When it is the season to be jolly, many people like to revel in a mocked up winter wonderland to fully embrace the Christmas spirit. Santa defies the laws of physics by being in every shopping centre in every town simultaneously and as if by magic a whole plethora of ice rinks appear in cities across the country accompanied by seemingly endless performances of Dick Whittington and Cinderella. As if the season of goodwill was not expensive enough, the entertainment on offer for families in the month of December is a highly inflated alternative to staying home and roasting chestnuts on an open fire. Lest I come across as the Grinch, or some sort of stooge-like character, I feel the need to express that I love a good grotto, and fountains of fake snow breaking into the winter sky fills me with a certain joy reminiscent of a distant youth. As our winters only provide snow on the rare occasion, it seems logical that we replace what nature's way was once with a man made version and charge fifty pounds for a family ticket to enjoy it. Oh dear, I have become cynical about the whole affair again. It is hardly surprising though, given the recent debacle in the New Forest Lapland. Santa and his elves were physically attacked by angry parents who were a tad irate after the overpriced theme park offered nothing but a muddy field and a few sheds at the end of a four hour queue. Somehow or other, I feel the need to blame climate change. If we hadn't spent the last century pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, we'd still be donning the ice skates and having fun for free on the River Thames. As it is, we are having to re-create these bygone times and sprinkle them with glitter for best effect. Although the New Forest offerings fell short of a not to be missed family day out, generally the ice rinks provided for kids while the parents go late night shopping are worth spending a bit of money on. Although ice skating is an easily and relatively cheap pastime all year round, getting a pair of ice skates on al fresco is a special experience and really should be embraced if the opportunity arises. The reason for this is that ice skating has always been part of our heritage and up until recently held a firm place in winter pastimes in Britain. Donning the blades of glory were not just for those with the privilege of living along the banks of the Thames; all across the country lakes and ponds provided frosted rinks for hours of pleasure that captured the magic of the season, even for those barely had a sixpence to pop in a Christmas pudding. Naturally occurring rinks cost nothing to make, as Jack Frost and his dedicated team of ice makers are happy to work for free, and it was possible to fashion a pair of ice skates out of two bits of wood and some leather strapping. Maybe this is where my seasonal disappointment comes from; in the consumer age in which we reside, using ingenuity to take advantage of situations by producing a cut-price alternative is not heard of. I don't think the solution is taking your own pair of mock-up ice skates to the local rink and bartering on the entrance fee; but understanding that as sure as summer follows spring, an ice age will follow the heat wave. Best get your ice skates on and be first in line for an icy fandango.
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