Saturday

Ice skating


If you've been following me on Twitter over the past few weeks, you might have seen that I became a little bit obsessed with the figure skating during the Winter Olympics. I had a huge childhood yearning to be a figure skater, but I'd only actually been ice skating three times in my life!
However, the Olympics inspired me and I decided I was going to pull my socks up and go ice skating! Rich and I went to Planet Ice in Basingstoke, which isn't the prettiest ice rink around but it was very quiet so there was lots of room and not many people watching you! I really liked their skating format- You pay £9 including ice skate hire and you get unlimited skating time until the public session ends. It was great not having to worry about leaving on time and knowing we could hang out as long as we liked!

Unfortunately, the cheap plastic skates were so painful that I actually felt nauseous. I had to sit down after every circuit to rest my feet, but I got used to it after 45 minutes or so. It turns out, I'm not bad at skating. Not great, by any means! I'm very tentative and go ridiculously slowly at first (I think it took me 10 minutes to get around a quarter of the rink!), but I gradually build up confidence as I go longer and longer without falling over. I've maintained my 25-year streak of not falling over ice skating! (Ok, I've only been four times now, but that's not the point...)


(Terrible phone photo, but look how composed I am!)

Afterwards, I found that I was hot, tired and feeling really good about myself. I was having so much fun that I didn't even notice I was exercising! In fact, I enjoyed myself so much that I'm thinking of taking an ice skating course. I think I'll have to buy my own pair of skates though!

We left Planet Ice after an hour or so, and hopped on a double decker bus back to Basingstoke town centre. I got to drive the bus. Woohoo!

Of course, we couldn't go to Basingstoke without stopping for lunch at Ed's Diner! 
Unfortunately, we were a bit unlucky. I asked for my burger without tomato but, of course, it arrived complete with a massive tomato slice seeping its evil juice into my delicious melted cheese. I sent it back and the waitress returned 5 minutes later saying "The chef made a new one for you". I opened up the bun and, sure enough, there was tomato pulp all in my cheese. Do they think I'm stupid?
Before heading home, we investigated Debenhams' home department and found the most incredible bat hook. It's just like my bat belt buckle of 2005! We also stumbled upon this chair and I couldn't resist hopping inside it!
It was so comfy, but I think £700 might be a bit beyond my price range!

What a fun day! I definitely need to try out some more ice skating!

12 comments :

  1. Its great that you are following your childhood dreams even if it is too late for you to be at the Olympics yourself! :)

    www.skinandroses.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Maybe I'll be the first OAP gold champion ;)

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  2. I love Basingstoke! I haven't been ice skating in years, used to go every christmas at Hampton Court palace! I'm also no where near being a figure skater - Looks like you had a great day x

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  3. Such a cute post! :) I love ice skating, I think it's my favorite form of ice sport (?) :)
    www.faithfullymarissa.blogspot.com

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  4. Ice skating is so much fun! I was lucky enough to take a 'Learn to skate' course a few years ago, followed by private lessons. The advantage of ice skating is it's a bit like cycling - I don't think you'll ever forget how to do it once you've learnt how. And from what I remember ice skates aren't as expensive as you'd expect - I think mine were about £70. I'd definitely give it a go if you're interested - it's so great once you get to the stage of skating without the fear of falling!

    Helen x // Beautiful Curiosities

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    1. Was that a Skate UK course? I'm hoping to start one in May. I want to get all my certificates!

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  5. I love watching people ice skate but I never actual do it myself because I don't like it when my feet aren't firmly on the ground. XD Looks like you had a wonderful time! ^_^
    www.amiciarai.com

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    1. Yeah, it's pretty scary at first! Slipping all over the place!

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  6. I really really want to like ice skating but I just don't! Every year I decide that it'll be fun this time but I never enjoy it as much as I think I will. I went at Winter Wonderland this year and I enjoyed how pretty the whole thing is but time seemed to drag and it was so painful. I'm looking forward to eventually hearing about your course though!

    Nicola // pink-confetti.co.uk

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    1. Aaw, I guess you can't enjoy everything! I have a friend who fell over ice skating on her stomach and thew up half an hour later! I think it put her off for life!

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  7. Well that's annoying, I posted a comment yesterday from my phone and it obviously didn't work.
    Really pleased you had so much fun ice skating, you should definitely take it up.
    Also hope you sent the burger back again. That's appalling customer service!!

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