SWMBO and I are here in Seefeld as we tick off anothe4r of her bucket list items. It's not so much that she wanted to ski, more the fact that she always wanted to visit an alpine resort.
We chose Seefeld as it is well regarded as a cross country skiing destination so she could have a go at that with minimum risk, right?
Wrong! We used yesterday as a reconnaissance day. We found our ski school, picked up our ski hire equipment and found an apres ski bar. All good sensible stuff. The hotel had a six course gala dinner, we had a few drinks then headed to bed eager for the fun ahead.
There has been little snow in Seefeld for about three weeks but the piste bashers and snow cannons have done their job keeping the runs in good order, so with a glorious blue sky and much anticipation we set out on our new adventure. Chris, the ski guide showed us how to use the cross country equipment stage by stage, then he showed us how to fall properly if need be. This came a bit late in the lesson for me as I had already been down twice but no damage recorded.
SWMBO then decided to fall innocously but got her ski's twisted, a well meaning Austrian tried to untangle her and 'pop' she strained an intercorstal muscle on her sternum. Mega pain and concern followed but she was determined to see the lesson through, not anticipating I would have other ideas. The worst fall you can have cross country skiing is when you lean backwards, you are a gonna. Coccyx damage, a bang to the head or a broken wrist are there just waiting to happen.
So what did I do? Yep, fell backwards at pace, luckily avoiding all the above by landing square on my back, but wiped SWMBO out as I had encouraged her to go ahead so I could keep an eye on her. Oh dear, end of lesson and another holiday trauma to add to her collection!
We did manage the venicular railway up to a mountain top restaurant to take in views and have a bowl of goulash, but whether either of us will be able to walk tomorrow remains to be seen!
Monday 27 February 2017
Thursday 23 February 2017
Biffa bear
There is an overwhelming case for sympathising with Juhel Miah, a Welsh maths teacher, who was refused boarding on an America bound flight from Iceland this week. It was particularly difficult as he was accompanying a group of school children who were allowed to fly and were clearly distressed that their teacher was left behind.
The story was featured on national television and showed him working out the value of x in a algebraic equation on a whiteboard at his school. He rightly included the verification process to ensure you got the right result.
It is such a pity when he wrote 'substitute' on the board, that he spelt it wrong! Clearly whiteboards do not benefit from spell checker!!
The whole joy of language seems to be degrading by the day. Lazy usage, abbreviations and American influences are all so sad to see and hear , but when our teachers can't spell, and address classes as 'guys' there really does not seem to be much hope going forward.
I am just off to prestidigitate and hope it all vanishes!
The story was featured on national television and showed him working out the value of x in a algebraic equation on a whiteboard at his school. He rightly included the verification process to ensure you got the right result.
It is such a pity when he wrote 'substitute' on the board, that he spelt it wrong! Clearly whiteboards do not benefit from spell checker!!
The whole joy of language seems to be degrading by the day. Lazy usage, abbreviations and American influences are all so sad to see and hear , but when our teachers can't spell, and address classes as 'guys' there really does not seem to be much hope going forward.
I am just off to prestidigitate and hope it all vanishes!
Thursday 16 February 2017
You are number 2....
The final day started with a hearty breakfast, which was of equally good quality as all the food we had enjoyed in the hotel. Unfortunately it let itself down with the accomodation. If I were a Trip advisor junkie I would have to say the Tanronnen Inn had cold bedrooms, the bath was too narrow for normal sized people and the shower was next to useless. The bed was a small double and Wi-Fi was intermittent. So public areas and service 5 star, accommodation 3 star at best.
Anyway, onto day three. The plan was to drive to Barmouth and do the Cader Idris walk which took in the Victorian gardens and Garb, often referred to as the Barmouth Slabs. The weather was a bit misty and the bodies a bit weary, so that was parked for another day. We decided instead to stroll along the beach, have an ice cream and play tourist.
I had always been keen to visit Barmouth having heard stories of its role as an industrial tourist venue. During the traditional Summer factory shutdowns, thousands of workers from Yorkshire and Lancashire took the train to Barmouth. It is also the closest seaside resort to the West Midlands from where workers would load their charabanc's and make off for their annual break. The North Wales coastal resorts of Prestatyn, Llandudno, Rhyl and Portmadog benefited in the same way.
Barmouth, however, has stood the test of time. It's high street is still tidy, its hotels and guest houses are well presented and there are bars cafe's and bistro's which could grace Brighton or Bournemouth. There were a fair few Midland accents around too, so the links of old are still preserved by all accounts.
We drove back via Lake Bala, utilised by Thomas Telford in his construction,almost, of the Ellesmere Canal which he had planned to link the river Mersey with the Severn at Shrewsbury. It did not quite work but he did leave the Llangollen viaduct as a local legacy.
