This was the last day in Sweden for our Dutch friends! They'd had some bad luck with ourtemperamental weather, since the snow came at the same time they arrived in thecountry...

We decided to escort them down to Ymsen, a lake located just east from Mariestad. We haddone recognization on it the day before, and everything seemed to be in order. If it wasgood enough for a buch of ice-sailing yatches that sailde the Gothenburg Championship, itwas good enough for us.

Due to heavy and hard winds, we decided to leave a car at the north end of the lake andsqeezed everyone inside the minivan. After a rocky ride on small roads we finally reached arundown mansion at the south end of the lake where we started our trip. It started out in astrengtious way with the wind in our faces. The guide was maybe a little to eager to get onthe ice, it was a close call to see a bath!

After having enjoyed our lunch , we headed south with the wind in our backs. The ice wassmooth and thick, but got thinner the more north we came The fact that we had to pass a fewthin passages in the marsch-grass just added to the exitement! Our Dutch friends got a tripthey won't forget on shining ices that moved under our feet.

We said goodbye to six exited and satisfied Dutch returning home, promising to come backand skate the Swedish way fully equipped with life saving gear.