Far out the long canal

In the village of Wierum, at the edge of the North Sea, practically everyone could skate except the very littlest children ... and Moonta Riermersma, who was already nine years old. When ice finally came to the ditches and canals, Moonta was afire with enthusiasm, not only to learn to skate, but to let his skates lead him on to adventure. And when he heard of something called the New Church's Pipe, far out the long canal, he was determined to find it at any risk. (From publisher description).