Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Faire du ski
After all my travel woes and a nice relaxing train trip to Grenoble I arrived at Les Deux Alpes for a week of skiing. I opted to join a group trip with outgoingski which included everything – meals, ski pass, ski’s lessons and accommodation – it was a great deal – thanks Craig! I was in a shared dorm with another Australian and 2 girls from UK. Admittedly we were crammed into a tiny room but the view from the window the next morning when I woke up was amazing. 
I was in the beginner class obviously and we had lessons at 9am for the first 2 days so it was an early wake up to get fitted with boots and borrow some ski gear from the resort before heading out to the slopes. I was a day behind everyone as I arrived late but managed to catch up after the first few falls! Ended up getting a private lesson at the end as everyone was tired from their après-ski events the night before and bailed early. It helped that I knew a bit of French too!
After a well deserved lunch and nap (skiing is hard work!) we hit the slopes again to get in a bit of practice. This was to become a bit of a routine which was nice after doing so much travelling! Improved my confidence on Tuesday although I got a bit cocky and went up one of the button lifts, freaked out at the top because it was too steep and ended up walking part of the way down while little kids wizzed past me!
We had the Wednesday off, so a massive Tuesday night was had by all. We went on a pub crawl that night with lots of free shots, foam, crazy dancing, too much noise in the dorms and the hangover to go with it all! Managed to get onto the slopes for a little while on Wednesday with a lot of effort, my legs needed the day off too!
On Thursday, our lessons changed to the afternoon so had a nice late start on the slopes. The weather was awful so had to buy some goggles, it was snowing and windy and blizzard. Trust this to be the day that we headed up to the big slopes – scary much! Had a good time on the green runs and learnt how to catch a chair lift successfully after a few goes! The snow was gorgeous and fluffy and deep and I felt so much more confident than when I was on the nursery slopes which were so icy and really scary if you fell over because you would just keep going! I absolutely loved skiing, such an awesome feeling and will definitely keep it up!
On Friday – my last day skiing- the other Australian girl offered to take me up in the morning to do some green runs with her. The weather was really really bad; they closed down the gondolas so we had to catch one of the bigger ones up to the top. When we eventually got up the mountain, it was even worse up there, the snow was being wiped up like sand and flicking into you. Managed to do a few runs before we gave up and went to have a drink and lunch at the bar on top of the slopes – much nicer! Luckily I had to rush downt he mountain to get to my last lesson – which I missed coz I was too late. But shortly after I got down they closed all the lifts up and down the mountain which would have meant I would have had to ski down the mountain most likely on my bum!
We had a few farewell drinks on the Friday night and were up bright and early on Saturday to leave. Ofcourse it was a gorgeous day for skiing, but was nice to travel down the mountain in the daylight – it was beautiful.
I loved skiing and now I can say I learnt to ski in the Alpes – how awesome is my life!
I was in the beginner class obviously and we had lessons at 9am for the first 2 days so it was an early wake up to get fitted with boots and borrow some ski gear from the resort before heading out to the slopes. I was a day behind everyone as I arrived late but managed to catch up after the first few falls! Ended up getting a private lesson at the end as everyone was tired from their après-ski events the night before and bailed early. It helped that I knew a bit of French too!
After a well deserved lunch and nap (skiing is hard work!) we hit the slopes again to get in a bit of practice. This was to become a bit of a routine which was nice after doing so much travelling! Improved my confidence on Tuesday although I got a bit cocky and went up one of the button lifts, freaked out at the top because it was too steep and ended up walking part of the way down while little kids wizzed past me!
We had the Wednesday off, so a massive Tuesday night was had by all. We went on a pub crawl that night with lots of free shots, foam, crazy dancing, too much noise in the dorms and the hangover to go with it all! Managed to get onto the slopes for a little while on Wednesday with a lot of effort, my legs needed the day off too!
On Thursday, our lessons changed to the afternoon so had a nice late start on the slopes. The weather was awful so had to buy some goggles, it was snowing and windy and blizzard. Trust this to be the day that we headed up to the big slopes – scary much! Had a good time on the green runs and learnt how to catch a chair lift successfully after a few goes! The snow was gorgeous and fluffy and deep and I felt so much more confident than when I was on the nursery slopes which were so icy and really scary if you fell over because you would just keep going! I absolutely loved skiing, such an awesome feeling and will definitely keep it up!
On Friday – my last day skiing- the other Australian girl offered to take me up in the morning to do some green runs with her. The weather was really really bad; they closed down the gondolas so we had to catch one of the bigger ones up to the top. When we eventually got up the mountain, it was even worse up there, the snow was being wiped up like sand and flicking into you. Managed to do a few runs before we gave up and went to have a drink and lunch at the bar on top of the slopes – much nicer! Luckily I had to rush downt he mountain to get to my last lesson – which I missed coz I was too late. But shortly after I got down they closed all the lifts up and down the mountain which would have meant I would have had to ski down the mountain most likely on my bum!
We had a few farewell drinks on the Friday night and were up bright and early on Saturday to leave. Ofcourse it was a gorgeous day for skiing, but was nice to travel down the mountain in the daylight – it was beautiful.
I loved skiing and now I can say I learnt to ski in the Alpes – how awesome is my life!
