Expen$ive leather boots would've have liked it one little bit.
I thought about that. Afterward I dried them out as well as I could. Next time I may use boot covers, to slow the rate at which cold water gets inside the boot. Unfortunately, the rink's rental skates aren't sharp enough (they are sharpened by someone who is actually quite good at it, but rental gear is treated poorly) and are too cold for me.
I wonder if I should cover my boots with an acrylic art spray last longer. Or fix up a pair of hockey or speed skates from the thrift store. For now, I look at my skates as somewhat like work clothing, that gets a fair bit of wear while I work.
I didn't choose to practice falls. Most of the skaters were beginners, or near beginners. One fell - fortunately, in the last few minutes of the session, and she had nice warm pile clothing on.
Our setting isn't as picturesque as a pristine alpine lake, but it was quite pretty when the rolling fog rolled in. It came in over a building, so the fog and rain cavorted above us in conditions of clear visibility.
I hope you enjoyed your embassy Cabernet. Like I said, not everyone has the right attitude for foul weather outdoor sports.
That which others perceive as insanity is something you either flee from, or embrace with wholehearted enthusiasm.