Wednesday 20th May – Saturday 23rd May ’20
08.21 hrs
I decided to put my “magic shoes” to the test this week. All too frequently, I receive an illustrated catalogue from a company called Easylife. Years ago, having received a “flyer” in the Buxton Advertiser, and sent off for a,”useful item,” I have since received, with annoying frequency, a thick illustrated catalogue of “goodies.” Usually, this publicity material goes “straight to recycling.” Now, with time on my hands, I perused a recent catalogue of innovative items. One caught my eye, a pair of shoe inserts which when fixed into the shoe, would massage the feet stimulating a bodily reaction that would cause (welcome) weight loss. Two such pairs came in at around £54 including shipping and a £10 discount. An accompanying leaflet depicted a once overweight lorry driver holding up a pair of now far too big trousers, he himself now being pencil thin, having achieved this weight loss in a matter of weeks. The pamphlet promised results from day 1. Now, I am not particularly gullible, but, my curiosity was aroused. I made my order over the ‘phone, and said shoe inserts were with me almost by return. The leaflet which came with the package advised “will not work for people who are morbidly obese.” Also, “do not use for more than two hours, in the morning and the afternoon.” The inserts, invented by a respected German doctor/scientist, did have limitations not mentioned in the original publicity. With a high degree of scepticism I tried out these £54 shoe inserts. They weren’t as uncomfortable as I feared. Much to my surprise, on Wednesday morning, my weight had dropped by around three pounds to 15 stone 5 lbs. Wow! I have not wasted my money! On Thursday, with great anticipation, I stood on the bathroom scales….I had gained two and a half pounds!
I decided to go for a series of fairly long walks, between two and just over four miles. The weather had been most agreeable and warm for this time of year. For the first time since self isolating because of the global pandemic, I took my car out for the short drive to Hurdlow, just seven miles away. Roger, my neighbour over the road, also drove to Hurdlow….social distancing and all that… For the first time this year, we met up for a walk, maintaining the now mandatory 2 metres social distancing. While still pleasantly warm, a persistent strong wind which had been blowing all day, still continued, but seemed to come from ever changing directions. We encountered a small number of walkers and cyclists on the trail from Hurdlow to Parsley Hay. Much to my astonishment, the public toilets at Parsley Hay were open, as was a counter serving hot drinks and refreshments. I felt a little sorry for the person handling the refreshments; there was no queue of people wanting what was on offer. Although it was in the summer of last year that I had enjoyed this favourite walk (again along a former railway line), it felt as if much less time had passed. Everything seemed so familiar.
At home, the decluttering continues at a snail’s pace, but there is some progress. And on Thursday, I joined a handful of neighbours in the weekly applause for the NHS and Carers, as well as all those involved with the consequences of this dreadful pandemic. As stated in a recent blog, numerous restrictions have been lifted, providing social distancing is “observed strictly.” Covid 19 must feel as if all its Christmases have come at once! Like numerous others, I feel the current situation could be merely “the overture.”
Last night, after a healthy dinner of poached plaice and several vegetables, I relaxed in front of the T.V. watching mainly items recorded previously. As the hour became late, I found myself watching YouTube videos, on my phone, of vintage live performances by my one-time favourite band, The Strawbs. Seemingly, they still have a devout following and I did see them not so long ago at Buxton Opera House, more than forty years since the first time I saw them at a packed Free Trade Hall in Manchester…with then girlfriend Jane. If I was a critic, I may comment that the strange, thought provoking and creative lyrics are lost in the performance/production. But the music itself remains astonishing and powerful.
All of a sudden, it was past midnight and I felt hungry again. Any discomfort was negated by a jam sandwich, and this morning, my weight had remained the same!
Many thanks for reading, and, as they say these days, Stay Safe. David 10.28 hrs.
David's Cruise 