I took a tumble going into the new Victoria Station on my way down to Kent for lunch with Carole (my secretary and assistant from when she was 17 and I was 19). Three very sweet police officers - all female - rushed over and helped me to my feet. I could not have risen without them. Then at lunch as Carole stepped into the restaurant she fell and had to be helped to her feet. Neither of us seriously damaged. Coming back I saw one lady fall getting onto a Victoria line train. Two more slipped on leaves crossing Queensway. Tumbling time - or is it age?

JK2006 wrote:
I took a tumble going into the new Victoria Station on my way down to Kent for lunch with Carole (my secretary and assistant from when she was 17 and I was 19). Three very sweet police officers - all female - rushed over and helped me to my feet. I could not have risen without them. Then at lunch as Carole stepped into the restaurant she fell and had to be helped to her feet. Neither of us seriously damaged. Coming back I saw one lady fall getting onto a Victoria line train. Two more slipped on leaves crossing Queensway. Tumbling time - or is it age? Go steady JK. Leaves and ice are a lethal combo. I wear my walking boots in snow. Worst fall I recall was actually indoors. My Mother was ill, and as the doctor was going down stairs with me behind, I slipped and upended him, and we both ended up dazed at the bottom of the stairs. On his next visit I spilled hot tea on him...I think he thought I was Frank Spencer. lol.

Not where it's like where you are JK, it's very slippery underfoot here.

It's a disaster under-foot everywhere. The obvious advice is 'prepare'

Outdoor footware particularly - top quality; it'll get worse; almost skiing gear

Age too is relevant. Few can dodge passing traffic/taxis, as well as they could

Downing Street Cat wrote:
JK2006 wrote:
I took a tumble going into the new Victoria Station on my way down to Kent for lunch with Carole (my secretary and assistant from when she was 17 and I was 19). Three very sweet police officers - all female - rushed over and helped me to my feet. I could not have risen without them. Then at lunch as Carole stepped into the restaurant she fell and had to be helped to her feet. Neither of us seriously damaged. Coming back I saw one lady fall getting onto a Victoria line train. Two more slipped on leaves crossing Queensway. Tumbling time - or is it age? Go steady JK. Leaves and ice are a lethal combo. I wear my walking boots in snow. Worst fall I recall was actually indoors. My Mother was ill, and as the doctor was going down stairs with me behind, I slipped and upended him, and we both ended up dazed at the bottom of the stairs. On his next visit I spilled hot tea on him...I think he thought I was Frank Spencer. lol.

Didn't you like the Doctor, Cat?

it's rotten age.

I have a set of concrete stairs I have to negotiate in and out of my building.

I cling to the handrail but negotiating them with shopping is a nightmare especially as I've fallen in love with cold milk and carry home huge heavy bottles of it.

I just wont go anywhere now that involves stairs.

Hedda wrote:
it's rotten age.

I have a set of concrete stairs I have to negotiate in and out of my building.

I cling to the handrail but negotiating them with shopping is a nightmare especially as I've fallen in love with cold milk and carry home huge heavy bottles of it.

I just wont go anywhere now that involves stairs.

Whatever became of milkmen? Extra cream at Christmas. The comforting sound of the floats and rattling bottles. Tits pecking at the foil tops to pinch the best bit.

Downing Street Cat wrote:
Hedda wrote:
it's rotten age.

I have a set of concrete stairs I have to negotiate in and out of my building.

I cling to the handrail but negotiating them with shopping is a nightmare especially as I've fallen in love with cold milk and carry home huge heavy bottles of it.

I just wont go anywhere now that involves stairs.

Whatever became of milkmen? Extra cream at Christmas. The comforting sound of the floats and rattling bottles. Tits pecking at the foil tops to pinch the best bit.

You still get milkman but you have to request for them. There is a few houses they have their 3 day weekly delivery of milk and bread. Unless the milkman is banging the bored housewives against the wall.

I just saw another young person slip and fall on dead leaves in icy cold London on my way to lunch.

Green Man wrote:
Downing Street Cat wrote:
Hedda wrote:
it's rotten age.

I have a set of concrete stairs I have to negotiate in and out of my building.

I cling to the handrail but negotiating them with shopping is a nightmare especially as I've fallen in love with cold milk and carry home huge heavy bottles of it.

I just wont go anywhere now that involves stairs.

Whatever became of milkmen? Extra cream at Christmas. The comforting sound of the floats and rattling bottles. Tits pecking at the foil tops to pinch the best bit.

You still get milkman but you have to request for them. There is a few houses they have their 3 day weekly delivery of milk and bread. Unless the milkman is banging the bored housewives against the wall.

Anyone thinking, as I did, that Merrel waterproof walking shoes would be suitable for rain, please think again.
They are lethal on smooth paving in particular.

www.merrell.com/UK/en_GB/moab-3-gore-tex...v1=false&start=1

JK2006 wrote:
I just saw another young person slip and fall on dead leaves in icy cold London on my way to lunch.


As I walked slowly - eyes up (direction)/eyes down (terrain) - through my Surrey town today, I saw several similar mishaps.

Al Gershwin wrote:
JK2006 wrote:
I just saw another young person slip and fall on dead leaves in icy cold London on my way to lunch.


As I walked slowly - eyes up (direction)/eyes down (terrain) - through my Surrey town today, I saw several similar mishaps.

You sound a bit gozzy, Barney.

Seriously though, do take care, please. It sounds quite bad where you are.

JK2006 wrote:
I just saw another young person slip and fall on dead leaves in icy cold London on my way to lunch.

It's surprisingly easy to slip on autumn leaves, not just in icy weather but wet weather, and not just on foot but even when biking while breaking even gently.

I remember many of the hard early 80's winters, when snow fell and stuck on the ground for a week or two. Compacted down by boots and shoes, it then froze sold as uneven ice and stayed for days, and having to walk a mile to school on such lethal footpaths, shiny uneven ice. I slipped a few times even as careful as I was. But it wasn't the falling over I was bothered by most, it was being seen to fall over by anyone.

A century or two from now all roads and paths will be fitted with underground heating in winter so nothing will ever be able to stick, it will all melt instantly on contact, even heavy rain will just evaporate back where it came from and all will be dry, in winter. The only people falling over then will be a few pissed alcoholics, unless that's banned by then with prohibition.

To add insult to injury, snow track thingies don't fit onto those useless boots of mine either.

I like Rich's idea of under pavement heating.
Much safer than my idea of flame throwers on the sides of the gritter trucks.