Real stories · The boots that ended my bench stops

I used to plan town around the benches — these boots ended that

Town without bench stops, at 67 — that's what these boots gave me back. Because I'll admit something: I know every bench in York. The one by the minster, the one outside the library, the one that's really a wall. My errands were quietly planned around them, because by the third shop my ankles and heels would be filing complaints.

What I wanted was a boot that carried me round town instead of the other way round.

Then I found the Ortheva from a British label called York Boutique — a black wedge ankle boot with a soft fluffy grey cuff, a smart leather-look finish and a little side zip with a ring pull. I chose the black; there's grey as well.

The support is the whole story. Inside it's properly cushioned, built to take the pressure off ankles and heels, and the wedge is wide and steady — a lift without a wobble — which is why the cobbles have simply stopped being a factor. The zip means they're on and off in a second at the door, and the fluffy cuff makes them look chosen rather than prescribed.

Cushioned support under the ankles and heels, on a wide steady wedge — which is why the cobbles have stopped dictating my route, and the benches have lost a regular.

They were £34.95, half the usual £70 — less than one visit to the chiropodist, which settled the sums nicely. A fortnight to send them back, free delivery. Done.

They have since done two full market mornings, the long way home along the river and one three-hour Saturday in town, and I walked past the minster bench without so much as a glance. Sandra noticed the fluffy cuffs at the bakery and called them 'suspiciously stylish for comfy boots'. Exactly.

If your errands are also planned bench to bench, do have a look. The Ortheva is rated 4.7 out of 5 by more than 260 women, it comes in black and grey, in UK sizes 4 to 11 — and at half price the middle sizes go first.