FastFreddy2

Part II. As soon as we entered the foyer, I sensed I might be in trouble. Far from the gentle lighting and carpeted floors I'd been expecting, the vast and mostly empty hall was brightly lit with a hard wooden floor. Just about every step I took, seemed to echo back from every direction. Looking for somewhere to escape the sound of my own footsteps, we did a 180 degree turn and headed back to the bar, situated between the entrance and exit wall. Standing quietly for a minute or two waiting for our coffee (missed after our early dinner), I surveyed the place looking for some refuge. I immediately noticed a couple sitting on a soft bench seat not far from us, with the man turning around more often than seemed natural. Doubts about the wisdom of wearing a stiletto began to invade. The Bar. To the left is the 'official' entrance, to the right, the doors marked 'exit'. On the far side of the bar, there were some empty, and comfortable looking seats. Given they were at the back of the foyer, most foot traffic would be walking past with their back to us as they passed, so these seats were chosen as our waiting position. We had the better part of 30 minutes before the performance started. Seated view. Immediately to our the left, the 'exit' (used by those in the know as a second entrance. Opposite the doorway, the stairway down to a car park, or up to the circle seating area. We were positioned at the far end of the Bar (to the right on the first picture). The theatre entrance, is to the right of the view, on the far side. We'd quite a good view, though while sitting, my shoes were just about in plain sight. One drawback of our position, was being right next to entrance to the Bar and a staff room. While few people looked back at us as they passed, at least two staff walked to and past my shoes a good number of times. One young lady (someone I would speak to later) had a very good look at my shoes, and gave me a smile as she passed walking toward the Bar. Enjoying my coffee, I began to acclimatise. After about 15 to 20 minutes, with coffee finished, we went into the theatre. There were more people about, so the foyer had become a little noisey, which helped my confidence level. Getting past the usher and down the stairway to our seat, was without incident. I finally found some slightly more subdued lighting, but it was far from dark. The hard (noisy) wooden floor was everywhere. As the 7.30pm deadline approached, the theatre was still far from full, but I knew all the seats were sold. While the dress code seemed to be a bit mixed, my seated view wasn't totally unpleasant. To the left. To the right. The performance started about 10 minutes late, and ushers were showing really late arrivals to their seats as soon as the first composition stopped and clapping started. (What's up with you people? ) These distractions stopped pretty much after that. The first leg of the performance was as good as expected. I was a little sad that Mrs Freddy was so reluctant to see the show, as I'm sure she could have enjoyed it, despite her reluctance. The view of the band from our seating position. A closer look. I'd expected the opportunity to take more photo's, and better quality ones. But almost everyone there was on best behaviour. I only saw two 'proper' cameras, and both of these were SLR grade, with no bright (distracting) screens. Had I realised it would be possible to get these in to the theatre, I might have been tempted to take my Lumix G5 with fast lens. (Ho-hum.) I did get a couple of photo's, but I had to pick my moments. I think I only saw one person using a mobile with flash, during the whole two part performance! The break seemed to arrive quite quickly. I had kept my fluid intake to a minimum, to ensure I didn't find myself needing the toilet during the performance. Not wishing to compromise that, it was decided we'd get an ice-cream rather than a drink. Probably smaller queue too. Walking a short distance back up the stairway, I was watched -with some intent- by a mother and her young daughter. Both looked at my shoes while they could, and then at me, when the seats hid my shoes from view. (I'd obviously been spotted on the way in.) Outside, it was busy, thankfully. Busy = noisy. We got our tub of really nice (though expensive) ice cream. Looking around, I tried to do some shoe spotting: This is a photo taken close to the Bar, to show what the foyer looked like at its busiest. Coincidently, notice the blonde haired girl on the left of the picture, she is the same girl who sat next to me. Nice wedges. Interval shoes 1 Interval shoes 2 Interval shoes 3 Interval shoes 4 Interval shoes 5 Interval shoes 6 There was one girl there, with what looked like Louboutins, and a short white dress doing not much to hide her attractive/long legs. Don't know how she managed it (careful partner maybe), but was never very close to the larger crowd. Ice cream finished, we returned to our seats. This time walking down the stairs, only the mother watched me pass, her daughter distracted elsewhere. Once seated, we only had to wait a short while before the second part of the evening performance started. The tempo was raised, and it seemed everyone was having a good time. There was an encore, then all too quickly the entertainment had finished. While I'm considered a 'bit careful' with money, I thought the performance was worth every penny spent, and worth every bit of effort to get us there to see it. I would be happy to go again. Mindful we had a bit of a journey to get back home, I waited for the toilets to become less busy, before using one. I saw some more styles of shoes while waiting. Time to go 1. Time to go 2. Time to go 3. Of course, I also wanted to get a picture of me there in heels too. Which turned out to be a lot harder than you might think. Even though the venue was fast becoming empty, people including staff of course, were moving about everywhere. The second photo taken as discreetly as I could, was done almost under the nose of two chatting coat-room staff, one of whom watched with interest. After the second photo was taken, one of around 6 attempts, I used the toilet and we left. The exit being right next to a toilet, and the car only 40-50 yards away, we were soon back at the car. Some people had walked around us as we made our way back, but the evening over, I was no longer concerned if anyone were to notice my footwear. And the chap with the wheeled overnight case that followed us along our route, would have been in no doubt about it at all. All that remained, was to leave the car park, and take a diversion home via the West End if it remained warm. As I sat in the car, I could little notion of the disasters that were about to unfold, to complete the evening. ......

