Right Royal Mongrels

Sir Christopher and Loz Esq. Both good blokes!

Prince Charles meeting the producers

Oh here we are, ready and waiting...

In the crush of the Paparazzi

Waiting in the rain for HRH at Salamanca Place, Hobart. Tas.

Team Mongrel Socks met with HRH The Prince of Wales yesterday. We were very chuffed to be invited to meet HRH on his whistle stop tour of Hobart, celebrating the The Queens Diamond Jubilee. Interested in promoting all things wool, in his role as the Ambassador for the Campaign for Wool, we we're invited to present our Tasmanian Merino Wool products to him.
Although we've always thought of ourselves as Republicans, without spending much time thinking about our Royal Family, it was an offer too good to refuse.
It was a surreal and far from the usual grind kind of day for the team. Starting with a lovely long lunch with family and friends, sharing some gorgeous local Pooley Pinot Grigio, and off to our date. Ushered past the crowds lined up to see the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, we and number of other local wool and natural fibre producers, The Lord and Lady Mayor, and a swarm of international media, all awaited the their arrival.
The appointed time came and went, HRH's were running late, the weather had turned foul, so we made small talk with those around us.
We chatted at length to lovely bloke, who introduced himself as Christopher, with a fine cultured English accent. Midst our chatting and high spirited and jovial banter, on being asked what his role was he said he was the Private Secretary to HRH Queen Elizabeth, representing her on the Royal Tour. Not until much later did one of the media pull us aside to ask if we knew who we were talking to? "Nup, not really, Chris....the Queens Secretary?". We were informed that Sir Christopher Geidt, is one of the most powerful Public Servants in the UK.
Of course we googled him later, I nearly fell off my chair. His bio is impressive, to say the least.
I wonder what he thought of our Aussie banter? I related to him that in the late 60's my sister was photographed with the Queen when she toured Tasmania, as a young girl giving HRH a small posy of flowers. How funny it was that today 40 years on we would be meeting Prince Charles for a photo opportunity too, and I thought I could mention to Prince Charles "my sister knows your Mum". A typical Tasmanian phrase where everyone knows everyone on our little island.
Then suddenly Prince Charles appeared, followed by the swarm lights, cameras, etc, there he was in front of us! He shook our hands, and I actually curtsied! We talked wool and socks, and then it was over. He was swallowed up by the crowd, and gone......but we have the photo's to prove it.

Scanner on the blink

These things are sent to test us.
Just when I have 10 Traveling Mongrel photos to make digital, playing up scan/printer. I might have to resort to taking photo's of the photos to get digital copies. I can't wait to share them. I love the fact that the photos are B/W with our wool socks in full colour. AT THE EIFFEL TOWER!!! Believe me it is not easy to take a good picture of landmark and a sock.
Argh, will post them when I can.

Customers are gold.

Our customers are gold. Never failing to put a spring in our step, and shine on our days. Here's a few of the comments we've recently had the pleasure to get.......

Just bought some more socks (tuff mongrels) for work.was surprised at how cool woolen socks can be despite being in heavy work boots all day.i got a pair while on honeymoon in Tasmania and loved them, had to get more. Have 6 pairs once these one arrive. Surely thats not the end of it.love the colours too. I work night shifts so a bright colour makes me smile. if there's any new colours that come out i think i shall have to snap them up too.
Tim.

Just wanted to leave a comment. Whoever did all the writing for your website did such an excellent job, I had to comment. The opening line that went something like, "You can stop looking because you've found it," really got my attention - and I've been shopping for socks and I have seen a lot of websites! Also, the descriptive paragraphs for the socks was so well written; it sold me on your merchandise and I also appreciated the friendly tone. Please pass my compliment on to the writer.
Nicole.

Just a big thank you for the quick delivery on socks and head warmers a couple of weeks ago.The socks feel and look great. Some have gone off to a European winter with my daughter and the rest to my sister and her family in Morocco , so I should get some good feedback about their warmth,
thanks again,
Robyn.

Thankyou for saving my life this winter. OMG ive just thrown out my 3rd pair of house socks and one pair o slippers!!!!!
You are a godsend and ive been buying your socks almost weekly since a month ago!! for me. for my family and pressies for interstate!!Thankyou , they are awsome.
Junie.

