With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.We started round 10 of the fascinating meme of ABC. For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar or Here. This week we are looking for words beginning with E.
Last week in our entire country we had been discussing if it is possible to organize an Eleven Cities Tour in the province of Friesland. Wikipedia says: The Elfstedentocht (English translation: "Eleven Cities Tour"), at 200 km, is the world's largest and longest speed skating competition and leisure skating tour, and is held in the province of Friesland, Netherlands only when the ice along the entire course is 15 cm thick.The tour is conducted on frozen canals, rivers and lakes between the eleven historic Frisian cities: Leeuwarden, Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker, Dokkum then returning to Leeuwarden. The tour is not held every year, mostly because not every Dutch winter permits skating on natural ice. The last editions were in 1985, 1986 and 1997. Adding to that, the tour currently features about 15,000 amateur skaters taking part, putting high requirements on the quality of the ice. There is a stated regulatory requirement for the race to take place that the ice must be (and remain at) a minimum thickness of 15 centimetres along the entirety of the course. All skaters must be a member of the Association of the Eleven Frisian Cities. A starting permit is required. Further more, in each city the skater must collect a stamp, as well as a stamp from the three secret check points. The skater must finish before midnight.
Sadly enough the board of authorities has just informed us that there is no chance to organize the tour, as the ice thickness is not sufficient. Everybody is disappointed.
These photos are all borrowed from Wikipedia.
28 comments:
what a clever idea. An E in EITHER language, too.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Great post for the day, Wil! Sorry the weather will prevent this event from taking place! I know lots of people will be disappointed! Have a wonderful week!
Sylvia
I am so sorry Wil - I had really looked forward to hearing about it and seeing the pictures. I know that our Dutch friends will be disappointed too.
Oh! unfortunate that this event is not happening. Thanks for sharing interesting information.
Wonderful post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
I always had this sort of picture in my head when i think of holland. that and tulips of course and the windmills lined up. the only thing missing is wooden shoes and great rounds of red cheese.
garry.
Extremely exciting post about eleven cities! Too bad about the weather! :(
Leslie
abcw team
Great post and I really enjoyed the photos. The race sounds like a fun time for everyone. The last shots reminds me of the winter Olympics. Thanks for sharing your world.
I have had a chance to look at your other photos that people your blog. You are a very good photographer. Your scenes are charged with meaning. Your take of your country is art.
Your photos are amazing. We've had issues with ice not thick. It's been such a warm winter.
Lots going through the ice.
I love your blog!
Cheers from Cottage Country!
My dad went to Holland, and he loved it. I like the last photo.
Do you skate?
It's a shame that the race can't be held this year. I think it's a great idea, and I would think it would be lots of fun. I really like your pictures.
Wonderful shots - that last one is fabulous!
Sorry to hear the ice isn't thick enough though...
Oh, too bad, Wil, it must be a very exciting event. Very interesting post.
Luv, K
Oh, too bad - the last one was too long ago! They should have a substitute for it...
That's a shame. Sounds an excellent idea.
I recognise many place names-we travel over to Ijmuiden from Newcastle, when we visit Europe. We spend the first part of our journey travelling through Holland on route via Belguim to France. We are planning a tour next year - to the wine regions of France! lol! Sounds fun eh?
Thanks so much
Denise ABC Team
Ouch, but maybe something better is awaiting.
Happy valentine's day!
Emergency Scam
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
How very interesting, - I'm sorry Wil that this is not one of the years such a wonderful event is possible.
How sad that the ice is not thick enough! It would have been a wonderful EVENT!
Oh how disappointing. The tour would have been an amazing thing to watch or participate in.
I really love your pictures of the frozen canals. Its very magical to me.
The weather is playing tricks on us all this year.
Jane x
The winter lingers.
Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing.
xo
Sorry about the tour didn't go through , hopefully one day it will be on again.
wonderful photos It always was a big event We were even allowed at work to watch TV which was placed in the middle of the office when the 11 steden tocht was on
I guess it must happen from time to time? Loved learning about this though.
Oh, that would have been fun! Hamburg has the first Alstereisvergnügen since 1998 this year, but only for one weekend. Up to 80.000 people were out on the frozen Alster.
That's so fascinating! I had no idea this was done, and it would be great to watch! Sorry it can't happen this year!
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