I bought these Nike Bauer ONE05 in the post-Xmas sales but didn’t get chance to use them until this evening.

This was my third time skating this time round. Before that, not since the early 90s, and before that, as a teenager.

Well, I’m probably as good as I ever was, and the new skates really help. More precision in the ice and a much greater sense of control. The rental skates at Basingstoke ‘Planet Ice’ really are shite.

It took a little getting used to on the sharp blades and hockey style. No notchy bits at the front of the blade to help when standing still. But so fast, smooth, and by the end I was attempting some backwardsness and trying skating forward without moving the skates much, just the hips.

We go every other week, so my progress will be slow. But it’s not about progress for me, more the sheer delight in gliding.