I've averaged once evey 3 years in the last 9, except 2 back to back last year when mum died right after my visit. Now planning to go yearly. Dad doesn't yet need care, but it obvious he is lonely.
Otherwise, I would not be inclined to go back except special occasions.

Same here. I have not been back since 1996 for my mother's funeral.

Waitrose is generally regarded as selling mega top quality food even if it is a bit pricier than the other supermarkets...and each time you shop at Waitrose you get a free cup of coffee.

I know.

I find it difficult to go back since my parents died. I love the UK and I wasn't particularly close to my parents...but I do find it difficult now they are no longer around. I suppose it's because I deal with things by compartmentalising them...if it is painful...I put it in a compartment and close the door on it.

It isn't the same going back now that my parents have gone, but I still have siblings there, also one aunt and one uncle left, plus several cousins. I do understand what you mean though about it being difficult. The first time I went back after I lost my mum was so sad, but I wanted to spend time with my dad. He lived for 6 years after my mum died. After I lost my dad I didn't go back for 6 years. It wasn't really the fact that they were both gone, but other circumstances (divorce, new job, etc). I love going back though, and would go more often if fares were cheaper, I got more vacation time, etc.

Free cup of coffee? Is this something new? I don't remember this happening at our local Waitrose, and we left England just two years ago.

Yes, it's fairly new... they introduced a loyalty card a while ago (maybe just over a year ago or so..) and instead of points, they offer a free tea/coffee when you visit the store along with some discounts and so on (10% off for card holders on products here and there) ... there is some kind of newspaper deal as well, I think.

Interesting! Nothing stays the same, I suppose, once one leaves.

I always loved our Waitrose cafe, soo much nicer than the Tesco's. I would have loved a free cuppa there.

Our local waitrose doesn't have a cafe (which I'm sure would be lovely!), so it's just a coffee machine...

I never bother as there is usually a queue a mile long when I am there..

The daily mail was trying to whip up a bit of hysteria suggesting there was a bit of frothing at the mouth about the wrong sort of customers attracted by the coffee....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...cts-Chavs.html

A total non story really...

I think you get a free newspaper with a certain minimum purchase, as opposed to the tea or coffee, which is one per day with no purchase required.

But what a great article! Made me laugh so hard my husband woke up. Loved the "Put the papaya down, Orlando!" example of what folks love about Waitrose.

But I was amazed there were such complaints about the shopppers having coffee cups in hand. I think I must have acclimated--I never think twice now about seeing giant DD or Starbucks cups in the hands of shoppers. These cups have lids on, though.

But I can't really imagine a trip to the supermarket anymore without seeing coffee cups around me...though I have never, never personally bought one while I do my own shopping. That would just feel wrong! IMO, coffee belongs on a table in front of me, or me in a decent chair at least, for proper enjoyment.

I always get a drive thru coffee on the way to the supermarket. I just find it considerate to do so on so many levels....I am helping the local economy by supporting my local coffee shop, I am helping to keep a cleaner in work for those inevitable moments when I spill in the store, not to mention I am validating the life work of whichever genius saw fit to design a shopping trolley with cup holders! Not only cup holders, but different sized cup holders, so you can fit a normal sized coffee in the right side, or a fat git soda in the left hand side, and enjoy a quiet, smug chuckle at the perfect soccer mom getting it the wrong way round

My nearby supermarkets have a DD or Starbucks counter right inside the store itself. At first I found it so strange that there was no supermarket caf to sit in like in much of the UK, but now it seems normal--people just walk with their coffee, yes, mostly held safely in their trolley-holders.

I still can't quite bring myself to buy a cup myself to carry round the aisles...but who knows, stranger things have happened to me & someday I might do it.

And I still hate the no china cups even for "drink in" customers in American cafes! But that's a rant for another thread.