Sunday Moozing

Today has been a lovely relaxing Sunday. Had a lie in after a night spent at the funfair in the local park where I, being the daredevil that I am, went on the dodgems with bloke. I literally squealed the whole 5 minutes and inexplicably and unpreventably swore my chubby head off! Each time we got bumped another F-bomb descended from my lips. I couldn't stop it! Its blimming hurts when some vicious tyrant of a teenage chav goes on a 'mish' to bump the buggery out of you. I made bloke put his arm around me to cushion the blow and try and avoid any possible collision.

It gave me a flashback to being with my dad, I don't have many dad memories as I haven't spoke to him since I was 16 (I'm 29 this month), but as a young 'un he took me and my sister to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Being the devoted daddy's girl I was I jumped at the chance of going on the Dodgems with him. My resounding memory of that is trying to stifle the tears as someone ripped it up and dodged the crap outta us! I fear my Dodgems terror may never subside. As I looked at a random little 3 year old happily sat next to his Dad last night in sheer delight as they crashed into our side (I tried to censor my potty mouth), I smiled and remembered that memory, albeit a bit tainted, but being by your dad's side and them feeling like the coolest dad ever to you at that stage is a pretty awesome feeling.

Anyhow today we went to Bakewell, in the Peak District. Cue the info - CLICK . It was an off the cuff idea and somewhere I've heard about before and always wanted to go. Googlemaps quoted 40 minutes to get there, it took us an hour and half :| I think they base their times on The Stig driving.

It turned out to be a brilliant day and I took some photos to share with you lot.




The river view, very scenic and loads of Canadian geese and ducks (although they seem to have deserted this shot!) methinks they survive on the chips being thrown from tourists as...




They have so many chip shops close to the river so tourists sit on benches and nom nom their way through the most delicious chips I have ever tasted. Bloke got a large portion and was promptly thrown into shock by being handed a carton filled with a kilo's worth of chipped scrummy potatoes. If you would have pricked him ten minutes later, your fork would be covered in taties. Needless to say he didn't finish the box and was defeated by the power of the chip.




To wash it down he had a pint and I had a vodka and coke. Do you get the feeling my diet isn't going well? It gets worse.




After looking through some quaint shops...





and wandering around Bakewell more... we felt we had to get a momento of our visit in the form of -





a proper Bakewell Tart from an authentic Bakewell Tart shop. Nom Nom. It went down a treat when we got home. Delicioso!


I like days like today. Forsooth enjoy today, for tomorrow the diet starts again.

Birko Babe!

In the midst of this belated Indian summer, I have had chance to try out my new Birkenstock Gizeh ::squeal:: and report my verdict back to you guys!

My Preconception

Until last month I was judgemental. I had a fixed impression of the 'type' of person who would wear Birkenstock's cough-hippy, festival loving, cool, uber trendy-cough and cast them aside from my potential shoe buying list as 'not me' and too out of my foot league. However one hot, humid day in a busy shopping mall I meandered over to the Birkenstock display. See it had a crowd of people looking at one pair of shoes - the Gizeh - and I got nosey. This often happens, I get the feeling I'm missing out on something and have to fulfil my curious streak by sticking my neb in too. I discovered the object of their desire and on the lookout for some comfy summer footwear myself, thought they might be worth a shot at trying on. The point I slipped my feet into them, I instantly knew I had to have a pair. See it was like my feet were on small clouds of fluffy air. I didn't want to take them off. I spent 15 minutes gazing at the different array of colours (so cute!) and being skint, my boyfriend had to drag me away, kicking and screaming.

My own pair!!

Thanks to the lovely people at www.rubbersole.co.uk (have a mooze around, you know you want to!) I got the opportunity to purchase some of my own. How utterly fab!!! I had been daydreaming of these beauties for a while and was overcome with shoe happiness. A new pair of shoes - is there any other joy equal to this?!

I plumped for the Gizeh in Mocca colour, Size 4 and was impressed with the efficient next day delivery I received (recorded) which comes free with your order!

Here is how they looked on the website RRP £39.99



Very swish n'est pas?

The website also proffered the following info:

Since 1774, Birkenstock have been making these iconic sandals. Designed and manufactured in Germany, this is a family owned business whose goal is to produce the best sandals in the world. High quality materials and unique construction give durable comfort and long lasting style. The concept of Birkenstock is easily understood when one considers the design of our feet and the mechanics of walking. Each contour in a Birkenstock footbed is precisely placed to stretch, flex and move naturally. Your feet benefit from free movement, constant exercise and improved circulation, resulting in long lasting comfort and better health.

• Upper: birko-flor
• Sole: cork/latex
• Contoured sole
• Comfortable
• Durable
• Classic design
• Made in Germany

I was eager to try out these bad boys myself.

The Gizeh arriveth!




Tragedy then struck in the form of left foot tendonitis :O




Damn those pesky tendons - My foot was so swollen it wouldn't fit in the blimmin Birkenstocks. So I waited, I bided my time, I limped around the house with one foot bandaged and the other adorned with the Gizeh.





Apologies for weird small freakish toe action occurring :|









I was determined to enjoy the luxurious feeling of comfort and aaaaaaaah albeit with one foot :|

Gizeh thoughts!

Slowly but surely as my left foot has deflated I have begun to wear both - outlandish thinking I know - and I love them. I don't know why I dismissed Birkenstock Sandals as 'not me'. They have so many different styles ~ click me to view ~ such complimentary, vibrant colours and due to the sole of the Birkenstock being contoured to stretch, flex and help your foot move naturally the benefit is noticeable within a few days.

I was worried the toe post would rub against my foot and irritate my skin but that hasn't happened. They are easily the most comfortable shoes I have owned, and comparable with Havaianas and Hush Puppies for making me feel like I have slipped my feet in a veritable dry foot spa! I also have very wide feet, a family trait, and spaced out freakish toes, but although my small toe sometimes make leaps at freedom they fit well. The quality is superb and I predict they will last me many future summers to come. They go with any outfit and are so easy to slip on and off. They are ideal summer footwear for taking to the beach, festivals, picnics in the park etc and being so lightweight you can carry them in your handbag for impromptu Birkenstock moments!

If you fancy sampling some Birko's yourself or any other shoe on www.rubbersole.co.uk, the lovely people have gave me the code 'cherchats' for you to enter at the basket stage of ordering for a 10% discount. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

The Verdict

If you have never looked at Birkenstock Shoes in this way before, take another look. They are definite growers that stand alone and unique in the footwear world. Besides the Gizeh there are many more styles to choose from that appeal to people of all ages and tastes ~ Birkenstock Website Linky. Crafted to ensure maximum tootsie health and comfort, besides looking bloody well fabulous they may be the missing element of summer footwear from your wardrobe. Reasonably priced, very durable and providing comfort to tired, stressed out, well worn summer feet, they spring you back into action and are perky, happy little shoes that deserve a second look. I would highly recommend to all my friends.


Happy weekend all! From a newly converted Birko Babe!

sources - www.rubbersole.co.uk and www.birkenstock.co.uk