I just want to say my feet salute you. At this time of the year winter my toes are covered in chilblains and take to heal but your socks have helped and now winter appears to be shorter.
Ian.

I received two pairs of pure wool socks and I would just like to thank you and say that they are really good quality wise. Thanks for doing a great job.
Mario.


Nice!

Smelly Feet - step right up.

Better Health Vic has a bit to say about smelly feet. We already knew our wool, cotton, bamboo and possum socks were wonderful to wear, but it's nice to see the word getting out. Here in Mongrel Socks Land we love natural fibre's. Check this independent recommendation of natural fibre worn for health.   www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Delicious Socks

I have always thought some of our pure wool Mongrel Sock colours are good enough to eat but this lass took it a bit too far.

Good folk

Thank goodness June 30 has come and gone, we've spent days counting socks, all the while having to keep business ticking over. Mid winter and we've lot's of orders coming and going out for our Pure wool Mongrels. I'm constantly delighted at the little notes our customers, the good folk that they are, leave with our orders. It is so nice that people still take the time or even bother to personalise their orders in this, the age of "it's all about me". Here's a few of the notes I received last week, all gratefully accepted.

Thanks Helen,
I get everybody to say hello when they are at Salamanca market! (and to buy socks!!)
Cheers,
Gerald

Hi Helen,
my shoe size is 8. Thankyou - your socks are fantastic! I bought a pair last winter and they are so cosy AND cute! Now i want to get them for my friends, too!
kind regards, Tanya


Hi ther helen

Just letting you know that my socks arrived this morning (they made pretty good time!) and they are gorgeous and very cosy. I am already getting lots of positive commnets - you might have to start selling them in NZ (if you don't already)!

many thanks - I'm looking forward to a warm-footed winter.

Alix

Blown away!

I know I shouldn't be surprised, but I just can't help being blown away by the reach the internet has. Anyone who knows us or even has read a few entries on this blog, knows we use some wonderful antique Bentley Komet sock machines to knit our pure wool Mongrel Socks and from time to time experience problems with them. As they are so old and the technical knowledge we need is hard find, even small issues can be a production stopping event. Well.....it is kind of comforting to know there's some one halfway around world dealing with the same thing. Even I have resorted to trawling the internet looking for more information on these mongrel machines, without any success I should add. This morning an email greeted me, a plea from a man in the UK, having problems with his own old Komet. Here's how our our email volley went
(complete with our shocking spelling)..............

I see from your blog your a bit of a hand with a Bentley Komet. I have a Komet BR model and due to well a few issues I had it part stripped due to a break down but got dstracted for a while father was taken ill and the machine got left.I've got back to it now but it keeps locking up when the recip.clutch disengages, I've timed it to the marks but does the cylinder have to be in a certain position also when timing. Ive varied the quadrant mark on the recip pinion a tooth either way but then it either locks going in or coming out of the toe / heel. Any help would be apreciated my UK contact has been taken ill with cancer and I don't want to bother him with my problems.

Richard

My reply...
Hi Richard,
Argh! I sorry we can't be much help to you. We still have to get our guy in when problems with the clutch arise. Thankfully that only happens very occasionally. These BR's are great old machines, but we have found over the years, the less fiddling with them the better. The only thing I can think of tht might be the problem-hard to explain because I don't know what the parts are supposed to be called-it the 2 cogs that lock together @ the top of the machine in the top right under the insection plate as you stand in front can be 180 degree's out which will cause jamming as you've decribed.
Don't know if that'll help but worth a try.
Goodluck.
Helen.

His reply....
Well many thanks for the reply; its late now so just a quick thank you, for your prod in the right direction it was indeed half a turn out due to me misreading what in my defense is a poor quality drawing. It looks like a fine tune and all will be well again now it’s timed correctly. Do you have any set up information on your machines, I have a little and it may be of use to you also, perhaps we could pool what we have, information is hard to come across. The cogs are called the clutch the one on the left which reciprocates is the reciprocating pinion. I know the names but couldn’t get them to work.

Thanks again
Richard

Yay! what a nice result. I'll definitely be getting back to him in the future and organising an exchange in information, I think this may be the beginning of a mutually beneficial e-friendship.
PS I was also delighted to see he hails from a place called North Kelsey Moor in the UK, our daughters name is Kelsey too. She's gorgeous inside and out, and I bet so is North Kelsey Moor.

