Natuurijs

For the first time in 11 years - the first time ever for the kids then - it was again possible to skate on real ice. The cold really came in on Christmas day, and by a few days later, the girls were out on the ice. After the temperature got above freezing for a couple of days round New Year, it then dipped down for another fortnight and the whole country was out on the canals and sloten. It's been the codlest January since '97 - but unlike then, we've had no Elfstedentocht this year.