Sirs: I was returning from a month of field research on the species diversity of beetles and other insects in the forests of the Lesser Antillean island of St. Vincent when I met Jim Ranscombe in the airport on Barbados. I did not know he was the manager of the Queen St. West, Toronto, Blundstone boot store. He noticed my Blundstone boots and asked about them. I was well pleased with them and talked up a good sales pitch to recommend them to him. He then told me who he was and how he was pleased at my compliments. I then introduced myself as a biology professor at Carleton University, Ottawa, and explained that I did a lot of field work in diverse places, all with my Blundstone  Boots. And I received an invitation to say a few good words about the boots to a wider audience. Here they are:

I have used my pair for some 8 years in field work in North America, and the West Indies, and Africa. In caves, tropical forests, and northern tundra habitats. They have been splendid in this diverse mix of habitats. The only down side is that the heels have finally worn down and some replacements will be needed before my next field season. I attach a photo from a few years back of working in caves in Quebec.

Stewart Peck