FastFreddy2

I wonder if one of the "guests" who visit, but either don't log in or aren't members, saw them and bought them? It does show the right sized boots are out there, if you are into a heel. Though I have my doubts they have a 13cm heel. The boots in the pictures certainly don't look to have.

Not that you're into heels, but it would make things easier if you were .... I think you are a UK11?

From Public Desire IIRC. Too loose on the legs for me. I had finally bought some boots that fitted my leg, but had a slightly 'in-grown' heel on one foot. Having returned them because of that, I was waiting for a repeat of the discount that had me buying them in the first place. It's just happened. My size; 'Out of Stock'. Typical. Even with discount they were £40, and not something well made enough to wear out I suspect. Lovely fitting boot though. No pictures as I had hairy legs at the time - not that much of my leg could be seen.... Maybe next year ....

I wish ..... Temperature level is getting worse. When I mentioned "Arctic", I had no idea how prophetic I was. Apparently we are currently enjoying weather pulled down from the Arctic by the Atlantic jet-stream. Lucky us! Better weather might be on the way for May. I look forward to it.

I shared the same view, with regard to her as Home Secretary. I liked much of what she said, but was always left disappointed when 'words' were not followed up with 'actions'. I am wondering - with the benefit of hindsight, that perhaps her bosses (Cameron for example), may have toned down her (good) intentions fearing political backlash to her sometimes non-PC views? So far, she seems to doing what she promised. Novel in itself. I was never a fan of Thatcher, not least because back then I had slightly more left-wing views. Because of how the miners were treated, I would still dance on her grave if given a chance .... Her one redeeming action for her career was; The Falklands. I don't know Teresa May is "milder". It takes a lot of courage to steer our country away from from Europe, and Teresa shows signs of 'emotional intelligence' that Thatcher lacked. I think they are both as strong as they need to be, but one was more abrasive. Had that not been the case, perhaps her own party would not have removed Thatcher from office. Teresa supported the 'party line' of being seen as a Remainer, but I read a report somewhere that there was some evidence her heart wasn't in it. I certainly don't remember reading her say she was disappointed with the Referendum result. I doubt she would care to admit it, but like Corbyn, I suspect many front line politicians have nationalistic views they don't declare for obvious reasons. I would imagine any practising Christian who is a member of the CoE, will likely have leanings toward nationalism, despite what an Archbishop had to say regarding his "personal" views .... What is it they say about dinner-party subjects for discussion? NEVER talk about politics or religion.

Headlines are suggesting TM is lining up a manifesto that includes; the end to free movement across UK borders, leaving the single market, and unsigning ourselves from the European Court of Justice. Too much good news for one day, I may need to have a lie down.

Sort of 'on thread' ..... Didn't Teresa May play something of a 'blinder' today? I thought after Brexit was initiated legally, 'politics' would take something of a back-seat. Not at all! It would seem that T.M. will silence all her critics and all the Remainer/SNP refuseniks in one go, with what will doubtless be a landslide vote. With no opposition of any merit, and with no time for them to prepare for a surprise General Election either, this is likely to be a one-horse-race.