SWMBO did not fancy a walk over that so it was 'home James' with a wave to Moel Famau as we drove through Loggerheads, where this mad plan started. Next week is another adventure altogether.
Anyway, onto day three. The plan was to drive to Barmouth and do the Cader Idris walk which took in the Victorian gardens and Garb, often referred to as the Barmouth Slabs. The weather was a bit misty and the bodies a bit weary, so that was parked for another day. We decided instead to stroll along the beach, have an ice cream and play tourist.
I had always been keen to visit Barmouth having heard stories of its role as an industrial tourist venue. During the traditional Summer factory shutdowns, thousands of workers from Yorkshire and Lancashire took the train to Barmouth. It is also the closest seaside resort to the West Midlands from where workers would load their charabanc's and make off for their annual break. The North Wales coastal resorts of Prestatyn, Llandudno, Rhyl and Portmadog benefited in the same way.
Barmouth, however, has stood the test of time. It's high street is still tidy, its hotels and guest houses are well presented and there are bars cafe's and bistro's which could grace Brighton or Bournemouth. There were a fair few Midland accents around too, so the links of old are still preserved by all accounts.
We drove back via Lake Bala, utilised by Thomas Telford in his construction,almost, of the Ellesmere Canal which he had planned to link the river Mersey with the Severn at Shrewsbury. It did not quite work but he did leave the Llangollen viaduct as a local legacy.
SWMBO did not fancy a walk over that so it was 'home James' with a wave to Moel Famau as we drove through Loggerheads, where this mad plan started. Next week is another adventure altogether.
Tuesday 14 February 2017
Dog tired
There is a saying in rugby circles that you never beat Wales, you just occasionally score more points than them. I don't even think the population of Snowdonia were even aware there was a game going on. I think they are just born miserable and their mood is never altered by events of the world. Hey ho!
So onto day two of camp Beddgelert, and another change of plan. We were due to do the Fisherman's Path, but the hotel proprietor indicated there had been a few people fall in the river lately and the mountain rescue team needed to get involved. The walk was fairly flat anyway, so we reverted to plan B.
This involves a gentle walk along the river to Bethania and a climb from there. We started off on the Watkin Path which would have taken us all the way up to Snowdon, but a more relaxed route allowed us to divert over Bylchau Terfyn and return to base that way.
It was a 1000ft climb on unmade paths so it certainly taxed our knees and thigh muscles.
It took a little over 4 hours and concluded with a visit to Gelert's grave, after which the village is named. Legend had it that Prince Llewellyn returned home one day to find his wife in distress and their baby missing. He then spotted his dog, Gelert with bloodied jowls, assumed the worst and slayed him.
A while later he heard a baby 's cry and found his child alive next to a dead wolf. Gelert was the hero after all, Llewellyn was distraught and buried the dog by a tree in a field. Now I expected a huge mausoleum, but no, it's a lump of rock. Very disappointing.
There is another legend in these parts about the Red Dragon and its symbolism zzzz.
I must remember it's Valentine's night tonight, leeks instead of roses in these parts. Can't see them cheering up the locals mind.
So onto day two of camp Beddgelert, and another change of plan. We were due to do the Fisherman's Path, but the hotel proprietor indicated there had been a few people fall in the river lately and the mountain rescue team needed to get involved. The walk was fairly flat anyway, so we reverted to plan B.
This involves a gentle walk along the river to Bethania and a climb from there. We started off on the Watkin Path which would have taken us all the way up to Snowdon, but a more relaxed route allowed us to divert over Bylchau Terfyn and return to base that way.It was a 1000ft climb on unmade paths so it certainly taxed our knees and thigh muscles.
It took a little over 4 hours and concluded with a visit to Gelert's grave, after which the village is named. Legend had it that Prince Llewellyn returned home one day to find his wife in distress and their baby missing. He then spotted his dog, Gelert with bloodied jowls, assumed the worst and slayed him.
A while later he heard a baby 's cry and found his child alive next to a dead wolf. Gelert was the hero after all, Llewellyn was distraught and buried the dog by a tree in a field. Now I expected a huge mausoleum, but no, it's a lump of rock. Very disappointing.
I must remember it's Valentine's night tonight, leeks instead of roses in these parts. Can't see them cheering up the locals mind.
Monday 13 February 2017
One down,two to go
Here we are in the foothills of Snowdonia, at the start of Beddgelert boot camp. More hill walking and food and drink as the preparation for upcoming activity holidays continue
Today a 5 mile stroll to Rhyd Ddu and then the Sherpa bus back. It was not quite to plan as we had hoped to take the bus first and then walk back, but in hindsight it worked well as the altitude increase helped the old cardio vascular.
The first part of the walk meandered in and out of the Welsh mountain railway,
We then entered Beddgelert forest and later circumnavigated Llyn-y-Gadair. The sherpa bus is not quite like the reggae bus in Barbados, and it was 15 minutes late. Given there are only three a day lets hope they don't cancel any of them!!
