There was much excitement this week, as the big new Morrisons store opened its doors in Houghton Regis.
It’s billed as a “Store Of The Future”, with all sorts of clever stuff including “ice beds and misting technology”.
Impressive. But what really got us talking in the office was the mega haul of fruit and veg that the store promised to have at hand.
The press info said that there would be more than 585 types of fresh fruit and veg on sale.
That’s nearly SIX HUNDRED fruit and veg products.
And trying to think up what could be on a list of that size was a bit like the word game I Went To The Market.
You know the one. Players take turns to come up with market items for each letter of the alphabet, and recite the list before adding their latest idea.
I gave it a go. “I went to the market and I bought – an apple, beetroot, cabbage, dates...”
Sadly, I got stuck at “e”. I couldn’t really get away with “er”...”
I asked Morrisons for a little more info.
So now I can tell you that the range includes 12 types of fresh bunched herbs plus a herb of the month, seven kinds of chillis, and nine varieties of tomatoes, including the wackily named Orange Santa.
Then there are 14 kinds of mushrooms, including Pied de Mouton and Golden Enoki.
And there’s Bulls Blood (salad leaves, from the leaves of a beetroot), baby patty pan squash, dudhi (I think this is also called white pumpkin), eddoes (tasty root vegetables), rose garlic – the list is endless.
I know health experts say we should have five a day.
But I’ll need to stock up on bigger plates if we’re going to have 585 a day!
Does your regular bus driver go the extra mile?
Not literally, of course. But if you think your bus driver is just the ticket, you can nominate him or her for a top title.
Bus people Arriva are asking Dunstablians for nominations for a driver worthy of the title King of the Road.
The King of the Road award gives a pat on the back to drivers who make a difference.
You can nominate them because of their friendly manner, flawless driving or if they go above and beyond the call of duty.
Linsey Frostick, regional marketing manager, said: “We want to find out who the people in Dunstable think makes a difference to their bus travel.”
She added: “Reasons for nomination could be as simple as always meeting passengers with a smile and remembering their names.”
To nominate an Arriva driver, email king@arrivabus.co.uk, call 0845 270 1660, or visit www.arrivabus.co.uk/kingoftheroad.
Winning this title really would be a crowning achievement...
If you’re called Charlie and you had a motoring mishap in Victoria Street, Dunstable, on November 1, do get in touch.
I’ve had a plea from a driver who parked a black BMW 318 overnight in that street.
When the driver got back to the car, it wasn’t quite in the same condition as it had been when it was parked.
Although it was damaged, thankfully a note was left sticking out of the bumper.
It read: “Car owner. I have clipped your car, just leaving my details so you can get in contact. Regards, Charlie.”
But the paper was ripped and contact details were there none.
Now the BMW driver, who has asked not to be named, is appealing for Charlie, or witnesses, to come forward.
The driver tells me: “I have been told by my insurance company that I will lose six years no claims bonus, as well as my excess, but the inconvenience and distress that this has caused is immense. I would be extremely grateful for any information regarding this incident.”
Charlie, call me or drop me a line via the contact info at the foot of this column, or check out our postal details on page 2. I’ll be happy to put you in touch.
If a passer-by ripped off the contact details for a laugh, this was no joke.