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Ok twitter. Inspired by some great conversations about active travel by the likes of @LambethLivingSt and @SarahJ_Berry , I'd like to introduce you to a life-changing purchase related to walking that people rarely discuss. Are you excited? Let's go.
First, I'd like to take you back in time. It's 2008. I have my first baby, safely snuggled into her buggy. Yep, that's me. Delirious with sleeplessness. You can almost hear me saying, "Is a grown-up about to arrive to come and take care of this baby?"
Although we had an initial painful disagreement about assembly, I loved that buggy. I used it several times a day, for around 6 years. We bumped on and off trains, in and out of Stratford and then Forest Gate, with and without buggy boards, scooters, and two subsequent babies.
I became an expert at loading it up: hooks on the handles for carrier bags, heavier shopping in the basket at the bottom. I had a scooter hook to hang a scooter when recalcitrant 2 year olds changed their mind about how they wanted to travel that day / hour / minute.
And then finally, after what felt like decades the day came when we contemplated a buggy-free life. And what was the biggest issue I found myself facing? (Apart from the three small humans still taking up all my waking hours and mental energy, of course). Carrying bags.
And of course, as a responsible person, I carried a reusable bag with me at all times (ok, usually. Ok when I could remember to). But if you're feeding and maintaining a family, there is just a lot of stuff to carry. And a lot of food to buy. My god, so much food to buy.
Which was when it hit me. The answer was right in front of me the whole time. I just hadn't seen it, because it was being used by older women.
I mean, there is a whole other thread we could dive into about the wisdom of older women. But I'll leave that to Mumsnet: https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/3944582-To-realise-I-like-old-lady-things
A SHOPPING TROLLEY! (No, not that kind, Jarvis) An old-fashioned, wheeled shopping trolley with a handle. But... could I buy one? Was there a minimum age limit? Should I? Would I be mocked?
Twitter, at this point I was knee-deep in motherhood and any regard for how I looked was long gone. I bought a shopping trolley. And yes, some people mocked. Naming no names. Ahem @RNBlake to name just one.
I discovered how much more shopping you can fit into a trolley. No more deciding between a trip to the library, or buying tins of tomatoes. You can do both! No more weighing up (literally) a 4 pinter of milk against a carton of orange juice. Pop them both in!
I have piled it up with stones for #forestgaterocks and @FGPride. I have carried my laptop, and my book, my dry cleaning, toys the girls have insisted they would carry and tired of. It has an insulated inner pocket for cold food! Let joy be unconfined.
And for every person who has snorted, "A trolley? Really?" others have gazed at it longingly (and even whatsapped me to ask where I got it).
Truthfully, I have never really liked driving. I'd love to say this was an ethical stance, but actually I find it stressful and I am particularly bad at parking.
But my little trolley means I avoid having to park (HOORAY), avoid nearly amputating my fingers with heavy bags, walk more, and spend more money with the small local businesses that have literally kept us all alive during lockdown.
I bought my wheeled, old-lady shopping trolley from @LakelandUK and I think, in terms of price per use (never mind fingers saved) it must be the best value thing I own.
And here endeth my sermon.
And here endeth my sermon.
