04 November, 2008

Slippery Surfaces - Canary Wharf

Foggy Canary Wharf
It really looks like fog doesn't it? It wasn't though, it was extremely dense but very fine rain, you know the kind...you think "Well, this isn't too bad" and five minutes later it's like you have been standing in the shower...this lead to some absolutely *deadly* conditions on the highly polished surfaces around "The Wharf", especially as I have just given up on my nice black Nikes (they had developed several new ventilation points over the summer, which in the words of the immortal song are now "letting in water") for a pair of quite nice grey and flourescent orange Vans, which unfortunately don't possess much in the way of grip (strange considering they are a popular shoe of choice for the "sk8terboi" set)...alright normally (as long as I am near something I can grab on to) but this morning the train was cancelled from Earlswood (only the second time since I changed hours) meaning I was in a bit of a hurry - actually, it's always bothered me that...in places where moisture is occasionally inevitable, why voluntarily put down shiny hard surfaces? Like *all* Spanish bathrooms being fitted out with shiny tiles for example? Yes it looks pretty, but the potential for accidents is high (I slipped practically every day getting out of the shower in Mexico until I remembered to put a towel down before I started), do these property managers want to get sued?

Anyway, like the towel outside the shower, I've got a bit of a method worked out now to dry the soles quickly and stay under control, as I come off the wet (and perfectly grippy) pavement and onto the slippery concourse I propel myself a little like an ice skater, skidding in a fashion whereby I don't actually lift my feet off the ground, it only takes 4 or 5 little "slides" until I feel the grip start to return...admittedly it probably looks absolutely ridiculous, but I don't care about that one jot as long as I stay upright... ;)

7 comments:

boohoo said...

Hehe and I thought that slipping-over thing only happened when you wore heels!

I also have a pair of trainers which have developed new ventilation points (I love that phrase and will now use it at every opportunity!) but they're so comfy I usually just put up with wet socks. You really are down with the kids in your spangly orange Vans, aren't you? ;D

Flyingpops said...

You absolute nutter... in posh Canary Wharf and you are skidding like a teenage hoody!

Anonymous said...

That's your husband that is... ha ha :-)

Flyingpops said...

I know and I love every bit of him! .... in fact, I'm known to run down the aisle in Tesco and skid around the corner.. it's such fun!

Anonymous said...

Oh you kids :-)

Unknown said...

Hey! I'm doing it purely for practical reasons, it's not fun at all... ;)

Unknown said...

(honest)