Putting the boot in

I have a confession to make, I have a boot fetish. I simply drool when I see a chunky, rugged, macho, tough looking pair of boots. If the wearer is also tough and rugged, all the better. And wow, rigger boots are the bees knees, a guy with his jeans tucked in the top, well what can you say, pure hunk. Providing his beer belly doesn't get in the way of him being able to see his own feet, ha ha.

I have a good collection of boots myself, can't resist taking a look in the charity shops or car boot sales for the next pair. While most women would kill for a pair of Jimmy Choo's, I am quite content to pick up a second hand pair of bovver boots for a couple of quid.

These are my bestest walking boots, and the most expensive. Bought them in a sale, £55 instead of £110. They have to be good, and comfortable, because you know how many miles I walk in them.

Next we have a pair of very heavy CAT boots. The soles are several inches thick, they are waterproof and will never wear out. Great for sloshing about in the mud and puddles, but I couldn't walk more than about five miles in them. Cost £4.00 from a car boot sale.

These were also from a car boot sale, cost £3.00. They are waterproof up to a point as long as I don't wade through a stream in them. I need to wear two pairs of thick socks with them and can walk up to about seven miles in them.

My cheapest boots yet at £2 from a charity shop. The left one leaks so I can only wear them when it's dry, but they are comfortable with thick socks. I often go to town in these.

These are very soft bootees, they feel like slippers they are so comfortable. Waterproof with a thin pair of socks. Not for rugged walking, best on tarmac. I did a sponsored walk of 13 miles wearing these, they were only £3 from a charity shop. Fantastic boots.

My sister gave me these boots, they were too tight for her, but they accommodate my bunions quite nicely. They have a small wedge heel so they are a little bit fashionable. Good for wearing with a smart pair of trousers when I need to look respectable. Thanks sis.

I must have had these boots at least 25 years, some cheapo ones I seem to remember. They are not suitable for walking a long way, or on rough ground, more like a town boot.

These were all the fashion many years ago, again about 25 years ago. Loose round the ankles with a small heel. I wore them with a skirt or trousers. Yery comfortable.

More charity shop footwear, shoes this time. Cost £2.50. The good thing about second hand boots and shoes is that someone else has already worn them in. I have been to town in these this afternoon.

Charity shop shoes again. Dead comfortable but the sole is starting to come away from the upper. I have tried sticking them together with hot glue but they have come apart again. They were only £2, so when they completely disintegrate I will chuck them and get another pair. I should get a few more years out of them if I only wear them when it's dry.

I will finish off the collection with my current pair of slippers. As you can see they look like they have been into the casualty department for some treatment. I have made some repairs with gaffa tape. In the past I have had to rescue them from the jaws of Henry choc lab, he is rather partial to ripping out the insides. However, I am determined to get my moneys worth out of them and I can see them lasting a few more years yet, just need to wrap some more tape round them.

I haven't been in a shoe shop for years, lots and lots of years. There's nothing worse than buying a new pair of shoes to find they hurt after only wearing them a few times. You may have guessed I don't go for fashion, I go for comfort. You wont catch me tottering about on foot crippling high heels, I now wear sensible footwear.