on this grape, with light-ish red berry fruits and a kind of earthy, spicy vibe to boot. It feels just the right side of rustic. Great value, too. Lovely with tomatoey ragu.
Helen. Sympathy to you ! Remember it well. Does JL still have the ticket system in the children’s shoe department?
That’s why colouring books are now so popular…for adults!
yes, except it was out of order! Still, they were brilliant once it got to our turn.