Lightweight walking boots - part 3. The final reckoning.

Yes, I'm going to keep Meindle Lightweight Walking Boots - they are not destined for eBay!

They were given their full road test the other weekend, or should I say their full bridleway test the other weekend.

A quick yomp across the South Downs from Southwick to Wivelsfield Green following the Sussex Border path broke the boots in well. 15 miles of pure pleasure and I am sure my feet felt that little it lighter going up hill. Only one small complaint was the hotspot on my heel which was soon alleviated with some second skin dressing. To be expected really, they were new and I've got bony heels - prone to blisters from ill fitting boots in formative years.

So, recommended and I know people will say it isn't important - they look good on my feet as well. To me looking good on the hills is still important.

Gareth's five top tips for buying walking boots:

• Always go to a reputable (preferably independent) outdoor store.
• Get your feet measured - they change shape / size as you get older.
• Try on as many pairs of boots in the shop as possible, under the guidance of the qualified and experienced boot fitter.
• Always use a test slope to walk up and down in the shop to make sure you don't slip in the boots.
• Buy your boots later in the day when your feet are hot and slightly swollen from being used all day.
• Take the socks you expect to wear with the boots to ensure optimum fit and comfort.
• Get them home and wear them indoors for as long as possible to make sure they really are a good fit. Climb the stairs in them a few times.

Need any more advice or have any more questions about walking boots? Ping me an email.

Happy buying, happy feet - happy walking, love the adventure.

The Source of the Thames

Who knows where the source of the River Thames is? I had no idea until a few moments ago when I looked it up on t'internet. One of my valued regular customers has just sent me an email saying that she found the source of the Thames and is now has another 179 miles to go. The Thames is (according to web research 210 miles long).

I've never really thought about the source of a river. I wonder where the source for the River Arun is that runs through Horsham? Finding the source of a river always sounds like it is going to be a swash bucking adventure. The sort of things that Harrison Ford (in actor mode) of Ranulph Fiennes would do. Fighting your way up river, against all the odds, the boat getting holes and nearly sinking while the crocs watch from the riverbank, waiting for you to go under.

OK, so I was getting a little carried away there, but Ran (as I fondly call him, having met him the once at a book signing and he signed my book to Gary) has actually done this finding the river source thing. He used hovercrafts to get to the source of the Nile. Now that must have been an adventure.

So here is your challenge, and you have a year to complete it in:

Find your local river, then find it's source.

I'm sure with modern technology like GPS and Internet sites you should be able to find it. I'm going to hunt down the source of the River Arun.

Keep it local, beat the credit crunch and reduce carbon emissions.

(But hey, you can't beat a good bit of travelling to somewhere exciting - source of the Amazon anyone?!)

Local Travel

There are lots of local places to go and visit right on your doorstep. Beat the credit crunch and get out and exlpore local. What is there around where you live? What is there an hours train journey away?

I took my Scouts out on a walk a month ago, just before the snows, on the Horsham Riverside Walk. The Horsham Riverside Walk is a fantastic 11 mile walk around Horsham in West Sussex, following bridlepaths, foot paths, and believe it or not the rivers of Horsham, the Arun or as some call it Red River.

The walk passes through housing estates, little cut through around the town, pass an old pill box, mott and bailey castle and an old water mill. You can learn quite a bit about the town and it's history as you walk along taking in the country side as well as the houses!