11 November 2018

Another week is in the books – what are the chances of that? It’s been largely grey, damp and dreary but still moderately temperate for the time of year. The weather people say, though, that we are in for a “Polar Vortex” in the coming days which apparently is going to be as horrid as it sounds. What with that and the nights increasingly closing in we feel the need (or at least I do) to consider hibernation as a strategy for getting through the winter.

Penelope and I had another “date night” on Thursday this week. This time we went all the way across the road to the Village Hall for the second of this season’s Moreton Pinkney Film Nights. The show on offer this time was Kinky Boots which was, as always, good fun.

It’s a film based on the true story of how one Northamptonshire shoe factory introduced a new line of “exotic” footwear to stave off closure. In the film it’s a chance encounter between the managing director of the shoe factory and a drag queen who is an exotic dancer. The dancer complains about the lack of stability and durability of the women’s shoes he wears; the factory owner decides to try to design some boots and shoes using steel shanks which will support the weight of men. In “real life” apparently it was a random enquiry from a woman from a fetish shoe shop in Folkstone, who asked if the factory could supply her with ladies’ shoes in men’s sizes. The rest, as they say, is history.

The film had mixed reviews when it was released and I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it. But, if you’re at a loss for something to do of a damp, dreary evening and you spot it on Netflix or Amazon or You Tube or whatever, it’s a pleasant enough way to while away a couple of hours. If you add fish and chips to the mix it’s a no-brainer.

You can read an account of the real story from the Northampton Chronicle & Echo if you’ve got nothing better to do.

Saturday night a week ago we all set off to the neighbouring village of Chacombe for a Guy Fawkes bonfire and fireworks display. After all, it’s important to introduce Ava and Jessica to the wacky customs and traditions of the United Kingdom. The weather stayed dry and fireworks are always good fun although Chacombe’s event was marred by the inclusion of a pair of hideously obnoxious children’s “entertainers” who had been hired to provide some amusement for the youngsters before the main event. That wouldn’t have been so bad, I suppose, if they had stopped there. Unfortunately, they continued to hector and badger the crowd throughout the fireworks display and I was not the only adult to mutter under my breath that they should shut the f**k up.

Still, I think both Ava and Jessie enjoyed themselves and we all enjoyed the fish and chips supper we collected on the way home. I did make the “mistake” when asked whether I wanted a regular or large order of choosing the large-sized portion. The fish with which I was presented was the size of a small shark and the mountain of chips would rival Snowdon. You will be pleased to note, however, that I did manage to clean my plate.

Love to you all,

Greg

 

 

 

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