Very daring! And you haven't been 'spotted'?

I finally found a live version, which might be preferred by you Amy Lee fans. As always, music I link needs to be listened to with either a good set of 'over-ears' headphones, or speakers capable of 50+ watts and 40mhz frequencies (or you'll lose ground shaking effect of the track.) Seems to me to be very Jeff Wayne-esk, waay more rock than dance, despite the use of synthesisers.

Westfield White City, finally confirmed the >> Exhibition << I'll probably be there next Wednesday,

FINALLY, the bike went back today. Cost me £50 to return it, and may not be the best use of my meagre funds ...... But £800 on something I could not enjoy, seemed like a worse decision. It's been quite a bitter experience. Mrs Freddy is pleased the huge container the bike stood in (and the bike) have left the building. It practically filled up all of the empty space in one of the ground floor rooms. All I need to do now, is wait for a refund ......

Also been to the cinema a number of times in heels, but never in stiletto's. You seem to have gone from one extreme (never - or a late Friday sojourn) to practically wearing them everywhere? Good for you! We've never lived far from a cinema, and the one we use the most, is within walking distance even in heels. We only know about 10 people in our new locale, so chances of bumping into people we know are slim. BUT, I do feel quite paranoid leaving the cinema. It's a busy place going in, lots of people milling around, but is usually quite desolate when the movies end. I nearly always need the loo before leaving, so noise is an issue (for me at least). Our last visit was to see Oblivion. There were about 10 people watching, and I made sure we were the last to leave. (Not least because the final 'track' on the film is quite haunting.) As much as I see a cinema as a place to wear any heel, in practice, I've failed to complete the venture. I even went to a cinema in Hendon once, to be far enough away so as to be unconcerned about being seen in a high stiletto heel. I chickened out, given the ethnic profile of those using the place. Some cultures have VERY strong views on what could be called mixed gender dressing? And if I remember correctly, once tickets were bought, you had to climb up an open stairway immediately in front of the ticket staff and ushers. Not the end of the world getting in, but I had concerns about coming back out (and down that stairway) in front of a waiting crowd of staff. One day? ......

A couple of styles from Paris during the occupation. From >> here << It would be hard to deny the influence these styles have on shoes available today? Probably the main difference might be materials..... Then, leather tops and repairable leather/rubber soles with our 'use and dispose' polyxxxxx and butyl unwanted (and unheard of).

