By Matt Halfpenny of thisisnottingham.co.uk
But despite that experience, he has still been frustrated by the recent extreme weather.
The Mansfield players were able to make it into training, but their last two matches, at Histon and Cambridge, have been postponed.
And only a superb effort from the Stags' fans prevented Saturday's game against York going the same way, when an army of supporters helped clear the pitch of snow so the match could go ahead.
Silk's disappointment was heightened as he missed that game because of a suspension for picking up five yellow cards.
It means he has not been in action since the 2-1 win at Eastbourne Borough two-and-a-half weeks ago.
So it is hardly surprising that he is hoping the worst of the weather is over, as the Stags aim to make it six games unbeaten since the appointment of new boss David Holdsworth when they play Kettering Town tonight.
Silk said: "When you are going well, you just want to go out and play and improve on your recent form.
"It seems like we haven't done that for a while, even more so for me because I missed our last game with suspension. I'm just hoping the Kettering game will be on.
"They have shown they are a decent team and have got a lot of games in hand on most sides.
"If they win those games then they are going to be right up there, after doing well in the cup competitions as well.
"It is a hard game but we are looking forward to it, after doing a lot of training but not having the games in between."
While Silk has been an automatic choice so far this season, he will return to face extra competition for a place in the team.
Scott Gardner made an encouraging debut at right-back against York, and Gianluca Havern is also waiting in the wings.
But Silk welcomed those additions, two of a raft of signings made by Holdsworth in the January transfer window.
He said: "It is good to have competition, it keeps everyone on their toes. We did need some cover in my position.
"A couple of weeks ago (against Rushden) I shouldn't really have played, because I was ill. But we didn't have anyone else.
"But that is not a problem now and the manager is making sure we have competition in all areas of the squad."
Silk was one of several players brought to the club by former boss Billy McEwan in the summer, and is fighting for a new contract for next season.
But he has been impressed by how his new manager has gone about his task since taking control of the club just before the start of the new year.
He said: "It's been a smooth transition to the way the new manager wants to do things.
"The team spirit is the most noticeable thing that has improved - we are working together now, working harder and enjoying ourselves.
"That has shown in our performances. When we get ahead we are strong enough to hold on to it when previously we might have let it slip.
"Winning games has obviously given everyone a lot of confidence. it helps the mood of the camp"
Mansfield have already beaten Kettering this season, winning 3-1 at Rockingham Road on Boxing Day when Mark Stallard and Adie Moses were in caretaker charge.
Silk said: "It will probably be a bit of a different approach from us to how we played when we won down there before. I think that was probably our best overall performance of the season and hopefully we can do something similar again.
"Hopefully they will be fearing us a little bit, and if they are that can only work in our favour.
"The fans have been great since the new manager came in. Our home record is one of the better ones in the league so we are pretty confident we can get a result against any team."
Jason Lee - who signed for the Poppies from the Stags last month - is not expected to play after a gentleman's agreement was struck between Holdsworth and his opposite number Mark Cooper when the transfer was being negotiated.
But that has not stopped Silk bantering with his former Notts County team-mate.
"You always want to play well against your old team and Jason is an awkward player to play against," said Silk.
"I have spoken to him about the game and he has been joking saying he is going to play, but I know he can't really.
"We won't be too happy if he does, and we don't want him scoring against us!"
