​I’m lucky enough to own a Berghaus Tephra Jacket (£144 at Go Outdoors), a down-filled jacket which I would not be without now when hiking through the hills. It’s fantastic. Added to that, I have a Berghaus Extrem 5000 Waterproof Jacket. It’s the best waterproof jacket I’ve ever had. It’s tough, waterproof, breathable and designed with outdoor people in mind. The combination of the jackets means I stay warm and dry, no questions asked.

​Why was I so sceptical about walking shoes? I’ve been brought with years of wearing boots for walking and hiking. In the early 80s, I wore walking boots in Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and the Lake District. In the late 80s, I wore army boots in the hills and mountains of Germany, Denmark, Kenya, Northern Ireland and in the USA. Along came the early 90s, and I wore lightweight walking boots while cycling down Africa for a year.