Walking on the sea (again)

We drove to Älandsfjärden (Erland's Fjord) and parked by a small frozen harbour before walking down to the sea and onto the fjord. The snow was hard frozen and rather thin, no problem sinking in as we walked. In places it was icy and we were all glad to have spikes on our shoes.  After a kilometre or two we reached the edge of the snow cover and beyond us was just pure ice. The ice continued for at least another two kilometres, out under the railway bridge and towards the open sea.
However, even with spiked shoes walking on hard ice is not easy so we were content to take photos and play around a little at the edge, rather than heading out further.  
Because the ice is transparent we could see it is at least 30 cm thick. That is thick enough to drive a large car over so there were no worries for us pedestrians! There is little water movement here and the ice is very even, so it really is a very safe place to experience ice.
Under the bridge were three or four people checking nets they had laid out under the ice. I hope they got a few fish because it looked a very chilly job handling wet nets and ropes on a day like today.
It was windy and around freezing so we retreated to the nearby shore and trees to make a hot drink. Unfortunately someone had forgotten the cups so there was no drink! (OK, I admit it, it was me!!) We ate some chocolate and headed home.
We don't own ice-skates but anyone who does is enjoying superb skati!!ng this year.
Both HarlingDarling and brambleblossom blipped from here too.  Away in the south of Sweden even Shelling blipped some ice.