I have to buy a new coat.

A riveting start to any story, I know, but this is a big deal. I haven’t bought a new coat in… well, six years.

I have been wearing the precious Honda Dreamfields waterproof that we were given at Silverstone in 2007, and it’s served me very well. I went through one period where I thought I had better get a new outer garment back in 2010.

But after a bit I got over it, and since then I have been very proud of the Dreamfields logo, despite its age. We’ve been through some good times together!

But, now I have to admit that it is starting to look a bit faded, and the pully elastic bits are threadbare, and well, it’s been six years, it’s about time I bought a new coat.

I was also inspired by the recent viewing of Silver Linings Playbook, in which Jennifer’s character wore a selection of very nice coats.

So, I’m starting to look around. But what do I want from a coat? Something reasonably light-weight, warm but not overbearing. Waterproof is good, small for carrying purposes. Dark so as not to draw too much attention to myself. Hardy and long-lasting, so as to get value for money. Useful in both summer and winter.

I know just the F1 team-related waterproof.

No! Bad Christine.

I will continue to look until I find something to replace my current coat with. I will probably find the perfect one, just in time for some summer sunshine. (Not that Britain is going to get a summer again.)