This is the time of year when fashion sites declare “It’s Spring!” and there’s all sorts of enticement to get you dropping layers. And I’m normally first out of the gate where this is concerned. But lets face it, with snow at Easter not unknown we’re all going to be freezing our bollocks off for some time to come. And with this in mind here is a rare, wooly, winter-themed post from me.

During a recent Cotswolds jaunt I was tipped off to visit the woolen mill/shop in the village of Filkins. Inside you can find blankets galore, many of which sell at places like Liberty at great markups. So, I wandered round the shop draped in a variety of lovely woolen blankets and rugs until I happened across the shooting socks. Thick chunky socks worn just-visible under dirty-suede hiking boots or LLBean blucher moccasins have been one of the highlights of my winter so far. I chose the thickest socks in lilac with yellow and a brick-red with beige. Elsewhere for those nimble with a sewing machine the shop also sells off-cuts and wooolen fabrics by the metre.

The Cotswolds Woolen Mill can be visited in the village of Filkins,  check out their quirky website here.

Continuing the cosy, wintry theme here’s one of Mr Jeremy Hackett‘s adorable ancient spaniels snapped during the recent shoot I attended with Mr Natty (more on him later).

Cotswolds Jeremy Hackett Mr Natty socks wool