You have to laugh

Friday, 15 January 2010 16:10

I wish I had had my camera

Despite the drizzle this morning I needed some fresh air and exercise; also we needed some food - or at least to top up the fruit and veg and freezer. So off I set with my trusty "trundle trolley" through the slush and ice.

Boy, is it icy and slippery in some places where the footfall has not been enough to clear the path. In some places I was wading through icy puddles two inches deep as the water is just lying on the surface, prevented by more ice from draining away. This is particularly so through the estate behind Cambrian Wharf, which is the first stage of the walk into the city centre.

I crossed the road and as I did so a postal delivery lorry parked by the back of the Rep Theatre. The driver passed me carrying a box. I laughed out loud when I saw what was in the box - artificial snow - and he was delivering it to the stage door.

It seems that not only is there a thaw outside but also inside the theatre - guess what is on?

The Snowman. Now you can't have a snowman without snow, can you?

I carried on - did my shop in a certain Metro supermarket, which by the way is a nightmare. It is impossible to find anything ... and then the checkouts. Well, they are even more of a nightmare and not designed to cater for anyone who has more than about 5 things in their basket: let alone a stranded boater who uses a small supermarket trolley they provided to fill up her trundle trolley to capacity!

On my way back, there was a green bus parked outside the Council House in Victoria Square. It was a Green Bus, I mean - from the Green Bus Company (a "cool" website!). On its front was displayed "The Green Bus Company welcomes Lord Adonis". A wry smile, this time as there were suited and booted folks standing around the bus unprepared for the weather and getting rather wet!

So Lord Adonis was visiting Birmingham? I suppose so.

I noticed that "The Floosie in the Jacuzzi" was not covering her modesty for his visit. Here she is in this Christmas photo, right in front of the Council House main door!

Vague memory stirrings as to who he is, and a google search, confirmed my synapses - Transport Secretary - of course! It all fits now! He was visiting to encourage the West Midlands to set up a smart card system for public transport, rather like our Ken's (now Boris' ed.) London Oyster Card system!

What an exciting shopping trip I had!

P.S. I am a "Londoner" so I can call him "our Ken"!