All in all a good start to the camp. Nobody has mentioned the rugby yet but there is still time. Bar meal tonight then prep for tomorrow which is a planned alldayer!!
Today a 5 mile stroll to Rhyd Ddu and then the Sherpa bus back. It was not quite to plan as we had hoped to take the bus first and then walk back, but in hindsight it worked well as the altitude increase helped the old cardio vascular.
The first part of the walk meandered in and out of the Welsh mountain railway,
We then entered Beddgelert forest and later circumnavigated Llyn-y-Gadair. The sherpa bus is not quite like the reggae bus in Barbados, and it was 15 minutes late. Given there are only three a day lets hope they don't cancel any of them!!
All in all a good start to the camp. Nobody has mentioned the rugby yet but there is still time. Bar meal tonight then prep for tomorrow which is a planned alldayer!!
Sunday 12 February 2017
A Porsche, a Porsche, my kingdom for a Porsche
The Six Nations rugby season is now well under way. The 'S Club' met up in London last week for the first England match v France, we were joined by a couple of Simon's who qualified by name(!) and various sons and friends, making it a very enjoyable first outing.
5pm kick-off's are always tricky, particularly for the spectators, but we were lucky enough to get a table in the White Horse pub in Richmond, just behind the Red Cow. Apparently the Black Dog, Green Dragon and Pink Flamingo were all fully booked.
Pre-match discussion centred on business and Brexit, and neither came out too badly, as two of the crew had, only the day before, independently ordered new Porsche's as their new family runabouts.....I really must get those virtual reality goggles out and see what all the fuss is about. I am not sure a Porsche 911 or Boxster would suit me though as I am quite tall and I am well past the SUV stage. Looks like a Beamer for a few years yet then.
As well as an inconvenience for the crowd, the 5pm kick-off did not seem to appeal to the England team much, and after a very rusty first half they managed to squeeze past a spirited French outfit right at the death. They seemed to adjust better to it yesterday though when they challenged Wales in Cardiff.
It was always going to be a tough day for me. One of my golf chums, George, was making a comeback after falling down the stairs a few weeks ago. George is 83 so its not in his best interests to start free running at his age!! anyway, we got him round 18 holes in one piece, and as it was a team competition we were able to make a good stab at winning. We were 6th in the end, our best result for some time in these things!
I then had Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City, Wales v England and Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspurs to contend with. Argyle did the business 3-0 so that was the most important result of the three. Spurs were blown away by Liverpool, well Mane actually, so that's the title challenge finished for another season, so that left England to continue their quest for a second consecutive grand slam, something never before achieved in the Six Nations era.
Well, it was a proper game of rugger, and one could not have begrudged Wales had they have won, but after getting a battering for the last 20 minutes of the first half, England once more showed their resolve, and not a little skill, to close the game out in the last few minutes. SWMBO and I are off to Snowdonia tomorrow to continue our climbing fitness programme, I might have to turn over a few stones, as I bet I won't be able to find a Welshman when I want one!!
5pm kick-off's are always tricky, particularly for the spectators, but we were lucky enough to get a table in the White Horse pub in Richmond, just behind the Red Cow. Apparently the Black Dog, Green Dragon and Pink Flamingo were all fully booked.
Pre-match discussion centred on business and Brexit, and neither came out too badly, as two of the crew had, only the day before, independently ordered new Porsche's as their new family runabouts.....I really must get those virtual reality goggles out and see what all the fuss is about. I am not sure a Porsche 911 or Boxster would suit me though as I am quite tall and I am well past the SUV stage. Looks like a Beamer for a few years yet then.
As well as an inconvenience for the crowd, the 5pm kick-off did not seem to appeal to the England team much, and after a very rusty first half they managed to squeeze past a spirited French outfit right at the death. They seemed to adjust better to it yesterday though when they challenged Wales in Cardiff.
It was always going to be a tough day for me. One of my golf chums, George, was making a comeback after falling down the stairs a few weeks ago. George is 83 so its not in his best interests to start free running at his age!! anyway, we got him round 18 holes in one piece, and as it was a team competition we were able to make a good stab at winning. We were 6th in the end, our best result for some time in these things!
I then had Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City, Wales v England and Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspurs to contend with. Argyle did the business 3-0 so that was the most important result of the three. Spurs were blown away by Liverpool, well Mane actually, so that's the title challenge finished for another season, so that left England to continue their quest for a second consecutive grand slam, something never before achieved in the Six Nations era.
Well, it was a proper game of rugger, and one could not have begrudged Wales had they have won, but after getting a battering for the last 20 minutes of the first half, England once more showed their resolve, and not a little skill, to close the game out in the last few minutes. SWMBO and I are off to Snowdonia tomorrow to continue our climbing fitness programme, I might have to turn over a few stones, as I bet I won't be able to find a Welshman when I want one!!
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