Lucy took her children off to Putney to see the ice sculptures, just over a week ago. I really like this shot that she took of an ice sculpture of Putney Bridge, with some local landmarks - and even two boats below the bridge, which I presume represents the Oxford v Cambridge boat race, held here each Spring between Putney and Mortlake.
19 sculptures were spread around the centre of Putney, and our grandchildren really enjoyed looking for them. The company that produced the sculptures is the same company that does the sculptures for the York Ice Trail.
The York Ice trail used to be held at the beginning of December, and featured quite a few festive themes - angels and Father Christmas being two examples. It was one of my key markers of the journey towards Christmas. Sadly it has been moved to the first weekend in February, to avoid people being distracted from spending at the York Christnas Fair!
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated. Lucy will be thrilled with your responses when she sees them.
Several of you asked about how long the sculptures last - usually just for a day. They are quite cleverly designed so that the ice is quite thick (even the delicate looking tree is quite solid and thick) to delay melting. They are stored in a deep freeze before being put on display. Their display location is important. Too close to buildings, or standing in the sun, will result in them melting more quickly. It is also common (and undertandable) to see children touching them, which will also speed up melting. Usually they will last to the end of the day, although any fine detail might be lost long before the end of the day. On one occasion the York ice trail was delayed to the first weekend in March on a relatively mild day, and at least one had totally melted before I had chance to get a photo. In an event like the York ice trail, which lasts two days, there are seperate sets of ice sculptures for each day.
Glorious ice sculpture. So clever.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated. Lucy will be thrilled with your responses when she sees them.
Several of you asked about how long the sculptures last - usually just for a day. They are quite cleverly designed so that the ice is quite thick (even the delicate looking tree is quite solid and thick) to delay melting. They are stored in a deep freeze before being put on display. Their display location is important. Too close to buildings, or standing in the sun, will result in them melting more quickly. It is also common (and undertandable) to see children touching them, which will also speed up melting. Usually they will last to the end of the day, although any fine detail might be lost long before the end of the day. On one occasion the York ice trail was delayed to the first weekend in March on a relatively mild day, and at least one had totally melted before I had chance to get a photo. In an event like the York ice trail, which lasts two days, there are seperate sets of ice sculptures for each day.
Ian
Thank you Vesna - only about 6 weeks until the York ice trail, so hopefully more ice sculpture photos then.
Ian