Shopping is the only fun that you have while "sitting" on shore :) And preparations are best made during that time. Receiving 27 extra courtesy flags was joyful! Most were for the Caribbean islands but some are for the Pacific as well :)
Not to mention ordering new Raspberry PI, wifi repeaters, Aqua filters, epoxy kits (for fixing surfboard), spare cooker parts and so on and so forth...
Main thing it is way cheaper to buy online than in the chandleries. For example - one flag costs about €10 while online it can be found for 3 times less...
Though another question can be raised - is it still so important to pay a respect with hoisting courtesy flag? What would happen if a boat would cross countries without it? I had to go to Malta without one as all chandleries were out of stock in Greece. Also I have seen only very rare boat which would hoist Canary Islands or Madeira flags over Spanish and Portuguese.
