Walk like a penguin

Yep, and I use a stick. The stick is to stop me walking lopsided because of my wonky knee but it has given me a lot more confidence and now I notice how many other Peopleofourgeneration use one. (It is a pretty one covered in poppies.) My main fear about falling is the indignity of having to wait for someone (preferably two) to help me back up.

I really sympathize with you Bluebelle . A few years ago I had a nasty fall whilst out walking. Absolutely no idea what happened. I didn't trip or slip. Just found myself on the ground. Yesterday I sat on the end of a bench that wasn't there. This morning very stiff with a bruised bum. I can't be cautious as no idea what happened. Just getting old I expect.

But penguins live on snow and ice so maybe they know something we don’t?

As one who knows about snow and ice, believe me, penguins have the right idea. Walk with slightly bent knees, and take small steps just like Happy Feet.

You might look a bit odd, but not as odd as you’ll look in traction!

Thought at first this was about the fossil of a man-sized penguin which has been found. Over 60 million years ago there were penguins nearly six feet tall and weighing 16st wandering around. Bit of a shock bumping into one of them! Or was it fake news? I am with you Bluebelle, frightened to death of falling in icy conditions, always make sure I wear my shoes with the decent tread on them, or my walking boots. Amazes me , seeing people striding along icy pavements whilst I am gingerly tiptoeing along behind. Didn’t used to be this bad!

We’ve bought some crampon things that fit on the bottom of our boots - haven’t used them yet.

It’s called being practical, who wants to have a new hip fitted or a broken ankle?
I have been wearing knee length boots with good soles to go out and avoiding icy patches.....you know it makes sense.
Our younger selves were more thoughtless!

I've been to the Antarctic and believe me penguins fall over all the time. They're so coated in fat they just bounce gently and then get up and look around embarrassedly to see if any other penguins have noticed!

???

I have had two nasty falls in the last couple oy years. Broke a wrist each time. No idea why I tripped. I love walking and this has made me very cautious and so do not walk as much. Hate feeling so vulnerable. Avoided going out in the snow as off on holiday on Sunday and the thought of breaking another bone fills me with dread.

We live on the Downs so everywhere we go is down steep hills. We used to have a four wheeled drive car, but now just an ordinary one so that is no good if it snows. We totter around on foot and that is why we have the crampon things.

I've massively lost confidence since my knee replacement. I feel I have to be careful all the time. I totter along taking little steps and am so slow that I'm always stopping to let others past. I got tendonitis in my elbow from using my stick. I do miss my stick it was so handy for conveying that I have problems etc. Also a good weapon in crowded streets!

DH had a nasty fall onto his back on black ice a couple of years ago and he also has a great fear of doing it again. I do find it quite strange in a former rugby player used to throwing himself on the ground but as he says it shakes you up out of all proportion to the event. Make sure you have some nice grippy shoes/boots on bluebelle I hope you stay upright this winter.

Thanks for the tendonitis warning Jane! I do find myself leaning too much on the stick when I've walked a distance, but it's very useful to have for reassurance as there's no way I could get up without help on a slippy surface. Oh, the trials of getting on a bit.

I wear yaktrax which I find really helpful. Trouble is that once you get on a bus or metro train you have to take them off otherwise you slip! Also, I have weak wrists and it is quite hard to put them on my boots.

Having toyed with using a stick, I have one question please...... Does the stick (even with rubber head or whatever) never slip when leant upon? Ice is ice irrespective methinks.

I’m a fellow penguin walker, terrified of falling, walk with a stick as it gives me confidence. However I never go out on icy surfaces, my rubber tipped stick has been known to slither on greasy autumn pavements. We’re justing getting rid of 8” snow here in the Cotswolds, and I’m fed up of no outdoor shuffles!

My brother saw me walking on the ice/snow and called it the granny shuffle.

That brother deserves a swift kick, Cool! Mine are older than me, so wouldn't dare . I lost my balance at M&S in the snow and sat down elegantly on a great heap of snow. shopped with a wet bum!

The penguin walk is actually a good idea. Walk leaning slightly forwards so your weight is over the leading foot. If you walk upright feet will shoot forwards and upwards.

I have a fear of stairs after falling down ours about five years ago. At the time I was carrying two big bags for the charity shop. My shoe came off, that's why I fell. I find that even when carrying nothing, and wearing sturdy shoes I have to hold on to the banister. My husband saunters down stairs with his hands in his pockets. Show off!

I fell off my bike the other week. Trying to mount it, I couldn't get up enough speed and went a purler!

A lovely girl helped me up, and when I got round the corner, successfully managed to get on.

My bones aren't as flexible these days, and going to have to take more care.

I too fell last winter and have become more cautious, using a stick or an umbrella long and strong enough to act as a stick is helpful in icy conditions.

So is this trick. Pull a pair of old worn socks over your shoes or round your boots and tie them there. The cloth helps to prevent slipping on patches of ice. Any old cloths torn into strips will do. I find this trick works better than crampons.

Traditional clothing in Greenland is still made with sealskin soles to the boots and obviously the Inuit know a thing or two about walking on ice!

I think you're quite right to be extra concerned about falling as you get older. Firstly our balance deteriorates and secondly a broken bone becomes more likely and causes more long-term harm. I don't care what people think about my funny walk, I care more about keeping my mobility and not being laid up with a broken hip for months.