Since I last visited an ice rink when I was about 15, I have preferred my frozen H20 with a slice of lemon, a fair amount of Jack Daniels and a dash of Coke,
So for the first half hour on Birmingham's new outside skating rink I was more like Christopher Biggins than Christopher Dean.
Arms flapping like Cher on a fitness video, there were a few turbulent moments until I finally went over like Neil Kinnock on Blackpool beach.
Coming straight from the office in my suit, I looked like an Alaskan undertaker with a back problem, but I soon started to get the hang of it when I had the rink to myself (And the photographer had left!).
After my fall, a group of very helpful ice marshals helped me back to my feet, checked for injuries and then gave me a lesson in how to glide over ice like an Olympic champion.
"Keep your shoulders above your feet and put your backside out", said 17-year-old Tom Parker. "You look like an idiot but it's safe". 'Yeah cheers mate', I thought. 'I think I preferred a wet backside.'
But seriously, these guys helped out and after a while I was gliding on cold steel.
* T-Mobile Street Ice is open from today until January 15 from 10am until 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, and until midnight from Thursday to Saturday.
Tickets, which include skate hire, are £7 for adults, £5 for children and £22 for families.
