Have you fallen over yet?!

[And]

Take good care Pauline, it's really hard to walk with confidence after a fall, isn't it? When I think of how I used to wear smooth soled platforms in all sorts of conditions as a teenager.. well. I shudder now. How did I get away with it? Or did I fall, laugh and bounce back up again?

[bran goesgoch]

Originally Posted by Picidae

They were 'un' associated with us Bran. Only found out about it when we finally made it out of Snowdonia that weekend. Totally agree with mountain walking being beautiful. Nearly all my winter birding trips both here and abroad have been to mountainous regions - wild barren mountainous landscapes, you just can't beat it for a solitary snowy retreat but boy does the weather change from one minute to the next! From clear blue sky to raging snow blizzard in the space of an hour!

Having the right gear, including proper footwear, is essential, but you don't expect to need it walking home from work in an urban area - those ice grip shoes mentioned up thread sound just the thing though

Ah! yes, didn't read your post properly.... If the underfoot grips you mention are the ones I'm thinking about then they are called "spiders" and are made by the same company that makes the crampons and ice axes, "Grivel". I've never actually tried them myself but a friend of mine swears by them, but only for below the snowline walks. They are cheap enough though to give them a try.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by And

Take good care Pauline, it's really hard to walk with confidence after a fall, isn't it? When I think of how I used to wear smooth soled platforms in all sorts of conditions as a teenager.. well. I shudder now. How did I get away with it? Or did I fall, laugh and bounce back up again?

We bounced when we were younger, plus I was drunk a lot and I used to love wearing a pair of strappy backless high-heeled Scholls - wooden soles and 2 inch heels all made out of the same peice of wood - thus it was the ankle that gave on uneven ground and my local had cobbles out front ........... the joke is I don't remember ever falling outside after drinking ...... but I did go full length in a doorway at a party (and had to be put to bed) and I once fell from top to bottom down the the stairs at home when drunk and all I got was a carpet burn under my left eye - didn't even break my glasses ....... lucky, stupid or what?! I've still got the mark from that one ...... how I got away with it I don't know - there was a very solid wall at the bottom of the stairs All thankfully in the past ....... I'm sobre with sense now (well I'm sobre ) Thanks 'And' - I willl take care today ..........

Pauline

[And]

Some great memories there Pauline! Thanks for sharing. I can remember skidding on some discarded chips whilst running for a bus in Cardiff and taking a guy down with me as I went about 10 ft on my back in the bus station! He wasn't hurt, but boy was he angry. I think he thought I'd been drinking but I hadn't. Not that time, anyway

Today I had my disabled person's bus pass arrive, woo-hoo, I was straight out with my grippy new boots and modified walking stick to catch a bus into town.

I think I would have stayed on my feet with just the boots but the metal gripper on my walking stick gave me a little bit more confidence on the compacted snow and ice.

[earthdragon64]

I used to teeter about in snow on 4 inch stilleto heels , and could run in them in good weather. I worked 6 hours a night in a nightclub for a while and they were part of the uniform, but I can barely keep my balance in anything apart from walking boots now.

[shenk1]

Just bought some yaktrax walkers after having them recommended by a neighbour. Brilliant! Slip over your boot in seconds and even the missus who is petrified of ice was practically skipping down the road. They have what can only be described as springs criss-crossed on the bottom and they give fantastic grip on ice and apparently don't wear down as fast as the ones with spikes. £15 a pair to feel safe is a bargain ,in fact its a pity its melting (only joking ,can't wait to see the back of it!)

[MarkyPooPoo]

Walking the dog a few days before I went back to work after Christmas. I slipped on some ice landed with a bang and bent my hand backwards (I sprained my wrist).

So been off work 2 weeks with no pay (bored out of my head). Going back on monday. But I still love the white stufff.

[Picidae]

Welcome to WAB, Mark

Hope the wrist heals soon. Know what you mean about being bored, I'm on my 8th day now and barely mobile! Won't be getting full sick pay either but it's better than nothing at all!