So, as I said I would, I went and bought a pair of MBTs from a shop called Back in Action last week. Actually, I went immediately after publishing that post. They're just like the ones in the picture (as my feet are a size 10 and a half, they're not exactly subtle). They are supposed to give your legs a work-out while not putting strain on the lower back.

I tried them out by walking to meet up with some friends the following evening. Normally, I would have taken the bus and expected the journey to take 10-15 minutes. Pounding along in my MBTs, it took me 25 minutes, so I reckon I need to double the time I usually plan for journeys around central London, if I'm going to do this properly and walk more.

The shoes proved to be extremely comfortable and they really cushion the heel - this is great news, as I am prone to Achilles problems. I did notice a little rubbing, so I didn't wear them again for a few days just to make sure my tootsies were OK.

I spent the first part of this week in Cannes in the south of France, where I was attending a conference and meeting some people for work. My trip provided me with the perfect opportunity to put the MBTs to the test.

The conference was in the centre of Cannes, but I stayed in a hotel in La Bocca, which is a couple of kilometres along the coast. As a result, I was able to walk for 40 minutes four times over the two days I was there. Actually, the last time I did it, the journey only took 35 minutes, which shows I was speeding up a little. My feet were fine and I can report that my calf muscles really did feel as though they had been exercised a little and whereas I would normally expect to have a stiff lower back after walking that much, I didn't feel it at all.

It looks as though there may be something to these MBTs, then.

I admit, though, the walking was the only consolation I made to being healthy - it would be wrong to travel to France and not enjoy the food! Luckily, being a seaside town, I was able to get a fix of oysters

and to try the local fish stew known as 'bourride'.

Delicious! (OK, I didn't need the bottle of Muscadet sur lie with my meal, or the glass of pastis beforehand, but it was very nice!).

Right. Now I don't have any trips planned, I'm going to pop them back on and walk round to join the gym I have selected. Next week, I intend to get into the training groove.