Slipping and sliding

For what I can remember of 2012, the dogs and I have spent almost every single walk sliding around in mud.
And then came the snow. Now we spend our walks slipping and sliding in the snow and ice. Paddy doesn't seem to notice what the weather is doing as he is much more focused on the possible whereabouts of the local cats, squirrels and rabbits. He sails effortlessly through snow, mud, whatever the elements deign to throw at him.  
Jake loves being out in the snow, which at present, reaches his tummy, but he has a different problem. The curly fur on his little legs attract large balls of snow, so by the time he gets back home, he is carrying a large proportion of the contents of the field around his paws.
My problem is a little different.
I look around at other people out walking their dogs or simply out walking somewhere and there they go, striding confidently forward as if the ground beneath were as dry as a bone. They never seem to slip or even entertain the possibility of slipping, whereas I seem to be completely unable to put one foot in front of the other.
So what I want to know is this - is there a special knack to walking on the snow and ice which has eluded me all my life?
Answers in the comments box, please, as soon as you like! 

10 comments:

The Owl Wood said...

I'm an alternator. Half of the time I walk like a penguin and half of the time I'm much more digified, on all fours. Having hairy feet and long arms to reach out to grab onto things like railings also helps. If you do fall over though the trick is to fail to notice; simply sit there and go through your pockets or handbag or make a phone call. Never, never, never acknowledge the indignity. In extreme conditions (such as prevailed this morning in my nearby town of Alford) it is acceptable to scrunch along on your backside like a toddler. Other than that, it's pure physics with a bit of vector analysis.

mrsnesbitt said...

T think the term is "Sliding on ones backside!"

Flighty said...

Obviously good boots help but some people certainly seem to have the knack of walking confidently however icy it is. I'm certainly not one of them, especially on ice! Take care. Flighty xx

Cro Magnon said...

Boot sale, two ancient tennis rackets, ball of twine. It works for many!

Jennytc said...

'Backside like a toddler' sounds good to me, except I don't have any waterproof trousers. ;)

Jennytc said...

Absolutely, Denise!

Jennytc said...

I think the confident walkers must have a low centre of gravity, Flighty. ;)

Jennytc said...

Now there's an idea, Cro. It would certainly have worked on the field this morning.

elaine said...

No, no, no - the secret is to take tiny steps like a Geisha - it may take you three times as long to get where you are going, but it just looks so ladylike!

Jennytc said...

Don't think I'd have the patience for that, Elaine. ;)

Plaster board and dust

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