I’m back. In one piece and very pleased to see the children. We had a great week in Chamonix and what a luxury to be able to go skiing without children and not therefore have to worry about anybody else’s boots, skis, socks, gloves, goggles, classes, injuries, food, drink, instructors and 50 million other things. In fact come to think about it, a skiing holiday with the children is the most stressful thing ever…but out of peak season and with only myself to worry about, what a difference. There was hardly anyone on the slopes, which made a huge difference to my progress because you’re not constantly worried that some mad snow boarder is going to mow you down. I can now officially get down red runs. At one point, I asked my instructor to comment on how I was doing with my parallel turns and he said “nussing wrong”. “Nothing wrong! !! Are you sure? Nobody has ever said that to me before, let alone about my skiing!” I was delighted.
The apres skiing was also infinitely more satisfying (for a single parent) than when you are having to stay in to sort out three kids. We went out every night to eat and drink and a couple of nights we ended up in fairly lively bars. The bars seemed to be full of about 8 men to every woman. Boys on tour or “one big sausage factory” as my friend described it. The only problem being that on a skiing holiday everybody peaks too early. By 7.30pm everybody is horribly pissed and looking deeply unattractive – still in smelly ski gear having arrived at the bar at 4.30pm. The other problem was that I felt quite old…that is the one advantage of February half term or Easter- lots more people, but families and then you don’t feel such a freak. Mostly the one girl to every 8 blokes was a gorgeous, young, trendy snowboarder.
I’m very pleased to be home and will do a proper update soon….
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:39 am
Welcome Home! – My daughter has just returned from skiing too…
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