Conquering the mountain

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 the front of the queue on 1 and 2. In fact on 2 the bubble was almost full with two snowboarders blocking the entrance, I just barged past their boards and on. I arrived just as the rest had finished their lunch, and just in time to buy the coffees. €5.50 each! Daylight robbery. It makes Holy islands crab sandwiches seem cheap. Kathy and Alex decided not to spend any time with me after I had spent 45mins dodging boarders and climbing mountains to meet them. They wanted to ski more so went off as soon as I arrived. 

Alex and Vicky, before Alex deserted her with crys of "your family take too many breaks"

It rranspired that they had used the little funicular. Vicky drove it, making her the second of TWPA to qualify as a full funicular driver.

Vicky in the drivers seat. I’m so proud

As I was sipping my golden coffee my phone started ringing. Kathy. Last time I got a call on the slopes she had broken her leg in two places on a black run. "Don’t worry Mum, i’m fine." she began with. "As I was skiing along an easy run, my ski just fell off all by itself and I had a tumble down the mountain, quite a long way. Some nice French girls retrieved my ski and poles for me, but now Alex has disappeared into the distance and I don’t know which way he has gone. He may be worried about me. ". It turned out Alex wasn’t too worried and they met up shortly after and rejoined us at the top of Jandri 2. 

All loved up at the top of the mountain

Alex didn’t approve of this break, so went off somewhere

A photo bomber (I am reliably informed)

Chris in pensive mode

Alex returns and try’s to wiggle his way back into vickys affections.

Alex gives up and disappears again

Vicky, in the form of her life, decided she was going to ski from the top, where we were, right back down to the hotel at the bottom of the mountain, taking in her nemesis along the way. Zone Tranquil. We had some lovely photos taken, then TWPA skied away over the edge and I reboarded Jandri 2. As I swung over the mountain I could see my party swishing down. I felt so proud. 

It turns out that Chris and Alex had completed all the blacks in the resort, including Valley of the Giants when it was In It’s prime. In fact they worked out they had checked off almost all the runs in resort. 

 

By the time afternoon tea came along I was starving. A boiled egg for lunch is no sort of sustenance. I feasted on bread and jam and some raspberry cake. We bathed, and pointlessed before meeting for round 5 of yatzee, which Vicky once again won and Alex once again lost. We have one round left that we need to complete the next time we are all together. Probably skiing next year. 

I felt my tea was the best one I had had all week. The soup was a vegan butternut, to the approval of Ian. The main main was steak. But as I approached the buffet the steak had run out, apart from a scrag end. At the front of the queue a man and woman were hovering around the steak pit and causing a blockage. Chris decided to take the scrag end, which was fine he reported. I couldn’t be bothered so took some new potatoes, green beans, and pollock with pesto sauce. Everything was delicious and the fact that I didn’t clutter my plate up with loads of different things made it all the nicer. And the man and woman were still steak waiting when I had finished. Then it was the spectacular Tarte Tatin for pud. 

We all went straight to bed after tea, our bus would be leaving at 5am for the early flight to Birmingham. There was a chance we would be back In Rotherham in time for the match. 

All in all it has been a lovely holiday. Skiing is the Only time all the walters get together these days, and this time the weather and slopes have been awesome. The Town itself had plenty for me and the fact I had a life pass meant I could enjoy the scenery from up the mountain. 

Au Revoir!!

P.s. we did indeed return in time for the match, after a rather hairy landing in the wind of storm Eric. Kathy had used about 20 drops of rescue remedy and was away with the fairies, so she was fine with it, much to our astonishment. (Take note Ida). We drew 1:1 with a rather poor Wigan side.