Many years ago on CBF I wrote a little piece bemoaning the falling standard of promenading along the Calis promenade. It was a lighthearted piece, although quite strongly felt. I enjoyed promenading with Hilary and taught both of my daughters the art of the promenade when in Calis - and that was before the block paving was laid when the front was tarmac in a sad state of deterioration. I taught them that if you were clearly walking "seriously" (i..e. with the evident pursuit of the promenade), and focused your eyes on the far middle distance, then people would almost magically melt out of your way and restaurant callers-in/hasslers would see your serious intent and merely wave as you passed saying "Might see you later". Hardly ever were you forced to deviate your chosen course. My teenage girls were astonished when this actually worked and I was required to sashay the prom twice nightly - once with each of them.
However, we now live in the age of the mobile or "smart" phone (what an oxymoron!). People everywhere, and not just the young, seem incapable of getting through their day without, at any opportunity, staring at a tiny screen. This happens even when walking {I believe in Japan it is known as "dumb walking"} . So, is it now possible to promenade the Calis promenade or would you keep crashing into dumb walkers? I invite/urge those CBF members currently in Calis to test this and to report back.
In the meanwhile, here is the view of one Bristolian on where we find ourselves now - "Mobile Lovers".
