Mark Asser on Nostr: I wanted a pair of brown boots to replace the ones that gave up on existence a while ...

I wanted a pair of brown boots to replace the ones that gave up on existence a while back. Something that looks a bit like a shoe once they're under trousers. Something comfortable for walking all day rather than just sitting in a car. A tall order, apparently.

First shop: Kathmandu. Their hiking boots are upstairs. Upstairs was closed because of a pigeon infestation, which could have made the stock quite outdoorsy.

Second shop: Grundy's, which has been keeping Mum shod since 1949. They're reliable, but not this time. My size (Aus 10, Euro 44) sells out first, apparently. They offered to get a pair sent up from Victor Harbor, but that wouldn't guarantee that they'd be right. I could have paid $349 for something I didn't much like.

Third shop: Another outdoorsy hikey place. Everything was too hideous to contemplate, and the cheap ones were around $450. Nope.

Fourth shop: Ward's, at Norwood. Nothing in my size. And no, if I've asked for brown boots don't offer me black shoes.

Fifth shop: Exurbia, which used to be the Scout Shop. They had something that looked reasonable on the top shelf. $600. Nope. Excessive for use merely on uneven footpaths.

Sixth shop: David Jones, the home of desperation and strangely distant service. Found a pair for $249. Very modern, with a zip down the side for quick entrance/egress. Sadly, the zip wouldn't do up once my foot was in. A bit of a design fail. But then I found a fairly dull dark brown boot with a poorly-chosen white sole. Rockport brand; never my first choice but always wearable. $299, reduced to $159. I got them for $111.80. They will do.

I am quite tired now.