This winter temperatures in The Netherlands dropped to a 15-year low, which allowed the Dutch people one of their favourite pastimes: ice skating. They were even close organising the most famous race of all: "De Elfstedentocht" (11 cities tour), a 220 km race in the north of the country. The race was held last in 1997, as thick ice is needed across the whole route. Only 16.000 participants are allowed, but there are probably a million people who want to join. A complicated membership-lottery combination is used to select the happy few. Anyway, the race was cancelled due to limited ice thickness and approaching warmer weather.
For the girls it was their first opportunity to have a go at it themselves, as growing up in Malaysia and Egypt didn't include ice skating... Mary still had a pair of skates, and Paula went out a few times with her friends, and enjoyed it a lot. One day after school Paula and Dorien joined forces at a nearby canal, swopping skates and making pictures.
And on the horse front: Beau is in a horse clinic at the moment to get his hoof fixed, and now needs 10 days of absolute rest. Visiting is only allowed on weekdays, so Mary had a long weekend...
Paula skating near our house
Dorien on the ice at sunset
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