Originally Posted by ossylass (Post 701000)

Margaret, if you had walked past the cafe at the entrance and into the next hall (clothing department) you would have found several comfortable leather settees - where men sit while waiting for their womenfolk to try clothes on.:)

Originally Posted by MargaretR (Post 701011)

I should have realised what I was in for when I saw 'New Yankee Candle dept:(

Originally Posted by MargaretR (Post 917098)

At last the health problems caused by artificial scents/perfumes are being recognised.
Could scented candles kill you? They're many women's favourite indulgence | Mail Online

Originally Posted by MargaretR (Post 917102)

The problem I find with airborn pollutants is that you never know when and where you will encounter them.
Even a person wearing deodorant sitting near you on a bus is enough to make breathing difficult.
Taxis with those impregnated cardboard air 'fresheners' are the worst because the scent is confined in a small space.

I have found an (expensive) solution to the problem

Wein Air Supply Mini-Mate Wearable Air Purifier
The Home of Mini-Mate in Europe - reduce exposure to swine flu

I never leave home without it.

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 917106)

Does the mask have to be removed when you spark up?

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/smoke/stoned-smiley.gif

:D

Originally Posted by MargaretR (Post 917098)

At last the health problems caused by artificial scents/perfumes are being recognised.
Could scented candles kill you? They're many women's favourite indulgence | Mail Online

Originally Posted by MargaretR (Post 917107)

There is no mask - just this chunky box thingy hanging on the chest (about 3" x 2") - it doesnt look anything like jewellry.

As for 'lighting up' - natural fragrances such as pure tobacco leaf and essential oils do not cause me to gasp.

Originally Posted by MargaretR (Post 700772)

I ventured there today. I had been only once before and that was about 15 years ago.
It has expanded quite a bit in that time.
I went because I wanted some 'prize winning sausages', as reported in the local press.
The last ones I bought from ASDA went in the bin, and a previous attempt to find one that is tasty was from a local butcher - edible but bland.

The car parks were crowded and I had a very long walk to get in, across very rough potholed obstacle course.
I needed to sit before considering browsing, but the only seating is in cafes.
So I had a £1 cup of tea.

When I had gathered enough strength I decided to try to find this famous sausage shop.
It proved quite an ordeal because the whole place was saturated with the artificial scents from all that potpourri etc.
That stuff is near the entrance and other varieties of chemical deodorant are at other sites dotted about, so it can't be avoided.
I was beginning to audibly gasp, to the slightly alarmed looks from passing people - even the ones on sticks walked quicker than me.

I eventually found the sausage shop and a lovely helpful, smiling butcher man,
who sold me some, and gave me a freshly cooked sample to try.
Unfortunately, I did not have enough breath and energy to eat it in his presence because
there was nowhere to sit down.
Then eureka - on my way back through the chemical sodden air, I found two old metal chairs with stained upholstery in a corridor, and one was unoccupied.
I sat and nibbled my free sample, and was glad that I was not wearing light coloured clothing.

I then had enough strength to make the long walk back to my car.
I doubt I will be shopping there again, even if they have the best sausages in the world.