Well it didn't remotely snow, however it rained an awful lot.

Whilst we are now busy shipping sale orders out, I am getting on with inputting new ranges for spring/summer '13....that's right it won't be long.

On my list today is the great new range of Lowe Alpine sacs which are due to us beginning of February and some are already online to preorder so check them out when you have a chance

End of year sale now on. Plus do not forget our Daily Deals and eBay's one day auctions. Loads of chances to grab a bargain with Complete Outdoors, Outdoor Store.

And it's due out in a rad new colour way next year...spring/anthracite. I've had my Deuter Speedlite 10 for about 4 years now and it is still as good as ever!

Online Christmas shop is pretty much over. Looks like a lot of people are going Hunter wellingtons for Christmas

....before Christmas

We're still expecting another super busy weekend as there is still time for a bit of last minute online shopping or alternatively get down to the Bourne End store. It's open everyday up until Christmas Day!

Meant to take a photo of the amazing frosty scenes around where we are but as normal forgot until it was dark. Typical! Ah well it seems that our customers are all stocking up for this cold weather with loads of Black Diamond gloves going out the door as well as a load of Black Diamond snow shovels. Maybe they know something we don't...?

Yes that old excuse again but with only 2 weeks until Christmas we are now at the height for the Christmas present buying period and getting orders out the door as quickly as poss and also trying to make sure the right gear in being reordered is rather soaking up a lot of time...

Also on another note, we seem to be ready busy with group/bulk orders at the mo with all sorts of gear going out to loads of different companies/organisation.  At the moment we have Nordic walking poles going to a one charity, water containers to a coffee retail company, 5 season sleeping bags to Spain, gear to the Police, wellingtons to a 5 star hotel and a very large order to a Childrens' Charity.  Keeps us on our toes.  If you want a quote for a bulk/group order, drop us an email and I will get you a super quote sorted asap

Yes it seems ages away (well a year in fact) but we have just seen next winters range of Didriksons parkas. Just to confirm they are just as good as this years ones. Warm, waterproof with great colours, cuts and styles...what more could you want in a winter jacket?

Not the best pic i know. I was out with Explorer Scouts in the snow for a night wide game and it was rather chilly to say the least but, and here the sales pitch....i was toasty warm and dry in my Ice Crew thermal, Rab photon hoody, powerstretch top, urban buff, thorlo socks and xa pro 3 d ultra. And again another comment on how good my petzl tikka xp was.

Where did that come from? A good question for us based in the south. Not quite enough for a massive rush on snow shovels but definitely a must for petzl spikys, especially when it all freezes tonight

Just come up from the warehouse and Phil is busy packing all the Sledges and Toboggans. First snow of the winter for us in the south today and normal chaos followed. Spoke to our SEO company in Aberdeen and they tell me it has been snowing for the past three days!

Is this just the start of things to come?

Was out doing some conservation work with the Wildlife Trust over the weekend and thought I'd take a snap of their Kelly kettles on the back of the land rover used to keep the volunteers plied with tea & coffee

Is today meant to be that strange media made up day "cyber Monday?" Whether it is or not we've had a massive amount of orders. Keeps our picking and packing teams out of trouble anyway...

Only a few more day left for the chance to win a Thermarest NeoAir XTherm Check out the Outdors Magic Competition Page

Have managed to get limited stocks of Didriksons Veronica and Stella women's parkas. The Veronica is especially good if you want a super warm parka but without a faux fur collar.

Will be online to buy tomorrow:-)

Just had our delivery of Trezeta Thermo boots in and they look ace! Should be online to buy tomorrow

This chap is the man who manages the online side of the business. His name is Andy but as you can see he can be a little bit of a recluse at times

Has been super busy again with a load of wellingtons and waterproofs being shipped out and yes it is still raining here. Someone told me it is going to snow next weekend. Is that right?

Always a winning present at Christmas time. Another delivery of Kelly Kettles from sunny Ireland has just arrived with us

Why have so many of the team cut out caffeine? Coffee is the best and it keeps those orders going out the door

http://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/Ghillie-Kettle-mKettle

It works like a Kelly Kettle, but it's tiny, only 17x10cm and has a neoprene sleeve so you lift it up easily and is perfect for a cup of tea

I've got one sat on my desk....shall it be my Chrismas present?

Busy busy busy. I was wrong last week....Christmas buying online started over the weekend.

Oh by the way, it is the penultimate day of work for one of our long standing members of staff prior to her going on maternity leave. Good luck Becky!

Weekend before last I was out on a Scout Escape & Evasion night wide game and I was using my Petzl Tikka XP2 head torch. 

http://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/Petzl-Tikka-XP2-Head-Torch

The chap I was with couldn't believe how good the area light/switch to beam was.  His comment was "I think I will have to get one of those".  High praise indeed (?)  Although to be frank it is the best headtorch I have ever had and being the buyer of all things headtorchy, I have had a lot of tried a lot of head torches in my time.

So far I've go

Buffalo
Some of the Sealskinz socks and gloves
Our "One Size fits all" Thermal Gloves
Nikwax
Fabsil
Ghillie Kettles
Multimap sleep mats
Kendal Mint Cake
Wayfayrer food....

Not a brilliant list..... but we also compiled a list for the Irish Republic which is as follows;

Kelly Kettles
Thermarest
Platypus

I think I prefer the Irish Republic list

Buffalo still made in Sheffield. And they said British manufacturing is finished! When I've got a mo I will attempt to tally up products that we stock that are still manufactured in the UK

Well it's Monday and there is a distinct feeling in the packing room that people are starting to get buying for Christmas. Top selling items today seem to be:
Hunter wellington boot bags
Mammut Skywalker helmets
Exped Fold Dry bag sets
Kelly kettles

I wonder what will be on the list tomorrow? Actually I'll probably only do it for a day or so before my mind moves on to other things...

Wow! Look at the mountain of Hunter wellingtons we have just had delivered

It is amazing to think that they will all be sold by the time we hit Christmas!

Hi all
Welcome to Complete Outdoors' new blog.  My name is Ian and I'm the guy who attempts to make sure we have the best possible range of outdoor clothing and equipment available for you to buy.  I'd like to think that I mostly succeed with this but as my boss frequently tells me, "you must never take your eye off the ball!"

This blog is going to be a running commently on life at Complete Outdoors, what's new, what's selling like hot cakes, how quickly we are gettting orders out the door, reviews of gear we sell by the guys and girls that work at Complete Outdoors plus a fair few (witty?) comments and thoughts.

Let the blogging begin....