Socks, socks and more socks!

Another few busy weeks have spun by here in sock heaven. With lots of new wool arriving, the excitement of playing with the new colours, scratching our heads and rolling up our sleeves looking for somewhere to put it all. We found homes for all our new wool, all 1.5 tons of it, but of course to find room we had to do a pretty full on clean out, which is all good, just a big job. No stopping us now. We have needed to replenish a few of our stock colour's in the pure wool mongrel socks, before getting on the experimentation of new colour mixes. We have now got some new colours in the Tuff Mongrel wool/polyproplyene wool Climawool*, and can't wait to get these colours on the go. It will give a better range for our sock customer's to choose from too. Something they have been asking for in the Tuff Mongrel socks for quite a while.

Loving my Inbox!

Checking my emails today I got this lovely response (together with a good order) to a customer query and reply. Love it, when someone takes the time to let you know-they like what you.

Thanks Helen,

I'll have another crack at it. I thought I HAD picked airmail, but perhaps I accidentally moved the mouse when moving to the next box.

Thank you for your VERY prompt reply. I wish all businesses were as efficient.

I think the socks are fabulous, by the way, because I suffer from cold feet. My mum, who lives in Tasmania, sent me a pair of the wool socks for my birthday in March and now I'm "hooked" so need to get some more.

Cheers,

Debra

Just doing it!

Doing the best we can for our environment is something as a business, and privately, we take pretty seriously. We are always looking at different work methods as a way to reduce waste, reduce our energy consumption, buy ethical consumables and just do the right thing.
Along with our tree planting program, just got another 20 endemic species in the ground, bringing our total to around 300 native trees, and reducing our waste output. We've just brought a new car-not quite the smallest in the world-but very small. Looks as though our fuel consumption has dropped by half probably closer to two thirds of what we used to use. Yay! Not only is that cost effective, our carbon footprint is further reduced, it's good. Plain and simple. I'm also having lots of fun driving it- the zippy little red thing it is.
We have also just sourced some great fair trade products out of Nepal. Beautiful hand knitted wool socks and some funky multicoloured felted wool hairbands that give the wearer the dread lock look. They are lots of fun. The supplier is a regular visitor to the factory, and established a great relationship with the management and local staff. He has ensured the staff are all paid properly and regularly and that there are good working conditions/hours etc for the staff, none of which are children. It's a locally owned, which keeps the profits local too.
It feels so good to do the right thing. Here at Mongrel socks we will continue to plant, recycle, re-use, and reduce waste and look very hard to ensure our spending is ethical.

Christmas here and there

Tasmania has experienced its hottest November in many years, not very good conditions for the sales of wool socks. Luckily, there is a northern hemisphere that is cooling down as I write. We have had plenty order’s coming through from Canada and the US where winter is just beginning. Yay! One of our long time customer’s in the Yukon, told me about his 2 daylight hours of Christmas day, and below zero temperatures, where every thing happens indoors. Now I know why socks are hung by the chimney with care, it’s not for filling with gifts (they always seemed far too small for anything on my wish list) but putting in frozen toes to thaw before they break off.
Here we must have around 14 hrs of daylight, lots of time for the obligatory Aussie games of back yard cricket, the riding of new bikes, visiting the family, afternoon snoozes, BBQ’s teas, and evening strolls. It’s a completely different experience. Just once I’d like to see a white Christmas, and probably one will be plenty for me.
It’s nice to think that people halfway around the world will be pulling on their new Mongrel Socks on Christmas morning and discovering the luxury of pure wool right when they’ll appreciate it. Makes me smile!

Election 07

Woo hoo! We are finally at the end of the Aussie Election campaign, going to the poll in a couple of days, and what a long campaign it felt like. So in honor of this occasion I’d like to draw attention to a new Tasmanian book I've come across.
Most of our work manufacturing our range of pure wool mongrel socks etc involves very little “face” time with our customers, lots of the sales side of business is internet or phone based. So we relish our time every Saturday at Salamanca Market, where we sell our socks direct to the public. It’s always nice after a week of nothing but work to get amongst it. People, that is. Meeting locals we know, strangers we don’t and all sorts of interesting folk in between. Last weekend we met one such character. A local bloke, who is a freelance cartoonist, and has just released politically inspired collection of cartoons. There he was with a table at the market flogging his own book. We purchased a couple of copies for family Xmas gifts( signed by the author), so got to have a good look at the book, and recommend it to anyone who’s politically aware with a good sense of humour. The authors name is Jon Kudelka and can be found at: www.101usesforajohnhoward.com or www.kudelka.com.au
If you are not adverse to a little bit of fun being poked at our nations leaders, do yourself a favour and have a look.

