A sad day today ...... I have had to consign my much-loved old boots to the bin.
These wonderful boots belonged to Kim when she was living in Oregon, and one time when we were over there she passed them on to me as they no longer fitted her. To my great delight they DID fit me perfectly, and were far superior to anything I would ever have bought for myself. They had been bought at Nordstrom, a rather up-market American store, and were in quality soft leather, with a dark fleece lining.
Those boots lived on my feet throughout the winter months for what must have been at least ten years. They have walked the streets of New York, and the country lanes of Normandy. They have ta'en the high roads and low roads of Scotland, and covered hundreds and hundreds of shopping miles in towns and cities within a wide radius of our home.
One of the few upsides of the end of summer , and chillier weather, was to bring my boots down from the attic once again. I much enjoyed giving them a good wax and polish - the leather responded so well to loving care - and then the sheer pleasure of snuggling my feet into them once again, after months of summer sandals.
I brought them down today, but could see one sole breaking away from the upper, and then remembered how last winter they had begun to let water in. In spring I had packed them away with my winter woolies, unable to bring myself to part with them.
Life will never be the same again! Those boots nestled so comfortably under winter trousers, and shoes just don't cut the mustard. I shall HAVE to look for a replacement pair, but can't begin to afford anything as luxurious again . M.&.S. here I come ....
Farewell old friends, I mourn your loss. O sole mio.
