BOATING SWEATERS

Some 50 years ago, before it was normal to have central heating in the average house, and whilst I was young and foolish and, as it happens, reasonably well off, I bought a Guernsey sweater. I seem to remember that it cost about £30. I didn't wear it every day, and I didn't take it around with me when (for example) my boss (HM the Queen - I was a soldier at the time) required me to serve in Singapore. Nor, for obvious reasons, did I take it to Oman. I now have the sweater on 'Rosy' and I still occasionally use it on 'special' days and it is still un-damaged and in good condition.

A few years ago, on my return to the UK from the European Narrowboating adventure, I bought another Guernsey for every-day wear. It is very much lighter than my original one, and cost about £50 to £60 (ish). A few months ago I washed it (by hand) for the first time (in warm water, using soap flakes) and was embarrassed by the blackness of the water.

Before the wash, the sweater was annoying me as the stand-up neck insisted on drooping. Now, it is standing up again.

A few weeks ago I was twiddling on the internet, and looked up 'Guernsey sweaters'. Gulp!!! My original £30 one now needs at least an extra nought!! During the same session I discovered that Barbour (of Barbour Jacket fame) also dabble in sweaters starting (I think) at about £60.

The beautiful Norwegian and Icelandic sweaters have always appealed to me. However, a few weeks ago I saw one being worn in London. The problem is that the traditional Nordic sweaters nearly always have lots of white wool in them. This is fine in a wintery country, but on a wintery day in London the whiteness shows up every speck of dirt and makes them look uckh!

Toodle pip!!