Dutch winter country scenes - Skating on natural ice

Spring shows us buds and bursts of growth, summer, its colour, full blooms and relaxing heat. Autumn has its own divine glory with howling winds, and winter a peaceful, cold landscape decking all. The Dutch are avid skaters and prefer to do that on natural ice outdoors.  The 11 City Route madness and excitement builds every year but recent years have not seen a possibility of de Elfstedentocht as the water has not frozen enough to be safe.

 

Rural scenes in 2021 snow where some did skate on thin ice  

 

 

Skating on natural pond ice 

 

 

Willows always beautiful no matter the season -First to spurt growth in spring -Last to die in autumn 

 

 

Four legged friends  

Only gardening to be done? Mowing the snow :)

 

Even scraping the car windows is a joy! Such intricate delicate crystals... nature is amazing!