Having re-read the story to this point, it's entertaining for me to reminisce how 'kitty' has progressed through it's 4 years of life (or what's coming up to 4 years.) As has been the case for some time, my life pretty much revolves around what he wants to do, mostly because my work life can come second to his 'needs'. It's not without its rewards though. It's nice to feel liked. A typical day might start - when he has the chance - by Mrs Freddy letting him out into the garden at 5 or 6 am. Only if the weather is warm and dry would she let him out and leave the back door ajar, so he can return an hour or so later after she has left for work. Once back, he'll re-join me to resume his slumber on our bed, almost always nuzzling me to let me know he has returned. Otherwise, he will sleep until say 10 or 11am if he was out late the night before. I'm not sleeping the day away, but Mrs F is usually out of the house by 5.30 or 6.15am. Once up, the cat has some munch and a bit of attention while often sat on my lap. He's not bothered if I'm drinking a coffee or eating my breakfast.... After some fuss, he's off out for a quick wander (toilet duties). I have kept the border on one side of the garden clear and dug over for this purpose. I have told neighbours I will 'make good' any unwanted deposits by our cat, but I keep a large area in our garden for his toilet requirements. The only downside to this is that a neighbours cat quite likes it too.... After a short return for a proper food top-up, he's then out for wander that might keep him out for an hour or two. I suspect the lady a couple of doors down has made friends with him, or he's found somewhere in her large garden to watch the world. He's like me in that respect, happy to watch the world (drink it in). After his return home and more food, it's afternoon nap time. Once he goes 'off', very little will disturb him. For some reason he likes being high, and the higher the better. Top of that wardrobe mentioned earlier, is still popular. In warmer weather, our North facing garage is cooler, darker, and his sleeping place is 4ft off the ground. More recently, he's found a place in a room we use for storage. I have some hardboard sat on a stack of bins, and he's managed to get up there to sleep, again 4ft off the ground. I am wondering if this is a safety thing? Afternoon naps can last quite a long time, depending on the season. At the moment he sleeps late, waking for food before going out for his dusk wander. I read that cats are most active at dawn and dusk. Once back, he'll often have a munch, then a snooze on the backrest of our couch as we eat and/or watch some TV. When Mrs Freddy gets herself off to bed, he's out for another wander (and likely toilet duties) before returning for the night. He is getting into the habit of staring out of the front door for an hour after returning home. Not sure why, unless he's making notes on what cars leave the street, and which return? Or maybe he's checking on the wildlife. We see foxes and deer around the house from time to time. (As well as other nocturnal animals like hedgehogs, mice and bats.) A year ago I watched a mouse climb a brick wall after I scared off the cat that was chasing it. Amazing feat. I now understand how they could get into lofts.... The big change in the cat is that he's become more vocal. He's worked out that if he sits next to a door and makes what sounds like a "Moww" noise, someone will arrive if he makes the noise often enough. It's how he announces he would like to go into the garage to sleep (as he's just done), or get to the front door to do some traffic/wildlife watching. He's also getting a taste for 'welcoming', either people coming home, or when he enters the room. Although Mrs Freddy can arrive home for him to stay sleeping, it's almost unheard of for him to stay asleep when I return home. He also likes a face-rub when he comes in from a wander. That could be a face-rub against a leg, or his preferred rubbing place, someone's face. He is still as timid, and noise adverse as ever. Not bothered by aircraft any longer, post deliveries, or people ringing the door bell really upset him. Even me running briskly up the stairs, has him wide-eyed and sometimes side-on with his back arched.... His hearing is as good as ever, as is his jumping skills. And he still likes to end his day sitting on my chest while I'm in bed, getting some fuss before he walks to the bottom of the bed and we both go to sleep. Worryingly, it's becoming a habit I've gotten used to as well. If I've been in bed for more than 10 minutes and he's not appeared, I have to go find him. Good job too a couple of times, because he's obviously followed me into a room and I haven't noticed, then I've closed the door behind me locking him in. On balance, does our cat add to our lives? Mrs Freddy would say "yes" because she thinks I dote on our cat. She has perhaps missed how much I care for her, and I do considerably more for her than I do for the cat. He does contribute to my life though, in that he demands affection, and I think we all need that. When I'm not home and she arrives from being out, the cat will usually make a fuss at her returning and that's nice too. If anything untoward should happen to him, certainly he would be missed. Despite being older, he's still 'cute as a button' too.

While the past week has been largely dry, the temperature has plummeted, and the wind has a 'bite' to it. It may even be, over the next couple of days the UK will see ground frost! Overall temperatures have dropped 10 degrees C, and over the next two nights it is expected to drop a further ten from a week ago. Two potential attempts I expected to make during the week for a walk out in heels, didn't even get to the starting blocks because by 6pm, it was simply too cold (and windy) to bother. Me needing darkness to 'flounce' around in heels close to home, currently means waiting until past 8pm. Not a problem in warmer weather, but one too many challenges when clothing suitable for Arctic walks are also required. Hopefully, this time next week .....

Another one, trying to get in on the act ....

