My first pair of 'ankle stranglers'

I made the most important purchase of the year today - my boots for the kilimanjaro trek.

I was probably eleven last time I had my feet measured. Apparently nowadays one of my feet is long and narrow and the other is short and wide, how odd! This must explain why I prefer to wear flip flops.

I tried on all of the makes of hiking boots (the sales assistant was very patient!). I was hoping to find the perfect pair that 'fit like a glove', however, they were all equally uncomfortable. I have never before tried on footwear that strangles the ankles, it is a very unpleasant sensation. I paced round and round and round the shop in each pair of ankle stranglers, I must have covered about three miles in total. In the end I plumped for the least uncomfortable pair.

The sales assistant suggested that I wear the boots indoors for a couple of hours this evening to make sure they are right for me. I can't imagine that watching Professional Masterchef wearing my dressing gown with the ankle stranglers will convince me that they are comfortable.

No, these babies are going to have a real test run. Tomorrow we drive to Wales to climb Snowdon - by the end of the weekend I will know if I have made the right choice......