These boots are made for gardening

Oh joy of joys, look what arrived in the post yesterday……

FAB Fuchsia Pink Hunter Wellington Boots! I am excited!

My 9-year old Town & Country red ankle wellies have served me well but sprung their first leak, a small split in the well-worn rubber, about a year ago. Several other small splits have appeared since then, and the ribbing behind the ankle has started to lose its elasticity. The zip broke last Monday. T&C still make ankle boots but the design has changed.

Time for new wellies and I’ve been drooling over a pair of Hunter boots for a long time. But they are handmade and quality but therefore very costly. Lucky me then, that several lovely friends clubbed together and made a big donation towards the cost of my boots as a birthday gift. Another friend inadvertently donated the balance.

Cash in my hot little hand, last Saturday I went to Selfridges to try on Hunter boots for size and buy if at all possible. After finally locating them within the store (bizarrely, in the Kurt Geiger shop....?) the smarmy male shop assistant, sensing a definite sale, was all over me like a rash. Expecting to pay the exorbitant figure of £50, my first disappointment was learning that Selfridges now charge £60. SIXTY quid for a pair of wellies! Sensing my shock, smarmy assistant tried hard to camouflage the price hike by ranting about how wonderful these boots are, as I am already well aware or I wouldn’t even consider buying them.
I worked in fashion for years. His falseness was starting to get on my nerves.

I wear a UK 5½ and half sizes are always tricky. I always need to try before I buy so I wanted both a 5 and a 6 to choose the best fit. My tricky sizing was irritating Mr Smarmy who lazily handed me the nearest pair of green size 6 to try, despite my asking for pink. They were HUGE so I asked for the 5. Smarmy assistant panicked and ran around but couldn’t find a single size 5 Hunter wellie in any colour anywhere in the shop. He returned to relay this news and then, obviously sensing a non-sale after all, dropped me like a hot potato and stalked off, nose in the air and immediately started serving somebody else! How incredibly rude! I used to say that Selfridges was an under-rated and rather good store but my opinion has completely changed after this.

But I was still without wellies and really unhappy to pay £60. What to do? I started searching around online, knowing I could find a better price. I found my boots at Uttings Outdoors and paid just under £45 including next day delivery. The whole ordering process was easy and hassle-free. The delivery arrived as promised and on time. I am really delighted.

And here they are again, after being worn to the allotment just now and christened with mud. Ha!

I've just had a couple of hours on the allotment this morning, digging up yet more deep rooted weeds (where will it end??!!) and admiring our speedy progress. I left at the perfect moment too, just before the rain started to pour.

My red onions are doing well in the nursery bed I created when the plot was levelled

The ridges of our potato bed, and the first sign of blossom on my potted apple tree which we will plant on the bank in due course

The rhubarb is thriving in its new home on the bank

I'd better go and wash my hair I suppose. I'm off to another party tonight....


Love Springtime
Love Life
XXX