Parka Coats and Jackets.............

I've long been a collector of those puffed up, warm as anything hooded coats and jackets that'll take you anywhere, keep you dry and warm, work perfectly as knee rugs (and no I am not that old) in the cinema and last you for ever and a day.

There are loads of them around right now, some cheap and cheerless, that will probably not keep you very warm, let alone dry, others stiff as a board in the name of fashion (and sometimes cropped!) and the very best ones are long, hooded, down filled and perfect.

I really can't listen to the 'oh I hate hoods' merchants who get out their brollies when the snow falls (I mean really!). I'm always warm, and I'll usually have a spare coat in the car with me so if you see me, and you're shivering, come and ask.

If all of this sounds a bit smug I really don't mean to, it just comes of living in a cold place, having two energetic dogs and wanting to keep warm. Let me tell you how.

Here are some excellent down filled jackets - you may just have time to get yours by Christmas if you put your order in right now.

The pictures of most of these are, how can I put it nicely? Not the best. But don't be misled, they will all do what they're supposed to do. If you search around the stores now you'll find little left on the rails and these still have sizes available.

And if you can't get yours in time for Christmas, well you'll just have to sit in front of the fire with a large glass of mulled wine and wait for it to arrive, won't you?