When we were in France at Easter we needed to buy a few things from a Brico type shop. We've tried out most of the ones close to us, but had never been to a Brico Dépôt so we decided to go to the one near Chatellerault. We found Brico Dépôt fairly easily on the N10 to Poitiers, but hadn't realised just how close it would be to Futuroscope. It is a bit of a 'pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap' sort of shop, but some things looked of a decent quality as well as amazingly inexpensive.
As some blog readers will know by now, I am very indecisive! I can never make up my mind. As Tim would tell you, I'm never in two minds about something, it's more like five or six!
Is it cheap because it will break quickly?
Will there be a nicer one elsewhere?
Is this the best colour? etc, etc etc.
Life is just too short to type out, or even think about the endless list of reasons why it might not be a good idea to buy something!
We ended up buying a few bags of 'pick and mix' nails, screws and bolts and a sprayer - all very useful stuff, but not priorities. What we didn't buy was the large, cantilevered, tilting sunshade we desperately needed for our terrace.............. similar to this.........
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| Ours is not exactly like this, but was only about one third of the price of this one! |
I didn't do a distance check, but think Brico Dépôt was about 50km away from Le Petit-Pressigny. Needless to say we were back the next day again to buy it - about 200km all together! We will need to make another journey(s) in the summer to pick up a ladder as we forgot to take the trailer with us and there wasn't room for the ladder, the sunshade and us!
We are pleased with our sunshade, especially with the sunny weather we had when we visited at Easter and Whitsun. Time will tell whether it proves to be the bargain we think it was.
Watch this space ............
I know what you mean about being indecisive. Sometimes I know right away what I want and others, well you just have to take a chance and see what it is like when you get it home. Hopefully your sunshade will be a winner, it def. looks like a nice one. At least you have a need for it:)
ReplyDeleteI love the brolly! It will be worth the journey. Perhaps there should be a competition. I am sure I am more indecisive than you. I started to write a long treatise on this phenomenon but have spared you and pressed delete!
ReplyDeleteJane and Sweetpea,
ReplyDeleteOur terrace in France is raised and southfacing, so if the sun is out we get it!
Last year was our first summer at the house and we had to keep moving our smaller parasol in order to get some protection.
This summer it will probably rain....... in July and August!
I'd be interested to hear how it goes long term as I've always found that you tend to get what you pay for. The large sun shade looks to be just the ticket so I hope it keeps you nice and cool for many summers!
ReplyDeleteGenerally I would agree with you Craig. I'm just hoping that this time you are wrong!!
ReplyDelete