Nina's Blog - Saturday 23rd August 2025

Saturday 23rd August 2025, 19:54

Ah well, it couldn't last. I've just been told by one of the Wetherspoon's staff that I have to wear shoes "Because they would be liable if I cut my feet on some broken glass. I tried to explain that they are not liable for things that are clearly my fault, such as entering a business where it is likely that there is broken glass on the floor but she wouldn't budge. I said I don't have any shoes and asked if she was throwing me out. She replied that I could finish my food and drink, which sounds rather like yes to me.

It's really stupid, I've been in numerous Wetherspoon's, and other pubs over the last five decades and I can't remember the last time I encountered any broken glass. Wetherspoon's in particular seem to be very clean and well maintained.

Edit at 21:13 back in my room: I was getting near the end of my pint while doing today's Daily Mail crossword when another Wetherspoon's staff member turned up at the table. This one I suspect was slightly more senior. You can tell because despite the progress made since the suffragettes ran in front of horses most serving staff are still women and their supervisors still men as this one was. Anyway, he reiterated that i had to wear shoes. Only this time he made it clear that i had to do it now. I tried to explain the concept of contributory negligence but he wouldn't listen and told me to drink up and made the point that he had asked me politely!

Saturday 23rd August 2025, 12:16

Today has been an unexpected delight almost from the word go.

A couple of days ago the man from Fabguys that I'll meet on Monday, funincov, suggested I visit Leamington Spa. I've been there before but just passing through, staying the night and moving on. Never really had time to explore.

The weather is slightly better today so I'm wearing my recently acquired Shein leopard print mini skirt, sleeveless black and white striped top and a very light flower print blouse as a jacket.

I found a parking space in a grand residential area about 1.5 km from the Pump Rooms and strolled towards the centre of town.

I had only walked for a few minutes when I came across the Brixton yoga cafe which looks interesting but wasn't open.

As I walked past the the entrance of the convenience store next to the cafe a woman walking out said: "Excuse me. You look gorgeous."

I said "Thank you that's very kind" and she went on to say "Absolutely beautiful!"

A little further along the road there was a green space with trees and benches so took some selfies to show what that flattering lady saw


I can talk the hind leg off a donkey if I'm given enough time to get going but when this sort of thing happens I can never think of anything to say, so I smiled. I've been feeling light as air all morning and writing this is making me smile so much my face muscles are aching!

Anyone seeing me probably will probably think I'm some kind of lunatic.

Saturday 23rd August 2025, 19:35

Decided on a break from tradition this evening and go out for a drink and a bite to eat. I'm in the Wetherspoon's Flying Standard waiting for my all day brunch and a pint of Thorn bridge Jaipur.

Wearing two of today's irresistible acquisitions: a nearly knee length skirt and a nice jacket. One pound each.



I bought a top as well but I don't think it goes with the rest.

As I was wandering about Leamington Spa after visiting the art gallery and the marvellous Jephson Gardens I went into another charity shop that had a notice in the window about a sale. I went in and found two rails of clothes priced at 0.99 and 1.99. Most of it wasn't interesting but there was a big fluffy waistcoat for 0.99 GBP. Irresistible! Far too warm for the weather just now but I'm sure it will be just the thing in a few weeks.

Saturday 23rd August 2025, 22:41

When I was taking pictures of these elephants there was a slim woman dressed in a plain black catsuit sitting on the bench in animated conversation on her mobile so I tried to take the pictures without including her.


As i walked around she came to the end of here conversation, put here mobile away, and stood up. She noticed me and said "I love it that you are barefoot, I hate shoes." I said I'm barefoot all summer and that she should try it. We exchanged a few pleasantries and she said she wore Birkenstocks but really which not to wear shoes so I said she should just try going barefoot tomorrow. She replied that she was going to London to the Proms tomorrow and I said that's perfect go barefoot! She smiled but I doubt that sh will do it.

Then she left and I was able to take a picture of the whole circle

Saturday 23rd August 2025, 17:12

Before going to the cafe I visited the art gallery in the Pump Rooms. There wasn't as much to see as I expected because they are doing a lot of work on the roof so a lot of rooms are closed. But what is open is good and the small exhibition of women's art is very good.

Three pieces in particular struck me as worth a close look, each for different reasons.

Lady with Powder Puff. I'm attracted to this one not for it's technique but for it's every day direct down to earth-ness


A copy of a Rafael. This kind of painting always astonishes me, how is it possible to lay the paint down so smoothly with no obvious signs of the brush?

When I saw this one my first thought was "Where was this photograph taken?"

But as I walked up to it I could see that it was a carefully constructed fake. And also that the fakery was deliberately imperfect with the lighting arranged so as to cast shadows where parts of the collage had not been completely stuck down:

Saturday 23rd August 2025, 12:36

As anyone reading more than one or two of my posts probably knows I'm a charity shop addict. My car is filling up with bargains and today I found some more. The third charity shop I went into this morning had two bins of clothes marked down to a pound each. That sort of price is like catnip to me and I can't resist rummaging through them even though I rarely find anything that is worth even that small price.

But today I found three things in one bin, a skirt, a top, and a jacket. The top needs a new small button at the back of the neck but that's easily done. The jacket had a note on the label saying it needs cleaning but it looks clean enough to me and anyway is worth a pound just for the decorative buttons!

Saturday 23rd August 2025, 21:55

After my coffee and sausage roll and a repeat visit to the Women's Art exhibition I made a small donation to the gallery (entry is free) left the Pump Rooms

and crossed the road to Jephson Gardens. These gardens are among the best anywhere and I'm very glad I visited.

It was interesting to see that the waterfowl seemed to like being under the fountains

This obelisk commemorates the man who provided the site for the gardens


A few metres away is a slate column


I thought this tree was rather fine

There is a big modern glasshouse which looked interesting but there was a private function in progress so couldn't go in

Saturday 23rd August 2025, 21:15

Booked my accommodation for the next couple of weeks. Decided to start my policy of two week periods eight months early. I booked another student room, this time at the University of Gloucester but in Cheltenham. I was originally looking for an apartment or cottage but the cheapest I could find for two weeks in the South West was 750 GBP and that was in Cornwall which is too far away from Wiltshire where I have to go to see my sister sometime before leaving for home. The student room in Cheltenham is only 388 GBP, less than 28 GBP per night, leaving me a spare 25 GBP per day in comparison.

it looks nice there

Saturday 23rd August 2025, 21:36

Watching The Key with Trevor Howard and Sophia Loren. Howard is brilliant and Sophia is so beautiful.

Such a big skyline. Was this a former transportation center?