Sounds like a nice day out! Yes block heel ankle boots and knee boots seem much in fashion - fine by me as I like the style. I just wish that given their popularity they’d be made in larger sizes!
I see knee boots quite often up here in rural Yorkshire but they are generally gum boots or riding boots and always worn only by women. I am the exception - I might not be able or willing to wear heels in the rough and muddy towpaths, but my low heeled knee boots are always the nicest. I am getting known as the guy who always wears tall boots.