A rest day in Sanquhar
Lowa has responded to my plight of drenched feet in their nearly new boots. They were shocked, saddened and more than a little embarrassed but they swung into action. Their experts and management team cleared their desks to deal with my problem, which is quite possibly a failure of the Goretex lining. Please return them to the retailer for inspection.
By then I’d taken decisive action and the train to Dumfries. There was only one boot shop: Mountain Warehouse. They don’t sell branded goods, just functional gear at low prices. I bought the best compromise between waterproof and no breaking in. We’ll find out soon enough whether that was a good idea.
I had sufficient time in Sanquhar, while waiting for the train, to visit the museum and inspect the famous knitted gloves.
Pilgrimage 
Ah, so there was a walking boot shop somewhere through that arch. Hope your new boots do the trick. I would alternate old boots (when it is dry) and new boots to help your feet become accustomed.
Yes! A magic arch. I was thinking about alternating the boots or even just using the Lowa boots while dry. But that’s a little like waiting for a wet day in the Sahara!
The only time I was in the Sahara it did rain
Yes, Mary and you get the occasional dry day in Scotland!
Glad I got to see what those gloves look like!
Hope your boots work out ok?!
After your comment about the juke box on day 2or 3 , it’s such a shame you don’t like country music. It would make such a great soundtrack to your walk!
Songs like ‘On the road again’
I can’t wait to get on the road again
Seeing things that’s I’ve never seen
Seeing things that I’ll never see again.
I can’t wait to get on the road again
Willie Nelson
Or maybe it should be The Proclaimers and
I will walk 500 miles! Xx
Maybe Lobo “Me and you and a dog named Boo … back on the road again”. Country music’s greatest moment for me was the very start of “Five Easy Pieces”, the late Tammy Wynette, Stand By Your Man. Such a good film. You’d hate it
Healthy Feet don’t list blisters as an area of expertise. Otherwise they may be a ‘hobble-in clinic’. Hopefully you won’t need their services!
Hello you two! That is so funny, a hobble-in clinic! Don’t I know about blisters … I’m eternally grateful to Marie’s cousin in France who treated my dreadful feet and saved my Via Francigena.
Hi Tim,
Just had a catch-up of your posts; I didn’t realise how quickly I’d fallen behind…luckily my walking doesn’t pan out the same way…
Enjoyable reading as always, certainly takes us along with you.
Hope the footwear issue is now resolved. As walkers we know, if the feet ain’t right, ain’t nuthin’ else right!
I do have to comment about the digs at Fosters… Although not a beer-of-any-kind drinker, there’s been many an occasion where a Fosters sign has made an Antipodean feel less further away from home; it’s like the Qantas tail…something only other Aussies 🇦🇺would understand. 🤗
Enjoy your rest day…look forward keeping up with your next updates!
Gambatte 🥾🎒
It’s so true about your feet. I’m very confused about my wet feet. Lowa boots have a too reputation, extremely well made and I can’t see how water could have got in except through the boot itself. I didn’t submerge them but I don’t see why the Goretex would break down in both boots at the same time after so little use. Perhaps I should repeat the last walk with my new boots and see what happens.