I (and my brothers) spent many a sunny, rainy, deep mid-winter morning on the back door step cleaning our school shoes.

Father was a REAL Tartar. Shoe Cleaning Kit at the ready! One. Two.

Any dried mud on top or bottom – get the STIFF shoe brush and brush it off.

Wipe shoes all over with a duster – top and bottom.

Retain duster in hand and liberally douse shoe (top and bottom) with KIWI polish.

Get soft shoe brush and…..brush till your biceps hurt.

Get duster back in hand and fill your mouth with saliva.

Side Note :

Warm water, my Aunt Fanny.

With all those chemicals?

Just SPIT.

That’s watery. And warm, yes?

SPIT on shoe. Gentle circles over shoe. Top and bottom.

Rewind. Repeat. Until alles sind shiny bright.

Place shoes at attention. Ready for inspection.

Mmmmn. In those days real leather shoes used to last for years and years and years. All they ever needed was a local cobbler to re-heel every couple of years and … Parade Ground ready !

Spit & Polish according to The British Legion (whom we love – being grumpy old vets like we are) xxx