I had the same plan for last year, and DIY/decorating work got in the way. Oh, and an allotment that I gave up this year. (Spent 3 seasons digging rubble out of the ground, finally realising it was more of a civil engineering job than growing produce situation. Doubtless someone else will get the benefit of my hard work, but at least the ground will finally become productive. It was left as wasteland for something like 6 years before I got started on it and was part of a building site before that.) I've not ordered up those tyres yet (need to earn some pennies) but they are in the frame as an urgent purchase. Before they arrive, I will have to suffer punctures - when I finally wipe the dust off my bike and pump up the tyres of course. I've access to some long tarmac/hardpack routes that while being "off-road" don't offer the challenges of cross-country cycling. They are good routes to build up a bit of stamina, not that I tend to suffer fatigue problems with cycling limiting myself to 10-15 miles sorties. I would love to go further, but 'tyre reliability' has been a bit of a problem, soon to be resolved I hope.

From another page found on the link above .... Perhaps something like this would help (in the absence of spanx)? Shame the bottom of those boots have been cropped out of the frame. P.S. Giving up meat, would probably help with any 'pot-belly challenge', should anyone here be thinking of taking one. Bread, I'm finding, also has a lot to answer for - in my diet at least. Watching a programme recently on how the Normans took on the Saxons in 1066 revealed an interesting fact of the times ... 70% of the soldiers food intake consisted of bread. Back then of course, people were generally smaller, in all dimensions. I like brown wholemeal bread so much, I could easily live on a diet that was 70% bread, though maybe wouldn't enjoy the size of the likely diminutive portions offered back then.

And the trend continues ....

Yes. Or if the crew were required to staff the aircraft they were travelling on for a return or follow on flight, increasing the the buy-back compensation until 4 passengers 'cracked' would have done the job. Even at $1500 per seat, still cheaper than the outcome. And that outcome might now have to include a complete re-branding if the airline is to survive.

I'm no Uber fan, but there's no 'special knowledge' of any travel route, that can't be incorporated into a program. Even when I put in the (wrong) road as my destination, Google told me the road was closed on that day. I didn't believe it, since that road hasn't been closed, any time I've used it during 'quite some time'. (Over 30 -ahemm- years.) Well, when I got there .... Closed. 'Cherished and protected' will be okay, for those who wish to spend years keeping it but 20 or 30 years from now, it'll be something from the past.

I'm pleased to read the response from a flyer. As I often report, it's something I don't do if I can possibly avoid it. (Cat-sitting is my current excuse.) United have also begun a 'character-assassination' regime of the flyer, to try and mitigate their position, which overall seems to be very anti-customer from what I have been reading. My conclusion (again, form reading) falls behind your summation in that paying passengers are no more than "live cargo". It's been reported that millions have fallen off the stock value of United, and there is a huge social media backlash against the company. I wonder if it will last much longer, given the wide and deep negative PR campaign throughout the world. These might be worth a read: Fly Friendly Backlash TV Show skit I suppose this is what happens when you graduate the Gerald Ratner School of PR.... The CEO should have issued a worldwide apology, and thrown $500,000 at the passenger's medical care needs, and quietly 'settled' any subsequent claim which should have included lifetime free travel with the company. But no, they thought they could ride out a bad report and blame the passenger. Silly mistake that will make that passenger's ticket for that flight, the most expensive in history.

My vehicle doesn't qualify for the new T(oxin) tax, according to the online checker. I almost never visit London inside the charging times and if I did, I'd be taking a Blue Badge holder with me, so no charges anyway. (Not at the moment at least.) I'm a recreational visitor these days, not a business or commercial visitor. While the current Mayor has concerns over NOx emissions, many people like me are aware the biggest culprits for this are London buses. One of the best known PR statistics for support of a 'T' tax, is the pollution rating of Oxford Street. Well anyone who has actually been there, (or taken the trouble to use Google's Streetmaps for that roadway) will know it's almost only used by London buses and black cabs during the day. During the summer months Mrs Freddy is reluctant to visit because she feels ill with all the fumes (and noise) from these buses (and taxis). The 'T' tax is just that, a visitors tax, since the underlying cause of the problem won't be changing, until TfL introduces electric buses or overhead power supplies for something that looks like a tram system. As to The Knowledge .... Google Maps (when you put in the right destination), provide you with the quickest route that includes up-to-the-minute traffic speeds and notation on traffic jams with alternative routes plugged in, on-the-fly. I don't like using phone 'apps', but that one has been a godsend on occasion. I won't be surprised if there are cabbies complaining during that TV programme that The Knowledge is now superfluous given modern technology.

