Boots

The 'new' walking boots that I bought in April 2017 and blogged about here are no more. After two years and about 700 miles of walking, the right boot developed a large crack; consequently I've been ending recent walks with one damp sock.  Interestingly, the left boot has fared much better.  I think I know why but won't bore you with an explanation.

I'll be the first to admit that those boots received very little tender loving care in their short life. Even after the muddiest of walks I would simply hose them down and leave them to dry in the conservatory or beneath a radiator. Friends who lovingly clean and apply dubbin to their boots after each ramble are now doubtless weeping in despair, but I'm unrepentant.  For £40 they have served me well. I have friends who spent twice, or even three times, that amount and have not received proportionally more wear.

Their replacements are not what one might expect a dedicated rambler to put on her feet, but when I saw them in the shop it was love at first sight.

They cost just £35 and seem to be made of a wellie-boot rubber *, rather than leather, so they probably won't even last as long as their predecessors but what fun I shall have, bringing a splash of colour to Brecon mountain tops!

The first task (of course) is to tone them down a bit with some good old Forest of Dean mud.  Unfortunately, though, this was in short supply during yesterday's warm, Spring afternoon ramble. So here's photo of little me imparting that splash of colour to the oft-visited Point Quarry Tunnel.

* Update: According to Amazon, they are made of leather! Lots of different colours there too, but I still like my pink ones.