Today I planned to go to the Asker Ice Festival.This was at the lake just behind the area where I live. I would use a pair of the cycling shorts I'd found while unpacking the bean bags yesterday. These would be better as they had baggy outers so people wouldn't be scared by the lycra.
No rush after waking up as I assumed that nothing would start before 1200hrs. Had an easy start to the day. Read a bit of the book then watched a bit of M.A.S.H.
About 1130 I had to work out how to get my camera bag strapped to the bike so it'd be easy to get at the equipment without the risk of it falling off.
Went via Iain's house to say hello to the birthday girl.
Cycling to the lake only took a few minutes and I arrived not long after 1200hrs. My assumption was correct as there didn't seem to be an awful lot going on except setting up for something. The ice was very slippery and was glad that I'd cycled there rather than risk walking. There were lots of people there. It was going to be a great social event from youngsters all the way up to oldsters. Some came by car, walking, skis and the odd bike or two. Around the outside I noticed that a couple of families had made a fire, either to cook on or just keep warm. Seems there's no problem doing that in the winter!
The main event for the day was a competition to see which team could extract 12 cubes of ice, approx 60cm to a side.
While they were setting up the ice cutting competition a group of local girls did an ice skating presentation to music, which was playing from a system installed on the ice.
The size of the ice cutting team seemed to be random, but I could've missed something.1 team was comprised solely of women. The oldest of which was probably in her 60's
The first task they had to complete was to cut a circular hole in the ice to get the big saws in.
Once that hole was dug they could then proceed with the big ice saws.
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The teams then created a grid to cut the blocks.
When it came to removing them it seems each team was only allowed 2 bill hooks for each team because I saw some members applying axes as well, but no more than two bill hooks.
The winners managed to do it in a reasonable time.
By this time it was about 1430hrs and I was starting to get very chilly in the fingers. Talked to a few more people then left for home to warm up.
No rush after waking up as I assumed that nothing would start before 1200hrs. Had an easy start to the day. Read a bit of the book then watched a bit of M.A.S.H.
About 1130 I had to work out how to get my camera bag strapped to the bike so it'd be easy to get at the equipment without the risk of it falling off.
Went via Iain's house to say hello to the birthday girl.
Cycling to the lake only took a few minutes and I arrived not long after 1200hrs. My assumption was correct as there didn't seem to be an awful lot going on except setting up for something. The ice was very slippery and was glad that I'd cycled there rather than risk walking. There were lots of people there. It was going to be a great social event from youngsters all the way up to oldsters. Some came by car, walking, skis and the odd bike or two. Around the outside I noticed that a couple of families had made a fire, either to cook on or just keep warm. Seems there's no problem doing that in the winter!
The main event for the day was a competition to see which team could extract 12 cubes of ice, approx 60cm to a side.
While they were setting up the ice cutting competition a group of local girls did an ice skating presentation to music, which was playing from a system installed on the ice.
The size of the ice cutting team seemed to be random, but I could've missed something.1 team was comprised solely of women. The oldest of which was probably in her 60's
The first task they had to complete was to cut a circular hole in the ice to get the big saws in.
Once that hole was dug they could then proceed with the big ice saws.
.jpg)
The teams then created a grid to cut the blocks.
When it came to removing them it seems each team was only allowed 2 bill hooks for each team because I saw some members applying axes as well, but no more than two bill hooks.
The winners managed to do it in a reasonable time.
After a number of teams had completed the main event, the nutters were rolled out. These were mainly youngsters who, stripped to their swimming garments, were going for a dip in the winners ice hole. The nationalities were actually quite diverse from Brazil and Portugal, with only 1 Norwegian?!
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