My husband and I were pretty much housebound for over three weeks during a recent bout of illness.

Neither of us could have shopped if we tried but we didn't have to, thanks to the wonder of internet shopping.

We also could not cook, had no appetite so relied on lots of small ready meals and light delicacies that would tempt out appetites.

So, really, we were set.

Yeah!

I can shop online with the best of them but grocery shopping online seems to be a totally different kettle of fish.

I have tried once before, when I was of sounder mind and not sick, and that was a disaster. So why I expected things to get any better when I was truly not feeling well, I do not know.

What I do know is when I was in good health I got muddled up and, on one occasion, ended up with about 11 bottles of wine and 16 cans of baked beans.

In theory grocery shopping online could not be easier.

Apart from anything else, if you shop from the same supermarket all the time they actually give you a list of what you ordered previously which should help.

My problem - one of my problems - is that I am attracted to the specials. But sometimes I misunderstand them.

That is why recently we ended up with something like 20 yoghurts. When I look back, I knew they were on special offer but did not realise that they actually came in packs of four. That is what happened with the baked beans, too.

My daughter has come to visit so we are eating wonderful meals that she is cooking and buying fresh ingredients each day.

By the time you read this column she will have left to take up a new job in Indonesia. But, don't worry, we are fine.

After all, we still have around 22 ready meals, four of five packs of ice cream, two loaves, goodness knows how many packs of yoghurt and three lots of toothpaste in the cupboards. I also have a battery-operated toothbrush, despite the fact that I already have an electric one.

When I felt better and decided I could try a wine, I discovered this wonderful bargain online. I ordered six bottles of wine because they were so cheap. Yes! Because they were miniature bottles!

There are those who might disagree, but I consider myself a reasonably well functioning human being but when it comes to internet grocery shopping I am a total idiot.

Actually, who am I kidding. When it comes to supermarket shopping of any kind I am a total idiot.

I can write an extensive list at home and still discover that I have not got half the stuff on the list and added another 20 things to my trolley that I didn't have on the list in the first place.

I can lie in bed at 3am, unable to sleep, and successfully buy a new book for my Kindle. I can buy Christmas and birthday presents online or in shops without a single problem. When it comes to grocery shopping, however, I am a total dunce.

I can't work out genuine bargains but am beguiled by anything purporting to be bargains I never take the time to consider whether the bargain is genuine and I certainly never consider the fact that I will never use six artichoke harts. They are on special so I must have them!

When we are well, my husband and I have the perfect solution to my supermarket mishaps - he does the shopping and I stay at home!

He doesn't even like me accompanying him if I am around He claims I hold him back and cost him too much money!

Anyway, our bank manager will be happy to know that we are both well on the way to recovery.

Once our daughter goes my husband can resume grocery shopping and I can close down the computer.

Hope we have enough yoghurt! Hope he remembers the wine!