Hello and welcome. My experience is that many members here and at HHp would like to wear a heel publically, but few are able, for one reason or another. It's good to hear you are one who does wear a heel in public.

Hello and welcome.

I might have the family name from the payment email address, but even with a name, the seller has to agree a receipt date to ensure someone is about to take delivery. The shipping box is large, and weighs circa 20kgs. If the seller doesn't respond, eventually I get their full details from the auction site anyway. But I'm still stuck with both parties agreeing a return date. Ironically, the very thing the seller claims he is chasing me for.

I had something of an epiphany today. On an earlier post I mentioned I was going to re-use some of the redundant 22mm hot water supply pipe, but couldn't because it had a hidden hole in it. The hole had been kept plugged by a "black scab" that was probably oxide. I had thought -until today- the two pipes shown above were both hot water pipes, because they are both routed via the hot water tank cupboard. [Often referred to, as the airing cupboard.] Me thinking, one pipe went to the bath and sink, the other fed another room. [Kitchen, downstairs loo?] The epiphany was that one of the two pipes was actually the bathroom cold fill. (And it is. ) So why should that be surprising? The main cold water storage tank sits immediately above the bathroom, at worst, 8ft from the bath tap (and closer to 6ft.) Yet the actual cold fill goes via the airing cupboard (where it replaces hot water used), then comes all the way back across the house piped with the hot water. A combined route of around 25ft. So instead of looking at two hot pipes, I now know one is the cold fill, one the hot. And not 4ft from the current (hot water pipe leak) and on the same run, was the hot water pipe with the hidden leak I had removed before it failed. It now looks like it may not have been residual flux (though it still might), but could be poor quality copper pipe? Unless the oxygen in hot water corrodes significantly faster than that in cold water? Either way, that length of pipe has to go. But how, since it runs under a wall, and a newly installed toilet? Thanks to the epiphany, I'm sure I can use what I know to be the redundant cold fill pipework! (Yay!) I can terminate the cold fill in the bedroom where the recent leak was, and crossover the hot water to the (currently redundant) cold water pipe. I'll need to change the pipe connection for the hot water feed in the bathroom, but that's no bother. When it's done, I should have no further need to worry about the temporary fix letting go either.

The seller will now accept it back, provided I give them a dispatch date. Thing is, they will provide an address, but no name of the addressee. I can't book transport without a person to deliver to.

Never gonna happen. I'm not 'mad keen' on thigh/OTK boots anyway, though I did own some from Priceless Shoes, I didn't like taking off. They were made from a neoprene type material, and fitted like a glove. Sadly, the construction quality of the rest of the boot wasn't up to much. Okay for looking, not so good for wearing. Hey-ho.

Spotted some thigh boots in PU with 5" heels on an auction site, made by a company called Sexyca. I'd tried on a pair of their knee boots some years ago in Northampton, and a UK8 was a perfect fit. The boots spotted on the auction site were a little under £30 delivered. The calf measurement was close to mine, why not try them? (I live in hope.) Have a look. Obviously, they went back.

