Do I have to go shopping?

Day 10

Sometimes you just have to do things you really don’t want to. Go to the dentist, go to work, get your accounts ready, go shopping.

Marg decided it was time to get me some new shorts, I had sat down under a tree in the middle of town and people threw money at me. They thought I was a tramp...

Only joking. Marg, Nicola and I went into Melbourne city centre to get me some new shorts, all I wanted was a decent pair of sunglasses. A much needed accessory down here. Finding the right pair was a dawdle compared to the shorts episode.

We were in every shop possible but the sort of price being asked was between £40 and £55. I think this reflects the amount of material being used. I had given up on trying to find a reasonably priced pair, and we were on our way back to Myer a huge department store, to bite the bullet and get a dear pair. We were walking or maybe prowling about as you do, when I noticed a very tall black guy, who’s tinder dry looking hair stood erect about six or seven inches. There was also this Aussie looking bloke with what looked like a hand radio. Both were watching my every move.

Anyway either Marg or Nicola found these shorts at a proper price. They went off to find the loo and I decided to look for more and then try them on. I took three pairs into the changing room, tried on one pair, and decided that would do nicely thank you. On exiting the changing rooms I was waiting for the sheilas to come back when I noticed I was being watched by ol’ bone dry hair who appeared to be reading a newspaper sideways. Shortly after the Aussie fella turned up. I thought Jeez boys, these fellas must think I’m a shoplifter.

The girls appeared and while I was waiting to be served, I spotted the fellas watching me again. We had to then go to a different till, and the friggers still followed me. I found myself getting a tad irritated – read paranoid. Cutting it short Nicola said the Aussie fella was with the guy getting served beside me, and old bone dry hair was with someone else. I *PAID* for the shorts and baled out into the sunshine. We passed an Indian shop selling tat and more tat. There were watches on display, at $10. You know the sort. Well, the wee girl serving was not so bright. Never even knew what a looky looky man was. I eventually bought one of the super watches for $10 and it even came with a 12 month warranty. She never even offered me a bag, so as we were walking towards our next coffee stop I tried to put it on. The buckle buckled, I reversed, and got a replacement one no bother, she even insisted on putting it on for me!

On we went for a much needed coffee or vino. Segovia is a highly rated restaurant in one of the lanes. Indeed if you want to eat or drink there at meal times, you really need to be early. There was a young dark chap trying to entice passers-by in with a cheery “Hello, how are you, today?” while sticking a menu up their noses. I’m not saying the lad was thin, but he made McGivern look like a sumo wrestler! So, coffee break over, time to head back to base.