Longterm feedback

The feedback we receive from our customers is a cornerstone to our business success. As a micro business we don’t have the means or the time to constantly chase the “NEW” customer to improve the bottom line. We have to (and want to) satisfy both the immediate and future expectations/needs of our established customer base. As makers, we are not buyers. We would be foolish to presume we know what the customer wants. Which is why we actively seek opinion from purchasers. Prior to purchase, where possible, to provide the product that would most suit the individual, and after purchase to ensure the customers level of satisfaction and area’s that perhaps can be improved on. It is the buyers that ultimately guide our business direction. On occasion, we contact customers to see how, with time, they view their purchase. One such reply was received today, you’ve gotta love it.
The lady, whose response I’ve included below, contacted me in 2005, unhappy. In 2003 she had purchased a pair of our Pure Wool Mongrel Socks whilst in Tasmania, loved them, wore them around the world,(she’s a travel writer, based in the US), wrote lovely things about them and two years on they wore out! We commuinicated with her, that we felt 2 years from a pair of our pure wool socks ( actually any socks) wasn’t too bad, but obviously, more important to her was socks that stood the test of time rather than the ultimate comfort and luxury, premium quality pure wool provides. Same as why top end car buyers choose a Hummer over a Jag. Grunt over Luxury. In a gesture of good will we provided her with a pair of our high performance Tuff Mongrel 60%Wool and 40% Polypropylene socks.

So….. what does she think another 2 years on in 2007.

Hi Helen,
I know how important it is, when dealing with customers, to track product satisfaction (or dissatisfaction). As you may recall, I originally contacted you because my favorite pair of Mongrel socks, which I purchased in Hobart, developed holes in the heel portion of the sox. When you became aware of that, you sent me theTuff's.
I love your sox, whether the Tuff or the original multicolored Mongrels. The solid red is a more conservative color and I found them tough-wearing and warm. I still have them and am going to put them to the ultimate test soon --a winter with me in northern Wisconsin.
I was fortunate to find a Russian lady, who knows how to darn sox. She got my multi-colored Mongrels up and running again with her expert repair.
Who markets your product in the US? Are you in need of a rep?

Happy Halloween,
Dxxxxxxxxxx

Mongrels-the matchmakers!

It warmed my heart to hear this little story from a customer this week, who was stocking up on Mongrel Socks. As I served this women, she told me about being on a sent on a mission, specifically to get our gorgeous pure wool Mongrel Socks for her soon to be sister-in-law who lives interstate. She then went on to tell me that her brother met his future wife while attending a Buddhist Retreat, and that Mongrel socks brought them together. The retreat involved much meditation and silence, and during one of the meditation sessions the "universe" seated these two adjacent to each other. She noticed his far from ordinary socks, and later struck up a conversation, in passing, about them. There began a beautiful thing.

The Salamanca Market Community.

Working at home is great, and has some really good points eg going to work in your PJs (if you feel like it), commuting time of 30 seconds, going home for lunch and a load of washing. All good. One of the only downsides to our wool sock making endeavours is the fact that we don’t get out and about (yin/yang) and it’s very easy to go days with out seeing anyone in the flesh except us. That’s why we love the hustle of Hobart's Salamanca Market. Not only is it business, it is also a social thing. Over the years we’ve made many a good friend of the fellow regular (and not so regular) stall holders. At times we see these folk more regularly than family. The feeling of community is a constant for me. I have met some amazing people. Some are like family. Watching children grow up, and friends grow old. Just recently I have benefited from this community spirit, in small but never the less, tangible ways. The other weekend when I had a few teething problems (in the pouring rain) with a new Market Canopy (“Mongrel Sock Kennel”) help came out of the woodwork. My fellow stall holders went out of their way to assist. Same thing again when our car sprang a leak, by the time we got to the market was spewing water every which way. No problem, help was at hand, containers of water given to get us home ok. One even followed us home to see we weren’t caught short. I know these are only small things but having broken down on city streets, with no help offered, people too busy to even notice your difficulty, I appreciate the time/help given to us. I like to think that we do the same, and try to lend a hand/ear when needed, to friends or strangers. I think karma kicks in so you get what you give. Good turns given will come back. One of the things I find myself regularly doing is referring email requests that come to us on the off chance we (being in the Market place) can put buyers in touch with elusive stallholders, who don’t have a web presence. That maybe, we know who it is that makes a certain thingumabob purchased at the Market once upon a time. We do try to put the two together and funnily enough we usually do know the people/product requested. Hopefully what comes around goes around. So……. if your after some thing you purchased at Salamanca Market (especially if it’s warm socks), last week or last year, lost their contact details, feel free to put out feelers, as I said, we’re happy help if we can.

