Neil Gits New Walking Boots

There are some things you can buy quite happily online without the worry that they are not going to fit properly or feel uncomfortable. Things like new ink cartridges for the printer or batteries for your TV remote and other many controllers in the house. You don’t have to concern yourself that they might not look right, be too big / small or even smell ‘funny’ – you’ve bought them hundreds of times before, nothing can go wrong… normally !

Clothing is a completely different matter. Who would buy anything to wear off a website ? Unless of course you enjoy digging the wrapping back out of the recycling, re-packaging your purchase and trekking off to join the queue at the Post Office to send it back at your own expense when that sensational top you saw online (professionally & expertly photographed) turns out to be totally unsuitable when tried on in the bedroom …

However four years ago when I realized that, with much with time on my hands suddenly, I was going to be doing a lot of walking and that my scruffy nine year old trainers just weren’t up to the job, I bought a fabulous pair of walking boots that way, simply because it was impossible to go into a shop ! I did a lot of scrolling around on my PC at the time, looking at all sorts of footwear from dozens of companies and eventually plumped for a pair that ticked all the right boxes – and were on offer at 50% off !!!

They’ve turned out to be one of the most comfortable items I’ve ever bought to wear and I’ve used them for everything from driving halfway round the M25 to watch football to hiking for four hours across the Yorkshire Dales. Alas, nothing lasts forever and it was only when on one of my recent weekly wanders round Essex that I noticed my feet were getting wet on a fairly rainy Wednesday afteroon. Closer inspection revealed a small rip on the side of each one and more disturbingly a distinct hole in the heel of the right boot !

To my delight, I went to the large sportswear store that I used before and found pretty much the exact same boot, just with blue laces instead of grey ones and though they were now £10 dearer, they were still at 50% off (what are the chances?!) I spoke to the helpful assistant and as I was actually wearing my old boots (it was a dry day !) asked her to check the label on them to be 100% sure I was buying exactly the same footwear again that had served me so well since summer 2020. She had some shock news for me … “Your ones are women’s walking boots, but your new ones are the men’s ones !” Well, at least these 2024 upgrades should be even more comfortable now that I have bought a pair for the right sex !

I may be a bit inept at buying things to wear, but at least I can choose a good tune or 20 for the show each week ! See for yourself by looking at the latest playlist below and hear it by going to our “Listen Again” page and visiting the ‘Cool Soul’ section. No ‘Repeat Play’ this Saturday, but I will be live on Monday as usual from 7pm …

The Tunes – Monday 11th November 2024

Gloria Gaynor – This Love Affair
Real Thing – Boogie Down (Get Funky Now)
Mather – U On My Mind
Masters At Work ft India – To Be In Love
Rosie Gaines – Closer Than Close
Stylistics – Closer Than Close
Luther Vandross – Wait For Love
Dimitris Dimopoulos feat Elena Fornaro -Talk To Me
Millie Jackson – A House For Sale
James Brown – Rapp Payback
Rick James – Give It To Me Baby (Groovefunkel Remix)
Quincy Jones – Soul Bossa Nova
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – You’ve Been In Love Too Long
Jones Girls – At Peace With Women
Perri – The Flight
Sister Sledge – Lost In Music
Julian Jonah ft Robbie Love – let’s Not Say Goodnight
Gwen Dickey – With This Love
Patrice Isley – Harvest For The World
Sisters Love – Give Me Your Love
Melba Moore – Something On Your Mind
Linx – Intuition
Larry Willis – Out On The Coast

Feel free to get in touch with your soulful request or just for a mention on the show – put a post on “The Old Gits Soul Show” page on Facebook, text (01268)833978 or message me via e-mail : [email protected].

The Old Gits Soul Show is broadcast LIVE from 7pm–9pm every Monday, repeated on Saturday evening from 5pm–7pm, on Gateway 97.8FM in Basildon & East Thurrock and available nationally via the Radio Player on your TV as well as online via www.gateway978.com You can listen on your smart speaker or your phone too … plus you can hear it again anytime you like via the “Listen Again” button on the Gateway website – just search “Cool Soul” !