We spent several hours at the Belfast Curling Club today learning how to curl. Our instruction barely scratched the surface, because curling is much more challenging both physically and strategically than we'd ever imagined. But eight of us had a lot of fun sliding ourselves and the stones around on the ice, furiously sweeping, directing, and cheering each other on.

Learning how it's done

Learning how to sweep

Stones and ice--
simple tools for a complex game.
Laughter also essential.