“We’re Gonna Hang Out The Washing On The Siegfried Line”
“World War II Weekend” — Ironbridge 25th and 26th May 2024
“Fancy a box of chips and an exciting reason for leaving the house?” I inquired of my “Brother Andy” (who isn’t my brother) “How about the sheer excitement of a stroll along the river in Ironbridge. The “World War II Weekend” is on!”
How could my brother (who isn’t my brother) possibly say no?
In the language of a city to whom my brother (who isn’t my brother) has the far stronger familial roots we had a “Boss” time did Andy and I. The weather was perfect and although the enthusiasts and characters who colour this yearly festival so beautifully were largely closing the camp for the evening I knew tomorrow would be far busier and so it was, but that’s getting ahead of ourselves.
Andy and I decamped to “Stephen’s Bench” with fish and chips for two and for the best seat in the house to admire the “Grand Old Lady” of Ironbridge. We put the world to rights on the future of the football team we both obsess over, largely agreed on the exploitation furor surrounding “Baby Reindeer”, shared our favourite films of the year so far, exchanged gossip, I bragged about finishing and releasing a brand new book and all the while the sun was setting once more in a land that time has largely forgotten and even more so, on this bank holiday weekend.
The Sunday afternoon after the late Saturday evening was indeed far busier and although alone now I still managed to sneak a smile and a wink from Samantha in the chip shop and my friend Jeremy and owner of toy town’s “Old Fashioned Sweet Shop” was on fine form as ever. I promised to drop by with my sweet toothed lad in the coming week “after the tourists have left!” we almost said in unison.
And why not?
My spiritual home is so beautiful and here she is as perhaps you’ve never seen her before.
I hope you enjoy.
Thanks for reading. I hope this message in a bottle in The Matrix finds you well, prospering, and the right way up in an upside down world.