Saving Old Seagulls

I bimbled off intyo Poole the other day in search of thick socks - boot socks - to wear inside my wellington boots next winter. Over the years I must have bought dozens of pairs of boot socks, they never wear out but are normally lost to the fourth dimension where odd socks go. The attrition is rather greater now we have a dog whose sock fetish is only equalled by his fondness for ladies underwear from the laundry basket.

So I wandered into Oswald Bailey, purveyor of all things outdoors, to select a pair. Sure enough over in the corner there was one of those merchandising boards, with socks displayed complete with the relevant sizing information and the like. Nowadays the term isn't 'thick' socks or 'thin' socks or 'medium' socks. One has the choice of 'one season' or 'two seasons' or 'three seasons' socks. I had the same issue with sleeping bags last year when the little girl in Black's of Greenock was completely unable to tell me what it all meant, but by now I'm all clued up.

I chose a pair that looked 'thick enough' (three seasons for those in the know) and meandered over to the till. I was taken completely aback when the spotty youth behind the counter demanded £12.99. 'MNearly thirteen quid for a pair of socks?' I asked, convinced the youngster was tring to sell me the counter as well. 'Yes, he sais, adding helpfully 'You can have two pairs for £20' 'I'm sorry', I replied, "i have obvously taken these by mistake. I'm simply noy going to pay thirteen quid for a pair of socks'.

The boy looked at me with great scorn, and said 'These are Technical socks, and if you must have Cheap Sock then perhaps you should go to Burtons or Marks and Spencer' He actually pronounced the words 'technical' and 'cheap' as though they had capital letters, and he obviously regarded me as the lowest of the low. I said 'That's exactly what I will do', and off I went to do just that.

As it happens I stumbled across Edinburgh Woollen Mills, where they have boot socks for £5, or £8 for two, so I bought a couple of pairs. It was only when I got home that Mary, bless her, asked why I had bought six pairs of boot socks? There were three pairs in each pack.

Questions for the panel:

1) Technical socks? Does anyone believe this sort of stuff, is it the Emperors New Socks story?

2) Are any socks worth thirteen rotten quid?

3) Should I be prevented from going shopping as my wife suggests?

1) Technical socks? Does anyone believe this sort of stuff, is it the Emperors New Socks story?

I do not know about 'technical' but I do know about frostbite in -50 c and blisters at 2500 meters with 40 kms down slope to the truck. I would not pay that price for a pair of socks but I do own thin silk socks that live under merino or angora wool socks. Have had very good luck with getting 'technical' grade merino socks on line for about 10 percent of the local sports stores.

2) Are any socks worth thirteen rotten quid?

Yes, good socks are worth more then a Jaguar if you need them. If you do not need them they are worth nothing.

3) Should I be prevented from going shopping as my wife suggests?

When she starts knitting you proper kit you can stop shopping

Dont know what 13 quid is in aussie dollars, but i bet its very expensive. When i go out on my motorbike out in the bush (Trail-Enduro riding) I normally wear to pairs of socks. 100% cotton and then Wool over the top. The cooton keeps my feet dry. And the wool keeps my feet well proctected from any harsh rubbing as such. I normally get mine from an army disposals store. real cheap.

This is a outboard forum, to discuss socks you should join here.http://www.socknitters.com

just visited the socknitters forum and I found there is no mention of seagull outboards whatsoever, so I thought someone should join the forum and start a seagull discussion about the technical aspects of socks