September 01, 2003

Ice (R)Age

We had a group night out yesterday and went skating at Telford Ice Rink. It had been well over 10 years since I'd last been skating, so I was expecting to end up on the floor at numerous points during the evening! However, I hadn't expected to be on the floor after taking just two steps on the ice! At least I didn't fall over after that though (although I was close to it a few times).

The same can't be said for Mart (that's not Mart by the way), who in typical fashion, sped round the rink as fast as possible. With a combination of speed and no technique there was only going to be one outcome...Mart going down all over the place. His best fall happened almost right infront of us all as we chatting away at the side of the rink. It started with a shaky manoeuvre to avoid a little kid, then with arms flying all over the place trying to regain his balance, it was only a case of waiting for the tumble; which was spectacular. Legs in the air and everything. Needless to say, he left with injuries to hands, wrists, elbows and knees. The other skaters don't realise how lucky they were to survive.

A special mention must be made to Al, who to be fair, wasn't really looking forward to the evening (his last experience involved placing one skate on the ice...and then going for a coffee). He managed to make it round the rink (with the support of a willing arm from Claire) with only minimal time spent on his butt.