To Do List #16 - Go ice skating

The last time I went ice skating, I was knee high and I went with my family. My Mum was petrified that my Grandfather was going to slip up, land on me and probably kill me. I'm pretty sure I spent the entire time falling over, hating every second of it, whilst my sister took to it like a duck to water. She'd skate off and leave me looking like Bambi on ice.

For twenty-odd years I've not once thought about going ice skating, it's just never appealed to me but in the last few years I seemed to find myself in some wonderful locations at Christmas where an ice rink has been erected (ha!) in front of a famous landmark and the idea of skating somewhere spectacular has somehow ended up on my to do list.

Last week I celebrated my 30th birthday, so on Tuesday we went to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London. It's a huge Christmas themed fair for friends and families to have lots of fun over the festive period. There was a Christmas market, a giant observation wheel, lots of places to eat and drink, a circus, funfair, an ice kingdom displaying lots of ice sculptures and the biggest ice rink in the United Kingdom.

I decided that because I am now 30, which technically makes me a proper grown up, I had to man up and face my ice skating fear. After kicking and screaming for a good period of time, I booked tickets for the ice rink and for the Ice Kingdom.

The Ice Kingdom was excellent! There were so many amazing sculptures of animals, people and buildings...including an ice slide for kids...oh and for me. I got stuck half way down because I was too big. I got a cold arse too. I won't be doing that again!

Here are a few pics:

Father Christmas!

Yummy! Spanish churros in the freezing cold!

An Ice Unicorn

Ice Knights

King Tim of the Ice Kingdom

After the Ice Kingdom, I had butterflies in my stomach. It was time. 

I got onto the ice and I was a natural! By natural, I mean a natural at holding onto the edge with the strongest grip known to mankind. I was basically a human limpet. Nothing could peel my hands from the side of the rink. I could not control my legs, they were going in whatever direction they wanted to go in...and usually not in the same direction. Thankfully I wasn't the only one like that, there were plenty of other people who were equally as rubbish as me!

There was an awkward moment when someone in front of me told me to go around him and his girlfriend. I managed to glide past him but then I started going out of control, so I ended up having to cuddle her! The girl had a horrified look on her face, her boyfriend look surprised and I had a 'please don't punch me in the face' look. A few sorry's later and I was on my way. 

The Ice Rink

The Proof 

I lost count how many times I swore but I'm proud to say that I didn't fall over once! Towards the end, I even managed a few feet without holding onto the side without dying! I consider that a success.

That's another item I can cross off my 101 to do list. 

Have you ever done ice skating? Are you going to any festive events?