Doing things I haven't done for 25 years or more

Horse riding across the fields and through the pine forest was such fun. Didn't fall off and even managed a passable trot. Forgotton how many muscles you use staying on :) My horse Roddy was a lovely brown horse, well mannered and happy to stay with the group. No photos on the horses as we had to leave the cameras at the stables but in hindsight I'm glad becasue if the'd started trotting while my hands were busy with the camera rather than holding the reins and pommel - I would for sure have fallen off.

Took these photos of the countryside on the walk over.

Right hand side of road. Farm house centre left hand edge.

Right hand side of road (we rode up the edge of the forest centre background and over the hill at the top on the left through the forest and came out on the road near here)

Ice Skating...mmm... well I think it is 28 years since I've been on ice skates... started on the outer edge of the rink holding the side and by the end of 1 1/2 hours I was managing reasonable long movements about 2 m from the edge. About as good as the 5 year old skating around with great confidence - except they were happy to fall over (lower centre of gravity and boucier bones). I didn't fall over once :) Went with Chris a Canadian who plays ice hockey back home and gave me some tips. We borrowed skates from the hostel's trunk in the attic and had them sharpened when we got to the rink. The rink was under a big hay shed type of roof, open on the sides and freezing.

Sharpening the blade of the skates

Heading back to the hostel, all limbs in tack (Chris tells me the skates are 1970's editions and almost collectors pieces)