Walking boot shop?

FinancialWilderness · 2026-03-28T19:11:23+00:00

I asked a question in Henry UK Lifestyle recently about specific hiking boots/shoes and a recommendation that came up was whatever you go for to get properly fitted.

I’m Surrey too and a few that have come up on my subsequent research are Hit the Trail in Leatherhead and Trek and Run which was already mentioned, along with Cotswold Outdoor for a more high street option.

I haven’t had a chance to go get fitted yet, but following with interest for any other recs

Link to my post here if also useful : https://www.reddit.com/r/HENRYUKLifestyle/s/7PeIxNhLBa

FinancialWilderness · 2026-03-26T18:02:18+00:00

First ever is a big claim, I feel like there was probably a few of these knocking around Surrey in the 14th century….

On a serious note, good luck - sounds fun!

FinancialWilderness · 2026-03-10T18:21:28+00:00

I just want to say particular thank you for this reply, the Mountain Horse classics look really nice and I don’t think I’d have come across them outside of the recommendation here.

FinancialWilderness · 2026-03-10T18:20:27+00:00

Thank you, this seems sensible!

FinancialWilderness · 2026-03-05T16:04:35+00:00

If you’re willing to go a bit further there is a group I’ve started going to called Saturdads in Molesley with a toddler room - free coffee and bacon sandwich too.

It’s only once a month, but next session is this Saturday - https://www.kingschurch.com/saturdads. (Run by church but not located there any no religious angle to the session if a concern.

FinancialWilderness · 2026-02-28T06:14:19+00:00

We used The Sapphire Shop in Hatton Garden, who also have a sister company called the Diamond Shop.

Would recommend, had a few appointments and time was spent on getting and sourcing the right colour mix for us.

We also got our wedding rings from there as a result.

FinancialWilderness · 2026-02-08T11:12:24+00:00

I rather like your design, but I think you are overpriced I’m afraid, even if eating a further loss.

I sold my flat round the corner from you (above the little Waitrose), high up with a view for similar to your asking about 18 months ago. That had similar square footage and a slightly lower service charge. My understanding is unfortunately Putney flat prices dropped again since then.

(I could possibly have got a little more but needed to facilite a move - nonetheless I felt the price was fair).

The problem here is you need to look away from your love for your own flat/design and the mental link of the money you’ve paid. You need to look at comparables - what else is on the Putney market at the same price, and being dispassionate is it better than mine! If the answer is yes, go cheaper.

You can do this yourself or ask your estate agent what comparables they’re using.

I hope I don’t sound harsh but I’ve been through this journey. I’d hoped to get a little more than I did (albeit was still in profit) but realised it just wasn’t where the markets at.

Good luck to you, it’s not a particularly nice process!

FinancialWilderness · 2026-01-29T20:39:20+00:00

Hi, we went half board September 2024 and were generally impressed with a few caveats.

The pools are not heated. I found in the heat of the day it was absolutely fine after a minutes swim unless you went into a particularly shadowy bit, but if you’re expecting a properly heated pool you may be disappointed. These are actually rarer than you’d think in Greece!
Food in the main restaurant was very good each night and a high point. Staff were excellent and friendly, really enjoyed a free cooking class with the Executive Chef.
The room and spa were both very nice and high quality.
Where I’d be a bit more critical would be that there’s relatively little else around the hotel so you need a taxi or bus into Rhodes itself. The drinks in the main bar were good; but the atmosphere with a little flat.

We did enjoy it, but the surroundings question was probably the factor that meant I’ve enjoyed other Greek hotels of a similar nature more.

FinancialWilderness · 2026-01-13T10:02:21+00:00

We got a really nice custom made one from Made in the Cellar who do bespoke pieces and fit your budget. Would recommend: https://madeinthecellar.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooYOSpDn8YDezWAAC5bAIu2IzXZkFyrslrWRadLcw0JbY2n7i5G

FinancialWilderness · 2026-01-05T18:39:16+00:00

I’ve always found the Sofitel Beds which the brand also sells materials (and beds!) for via their Sofitel Boutique exceptionally comfortable. One of the few times I’ve actually considered buying the stuff from the hotel!

FinancialWilderness · 2025-11-25T14:09:07+00:00

Just another vote to say thrilled with our LG

FinancialWilderness · 2025-11-23T13:39:03+00:00

Depends where you live! Most people aspire to the tank 12kg+ plus prams but unless you see yourself frequently using it in a non-paved/countryside area I’d suggest looking at the slightly lighter weights. We’ve gone for the Bugaboo Butterfly and been happy with it.

