Skating at Somerset

A cold 5C evening was the setting and the place was Somerset House’s main courtyard. Finishing work at a reasonable hour was a nice change, and even better to be meeting Sheryl for the evening’s activity there.

Built in 1547 as rather large stately manor, Somerset House is now a venue for several galleries with the central courtyard being used for open air concerts and cinema as well as skating in the winter. Our first stop was outside in the temporary cafe set up next to the ice rink that filled the majority of this spectacular courtyard. With hot chocolate and mulled wine, we got to watch the current skating session and the antics of those out there on the ice.

When it came time for us to head out onto the ice, it was with less trepidation than last time at the Natural History Museum (but not much!). Being a weeknight, the numbers of folks there was a little less, and there were no small children to trip over either. It was quite impressive out there to be surrounded by this incredible building all lit up under the clear night sky. It wasn’t the easiest to take it all in while trying to stay upright, but as the hour session continued my confidence grew... a little.

At the end of what was a fun session, my arse was still dry and bruise free, but it’s amazing how much easier skating seemed to be when I was a kid! Ah well, at least dinner afterwards was far nicer than a hotdog n chips from the dodgy cafeteria at the old Payneham Ice Rink! We found a restaurant on the corner of Covent Garden in which to dine and finish off our evening. Certainly a good way to spend the evening after work.