Sharing it around.

As a small business with a web presence we regularly receive unsolicited requests for one charity/fundraiser or another. Of course it is simply impossible for us to support most of these a causes( as needy as some are), but every once in a while we'll get a request that we just can't refuse. Two of these came through this week.
The first was a request for funky socks as prizes for a high school fundraiser. What caught our attention is the fact that is the same high school my partner( and his siblings) attended 30 years ago. Mullumbimby High School, is located in Northern NSW, not far from Byron Bay. A beautiful part of the world. Mullum High educated not only my partners family it has also seen a handful of their children go through too( our niece's and nephew's). In fact, one is currently studying there now with another 2 enrolling in the near future.
At first we thought one of the family must have suggested us, but when I contacted the organiser she told me she'd been trawling the web, dreaming of a holiday in Tasmania, when she came across our site, remembering she'd brought our Pure Wool Mongrel Socks when she was last down in Tasmania. Loved them and as she was also looking for donations for the fundraiser though she'd give us a try. You can but ask.
We live in another state now and have done for the last 20 years. Mullumbimby High School happy days were a long time ago, in a place far away, but are still recalled with fondness, and as such we are happy to contribute.
The second request came through from a church group in country Victoria. They are holding a "Mongrel Dog Show" and are looking for a sponsor, while we haven't reached a decision on what we will contribute, we will be supporting this one. It has simply tickled our fancy.

Mosh Pit Parenting

Making great socks is one of the many hats I wear. Being (or trying to be) a good parent is another. Preparing my teenager for what life is going to throw her way, the good the bad and the ugly of life, pretty much tops the list at the moment. The parenting roll constantly changes, when your kid’s little it’s pretty straight forward, but gosh, it gets murky with a teenager. It seems every other parent in the world is far more cool, liberal and easy going than me (or so I’m told by my little darling!).
With small children, as parents, we look forward to our offspring achieving expected milestones, first- tooth, word, day of school etc. In the teenage years we hold our breath and hope the “firsts” are a long time coming, every parent knows what exactly what I’m talking about!
Well, we have just had a first!
A few weeks ago my youngster met the mosh pit! I have to say I was ‘freaking out’ at the thought of my child disappearing in to the pulsating crowd at a huge day/night rock concert. The little petal had to listen to me run thru every scenario and solution known to man. Parents, you all know the drill. Blah, blah, blah. In one ear out the other. Lucky for us (and my nerves) my husband and I we’re both going to the same concert-not for the entirety but for the headline acts (vip passes, no less.) My teenager was horrified to learn that we would be there too. That is ‘so not cool’. Tough! Teenagers have got to learn that their parents have a life. Well, her plan was to ditch us asap and hook up again for a ride home. As we headed out the door I’m looking over my darling. “You can’t wear thongs to a concert; put real shoes and socks on! Get some more clothes on, it’ll get cold later!” I managed to get her in some runners and our woolly socks but NO WAY to taking something warm to put on later. Argh! She didn’t want to have to carry anything; I suppose that was fair enough. I didn’t want to carry anything superfluous either. I took with me, a couple of pairs of arm/leg warmers we make and wool head warmer in my bag, just in case I got cold later. So off we went, we were duly ditched when she’d found some friends, and not to be seen ‘til the concert finished. We had a great time in the vip area, by the time I’d had my allowable 2 drinks for the evening (I was going to driving home) it was just getting dark and the night was still young, so I pulled an executive decision-leave the car, taxi home and have a couple more drinks (not to excess but perhaps more than allowed). My husband and I had a ball, caught up with friends, and enjoyed some great music. Most of the bands we had never heard of, it didn’t matter (I’ve heard of then now), by late in the evening we were rocking with 6000 others in the midst of the mosh pit. Of course it was hot and sweaty in the seething sea of bodies, but it was a freezing cold night, pretty typical of Tasmania in the autumn. Thank god for my arm/leg warmers, they were on and off all night. And Yay! I wasn’t the only one wearing our arm/leg warmers, time and time again I saw people wearing them. They’re pretty easy to spot. It’s a great feeling to see other people enjoying some thing you take pride in making. At the end of the night when we met up with the little petal, the look on her face was priceless; when she found out we’d had a wonderful time and were grabbing a taxi home. Mortified! She took the high ground. Why did I have to have a few extra drinks? What about the car? What if any of her friends saw us, you’re too old to be in the mosh pit! How embarrassing! She was stunned that we’d had a ball. I think she had expected us to be bored and outraged at some the crowd/and performers antics. NOT! I did explain how responsible I was being, making the decision to enjoy the night and not just waiting it out until she was ready to go. I think it’s great to shock your kids. Keep them guessing, I say. Be unpredictable!
On the way home chatting about the night, she was moaning because her feet (the shoes now filthy), were stood on a million times in the pit. She didn’t actually say thanks for making me wear shoes and socks, but I know she appreciated having them on. Sometimes mum does know best. That’s one “first” down, I’m happy to patiently wait for the next.

