Gore-Tex: marvellous material! I’ve had a pair of trainers made out of the stuff for a few months now. These are the shoes I’ve done most of my expeditions in, in all weathers, and always come home with dry feet, if nothing else.

So today I’m looking at the sea and I see this very interesting repeat wave configuration where, as the sea drains back if forms a semi circular crest which folds in on itself and makes this interesting foamy slap, producing some very odd shapes. ‘Aha!’ thinks I. This has the potential for an interesting image and so, confident in being clad in the ideal footwear, I stride down the beach right to the edge of the water. Then, crouching down low for the right angle, I wait…

Of course the thing you forget about waterproof footwear is that shoes will always have two bloody great holes in them. They are at the top, one per shoe; the ones you use to put your feet into. Today I have been reminded that Gore-Tex is also marvellous at keeping the water in, too.