Knottman has a little break.

You don't really want to know why. Sufficient to say that old gentlemen sometimes find large trees and hedges to be a great convenience.

But the picture is about my beloved Pacer Poles. The handles are of a special shape designed by the physiotherapist daughter of a retired doctor from our village. They fit the hand most comfortably and put no strain on the wrist. One of the handles has a screw built in which turns it into a monopod.

I have had them for twelve years. During the five years of disablement they were essential for getting round in the house. But now, although I do not need them, I never go up without them. In the past seven years they have done about 12,000 miles in measured walks.