Wool socks in the desert!

I'd like to share this picture a customer sent to me recently. They live way out woop woop, beyond the black stump, right in the midst of Australia, about 500ks out of Alice Springs. It's harsh country out there, night time it can be freezing and daytime, stinking hot. They value good pure wool socks there. Only pure wool can give you the warmth you need, when you need it and not over heat as the day warms up. When you live and work in extremes of temperature, your day can start at 0 degrees C (or less) and head in the 40's with in hours. So it's important your foot wear can cope with both. Wool with its great thermal properties is just the thing, cool in the heat and warm in the cold. They tell me our Mongrels are also used as stubby coolers out there, with great success. Maybe that could be a new product for us in the future-I guess I could do a few trials-and drink a bit of beer at the same time. It's a hard life, I know, but some-ones gotta do it. From the look of it, seems there's a sad lack of clothesline's outback as well.

Ecological Possum Socks

Did you know that buying a pair of possum wool socks not only makes you a happy owner of the finest naturally made wool socks, but also makes you an active contributor to preserving New Zealand’s forests? But what has buying a pair of possum wool socks got to do with preserving the forests of New Zealand? Read on to know everything about it.

The brush tail possum is destroying New Zealand’s forests - its native plants, trees and bird life.

Introduced from Australia to New Zealand about 150 years ago, Possums have multiplied alarmingly in New Zealand, partly because of the lack of any natural predator that would arrest their population growth. These nocturnal animals devour the new leaf growth of trees; destroying whole trees and depriving birds of their natural habitat. They also feed on berries, insects and bird's eggs. Unlike the trees in Australia, the native trees of New Zealand do not have protective spines, prickles and poisonous leaves which work as natural defenses against possums.

According to statistical estimates, the total possum population in New Zealand is a whopping 70 million. This means possums are eating their way through roughly 20,000 tons of vegetation, no, not in a year’s time…but all in one night! If this doesn’t give you an idea of how the possums are devastating New Zealand, try to imagine 20 possums attacking the plants and trees of your garden – devouring a quantity that would fill up 2 plastic shopping bags per night. Every year, the possums devour approximately 8 million tons of vegetation – a major threat to the forests and wildlife of New Zealand.

With millions of dollars being spent on trying to eradicate possums, commercial initiatives utilising possum fur are an economic and ecological necessity. The commercial use of possum fur in possum wool socks and other possum products contributes greatly to the preservation of New Zealand’s forests and wildlife.

Possum wool socks and other products thereby serve as an eco friendly way of controlling the possum population. And as luck would have it, not only is possum fur an ecological option for socks, it is luxurious, good for insulating and wicks moisture away from your feet. In fact, our possum fur and merino wool blend makes the perfect sock. They are also machine washable.

So the next time you buy a pair of possum socks you know you are supporting the fight against possums and are helping to preserve the ecological system of New Zealand.