Millets has always been a favourite shop for me because I like to look at cagoules..and no, I'm not bonkers. You see, Millets stocks Peter Storm cagoules and fleeces-my favourites, and you can't get them just anywhere. So when my current outer garments are getting a bit frayed, I go to Millets in Halifax and have a good browse.

Not that I always BUY from Millets- the price does have to be right and sometimes they don't have an offer on what I want and somewhere else has something similar for the lower price- and off I go. My loyalty only extends so far..just as far as my purse does, actually.

These stores are situated all over the country and you'd be unlucky not to have one at least fairly close to where you live. I go to the Halifax branch because it's the closest one to me.

It's not huge but I don't need huge if they stock what I want in the small space.

WHAT DO THEY SELL?

Clothing..

Fleeces, cagoules, coats, 3-in-1 coats, trousers, tee shirts, shirts, base layers, hats, gloves, scarves, and socks. Clothes come in all sizes and colours, from small to extra large for men and size 10-18 for women, and there is a children's section of the shop, too. Their clothes go from ages 3-4 to 11-12. After that you are really in to the grown up section.

Footwear.

Walking boots, ranging from cheap and cheerful (if you want to try it out and probably won't want to go walking again) to very expensive. I tend to go for something towards the bottom end of price, but comfortable and durable need to apply. I do quite a lot of walking ant my first pair of boots when I was 16 came from Millets- leather old fashioned boots and they never ever let me down. I lent them to my mum who fancied trying some walking and I never got them back!!!I had to get some new ones and although they have been wonderful they were fabric- weren't leather and they probably won't last as long.

You can get activity sandals here..very hardy types..(don't wear your socks with them, for goodness sake!!). Walking shoes as opposed to boots, outdoor active shoes ( a bit like training shoes but more tough and suitable for long walks)

All shoes come in 41-47 for men
37-41 for women
1-6 for children..I don't know why they can't just tell us what the grown up sizes are in proper measurements! Anyway, if you are an adult with little feet it's worth trying the childrens' shoes becasue they are a lot less expensive!

They also sell work boots and wellington boots in the Halifax branch, but it might be worth asking your local branch if they stock them.

CAMPING

You can buy some cracking tents from Millets. We bought ours from here- a 2 man (person) tent and it was not expensive but we had a brilliant time with it when we were younger. A sewn in groundsheet was a MUST..I hate wiggly little things joining me as I sleep!

Then we moved on to a 4 person tent with an awning at either end. For a small price we were able to take both boys away with us and camp..

Millets do sell tents, and all the gubbins you need to go camping, from gas burners, to plates, compasses, maps, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, mats to go under your sleeping bags....ooh, everything!

a 2 man tent with a double skin would cost you £39.99. Not bad, eh?

Sleeping bags - you can get junior ones for about £15, but remember that your child will soon grow..I wish I'd thought of it- I bought my son a lovely one and then he grew out of it within 12 months..should have bought an adult one first! Anyway, you can get a decent sleeping bag for about £25. (you can pay a LOT more but I don't think it's worth it unless you are SERIOUS!) Look at the labels and see how many seasons it will d ofor. If you are planning to camp in winter you'll need the 4 seasons one! Don't just get the summer weight bag and then complain to the shop that it wasn't warm enough!!!

SKIING

If you are thinking of going skiing, go to Millets. Their prices for equipment and clothing don't make it seem so exclusive and it's definitely more affordable. In addition, they do sell branded clothes at a lower price than your ski-clothes shops (eg Blacks) eg Slalom jacket for £80.

They also sell ski gloves, hats and headbands.

If you want to buy one, they sell balaclavas..but although they do keep your face warm, they are a bit scary looking!

As for the rest of the shop, it's an Aladdin''s cave of fascinating stuff...knives, walking poles, gaiters for keeping your trousers clean when walking, water purifying tablets,torches, flasks, muddy boot covers (yes, really!) ,bags, rucksacks, bum bags...I could fgo on.

You really need to go and look around. The staff are very helpful and there are changing rooms where you can try the clothes on.

In some stores, they have tents set up so you can see what they look like-very useful if you want to look at how roomy they are inside. Better than buying and finding out that it won't take oyu, the children, the dog, all your equipment and so on!

Go...I bet you buy something!