LAST week I acquired a new walking buddy. You see, I was in Linda’s company having a few socially distanced drinks when...

“I’m out walking most mornings at 7.30am,” she boasted as I took another sip of wine.

“But it would be great if I had someone with me, as I’m wary of walking along the canal paths by myself.”

Quick as a flash, and because I’d had a few wines...

“I’ll join you,” I blurted out.

So, 6.45am and I wished I’d kept my big mouth shut as my alarm sounded and I struggled to open my bleary eyes.

However, 10 minutes into our first walk together, I turned round and...

“Argh...” Linda slipped and landed on her backside in the mud.

“Are you OK?” I helped her to her feet.

Bruised and embarrassed, she asked: “How do I look?”

“Absolutely fine,” I lied.

Well there was no point in telling her the truth as she still had a long walk home.

“Same time tomorrow, Linda?” I watched as she hobbled home with her backside covered in slimy mud.

However, the more we walked and chatted, I discovered that Linda was rather accident-prone as she rhymed off her many previous instances including the night years back when she was waiting at a local bus shelter for her first date with Gerry.

Gerry arrived and spotted his date who was trying to exude sex appeal as she gave a cheeky coy smile at her beau. Next minute Linda nonchalantly leant back against the bus stop glass panel.

But as luck would have it, there was no glass panel.

Gerry heard a high-pitched scream as Linda’s legs flew up in the air, and just like The Great Houdini, she disappeared.

However, Linda obviously made a lasting impression as Gerry went on to marry her!

It seems like we’ve all taken a tumble or two, but it’s where we fall which can make the difference.

Waiting outside the main entrance to the Frasers store in Glasgow, I paced up and down as I waited for my good pal Christine.

It had been a long day at work and my patience was soon wearing thin, so I turned to head into the store to find her.

But as I did, she came hobbling out of the posh store with one shoe on and the other in her hand.

Unbeknownst to me, Christine had tumbled head over heels down the last few stairs of the grand staircase and came to a halt spread eagled in front of bemused shoppers. Shaking with embarrassment she vowed never to enter Frasers again.

I still laugh when I think about it, but I’ve had my fair share of tumbles too.

Lunchtime, and as it was a gorgeous sunny day, I decided to take a stroll along Sauchiehall Street.

It was busy as always with people meandering in and out of shops, whilst in the background the haunting sounds of the American Indians playing their pan flutes quickly put me in a chilled-out mood.

However, peace was interrupted now and again with...

“Spare change please,” a beggar pleaded.

“Spare change please.”

“God is everywhere,” yelled a preacher.

“You will never be alone with God in your life,” he promised.

“Repent now.”

I paused to take in my surroundings and smiled as I thought how wonderful it was listening to the sights and sounds of the people who make Glasgow what it is.

One second the world was a wonderful place and the next, all hell broke loose when I very quickly found myself sprawled face down on the busy pedestrian walkway.

“Are you all right hen?” a concerned female came rushing to my aid.

Dazed, my coffee cup had gone flying out of my hand and splattered everywhere.

My handbag had also flown through the air landing a few feet away with its contents and personal items exposed. Next minute...

“You aw right missus?” the beggar was next on the scene and I wasn’t sure if I was about to be robbed or helped to my feet.

However, I needn’t have worried because instantly the crowd which had gathered to listen to the American Indians shifted their focus to me lying in a heap on the ground as the sound of pan flutes continued to fill the air.

Eventually, two elderly gentlemen helped me to my feet and gathered my belongings.

“Steady how you go hen.”

Back in the office I was still trying to compose myself when one of my colleagues passed and commented: “Hi Janice, it’s mental out there.”

I nodded in agreement.

“Aye,” he continued. “Apparently some poor lassie went flying right in the middle of Sauchiehall Street,” he smirked.

“But I didn’t hang about as there were enough folk crowded around her.”

Tucking my skint knees under my desk and sweeping back my hair I decided to say nothing.

After all, there’s only so much humiliation a person can handle in one day!