FastFreddy2

I've some time to think about these comments, and I wonder ........ 1. As wearer's of high heels, does it actually matter about the shape of the heel? I get 'the look', but surely this would matter if we looking at someone else wearing a heel? When I'm out in a heel, I seldom get to see the shape of the heel I'm wearing, because it's (intentionally) hidden by clothes. 2. I too like a 5" heel, it being about as high as I can wear, and I would agree about shape too. I like to 'walk well' in a heel which means my upper limit is 5", and it's surprising the difference several millimetres make around that height for me. 5 or 6mm under, and I can/have walked for miles. 5" and I have to walk carefully, and not very far. 130mm (+5 or 6mm) and I don't walk very well at all? 3. "- more pain and more difficult to wear." At first I read that as a "plus", but was it meant to be? Am I alone in feeling more difficult=better?

Dunno it could be classed as a hobby, but I'm being pushed into finding out about CCTV for a friend. He has a retail outlet I installed a supplied system inside, but he's not happy with the image quality he is getting. [No surprises there really, as you won't get £800 image quality from a £200 system.] I thought I had it worked out with a proposal for a 1080p system at £500-£600. Tonights research brought me to IP cameras, with price tags for cameras starting at £80 (with probably questionable image quality) to more realistic prices from £400 to £2000 for one camera. I don't think the IP camera setup is going to fly, as the cost is a serious budget blower. Word to the wise though ..... If you are looking to install a CCTV system with images good enough to subsequently recognise intruders, expect to spend £500-£1000. Personal experience suggests 700 TVL quality cameras are okay for watching bods walking around, but facial recognition is unlikely. If any readers know differently, PLEASE speak up!

Me too. Just wish I could be 4 inches taller all the time.

Good question, to which I don't have an immediate yes/no answer! Mindful I'm an EU41 (usually) 4 inches of heel makes a difference to how I walk, or at least how I feel I walk. In that regard, I would consider anything I wear with a 4 inch or higher heel, to be a high heel. You would understand the relationship to foot length over heel height, which would likely give an angle-of-rise (AOR)? I have for some time been meaning to measure a 4 inch heel on Mrs Freddy's size EU 39 shoe, to produce an AOR for those shoes. I have in mind to then look at my foot/shoe length to find what height I would arrive at using the same angle with my slightly longer foot/shoe combination. I suspect I would need a 4¼" heel to get the same AOR, to enjoy the same challenge she might from a 4 inch heel? It maybe the angle produces less height, maybe 4⅛", I can't be sure until I've done the measuring. A 4 inch heel would be considered 'high' by just about everyone. If the AOR for my size produced an equivalent rise of 3½" (against your 4"/EU44), I'm pretty sure most people would describe 3½" as a high heel on any of my EU41 shoes too. The heel on your boots (pictured above) look borderline passable, but the slimmer heel would likely get comments if seen at work over here. They have to feel like a high heel or you wouldn't wear them? So if they look and feel like a high heel, they must be described as such? Ooops. Typo.

Cool!

These days I tend to wear the same type of heel, as the pavements in London are generally, not really suitable for a slim heel. The boot I wore the one time I went to a workplace in a heel, had block heels and the boot had something of a 'cowboy' style going on. My footwear might have more easily been noticed that night, if Mrs Freddy wasn't with me. My suspicion at the time was that seeing me with someone from the opposite sex, had those who knew me there, staring at the poor woman wondering what was wrong with her? (I sometimes wonder the same thing. ) It wasn't a place that saw many of the fairer sex visiting, so if one did, they were practically given celebrity status. Worked for me. Back on thread .... As you have been wearing heels to work for a while, if there was going to be an 'issue' of any sort, I think you would be aware by now. Sounds like you are doing very nicely in heels.

I'm pleased to hear your adventures continue. Is there never any comments on your footwear though? I once dared to walk into a bar I worked in, wearing some heels, and nothing was mentioned so I know it can happen. I had thought that since you are walking around in a heel regularly, there were plenty more chances to be spotted?

Just today, myself and Mrs Freddy were overtaken while driving along a dual carriageway by a motorcyclist. Hadn't rained for 30 hours and the Sun was out, road was dry and it was warm, so nothing unusual about the motorcyclist then? Well, the wide bars and low slung exhaust pipes alluded to a 70's style..... By way of giving my jaws some exercise I mentioned the bike. I said it was in extraordinary condition given its potential age, unless it was one of the 'retro' styles launched 8-10 years ago (with a target market being the likes of you two. ). I also said I'd read a review that ran something like; "frame that won't rust when you turn your back, chrome that won't peel at the first drop of rain, and brakes that work....." I wish you both luck. If we ever go back to getting less than 300 wet days a year, I might buy a 250R Ninja for personal commutes into London. Otherwise, it's 4 enclosed wheels for me.

