The Country Is Calling – Be Prepared!

As we run headlong towards the wetter autumn/winter seasons, the prospect of walking the dogs across common land to the local pub for a roast lunch with pints of foaming craft brew then to adjourn beside a roaring log fire is either a dream Sunday for many of us or a Christmas Card image.

Regardless, I buy into a Swedish expression – and they know a thing or two about wet, dark and cold weather – its not how bad the weather is but how good your clothes are. I have a fairly standard weekend wet weather uniform that runs from a simple yet iconic Barbour Waxed jacket, there are many fabulous styles to chose from, but I have always really enjoyed wearing the “Beaufort” model with zipped in lining – see our previous post on this iconic jacket here Barbour Jacket

Buy your own Barbour Wax Jacket from Amazon by clicking the following link BARBOUR CPS0819 MWX Jacket Men XL

If a longer coat is required with some essential layering – as mine doesn’t have a lining – an iconic Australian, Driza-Bone stockman coat, designed for horse riding in torrential rain – cannot be beaten – please see our previous post here – Driza-Bone coat

Buy your own waxed stockman’s coat from Amazon by clicking the following link FULL LENGTH WAX STOCKMANS COAT FINE QUALITY DOUBLE FOLD ENGLISH WAXED COTTON (XL 50-52″ 22-24 Unisex, Chocolate Brown)

Under a water-proof jacket a shirt is sensible and the wonderful Woolrich range takes a lot of beating. See our previous post here – Woolrich shirt

Why not buy a Woolrich shirt – the Black Watch is fab – by clicking this AMAZON link Woolrich Men’s Trout Run Flannel Button Down Shirt, New Royal Blue, Large

Having successfully kept the body warm and dry the next real challenge for anyone considering a “yomp” – and we haven’t herd that word since the Falkland War – in the countryside is the feet. If your preference is for English products then there is a simple answer to this is. Combine long thick wool socks with the definitive English Wellington boot – the Hunter. See here our previous post on these excellent English rubber boots – Hunter Green Wellington Boots

Buy your own pair of Hunter Wellington Boots by clicking the following Amazon link Hunter Unisex-Adult Original Tall Wellington Boots, Green, 8 UK

Now this is a delicate subject, and I suspect something many will share as a concern, I blame years of cycling, rugby and generally holding me up and propelling me forwards but I have developed calf muscles that would look good on a bullock! They are strong, certainly, but pose somewhat of a challenge when seeking to access a wellington boot that are designed for really hefty calves. My solution has been found by those nice French folk at Le Chameau.

Le Chameau, are fabulous French-made rubber boots that are given a uniqueness by being handmade by a single boot-maker – who have a year long apprenticeship – in a tradition that has lasted for ninety years. This year sees the celebration of this iconic brand’s 90th anniversary of its founding by Claude Chamot in Cherbourg (Normandy, Northern France). In 1949 M. Chamot established a factory in Casablanca in Morocco and was thus enabled to rename his business “Le Chameau” – French for a Camel – by way of a small “blague” play on his name and the location of his new production facility!

The Le Chameau leather-lined and vulcanised rubber “Chasseur Heritage” is simply the best pair of boots that I have found particularly as I am able to give them my correct measurements. Please remember never put your Le Chameau boots by the fire or against a direct source of heat.

Why not get your own Chasseur Heritage boots by clicking the following AMAZON link Le Chameau Chasseur Heritage Kevlar Mens Wellington Boots Green – 42 EU

Photo credits Barbour, Driza-Bone, Woolrich, Hunter and Le Chameau

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