Ajnspencer was not the only one shopping for shoes yesterday. I hates it too. I have feet that don't like to be squeezed and pinched and restricted. They complain .. a lot , and let me know it .... so when I find a pair of shoes that are comfortable , I wear them until the disintegrate and virtually fall off my feet.

So yesterday , after my meeting in town , I go walkabout , in search of shoes , or sandals to be more precise. My last pair bought 5 years ago before my summer in Greece. 5 summers is pretty good going.

Yesterday , the gods were smiling . After a minor set back in Löpparlabet a specialist sports shop which was my first stop, I was told they only sell lace-ups now. BUT almost next door was the ecco shoe shop and they were marvellous.. full of sensible,comfortable and quite attractive footwear. They are like these

http://www.ecco-shoes.co.uk/shop/mens-shoes/andes.php only black So I was one happy bunny . I'm leaving nothing to chance though and will check with Fredrik my physiotherapy angel to see if they will do.

Next, still bouncing along the road ,in my "one happy bunny mode " was stopped by young guy from Eritrea who was collecting funds for Medecins San Frontieres http://www.msf.org/ a humanitarian aid organisation .

Having just bought a pair of ecco sandals that I badly needed I pleaded "no money to spare " We exchanged a few words and he said " well thanks for stopping for a chat .. have a good day " and I walked on.

Then the thoughts come. Inner dialogue thoughts.He was so nice ....5 Euros a month is nothing .... I can do that ... I've just been blessed with a comfy pair of shoes and there are little people out there badly hurt, some without legs or feet ....and I turn round.. walk back a block ... find Billy ( that was his name) and say " Sign me up for 5 Euros a month ( 50 kr ) " .

Billy reassures me " you can always freeze payments if things get tough " . " I don't want to think about that " says I - they 'll not get that tough "

As soon as I've left Billy there's a homeless guy ( by this time I'm on a self - righteous high from the joy of giving ) so homeless guy also gets 1 euro . He's been homeless for 13 years and has quite a lot to say about his situation and it wasn't getting any better , he said. I got the feeling he was resigned to his situation in life.

I turn a corner and see a bin of black cotton t-shirts for an unbelievable 10 kronor - 1 euro !! and I buy 2

The train on the way home is packed. I'm standing there with my bags wishing for someone to get off at the next stop ...AND ... SOMEONE DOES !!! say no more . Thank you thank you thank you. All this is going in my gratitude journal to be read on a rainy day.