Keeping Warm

I've been pondering the purchase of a decent winter sweater. This is not as straightforward as it sounds: my requirements and subsequent parameters for the garment unfortunately tend toward the expensive. I want something genuinely warm, therefore man-made fibres are out, in my book. I want something that is not going to itch the bejeezus out of me, as I want a turtle-neck to keep me nice and toasty. I want something that will outlast me., for gawd's sake. All of which militates towards a well-made sweater made of a decent weight of Marino wool. So I've opted for a submariner-type - I like the simplicity of style and the warmth-giving intent of the design. I've also opted for a British-made item as companies in this archipelago genuinely need our support these days.

Apropos of woollen longevity, I've owned two sweaters over the years that have been the apotheosis of this type of clothing. The first I bought in Greece, on the island of Siphnos [blog posts passim] in 1979. It was a grey, greased-wool fisherman's sweater that weighed in at some phenomenal poundage when bought, which lasted me for about fifteen years; well into the 1990's, anyway, before finally giving up the ghost. The second was a sweater of Norwegian origin that John left in the house after we bought the place from him in 1982. This jumper had already seen considerable use, but likewise saw service with me until the 1990's. My aim is to buy something that will give me a similar return on investment. I'll keep you posted...