The water gremlins visited again, week ending Friday 30th August ..... As at Wednesday or Thursday 29th, I got an unpleasant smell in the storeroom that will one day be our 'living room' or front room. Given I have all my sealants there, and other noxious chemicals, I thought I would wait to see if it disappeared before calling in the M.o.D. and the Chemical Warfare unit. Sunday p.m. finally had me both; recognising the (too familiar) smell of wet plasterboard, and looking upward to find the cause of the smell. Water, obviously from a leak. Interestingly (from the house plumbing technical point) a leak from somewhere I thought was devoid of pipework...... A scan into the next small box room, had me looking at almost running water, seeping into air-brick as it dripped down the wall. Instantly galvanised into action, I started cutting up floorboards, of the ONLY room in the house we'd thought could be left alone. First obstacle, the neat/clean/tidy laminated flooring, now only suitable for firewood. Next the floorboards..... And the best tool for the job, my Worx Sonicrafter multi tool. These tools cut floorboards with the minimum of fuss, and minimum of damage. I still had to get the nails out of the boards to lift them though. (I'm no cowboy ). I have a technique that involves removing wood from around the top of the nail, and then using mole-grips to 'wiggle' the nail out. Leaves me a countersunk hole where I use a wood screw to hold the board down later. Some skirting board had to come off the wall too. Probably an hour after starting, and some 3 or 4 days after first smelling a leak, I finally found it. Another pin hole, so small it looked like a spiders thread, but releasing water 24/7 for probably 4 days, had let a considerable amount of wet stuff wash over joists. ceilings and walls. We used the same shaped plastic curve utilised twice before, filled with Fernox LS-X to effect a temporary repair. Of course the hole wasn't away from a wall or joist .... So the temporary repair might be permanent until the boiler is replaced and the pipe will become redundant anyway. See pictures. Usually I have to use plastic tie-wraps to close the patch, but this time I managed to get some jubilee clips (clamps?) around the patch, though not the whole length of the repair. Of course the hole would be just about under the edge of a floor board, a partition wall sits on! Looking at the second picture in the post, you'll notice a red circle toward the bottom right-hand corner of the picture? This is where I wasn't very careful with the multi-tool, and scraped the moving blade across the top of the two copper pipes. Fortunately, the scrapes are in a good position to repair using solder and copper. I'll be sorting that out before the boards go back. I'd like to replace the section of pipe wear the leak is, but that means removing the nearly installed toilet, and lifting the floor in the bathroom. And that just isn't going to happen! .....

And because I didn't send it back promptly, he's now refusing to take it back. So I've raised a case with the auction company.

Almost, but not quite the same ...... ...... seen earlier in D.M.

Two pairs of jeans gone too. so now down to something like "loads still" pairs. And as long as I don't put on any weight (and preferably lose some), all the jeans I have left, fit me. Though I'm still finding jeans I've acquired (almost always from M+S) in bags left in 'temporary' places. Must consolidate them, again.... And maybe count them too. I'm still struggling to find a dark blue denim jean, with bootcut leg and higher waist. Easy in black, much harder for my 'signature' dark blue. Might have to start advertising some more of the ankle boots I won't live long enough to wear ..... As attractive as I think they are.

Rock/Heavy metal/Thrash ....... It's all the same to me.

"Queen" ...... Probably gods to you heavy metal folk ..... But highly over-rated to us soul boys.

Excellent. Watched the vid with much interest, thinking they looked slightly familiar? I don't watch BGT, but apparently, they did that some time ago? Turn off the sound ..... He can hold a note, but he's not a singer >> << Some stills from their web site .....

I couldn't find the audition, though it looks like the whole 2013 series is there? Just no specific trapeze vid, as yet. Would you know the show number? I did find something that looked potentially similar. From 'Ukraine Got Talent'. Not office safe. >> << P.S. If you don't speak Ukrainian, might as well skip forward to 2:30 when 'the show' starts.

Well, it was less than perfect..... So I cried ...... It has some transit damage, that was inevitable given how it was packed. I think I pretty much found a way to accept each of the problems I found (although I still haven't fully unwrapped it) but ..... The seller is being "un-gentlemanly" (complete arsehole) about the problems caused by his expectation the package would remain horizontal. As it didn't remain horizontal, there's some minor damage. It didn't look minor initially, but after further investigation, thankfully it's not serious. The owner is okay to have it back, and given his abusive attitude, I'm resigned to him having it back. All a bit sad really.

Despite >> this << Westfield seem to be denying it .... Nothing on their 'news' pages, nor any qualifying information on Google ..... Strange?

Knock yourself out >> clicky<<