London It’s Icy Outside

Sculpting a bike from ice? No problem for this professional.

If you weren’t already reaching into your pockets for your mittens this January, The London Ice Sculpting Festival, which starts today, will be sure to make you shiver…and gasp.

Carving to the themes of ‘Riverlife’ and ‘Fabulous Fashion’ no less, the 2014 competition will see competitors from across the globe sharpening their chisels and getting down to some serious ice cutting, in a race to produce the best single carved block by sundown.  The clock starts ticking 12 noon January 10th at Canary Wharf. Saturday will mark the start of what is imposingly called The Big Block. Over two days teams will compete to carve that ice in a bid to win the big prize at showdown 5pm Sunday. There will also be a Freestyle Competition and daily free masterclasses for the public run by the professionals. Lovely, lovely, chilly stuff.

A phoenix? No a bird from ice.

Nearby, with your hat and gloves, why not continue your foray into London’s lovely ice rinks with a spin round Canary Wharf Ice Rink?

Did someone say hot chocolate? Oh yes please.  Why not warm up at your choice of over 300 shops, bars and restaurants also in the area. Happy Carving Folks!

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Megan Donnelly is a writer, reservationist and former Londoner, currently residing at London-by-Sea, or Brighton as it’s otherwise known.

(Photo Credits: Bird by Jack Lawson, Bike by Claire Byrne at www.interviewphotography.co.uk)