skater dies going through the ice

A skater died yesterday while skating. Another is in criitcal condition. Over 15 went through the ice on Mälaren.

We enjoy skating on the frozen lakes around Stockholm. I am always a little fearful of going through the ice. I usuallly say it's not because I am afraid of dying but falling into cold water since I HATE being cold. This is the first fatality I've heard of since I took up the sport.

Usually the annual stories of skaters involve large ice islands stranding large groups of skaters. This puts a damper on the season, especially since we haven't donned our skates yet this year. And we're in the midst of considering new skates.

They recommend you have a list of safety equipment. We have the basics, but lack the water-tight backpacks.

I think I know what I'm going to add to our purchase when we pick up the new skate.

like a fiddler on a stockholm roof

Stockholm has its own romantic characters on the rooftops...the guys shoveling snow. I remember the first time I saw men in what seemed like absailing harnesses shoveling snow off the steep roofs facing Birger Jarls gata. It made me smile.

Snow dumped on us starting on Christmas Day and when it finally stopped the city was under a cover of nearly a foot of snow.

After new years the crews came out. Up on the roof were the guys clinging to security ropes. On the ground is a guy in a reflective safety vest breathing into a walkie-talkie. His job is to coordinate the shoveling and the pedestrians passing by.

They always give way to pedestrians.

I can't decide if it's foolish to not find a more practical solution to the threat of snow slides and falling deadly icicles. Or if the romantic vision of a city covered in white with roof-skipping men is worth preserving.