Add the original delivery costs of the mules to the buy price (if you haven't already). Take 20p + 3.94% off your bid price if you were paid via P/P. Take 10% off your bid price and carriage charge paid (to you) for the auction house fees. (No listing fees if you started at 99p of course.). Take away what you ACTUALLY paid for carriage, and the cost of packing. Assume your time is worthless, and there was no time or cost involved in getting the package to your courier. Still in front? The £18 you got was very likely a good price, but I'd be surprised if you still actually 'made' money after the auction house took their fees.

Without a photo, even a pencilled sketch would help. I've no idea what "a grey ankle boots with a v cut out in the front" means..Cut-out for the toe? Cut-out where the foot enters the shoe? Is this tall boot anything like the style of the other one seen?

As reported above, I spied a pair of KG Cilla in Topshop at £75, during a late weekday evening 'returns' run. If I remember, 'flu' had me laid up the following weekend, so no immediate return for another browse and temptation session until around 8 days later. That's a long time during a London winter sale period. When I finally returned, the pair I saw, and any other residual stock at KG shops had gone. In truth it would be unlikely I would find myself wearing such a shoe outside, and if I did, it would have to be for a very short period on my feet given the absence of room in the toe box. But what a delicious fantasy to own a pair with the intention of wearing then out?

I can't say how many items I didn't win, just because I forgot to bid at all. Most of them went through the first time they were listed, with no bids at all from anyone. Next time around (for some reason) not only did people bid, but usually bid above my maximum. That said, I did snag a pair of boots with 5" heels for silly low money, with the seller advertising them as PU, when I knew they were leather. (As I already owned two pairs.) Seller was happy with me, as they got a bidder, I was happy, as I bought my third pair for less than half he price I paid for the previous pair(s). Borrowing a tagline from another brand; "You have to be in it, to win it."

Kelly out in her Saint Laurent's again?

Isn't ordering on-line the simpler solution to buying shoes if you can't find them in-store locally? And for those of you who would prefer that new shoes aren't delivered directly, perhaps the "Click and collect" facility that is becoming increasingly available?

I'm not sure if this is a good time, or bad time to be selling heels on an auction site? I haven't managed to sell shoes for a little while, and I'm loathe to start an auction for some at 99p which would be price that would give me a free listing. I know I have a few pairs to release from 'the collection', so I ought to make time to do another of my "What do I own" audits. I should (but won't) do a picture of every single pair on the premises, hers and mine, and do a montage of them....

I can easily understand that fruitless trawling for suitable shoes that fit, wouldn't seem like a good use of time. But my time in the West End isn't just for finding new footwear. As anyone who has met me will know, I'm seldom away from home without a heel on. The late afternoon/evening out meant I got to wear heels doing something I like doing; looking through the sale racks for 'bargain priced' shoes, and meeting someone I hadn't seen for a while of course. I have a method for this sort of shopping. Toward late Autumn I have a good look at the recently released styles, and decide which I'd like to own. Not always, but often, I'll try to establish which will provide a suitable fit. By the time the December/January sales arrive, I already know what the better prices are, and who might still have stock left. If I were looking to be as efficient or as effective as possible in my purchasing, I'd simply order everything I could afford from home. But I'd lose out on time in heels, and while it may be a chore to many, I actually enjoy trawling the winter sales looking for shoe bargains.

While 'doing' the winter (shoe) sales, I stumbled across the KG Cilla at £75, and in my size. At the time, I was returning 3 pairs in other styles to recover the cash invested. As I'd arrived at the West End late, I only managed to return 2 of the 4 items I was taking back before 90% of the stores closed, leaving me with 2 pairs still to return and only £68 recovered. The store with the KG shoes was one of those that had closed. With almost all the stores closing at 9pm I started to make my way back to my car. Noticing that a large Office store still had its door open, I popped in and left fairly quickly, before I was asked to leave. [Zara are good at this, giving shoppers an extra 5 minutes before they shut.] As I was leaving the Office store I noticed the store Opening Times stuck to the front door, and as they shut at 10pm, I went back in. Historically, I've not had ANY luck buying Office shoes, usually getting to find out they had something I liked, after they'd sold out of my size.... A style I'd managed to get hold of while a UK8 was still available, was the 'On Top' stiletto court in black patent. (A copy of the Jimmy Choo Anouk I have mentioned previously). It fitted fine, but I want a plain leather pair, as I already have a choice of two patent pairs already. The leather version has not been available for some time, and was never available as an 8 on their web-site while I knew the shoe existed. (They'd sold out of my size before I found out the style existed.) It hasn't stopped me asking in stores though. Seen as a probable complete-waste-of-time, it hadn't stopped the optimist in me enquiring. So while I was in the store, and while I couldn't get at the KG Cilla (to make a decision I'd probably regret whatever I did about them), I asked about a black leather pair of On Top in an 8 (41). They had a pair! Well, they did. £68 recovered - £65 spent. Hopeless! P.S. Having written about my new purchase, decided to try them on and strut about in them for a short while. Walking around, have found the left shoe squeaks! Explains why there was a pair left in a busy London store. I'd noticed 3 sets of numbers hand written on the shoe box. This is the type of mark ALDO staff apply I believe, to ensure they get their commission (if there is any). Looks like these shoes had at least two previous owners then? Not sure what I'll do, but looks likely they'll be going back.

