Phil Collins gives me a good tip.

I don’t do all that film star and personality stuff. I don’t see why people fawn over others because they play football or can sing a bit. As such this is a bit out of the unusual for me as it is all about one of those sort of people. The point in the story is the wisdom of the tip this person gave me.

Around 5 years or so ago now I was in France for Christmas. It was cold, like very very cold. Europe was gripped by some ‘Beast from the East” The weather had been wet in the preceding weeks and with a few snow flurries the pavements in France had become skating rinks. I was waiting for my son Tom to arrive from London and was acting as Taxi man. The arrivals hall at Geneva is a fun place I always think. Twin electric doors open as passengers arrive. As many are off to ski the atmosphere is full of energy . Clearly many have partaken of a few glasses on the flight as there is always laughter and banter in the air.

I stood along with a number of others and I picked up on a voice just along the reception line from me. It was familiar in some way but I also realised it was not the voice of a friend. I looked right and realised the voice belonged to a man of similar age to me wearing a baseball hat. It was Phil Collins. People arrived from various places and soon I was standing alongside him and we started to chat. He was waiting for his son too and we had a nice conversation. He probably assumed I knew who he was but my questions and comments ensured we were just two Dads waiting for our family members having a chat.

Of course the weather soon came up and the subject of icy pavements and the likes. ‘I have got a good tip for you’ said Phil. ‘you will really thank me if you take my advice’. ‘Look at these’ he said pointing to a pair of black boots protruding below his denim jeans. ‘Olangs’ he said and he proceeded to display the bottom of the boots. In the sole and heel area was a red plastic bar that could be pulled out and reversed on the bottom of the boots. Once turned over in the reversed hoop were several metal lugs. These lugs, so he told me, offer perfect grip on any surface. ‘Even on sheet ice you can skip and dance around’ Shortly after his son arrived and he was gone.

Two days later I was in a shoe shop in St Gervais asking for Olangs. They had some I was delighted to learn and soon Liz and I were kitted out. Now let me tell you that not only was Mr Collins right these boots are just incredible. You really can with the flick of a finger walk safely and securely on any icy surface.

So whilst I don’t intend changing my attitude to celebrity I would like to offer my thanks to a wonderful musician who gave me a top tip. Thanks Phil!!