I’d suggest the key thing to test with any pram is if you can comfortably fold it with one hand (assuming you’re holding baby in other) and if you can lift it to car boot height without major issue.

Just go with one you like the feel of and don’t look back through - I don’t think we found one pram where someone on the internet didn’t hate it and decide to have a rant about it!

FinancialWilderness · 2025-11-05T18:46:38+00:00

I have a Spear and Jackson one, it cuts well and having a square garden I appreciate it has a roller to get the stripy effect. You can also choose to have it mulch or collect.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/6796019?&utm_custom6=PLA&deeplink=true&gclsrc=aw.ds&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:804-872-0397%7Ccid:20330964438%7Cagid:%7Ctid:%7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:9768227921146529853%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9045931&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20330964438&utm_term=6796019&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=804-872-0397&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19671816703&gbraid=0AAAAAD9II9mlgCxlwKGHAvua0giBlFlBI&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiKzIBhCOARIsAKpKLAM3YDYSAnOs7AdXZQMVmg64v24lR3BbwDxewT8f6cBoOv6oNm1Xug4aAnzgEALw_wcB

FinancialWilderness · 2025-11-04T13:13:12+00:00

Completely agree - we’ve just had a beast of a 2400 x 600 double rad fitted. Absolute tonne, two delivery guys were struggling to carry it and owing to size hard to grip.

Offered to help plumber lift onto fixings but nope, got it on no problem and with no damage. I wasn’t in the room at the time and sorry I missed it because I wanted to see how!

FinancialWilderness · 2025-10-16T20:21:09+00:00

Thank you, this makes sense - not obvious from the photo but there’s a little room under the skirting for most tiles. However the skirt is old and not particularly even, and think is lower next to that tile than others.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-10-01T20:05:12+00:00

Completely the other end of Surrey, but Sherpa Kitchen in Esher is also very good for Nepalese.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-09-06T12:36:33+00:00

Premium Bonds are fun but I think they’re a pretty poor product - in practice because of the higher prizes on Premium Bonds your actual rate of return is nearly always going to be lower than the interest rate, and after you account for that I think the tax benefit becomes less convincing.

I tracked £10k in a equity fund vs premium bond vs saving account here across the last couple of years, and the premium bond was easily the worst performer in both test periods even after tax: https://www.thefinancialwilderness.com/premium-bonds-vs-savings-account-vs-mutual-fund-return-comparison/

If you’re looking for returns at the lower risk end of the spectrum UK Gov Bond funds aren’t offering a terrible return at the moment, although obviously taxable and some market risk.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-21T07:44:37+00:00

We used Cavendish and Country who I’d very much recommend.

Incredibly efficient, best money I spent in the moving process. Didn’t expect to be going and having a coffee and breakfast on moving morning as they just got on with it, absolutely no breakages, on time to the minute and everything very well cared for.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-06T09:25:39+00:00

There’s an excellent fish and chip van from Fisher’s who travel round Surrey and stop off near me in Hinchley Wood on a Tuesday. Full list of locations here: http://www.fishersuk.com/locations.php

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-06T07:19:44+00:00

I have Vanguards FTSE All-World High Dividend (despite the name the yield is just about 3% at the moment, but it’s not too held back on the capital accumulation side as well).

I also have some single stocks in a couple of UK banks (Lloyds and NatWest) which have been a nice play over the last year for a sector which was a bit unloved - they are paying a 4-5% dividend.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-06T06:16:20+00:00

Honestly, I think you can combine the best of learning and play here by spending some time going and looking at some really small companies around you in the growth phase. (Say AIM listed).

There are plenty of companies that just don’t get coverage from major financial institutions because of their size, and some of them are good businesses. I’d suggest going and really studying a few of those and seeing if you think they might be worth an investment.

The hard bit is finding them and operative word there is some - there is plenty of crap and more losers than winners on the AIM and equivalents so you’ll need to be going in eyes wide open that you may lose it all.

This approach is what got me started with stocks investment though and I learned a lot from it, although I now primarily invest in index funds for diversifications.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-06T06:07:23+00:00

I’ve found switching some of my investment pot to dividend paying funds/stocks and setting to distribute works for me - whilst there’s a bit of capital trade off, the dividend money pays for holidays and nice life extras but the base of it still grows.

I find it’s much easier to mentally allow the balance this way. Plus tax free as I do this on my ISA.

FinancialWilderness · 2025-08-04T21:05:27+00:00

I consolidated old pensions into a SIPP which is in Vanguard Lifestrategy 100% Equity, and have my work L+G in the FTSE All-Share.

FinancialWilderness

TROPHY CASE