Sunday, January 11, 2009

Dutch take to skates as cold snap freezes canals

Charming country.
clipped from news.yahoo.com
People skate on frozen canals in Kinderdijk's Mill Area, a UNESCO World Heritage

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) –
The Dutch strapped on skates and flocked to icy canals this weekend as freezing temperatures afforded an increasingly rare chance to skate across their flat country.


After more than a week of cold, an estimated 2.3 million skaters, out of a population of 16 million, have taken to frozen canals and lakes, according to a poll released ahead of the weekend.


That number is expected to double if Queen Beatrix decides to don her skates as well.


"The number of opportunities you have to skate in the Dutch winter is decreasing," said Jochem van de Laarschot, who usually speaks on behalf of Dutch food retailer Ahold but took a half a day off last week to skate.


"Once the opportunity comes up you have to get your skates out and jump on the ice," he said.

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