However, the drop in temperature has allowed the snow canons of the Grand Massif to operate and most pistes and lifts are open. With a shortage of nice fluffy powder, we decided to have a go at snowboarding.
For Sally this meant, after only having a few weeks of learning to ski, she was back to square one. After two weeks on the board she grasps balance and turns very well, but at the moment she's back on skis, just as a reminder of how a run without falling over can feel like. She is adamant to pick the board back up and learn it - she damn well better after all that moaning!
Having tried boarding back in his mid teens, Carl found it easier to pick it back up and is still going strong with it, even though the icy slopes have brought a fair amount of pain and anger. The other day a somewhat clumsy child (with a stupid hat) fell and could have been crushed into fine mist, had Carl not, with the reflexes of a jungle cat, risked his own skin by taken evasive action and had a gracious fall on his ass. Some might argue the child deserved being crushed which would have saved face for our modest, everyday hero. Nobody went home in a bag that day and that's what matters.
Yesterday we finished up quickly (big up to clean guests), and went for a stroll in and around our town. Visited Samoens humble, but cosy botanical garden. Explored the river side and had hot chocolate. At some point, possibly delirious from the kick of newly arrived smuggled Galaxy chocolate, Sally said she'd swim in the river. Not when summer comes, or even spring time, but now, Winter time. Any other time the river will be too wild. Carl will be there with dry clothes, towel and camera.
We've chosen not to bore you further with tales of work and Carl's developing human hair phobia, so that is what we have to share this time.
Until next,
x
PS. If you find yourself with a spare minute, don't hesitate to do us a little snow dance.
