Archive for December, 2009

Well after my travels I thought that it was be a novel idea to write a letter (5 pages) to the “Burtons/Arcadia Group” to tell them about travels and my “Burtons” branded trousers which I had worn through my entire trip… Unfortunately in true “English Style” they failed to comment and we give them “0 out or 5″ for a response! thumbs down to the “burtons/arcadia group” for turning down my request but mainly for not even responding!!

Letter shown below…

Dear Burtons Staff,

I’d like to tell you a small story…

It was a sad day on the 16^th September 2009, this was the day I said goodbye to my Burtons “Factory Dispatched” “Engineered apparel” trousers or as they say in the USA “Pants”!

The tear in the bottom, the holes in the knee caps, the marks and blemishes all over, the hand sewn blue stitching and the remnants of gaffer tape used to patch up the large tear, they were all part of my “Burtons trousers” but alas, although this gave them great character, it also meant they were un-wearable in both public & to protect me from the elements…

You see these trousers were brought into my life after a trip to my local “Burtons” store on the 16th May 2009 before I departed to Borneo with “Raleigh International” as the expedition Photographer in June. Not realising it at the time, I had only packed 1 x Trousers, 1 x Shorts (Burton shorts in fact!).

As time went on, I thought to myself do I really need a second pair of trousers?? Will these Burtons trousers do me proud and last the entire 13 weeks that I was in Borneo??

Well I can tell you… YES they did! Although at times I wondered to myself, if any normal person would only have had “1” yes “1” pair of trousers for an entire 13weeks!

The answer is “NO” they wouldn’t… (as I asked others) but they weren’t wearing trousers from “BURTONS!” they seemed to get me through thick and thin, they saw sun, rain, thunder, day, night, kampongs, villages, towns, cities, mud, dirt, remote untouched primary jungle/rainforest & the inside of a washing machine! (A lot in fact!)

Although I had thoughts in my mind about purchasing a second set of trousers I began to think at this stage “do I really need another pair??” No! Burtons “Factory Dispatched” “Engineered apparel” trousers.

Alas… While trekking in Long Pasia (a remote part of Borneo) they suffered an injury, I slid down an embankment and the behind was torn open, limited by time and equipment, they were mended with “gaffer tape” a life saver in the trouser world! My trousers fought on! and lasted another 4weeks, travelling  thousands of miles and seeing the building of a kindergarten, an enclosure for endangered Sunbears, a gravity water feed system for a remote village, and a suspension bridge in the heart of the jungle! People joked and laughed about my “gaffer tape”, but I didn’t care, my trousers were still with me! But finally the day had come, their journey was over and so was mine. I returned back to England.

With thoughts of my trousers the memories they had shared the leaches that had crawled across them and the wounds they had faced, I look back and think about my Burtons trousers, the extreme quality, the punishment they had taken and their will not to give up! they just went on!

I’d like to thank Burtons staff for producing such a remarkable set of trousers! One’s that will inspire all other trouser manufacturers over the world to set their standards to!

Now seeking some new “Burtons trousers” to see me thought my days in England, I know they will never replace my “Factory Dispatched” but I’m sure they will attempt to do me proud like their predecessor if they carry a “Burtons” logo as I know from experience that they are one of the best!

I just ask you Burtons staff, will you find it in your heart to sponsor me… sponsor me the £15 I paid for my trousers! For I know that £15 spent on Burtons trousers will give a lifetime of adventure for another pair of Burtons trousers and display a worthy lifespan of advertising also putting my mind at rest over the late “Burtons” “Factory Dispatched” “Engineered apparel” trousers, that were once with us.

Just think, this simple gesture could go along way and especially if put towards some Burtons trousers!

Yours Sincerely

Dominic Edwards (www.wheresdom.com)

A customer, traveller and a respecter of all Burtons trousers!

R.I.P. “Burtons” “Factory Dispatched” “Engineered apparel” trousers.

Stuck in the mud in Pinapak: (My Burtons trousers getting muddy!)

Trekking in the remote region of Long Pasia: (My Burtons trousers getting hot!)

The top of Mount Kinabalu (4092.2m): (My Burtons trousers getting up high!)

The Day I said goodbye my gaffer taped trousers, they had come a long way!
(Mamutik Island in the background @ Kota Kinabalu)