What's the best feeling in all the world,

Every day, as soon as I realise I'm "done for the day", I got upstairs and change my clothes. Off come the jeans/trousers, top and bra and I pop on a supportive crop top, leggings and what I believe the Americans may call a sloppy joe but I call a long sleeved t shirt that's too big for me. And.... relax. That moment when the last hook clicks and the underwires fall away to release my caged boobies... That is heaven.

And it's not just me - Head over to any social media spot and you'll find the acroynm BRT (Bra Removal Time) being banded about by people like comedienne Sarah Milican and lauded by women everywhere.

What is it about bras that make them so unbelievably uncomfortable? It doesn't matter what the brand, where they're from or how much they are. Even if you take an hour or two out of your day to go and get the ladies measured properly and expertly stuffed into those satin cups, by the end of the day, something is pinching or scratching or sticking in to your soft fleshy parts. And you have paid upwards of £30 for the privilege. 

For those of you thinking "why doesn't she just go bra-less then? That is not an option. Being of A Certain Age, and of a Certain Weight with, like the fallen Madonna, the "Big Boobies", I do require some support lest the ladies take the eye out of a colleague. I am in fact in the "can't wear a buttoned shirt" brigade that so many of us find ourselves in. So off I pop back to lovely Bravissimo to hand over my credit card  whilst a young lady literally stuffs me into something that could probably be used to take on Goliath.

And for those of us in the Over DD bucket, buying cute sexy things isn't really on unless your credit card is made of sterner stuff than mine! That pretty flowery lacy set? Nope. Not for the likes of us. We have huge satin numbers, in black nude and white with the occasional teal and purple for WILD times. Got a cute strappy top? Tough - you're also sporting inch wide straps with metal sizing thingummy. And never ever suggest to an H cup that she might like something strapless!

So, to return to the title of this thread, I have an acquaintance who is in the unusual position, being a male to female transition, of knowing both what taking your bra off and what scratching your balls feels like. And I have it on good authority that taking your bra off wins. So there you have it. Empirical evidence. Taking your bra off at the end of the day is officially the best feeling in the world.

Strolling players

There's something terribly romantic about the touring theatre troupe. A small band of actors supporting each other through thick and thin, singing songs on their way from this town to that. Setting up their theatre wherever there's an audience. Of course this is my idealised dream of a life on the road. The reality is, I'm assured and now through the window of Instagram we can view, more Travelodge and trucks than gypsy caravans and summer evenings catching fish as the sun goes down.

Nevertheless there is something rather special about an outdoors production. We are lucky in Manchester to both play host to such troupes as Heartbreak Productions and also have our own Manchester Open Air Theatre.

Last summer was a particularly fine set of performances. A Druidic Tempest kicked off the season in Didsbury with prosecco and picnics a plenty. And a sneaky Midsummer Nights Dream launched MOAT in Chorlton where bright young things toasted each other with fizz in pint glasses and my pup was made very welcome even if she didn't become the dog belonging to the man in the moon!

I then flew solo at Murder on the Terrace, which is on the menu for this year and well worth a punt. A proper British farce with audience participation. Heartbreak actors mill in character with the audience before the performance and during the interval making everyone feel part of the show. They're not allowed a glass of prosecco whilst on duty by the way. We did offer. 

Finally there was The Importance of Being Earnest. One of my favourites and a picnic with afternoon tea seemed appropriate. Elderflower cordial and delicious seed cake. It had been raining rather heavily leading to the marvellous impromptu line "Your garden is awfully soggy John" as the chaps take a "turn around the garden".

This year Saga and I shall watch the murderous Macbeth and a new version of Importance with MOAT And the ladies shall be drinking prosecco at Northanger Abbey later in the season. 

These theatre companies survive on audience income. And the actors thrive with audience involvement and enthusiasm. Without us, they will fade away and that would be a real loss. Tickets are not expensive, there are often offers or groupons out there, and they do loads of  family productions. So grab a blanket, a picnic (prosecco is optional) and check them out. 

Heartbreak Productions

Manchester Open Air Theatre

Brogues - May have a slight Madonnaesque vibe

Kitten, louis, platform heel

A ballet shoe is my ideal

There's no chance that I can lose

When I'm stood in comfy shoes

Doctors Scholl and Marten know

A flat soled shoe is how to go

They have style, they have clout

Clarks have shoes to shout about

Pumps and brogues and converse too

Kristen Stewart, we love you

Annie Hall is now in vogue

Diane Keaton wears good brogue

Susan Calman, Sandy too.  

Don't need that extra inch or two

Despite not reaching 5 foot 4

They've shown those high heels to the door

Ladies listen to my prayer

Throw those platforms over there

Emma Thompson made the call

Chucked her shoes into the stalls

Bleeding heels and blistered toes

There's nothing cool about tortured soles

Dance the night away in pumps

Then walk home with a skip and jump

Don't just stand there

Let's get to it

Strike a pose there's nothing to it

Brogues