Yep, they'll do.

He's a funny looking thing fella, though seems pleasant enough. I hope (after all this 'wind-up-Freddie' talk, ) the show is on Demand 5 or something....... I can't stand the format of the show any longer (like of lot of people, I think it's passed it's "Sell By" date). But I might be tempted if there's a high heel show going on in the background.

Christian Bale ...... enough said. I'm more comfortable wearing heels when it's busy. I think it's easier to hide something unusual in a larger group?

Found the style name, and then a piccy on the KG web site. Seems 'out-of-stock' items don't get found on their site search? Anyway, this is the style I tried, in a 41. Then found a bookmark for the shoe at Selfridges ..... That's a high heel.

As it turned out, yesterday wasn't the best day to travel (at the times I travelled anyway). Had worked until 10pm the night before, getting home the wrong side of midnight. Time I got washed and fed, it was the early hours. Tired, I struggled to get up as early as planned. Had to collect my walking partner from her relatives, where she'd spent Christmas. Traffic was quite bad either way, and arriving at lunchtime, I was further delayed by the family lunch. While I'd kept Heels fully informed of my travels and delays, it didn't help recover lost time. The last mile into the West End, took almost as much time as the rest of the journey, and parking ..... A further 35 minutes. Again, Heels was kept informed by text message all the way (with what seemed like 10 minute updates during the last hour), but it didn't help reduce the journey time. We arrived much, much later than originally planned. My apologies to Heels for that! Hopefully the pot of tea helped? I can only report on the couple of stores we managed to visit: Zara had lots in the sale, but knocking £20 off a £100 pair of shoes (or even £30), wasn't going to sway me. Certainly reducing a £40 pair by £10 wasn't likely to. Selfridges had quite a few pairs of shoes on sale. After faffing around for a bit, (trying to avoid the 6-7 person gang of Selfridge assistants) I finally tried on some Kurt Geiger court shoes. Reduced to £156, the fit in the toe box wasn't great, nor was the shoe covering style, as I almost always prefer plain black leather and these weren't. Have tried to find some images, but KG and Selfridges don't show them? They did have a 5" heel and no platform. Surprisingly easy enough to walk in, but tiny toe box. (I have slim, and pointed shape feet. Hard to imagine slimmer really.) Eventually tried on, and bought some ankle boots from the Topshop concession. (See elsewhere.) I expect they will have to go back, but at least I don't have to go to London to return them. Lovely boot, but maybe a tad small for me. We then went to Debenhams. More shoes, but nothing of interest to me. Heels tried on some open toe 'sling-backs', but couldn't decide whether to buy..... But wishing he had of, later on. I got spotted by some 'macho' male (ethnic) shop assistants working in the girls shoe section, who were seemingly amused at my heels? (Oh the irony.) I was tempted to get one of them to fetch some heels for me to try on (playing to the audience) but I was much much too hot (and annoyed) to wind them up further. About this time, my walking pal decided she'd had enough of shoes, so we had to call the shopping bit to a close at 8pm. We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. We did pop back into Zara while returning to the parked car, and I got to try on the £40 ankle boots reduced to £30. Fit was okay, but the £60 Topshop boots (very similar style) were significantly nicer, so no purchase made. Car journey back, took less than half the inbound journey time! On balance, the trouble of travelling in by car - despite the freedom it usually affords - just wasn't worth it. Worse, the range and value expected in the Winter sales, just weren't there. I had been tempted to return again the next day, with more time available, but decided it just wasn't worth it.

With a next door neighbour who isn't overly fond of cats, and ours with a taste for his plants (unbelievably ), I don't have the luxury of waiting. I've had a quick look at the problem. The post held to the (house) wall, has been pulled off the wall (!!!!) taking the fixings and mortar with it. The centre post between the two downed panels has snapped cleanly at the base. To replace the broken post, I will have to drill out the concrete around the remains, to a depth of around 2ft. A nasty job in any location, but made worse as the hole is between two patio's (neighbours and mine). And on my side, the hole will be immediately adjacent to our shared (main) drain, with the access cover practically touching the broken post. It's going to be all too easy for me to do something that'll be very expensive to repair .... As reluctant as I usually am to "buying-in" support, it might be a prudent move to sub-contract this job out to a builder with good insurance cover. Will try to take some piccies over the weekend.

Hi Stranger Ludovic..... I have no idea how you could try the first pair, and not walk out the store having bought them ..... Something I would not have managed.

Something like these? I have 3 pairs ..... Not that easy to walk in.