Shops & supermarkets under lockdown!

[McAdam]

Just returned from Mercadona in Corralejo.

Same "hand sanitisation and gloves upon entry" as it has been since the beginning.

In the fruit/veg and Meat isles, there are marked areas on the floor where you should "park" your cart.
I was advised at one of them in Spanish and complied happily. I also saw the staff moving while advising other shoppers carts.

At checkout there was a new to me Cart first procedure, I guess its a way to stop having carts with their arses out in the main walkway.

So far it's same same, or "The New Norm" - yes that phrase is getting old fast.

On a side note, we have been a bit cheeky this whole time. First my wife goes walking to Merca, calls me when shes about to checkout, I go with the car, load up her things, then I do a 2nd shopping trip while she walks home with a few things. We both cook at home and both will spot different things on the shelves (she spent 2 weeks swearing there was no condensed milk). This way we have a well-stocked, wide variety fridge.

[Ducks]

Hi Ducks - yep, the Superdino in Antigua is much the same size, and certainly doesn't cater for my vegetarian diet (unless I want to live on lentils and tortilla for the duration - I don't!).  So I have to play the 'drive to Caleta' lottery every few weeks,.  I'm aware that the principal of shopping at your nearest outlet and not travelling further afield is soundly based during lockdown.  But Caleta is my nearest food shopping for much of my diet, so I make no apologies for shopping there as stated - every few weeks

Don't in the least blame you. Those mini Dinos are fine for tourists staying in self-catering on brief holidays who will be eating out most nights, but they are not remotely fit for purpose for adults living full-time with no restaurants available! Maybe for a couple of days, but not for two months or more.

[Ducks]

QUESTION: anyone know if the ferreteria in the Montecastillo centre up the hill in Caleta is open this week, or will be open next week? I'm having an unfortunate bug invasion and require some expanding foam...

[Johnrgby]

QUESTION: anyone know if the ferreteria in the Montecastillo centre up the hill in Caleta is open this week, or will be open next week? I'm having an unfortunate bug invasion and require some expanding foam...

It was not open when I popped into the Brit shop yesterday, but probably will be next week as it is under the stipulated size.

[Johnrgby]

My neighbour assures me, Monto,s the paint shop near Mercadona is open, they have a door open in the roller shutter and are serving people through that

[Sir Real]

Ha Ha Sir Real 
Corralejo to Lidl maybe then???

Maybe is about right

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Question: does anyone know what the sign outside of Mercadona says? It's posted after the shopping trolleys on the inner/second door. It said something "prohibido" but I did not want to cause an obstruction standing to take a pic and/or struggling through it in my limited Spanish. Is it about having more than one person inside, or something else?

I had a look at the signage at Mercadona in Corralejo today: 2 notices that I hadn't seen before.

This is basically saying that despite what it says on your receipt they are not accepting returns at the moment.

The other sign said that from Monday 11th May they will be open from 9am - 8pm.

The old sign re not forgetting to bin your gloves was still there but nothing with a 'prohibido' that I could see Ducks. Perhaps they have something else in Caleta?

General observations in Mercadona today:

No queue, straight in. No gel, just gloves.
Trolley parking areas in Fruit n Veg and fresh Meat section as others have pointed out. Very limited quantity of fruit n veg although a reasonable selection. Managed to get a pre-baked pie, yippee - that's lunch sorted for a couple of days. Only one flavour/variety of chilled coffee - with no cafes open it leaves little other choice of an on the go cold beverage as I find the fruit juices too acid undiluted and everything else is room temp. Better choice of flour today, has everyone had enough of home baking?

I keep meaning to record the message that they play continuously over the tannoy. I can remember 'let's rationalise fear' and 'this situation will pass' - they have become catch phrases.

When I came out of the shop I noticed a piece of heavy machinery working in the rocky area behind Mercadona - seemed to be making some new tracks through the malpais. Was impressed with the driver who laid down a carpet of old tyres on the pavement before taking the caterpillar treads over it, mind you the pavement is in such bad condition up there I don't think he could have made it much worse! He then proceeded to gouge ruts in the tarmac road  as he turned the vehicle! 

Other observations today:
A lot more traffic on the roads coming in to Corralejo, quite a lot of 'official' vehicles around. I parked in a legitimate space in town today to go to the bank (Sabadell ATM repaired), crossed the road on a zebra and was asked by Policia Local where I was going. To the bank - OK.
Drove through back streets to near Atlantic Insurance, crossed road on a zebra, was asked by same Policia Local where I was going! Insurance Office - OK.
I got back in my car and just as I was about to pull out the Police Car double parked by me preventing me from leaving or even opening my door. What now I thought? But it wasn't me. They proceeded to stop a guy on an electric scooter who was coming up the road, with a small child stood in front of him on the scooter. He had to provide ID and it looked like he might be in for a fine, after a lot of heated chat to and fro he walked off after about 10 minutes pushing the scooter, carrying the child, and looking thoroughly chastised! I just sat there quietly, trying to be invisible  .

Popelin (material shop) had a sign in the window saying opening on 11th May:


Mas que Nada, restaurant/café, in Corralejo near the big old HiperDino, is opening from the 11th:
they have a big terrace area so makes sense.

The office supplies shop just below Spar/Padilla is open but I couldn't see any times on the door. Need to get a new laser printer/scanner so will be in there next week.

So back on the road, forgot to call in the petrol station, got to Mercadona -report as above, back down to petrol station via Las Americas road. The repaving between Las Americas and Las Fuentes looks finished and just waiting for new plantings. However I couldn't carry on down to the Tamarindo roundabout, they are still working on that section, so I had to go back up near Marina Village and down the motorway to get back to the petrol station. 

Heading back to Tindaya but as I got near to Villaverde (opposite Casilla de Costas) I was distracted by four camels walking parallel to the road eating the vegetation as they went (they were actually on the old road). I had to stop and take a pic but I didn't want to get too close and risk them moving over to the new road, so not very clear. I know they're there and I can hardly make them out 


Queue outside Brikogar, no queue at Fenimoy, 1 person waiting at HiperDino. Convention of Guardia Civil outside the Agri co-op, 2 motorbikes, 2 or 3 cars.

[Johnrgby]

QUESTION: anyone know if the ferreteria in the Montecastillo centre up the hill in Caleta is open this week, or will be open next week? I'm having an unfortunate bug invasion and require some expanding foam...

Ducks I am reliably informed it was open yesterday.

[Captain Sensible]

An excellent video of Caleta de Fuste in lockdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25yiST0ovlw

[Ducks]

This is basically saying that despite what it says on your receipt they are not accepting returns at the moment.

The other sign said that from Monday 11th May they will be open from 9am - 8pm.

Maybe that's all the one in Caleta says, too. I'll take a look when I'm there this week— thanks!

Ducks I am reliably informed it was open yesterday.

Thank you! Will probably head up there on Monday as it's too late now. Spent the whole day on a wild goose cockroach chase after waking up in great distress at 5am from a roach-centered nightmare and thought I saw one scuttled down off the end of the bed!   Have absolutely taken the place apart and moved every single item in the property— nothing. Probably my imagination (the stress getting to me at last!), but if not, have sprayed everywhere and any existing unwelcome guests should find things highly uncomfortable. Will definitely feel better when I know all holes are 100% plugged, though!