NOT..... but......

 

Quite a few years ago, I reached the top of Helvellyn in the Lake District with a group of walkers, including my BF from Glasgow. I remember there were sections on the route when I was definitely huffing & puffing (and we were nowhere near Striding Edge). And my BF, in the interests of keeping herself hydrated, was drinking litres of water.

I was astonished by at least 4 things when we reached the summit:

* Unlike a remote mountain in the Cairngorms, the top was positively swarming with people. A veritable rush hour!

* My BF announced she needed to relieve herself smartish.

* There were no obvious places to sneak behind, nor an obvious way to do anything unnoticed.

* While the group discussed the how and the where of my BF's dilemma, two mountain bikers pedalled up the side of the mountain beside us. I kid you not! My attention from BF's situation was well and truly diverted.

Both riders had bright pink faces, and calves like massive redwoods.

So when I now think of wide calves, an image of those bikers' burly legs immediately springs to mind as the epitome of wide calves!

Now, I have always had skinny legs - ones that, as a teenager, only met at the knees. But my sis reminded me that I've done my fair share of hillwalking, and a regular stint at dance classes, and combine this with no car and having to walk everywhere must make the circumference of my calves surely increase with time?

I measured them. They measure 38cm apiece. Apparently this equals WIDE CALVES when buying winter boots and, severely and unfairly, restricts my choice.

Normal boots are going to get stuck above the ankle and probably feel tighter than those in-flight stockings for deep-vein thrombosis!

I'm surely only left with old-wifie snow boots? Practical and clumpy. Wide and waterproof. Sensible heels with non-skid soles. Black or brown.

I hope I've not reached the age when I can expect from Santa that huge single snuggle-slipper (two feet in one)?

My advice to thin-legged young'uns: to ensure you can always wear pretty, if impractical, boots, make sure you rest those legs. Often!!