The Knights in White Denim Tour -AKA The White Trash Tour…
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Yesterday was Alex Thomson's homecoming, and being a miserable February I decided that a trip to sunny Gosvegas was in order.
The train from London runs out of railway at Portsmouth Harbour. Just outside is this old ship.
I took the ferry across the harbour, and caught the tail-end of the Parade of Sail.
Welcome to Gosport.
Skaters aren't popular there, though.
The Gosport navy? A World War 2 motor torpedo boat. These used to be really popular in boys' comics in the seventies, along with the German E-boats.
I arrived at the pier at about the same time that Alex did. Giles and Paula were already there.
At that point we decided that the pub was the better option. Some of Giles friends run Hardy's, which I suspect will be the official hostelry of the Chain Stitch Massacre, and we found Simon lurking in the bar. (Sensible man.)
Hardy's was the venue for Alex's celebratory shindig. I spent much of the time chatting to Giles and his friends, as Paula had been roped into serving behind the bar. Got a chance to shake Alex's hand and say well done, but he spent much of the time circulating. He's very good at working the room.
Oh, I found out that one of the possible new office locations could have military guards. Which, as I pointed out, would have guns. I think they'd be the real 21 oz Army…
On the way back, I saw this sign. I think that it's necessary given the prevalent conditions in Gosport...
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Kung Hei Fat Choi!
At least, thats's what the banners in the centre of London read today. Being the Chinese New Year there were some festivities going on. Unfortunately being the middle of the English winter, it was damp and miserable.
And, of course, there were a few dragons about…
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More shots of London, including Piccadilly Circus. It's become a byword for somewhere being busy, but it's relatively quiet in this shot.
Brick Lane.
This is the John Lobb shop, and they make some of the finest boots and shoes in the world. If you want a pair they start at about £3000, plus VAT, and will take eight months to arrive.
I like the Battle Boots. Unfortunately I don't like the price.
Carreducker are a new bespoke shoemaker. They're a bit more avant garde than Lobbs, but that isn't really difficult. This pair of boots has been tattooed, and, especially for Chris, has a Commando sole.
And this is the sort of experiment you hope they don't get wrong…
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Yeah, but you won't like the price…
The boots themselves are £3,600.
Then you need another £930 for the boot trees.
And then another £170 for the embroidered shoe bags.
So that'll be £4,700 in total. If you live in the EU then there'll be a further 20% in VAT on top of that taking them to £5,600. Those with medical conditions that require orthopedic shoes or live in the Colonies will avoid that.
However, you'll probably get thirty odd years use out of the boots before they bite the dust.
I actually rather like these boots by Scheer, the John Lobb of Vienna. I suspect that they'd be somewhat cheaper than the Battle Boots.
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you would hope if last more than 30 years. I know they were pricey but didn't think was that much
i have a customer that inherited 8 pairs of Lobbs from his father when he passed [he is now in his 50s] send them all back to get re- lasted and resoled. every pair still going strong and looks stunning.
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Graeme incredible leg. thank you for your contribution.
i would like to make a request for more pics of the denim. really curious to see what they look like at this stage of the game.
thanks again
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Agree with Monday, great leg Graeme. I've enjoyed seeing London, our shared home, from a different perspective.
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You've done the Whites proud Graeme, great leg/ updates.
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I've been knocked down by a nasty cold that's been doing the rounds here in London, so haven't been up to much. However, I did receive my entry for the HWDC.
They're a pair of the Eight-G stupidly heavy 28 or 30 oz jeans (depending on who you ask). They're not as nice as the Whites, and don't seem as well finished. If Iron Heart are engineered, these are bashed out in a Brunellian fashion.
In the eternal battle between legs and shuttle-loomed fabric I fear that there will be only one winner. Anyone willing to offer a wager on my legs?
I hold Megatron entirely responsible. Something about wanting to see the EightGs in the Contest…
Suddenly these seem a much better idea.
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i would like to make a request for more pics of the denim. really curious to see what they look like at this stage of the game.
I'll get some together in the next day or two.
They're holding up well, but there aren't the fades you get on an indigo pair. Rather they're accumulating stains as they go.
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As promised, pictures. Apologies for the quality, as this was taken with a cheap point-and-shoot and an improvised tripod.
The jeans themselves are in good condition. They've picked up stains, but don't appear to be wearing through anywhere. I don't know how much use they've had, but I've put about a month's worth on them.
The waist has stretched out to 38". It might have shrunk back again after being washed.
