Thanks Brian,

But I think the link is to the world's ultimate outdoor skating...the largest lake by volume in the world, the result of rifting (like the African great lakes).

Also, the canal skating in Netherlands is supper cool. I skated there in 2005 and 2006, when living near Paris and visiting my wife to be in the Hague, and then living in the Hague. I skated 200 km one day on the canals, the day before over 16,000 did it officially (the Elfstedentocht).

I've been playing hockey in a rink since I moved to the northeastern Island last March, but my body is not holding up well and I have been one of the worst players in our group...although maybe getting a little better. I'm also waiting for lakes here to freeze: guess they have not frozen thick enough for some years.

Chris

• Lake Baikal ice music