The walters family (and Alex) ski France

Despite the forecast of cloud and snow for our final day in Les Deux Alpes, the weather was perfect once again. We breakfasted at 8.30, we are creatures of habit, and TWFPA layered up and set off once again for the little button lift just outside the Hotel door. I also layered up inside my furry blankie and began searching summer holidays on the internet. Just before lunch I popped up to reception to settle the rather large bar bill and watch the slopes. I got a Whatsapp telling me that vicky was really enjoying herself and was now skiing parallel. Looked like I would be alone for the day then. But I had a thought that maybe I could join them for lunch. "Where are you lunching?". I asked. "Top of Jandri 2, we have ordered but we haven’t got enough money to get you anything." Came the reply from Chris. "Never mind, I have a boiled egg I stole at breakfast!" Still, I decided to head on up and join them. I don’t mess about on these gondolas now. Straight to t...

The forecast for today was not so good, but at 8.30 breakfast it looked as good as ever. we had even nailed down the round table. The skiers tootled off and I headed for the blankie for a bit. Vicky returned around 11.30 having had a good mornings skiing, tired, and not realising it was so early? Never mind. We had plans to find the real Venosc. We caught the gondola down and it was almost busy, with a couple of people in front and behind. At the bottom we found this, which I had totally missed the other day. Looks like we’re headed in the right direction We followed a narrow steep path up to a very small town with narrow streets and not much sign of life. We did find a lovely cafe however, guarded by a big dog. We weren’t sure it was open but there were quite a few people inside enjoying Raclette. We just wanted crepes and they didn’t disappoint Banana, chocolate, and home made cream Venosc honey Once replenished we retraced our steps, pausing only at the episcerie of terror ...

Once again the weather was perfect for skiing. Another 8.30 breakfast and Another stolen table. The skiers headed off and I snuggled under. Vicky returned before lunch so I walked along to meet her at the bottom of Jandri 1. Yesterday, on my travels I had spotted a nice looking bar just at the bottom of Jandri so we made our way there for lunch. The sun was beating down on us as we took an outside table. Good job we’d creamed up. We both struggled up onto the high stools, and one of my gloves jumped onto the floor. I struggled down again, picked it up, removed my coat, hat, scarf and jumper, and fought my way up once more. Just as my whole package of clothes slid off. Sigh. Another mountaineering effort down, then back up, aaaand we were in position. Whew! Veggie tarteflette was on the menu, much to vickys delight. "We could share one" I said, as we had both had a big breakfast. She got a feral gleam in her eye. "No chance. The ones dad and Chris had yesterday were only ...

Once again the skies were clear as we were woken by our 7.50 alarm. I have been sleeping so well and long over here, it’s wonderful! We met up for breakfast again at 8.30 and I decided to take my phone for a photo of our lovely round table. But someone had stolen it so here’s a photo of breakfast at a rectangular table The 2 (two, TWO) people in the background are the table rustlers. This table did give us a good view of a more senior gentleman skier exit from the hotel opposite and proceed to do a 30min warm up involving every part of his body. He then had to get all his stuff from his backpack, hat, gloves, buff etc, and don them. He must have forgotten something because he had no sooner got his backpack back on then he had to remove it again. Eventually he was ready to depart. It was all like watching a mirror image of Ian. The plan was for TWPAMJ to go off up the mountain and ski some nice blues while I went off down the mountain to a small town called venosc. Eventually they were...

As forecast we opened the curtains to bright sunshine. Breakfast was at 8.30 again and vegetarianism wasn’t mentioned once. Eventually TWPA had got themselves together enough to leave and this time I watched them ski away from the right exit. Can you pick out TWPA? It had been decided that Vicky and Ian would stay down and try some of the easier runs while the rest went up the mountain to see if they would be suitable Vicky and Ian ready for off I was going to relax, read and blog, all under my lovely furry blankie. Part way through the relaxing bit the fire alarm went off. On the first day our leader had said that if the alarm went off we had to evacuate. Damn. I grabbed my hat and coat, no sense freezing if the fire turned out to be a small one, and pulled the door too. The handle came off in my hand! I pocketed it and headed for the car park, the designated meeting place. There was me, a guy in a T-shirt, and two skiers just returning. Two mins later a lady came out, and a guy ...

Due to technical difficulties and operator incompetence yesterdays blog was published unfinished without photos. I recalled it and added some photos (with much difficulty) but couldn’t finish it, despite paying £2.99 for an app. I hate paying for apps, especially when they don’t work. Today, however, I’m feeling much more confident. To finish yesterday off. After the rugby we fought the crowds waiting for the dining room and were seated in a lovely six seater round table in the window. The benefits of booking. Tea was a buffet and a mixed affair. The salad was lovely, in fact kathy was so full from dinner/afternoon tea she stopped right there. The main buffet was a bit limited in scope, but I enjoyed my salmon and roast potatoes. Alex had a huge plate full but Ian was not impressed. Not by his, but by the lack of none fish vegetarian options. In fact he was positively fuming about it on Alex’s behalf. I decided on a small pud when I saw something being kept warm. Maybe roly poly? No....

Once again The Walters family (And Alex) found themselves rising at an ungodly hour in order to get to the airport for the annual Skiing trip. We had travelled down the evening before to the Travelodge at Birmingham airport and parked in Car Park 7. I can highly recommend this. I got a special offer on the rooms at the Travelodge of £26 (TWENTY SIX POUNDS PER ROOM!) and Car park 7 costs only £28 per car in contrast to Car park 1 (well known to Alex) which was around £70 per car. The nice lady at reception told us that the bus runs every 30mins, quarter to And quarter past the hour. We had decided to get the 3.45am bus (I know), so the alarm was set for 3am. And we were tired, oh how we were tired. We had had a hard day. 24hrs earlier. On 1st Feb 2019 snow came to England. Not up North where men are men and we can cope, but down South where the softies live. I texted Vicky to see if she had any. "I’m snowed in" was the reply. "And Alex is working from home". The p...