Things I Can Never Walk (or Wheel!) Past Without Looking At

There are some shops I just can’t go past without having a look.

I don’t necessarily need to buy anything; I just like having a nose to see what’s there. Of course, whether I actually come out without buying something is another matter.

Ash doesn’t mind me nosing either. In fact, he’s normally just as likely to point something out because he knows I’ll want to look.

I Have to Look in the Gift Shop

If somewhere has a gift shop, I’m going in; I mean, just look Punny Dukes (the Zoltar and Pawlice Box are inside too).

Magnets, pins and plushies are normally the first things I look for, especially if they’re connected to wherever we’ve been. I like coming home with something that reminds me of the day.

Sometimes I might get a little carried away.

When I recently went to see the Highland cows, I came home with a jumper, plushie, two magnets, socks and a bag (100% a true story).

Anything a Bit Different

I always stop for unusual jewellery, especially if it has gemstones in it or there’s something a bit quirky about it.

The same goes for anything spooky. If I spot a ghost, I’m going to have a look.

Crystal shops are another one. If I see one, I’m going in. The only ones I’ve passed by are those I couldn’t get my wheelchair into, which is always disappointing.

I like antique and curiosity shops for much the same reason. You never really know what you’re going to find.

Craft Markets and Small Businesses

Craft markets are probably one of my favourite places to have a nose.

I love seeing what people have made, and if the businesses are local, that’s even better. Plus, you can go to the same market more than once and always manage to find something completely different.

I buy quite a few gifts from small businesses and craft markets too. It’s nice finding something a bit unusual that I think someone will really like. So yes, if you get a gift from me, it’s likely to come from a small market I’ve been to.

I quite often end up finding something for myself too.

Cards, Plushies and the Occasional Bookshop

If we go into a card shop, the singles are normally where I head first; you never know if they will have the one to complete your collection or not! So I like seeing if they have any Pokémon or Disney cards I want before looking at the packs.

Then there are plushies. Winnie the Pooh is obviously going to get my attention, but really anything cute is at risk of being picked up for a closer look.

Socks and PJs are also very good at getting my attention.

I don’t go into bookshops as much these days because I listen to audiobooks, but I do sometimes like looking at the special editions.

The last time I went into one, I came out with pins (Moomin pins, to be exact).

Candles, Cakes and Random Dogs

If there are candles, they need to be sniffed.

A bakery is also going to make me look because I do like a cake.

And it isn’t just shops that make me stop. If someone walks past with a dog, I’ll be going, “OH HI!”

Ash will often point out animals, shops or random things he thinks I’ll like as well. He’s quite happy to let me have a nose.

What can you never walk (or wheel!) past without having a look?

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