Thanks - especially to CEM for those pointers. I can almost get my knees over my toes but not quite. For the test about where the foot sits within the liner, should I attempt taking the liner out of the shell, or is this a job for the professional?
I have been for my 4th lesson this evening, and as a trial I replaced the footbeds with some superfeet non-custom ones and I did not do the bottom straps on my boots up so tightly. This certainly felt more comfortable, although towards the end of the hour it was getting painful again.
In this lesson, we took the drag lift to the top of the slope. The second half of the slope is steeper and I actually found this half less uncomfortable. I found that I was naturally taking this part with my legs straight, whereas they were bent more for the lower half... so what is the ideal position to be in on a drag lift?
I concentrated a bit on where the pain/uncomfortableness was today and I'd certainly now describe it as under the arch - the full width of both feet.
I've therefore decided to go to another boot fitters and get them to do the propper test to see if the boots I have been sold are the right size, and whether a custom footbed might make things more comfortable. I'm going to see if I can find a good boot-fitter in either the Leeds or
Manchester areas, otherwise it looks like a trip to Bicester is called for!!!! :-)
Thanks again everyone for all the advice on here - it is really appreciated!
Matt