On our radar: German army combat boots

German Army Combat Boots from Epic Militaria in Aberystwyth

I’ve been through a fair few pairs of walking/work boots in the past few decades. There have been long shifts on my feet working as a chef in kitchens, as well as daily dog walks in the hills of the Pennines and Ceredigion.

I favoured Doc Martens in kitchens and Brashers for outdoor use. A few years ago, Brasher was bought out by another company (Black’s, I think) and the quality dropped. A pair of their boots that once lasted me over 5 years, now wear out in less than 5 months!

I decided to look into army surplus – I don’t need any fancy names or gimmicks – and boots for the armed forces are definitely made for walking!

In my search I came across a local company, Epic Militaria, who are based in Aberystwyth. They’re not a shop as such; they’re a mail-order company based in a nondescript warehouse on an industrial estate. However, they’re willing to have you come to visit via appointment – like I did, to try on the boots before I bought them.

The boots I chose are the ones above; German army combat boots. They’re extremely well-made and very comfortable; the integral tongue keeps your feet completely dry if you step into a deep bog or puddle. They’re surprisingly lightweight and, usefully, they’re available in half sizes.

Recently, when I’ve been out in my new boots, lots of people have commented on them and enquired as to where they were bought. I’ve recommended Epic Militaria to at least half a dozen people in the last few weeks… and I’m not on any kind of commission!

As well as a huge range of shoes & boots, Epic Militaria stock very affordable coats, trousers, bags, hats, socks and other accessories.

Our week that was: Apple picking, a play date and moon missions

Our week that was blog post banner

We’re still playing catch-up here on the blog after another fun-filled week – time is whizzing by in a flash. It does, doesn’t it, as you get older?

Orchard with Welsh apple tree varieties

Apple picking

One of my friends from the Women’s Institute has a garden with an orchard. She invited a couple of us over to pick some of the apples, as she’d never be able to make use of them all.

Heritage apple tree Heritage apple tree

The apple trees are old, rare Welsh heritage varieties such as Baker’s Delicious and Cadwaladr.

Walnuts developing on the tree Walnuts developing on the tree

As well as apples, there were a few, much less commonly found trees in the orchard… including these walnuts that were almost ready to harvest.

Sacks of apples picked from the orchard

Apples being stored in a food safe in our garden room Apples being stored in a food safe in our garden room

We spent less than an hour apple picking, after which I returned home with two large sacks, heavy with fruit, with not much of an idea of what I was going to make with them. A pie and an upside-down cake are most likely; I have so many apples, I can attempt things I’ve never done before; apple juice, apple jam, hard cider?

Strava route for Barley play date with Tala at Hafod Arch

Play date for Barley

A few weeks ago, we encountered a lady out walking her dog near the Arch near Hafod. After a tentative 30 seconds or so, we were all really pleased to see that her dog, Tala, and Barley hit it off splendidly. They’re about the same size and possess the same energy levels. They got on so well, in fact, that we agreed to meet the following week in the same place for a doggie play date.

The afternoon of the play date was a welcome chink of lovely, warm sunny weather in an altogether damp and dreary week. Tala & Barley loved it; tearing through the woods, chasing each other for most of the hour-long circular walk. We hope it will become a regular occurrence.

For All Mankind series one box set

For All Mankind

We’ve just binge-watched 3 series of For All Mankind. The series proffers an alternative world history that hinges on the ‘space race’ not ending with the USA landing on the moon in 1969. The series broaches many subjects such as male chauvinism, feminism, sexuality, politics, technology and conspiracy theories. And I’ve just found out – there’s going to be a series four at some point in the near future!

Price Points: Mushroom knives

Mushroom knives

I always keep bags in my coat pockets in case I come across wild food on my dog walks in fields and woodland; blackberries, elderflowers, bilberries and the like.

October and November are peak months for fungi foraging. This year has been a good one for parasols, porcinis and horse mushrooms round these parts. With some mushrooms, you really need to slice them at the base, otherwise they may crumble or break when you try to lift them. As well as a bag, it’s a good idea to walk with one of these mushroom knives.

A good knife will be small, lightweight, sharp and have a brush to get rid of dirt and debris. The mushroom-shaped, keyring example is portable and very cute. The French company, Opinel, has the reputation as being the brand-leader and their N°08 model is an absolute beaut!

  1. Mushroom tool keychain: £14.95, NOTHS
  2. Mushroom foraging knife: £22.50, Etsy
  3. Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case: £39.95, Amazon

The Opinel N°08 mushroom knife is the ultimate tool for foraging. It will accompany you on all your outings in the forest, and will fulfil several purposes. For all nature and mushroom lovers, this is your new best friend!

shop mushroom knives

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case
Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case
£39.95
Mushroom foraging knife
Mushroom foraging knife
£22.50
Mushroom tool keychain
Mushroom tool keychain
£14.95
Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case
Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case
£39.95
Mushroom foraging knife
Mushroom foraging knife
£22.50
Mushroom tool keychain
Mushroom tool keychain
£14.95
Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case
Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case
£39.95
Mushroom foraging knife
Mushroom foraging knife
£22.50
Mushroom tool keychain
Mushroom tool keychain
£14.95
Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case
Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case
£39.95
Mushroom foraging knife
Mushroom foraging knife
£22.50
Mushroom tool keychain
Mushroom tool keychain
£14.95
Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case
Opinel N°08 pocket knife + sheath in case
£39.95
Mushroom foraging knife
Mushroom foraging knife
£22.50
Mushroom tool keychain
Mushroom tool keychain
£14.95

A day out to Cors Caron National Nature Reserve

Cors Caron raised bog boardwalk in early July 2019

We took a trip to Ceredigion in Wales last week – we think that’s our 4th visit in the last 12 months.

Cors Caron information board

We love the variety of walking on offer in the area – woodland, farmland, riversides and coastal scenery are all within easy reach.

Wooden signage showing different walks at Cors Caron

One rather special and rare habitat that we visited was to be found at Cors Caron National Nature Reserve. It’s a large, open expanse of ancient peat bog – with various footpaths, gravel tracks and raised ‘decking’ walkways to explore. It covers an area of approximately 2,000 acres in total. The raised bogs built up from deep layers of peat have taken around 12,000 years to form.

Cors Caron raised bog boardwalk in early July 2019

This was the first time that we’ve actually visited the site in mid-summer – and really beautiful it was too.

Raised bog

It was green and lush with huge, clear blue skies above.

Raised bog

We strolled slowly around the reserve taking in the scenery and wildlife. Bees, butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and all manner of other insects flitted and buzzed around. An incredible 170 bird species have been recorded here and you could here various songs and calls as you walked. We particularly loved the sound of the curlew that drifted across the site. We didn’t see any otters on this visit, but apparently they do roam these waterways – along with other mammals such as water voles and polecats.

Heron in a raised bog

We stopped for a moment at the hide – what a view! From inside the dark, enclosed hide – the outside seems to stretch out in Techni-colour before you.

Hide along the Cors Caron raised bog boardwalk

The Cors Caron reserve is also home to many interesting, and sometimes rare, wild flower species such as the bog asphodel (pictured below), cotton grass and sphagnum moss.

Yellow bog asphodel growing in a raised bog

If you’re ever in the area be sure to stop and take a wander. There are walks of varying distances on offer, you’ll come across wonderful sights on all of them.

Wildflower path

It’s an uplifting, life affirming place. Hopefully we’ll return very soon!

Wildflower path

If you click on the panoramic image above, you can see it in greater detail. Additionally, if you’re planning a visit, you can download a PDF copy of the map here.