I shoveled and watered....

With a little help of a chair...

Ben learns to skate...

The ice is up!

It's nothing to brag about, but the ice is skateable. I went out and watered it with a garden hose this morning to take out some of the wind ripples and bumps. There are leave, hay and sticks here and there, but its safe.

I'll probably get the ice mower from Quabaug Equipment tomorrow where I sent it in for a tune-up. They are closed today because of the holiday.

I moved the extension cord for the streetlight so I think it can be plugged into the garage electrical outlet. If it doesn't reach I'll move it either into the cellar or back to the front of the house where it kept tripping the fuse box.

Hockey, anyone?

Most mild January ever?

Here's a rink on a hill in Greenfield MA 01-26-06. Nice driveway. Homemade nets. String of lights across the top. Lareg nets to contain slapshots.

Backyard rinks doing better this year...

S.Deerfield backyard rink 01-29-06

Chicopee Rink - click on image to enlarge

Backyard rink with boards last year in Chicopee MA

http://www.portarinxandbambini.com/icemower.shtml

Here's the ice mower I got last year. Too bad I don't get to use it this year....