Had something of an epiphany.... And found this .... £10. Very affordable. Sadly, all sold out!

There were moments when I almost felt beaten. Especially at times when for example, Mr Google Maps was telling me to drive forward between large red lollipops with white stripes, which were clearly indicating I couldn't. The journey home confirmed my 'righteous' decision though. Quick, comfortable and cheap. Another trip to the same location ought to be easier next time, as I now know the right name to put into Maps, rather than the road that is closed on a Sunday from time to time..... No point in getting older if you don't keep learning. I will concede, TfL do their best to make travelling into London, as unpleasant for the motorist as they can. Each year, new hurdles. In a couples of years, they might just be too high for me to jump.... Best enjoy it while I can then.

I haven't been a Topshop yet to have a look at them, but re-checked stock only a couple of days ago. I was expecting to visit their flagship store in Oxford Street this past Sunday, but the warm sunny weather, produced a walk in the Sun rather than a walk around the shops. While I was looking online, I also spotted red ultra shiny leggings after a search for "PVC" on the Topshop website, and thought I bookmarked the item. Seems not, and now the leggings don't appear on the web site at all. Oh well.

Although it was a late decision to go, London was visited at the weekend. Unusually, I struggled to get to a place where I could expect free parking to be available, thanks to warmer weather stimulating a raft of roadworks/road closures around central London. When parked, I had the car quite literally next to a tourist having an afternoon nap on a raised section high and wide enough to be considered a bench, outside the building I'd parked next to. While I had heeled shoes on, they weren't the more obvious, and higher blocked heeled boots I had expected to wear through the afternoon. We found a shop with sandwiches we liked, and took our purchases off to a pleasant recreational area close by. Lovely. Sadly, my bladder demanded some attention, so our stay was short when our food and drink was consumed. Once suitably relieved, we strolled around the river crossing bridges, enjoying the view but not so much the rising breeze while on the bridges. At the far end of our walk we crossed the Westminster Bridge, which has been in the news recently for tragic reasons. We thought we should visit, just to show, well, solidarity? There were floral tributes on all the light pillars. All quite sad, but has produced a feeling that has encouraged a stronger national identity and community spirit, typical of the UK when adversity strikes. On balance, we'd all prefer the incident hadn't happened though. The late hour was indicated by early signs of evening wear ... With the air cooling, we picked up the pace and walked along the Embankment, stopping briefly to take in the Battle of Britain memorial, which we didn't know existed. Quite poignant given what we'd seen (and felt) while on Westminster Bridge. Back at the car, now some time later, we began our journey home. Almost immediately a 'gaggle' of girls into very high wedge platforms appeared, and I was able to get a blurry snap off while stuck at traffic lights (for a very long time!) Something to look forward to then? Warm weather, long legs and heels. 'Playsuits' look to be very popular this year.

No pun intended ....

If the Kardashians (and their like) get their way .... And many more 'interesting' outfits seen at the Furious 8 premiere >> here << It's a fashion trend that's arrived 30 years too late to be useful to me, unless I suddenly find myself extremely wealthy, or extremely famous. Or join a 'reality show' that often has nothing to do with any reality I know ... Charlotte Dawson, who I believe is the daughter of the late/great Les.

That's going to be one loooooong list. I'll certainly give it a go.

Some of the noise will be from school children who are enjoying a couple of weeks holiday over the Easter period. The evening weather wasn't as warm as I'd hoped last night, and foolishly, I had not taken a jacket or any sort with me. After a fairly disappointing meal at Prezzo (food was okay but service was hopeless) the walk along the Thames was postponed until at least the weekend. Today looks to be another sunny day though.