Ice, Ice baby!

The Netherlands is crazy about ice! And after 12 years of luke-warm winters, anticipation was building as the cold weather set in over New Years and the local ponds and ditches began to freeze. It all came together one spectacular weekend in mid January when the temperature stayed well below zero and the days were filled with chalky blue skys. It was three days of heaven - now just a distant memory melted away by the typical late January drizzle.

But what an experience! Here are of few of the memories:

It started out with Sage's little pond in Caprera. She couldn't figure out how all those people got out onto the water.

Then, on the first night of the big freeze, we encountered a huge bon-fire and party at the local mill park. It was packed with skaters.

By the next day the ice on the large canals was thick enough - it was party time! This is the Ringvaart, a large canal (63 KM) that drains the polder now used for Schipol airport.

The "sidewalk" cafes moved onto the ice so that the skaters could stop and get cocoa or coffee. The National Train Service (NS) had to slow down the trains on several routes because so many skaters were crossing the tracks because the canal was not frozen under a train bridge. In some places, carpets were laid across roads for the same reason...so the skaters could cross the street without damaging their skates as they got to the next frozen section.

Everyone stretched out the skating until the last brilliant sunset...

...even as the ice was melting and the ducks were starting to reclaime their turf.

By the way, we never even go close to cold enough for the elfstedentocht...they were even still running icebreakers on the huge canals up north. Everyone is hoping for a cold February...