Travel Woes
I hate Ryanair but they are so cheap its hard not to forget how absolutley shitty they are. I was travelling back on New Year's Day from Glasgow (or the Ryan Air terminal at Prestwick), not the best day to travel with the hangover and everything but was 100 euro's cheaper than travelling on the 2nd. Anyway, was awake and packed with plenty of time to catch the train to the Airport - got to the station. Bad news the only day the trains don't run in the UK is the 1st of Jan...the ONLY day and it is the day I am travelling! So I was in a bit of a panic to say the least, ended up getting a taxi (luckily a private taxi which is a bit cheaper) which cost me 70 Pounds - Ryan air is not such a bargain. But anyway managed to get home eventually - after the hour and a half bus ride from where Ryanair reckons 'Paris' is...
The next day I was catching a morning train down to Grenoble to go skiing. Set my alarm nice and early only to wake up in the morning 20 mins after my trian was due to depart. Thanks iPhone! Turns out there was a bug in the software which meant that the alarms set on the 1st and 2nd Jan didn't work - just great! Due to being tired and grumpy I phoned my parents in tears wanting to come home, woe is me etc. etc. They managed to calm me down and I booked another train to Grenoble at a cost of 100 Euros - I really want to send the bill to Apple. But anyway, long story short I eventually got to Les Deux Alpes 6 hrs later than anticipated. Was totally worth it as you will find out!
The next day I was catching a morning train down to Grenoble to go skiing. Set my alarm nice and early only to wake up in the morning 20 mins after my trian was due to depart. Thanks iPhone! Turns out there was a bug in the software which meant that the alarms set on the 1st and 2nd Jan didn't work - just great! Due to being tired and grumpy I phoned my parents in tears wanting to come home, woe is me etc. etc. They managed to calm me down and I booked another train to Grenoble at a cost of 100 Euros - I really want to send the bill to Apple. But anyway, long story short I eventually got to Les Deux Alpes 6 hrs later than anticipated. Was totally worth it as you will find out!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Message
Hi All,
Yes I have been slack on posting, but away from my computer and need to donwload photos off my camera onto it before I put them on here.
Had a lovely Xmas with the family in Wells after a few days in London. I leave tomoro on the bus to Edinbourough before spenidng New Years at the Hogmany festival in Glasgow. Then fly back to Paris for one night and then off skiing in the Alpes for 7 days. I get back to Paris on the 8th January and then start work bright and early on the 10th.
So there is a lot of news coming, I just need to find the time inbetween all this fun to write on my blog.
Hope everyone had a merry xmas has an awesome New Year.
Lots of love
Nikki
Yes I have been slack on posting, but away from my computer and need to donwload photos off my camera onto it before I put them on here.
Had a lovely Xmas with the family in Wells after a few days in London. I leave tomoro on the bus to Edinbourough before spenidng New Years at the Hogmany festival in Glasgow. Then fly back to Paris for one night and then off skiing in the Alpes for 7 days. I get back to Paris on the 8th January and then start work bright and early on the 10th.
So there is a lot of news coming, I just need to find the time inbetween all this fun to write on my blog.
Hope everyone had a merry xmas has an awesome New Year.
Lots of love
Nikki
Xmas Time
I am very lucky to have my family in the UK so that I wasn’t alone for Xmas, so nice to just chill with family in an actual house. Volunteered my services for cooking and made about 3 batches of mince pies for xmas breakfast – yummy! 
On xmas eve the whole family trundled off to Bath for a very early dinner because we all wanted to drink and the last bus back was at 7pm or something. The sunset on the way there (at about 4pm I might add) was gorgeous over the snowy fields. Had diner in a tapas restaurant – was delicious. Another reason to love Bath!
Came home and got roped into helping Uncle Julian make pastry for his game pie. The two uncles were having a competition to see who could make the best… was up until 2am on Xmas day making it – of which one slice was eaten!
Since I was up anyway I decided to go to midnight Eucharist at Wells Cathedral. It was beautiful but sad being there by myself and seeing everyone with their families- what did I expect really. Was funny the prayer they did included Zimbabwe and those away in the armed forces – freaky!
Woke up nice and late on Xmas day and headed over to Aunty Fi & Nick’s to open stocking presents and eat mince pies! I am saying I had a white Xmas, it didn’t actually snow but there was still some on the ground. Xmas dinner was a feast – beef, ham and turkey! And lots of extras on the side.
After dinner, we mnaged to have a skype chat with the Aussie Meads who were on Boxing Day already and about to sit downa nd watch the cricket - looked so nice and warm, was very jealous.
We played charades altogether which was pretty funny, we are quite the dim family not being able to make the connection between kneeland and Disneyland, was a good laugh though!
Ofcourse Xmas isn't christmas without someone falling asleep on the couch, this is the start of balance things on Uncle Ju's head game!
After Xmas, there was a lot of leftovers eaten and a trip to Bath for the sales before I headed up to Scotland to celebrate New Year.
On xmas eve the whole family trundled off to Bath for a very early dinner because we all wanted to drink and the last bus back was at 7pm or something. The sunset on the way there (at about 4pm I might add) was gorgeous over the snowy fields. Had diner in a tapas restaurant – was delicious. Another reason to love Bath!
Came home and got roped into helping Uncle Julian make pastry for his game pie. The two uncles were having a competition to see who could make the best… was up until 2am on Xmas day making it – of which one slice was eaten!
Since I was up anyway I decided to go to midnight Eucharist at Wells Cathedral. It was beautiful but sad being there by myself and seeing everyone with their families- what did I expect really. Was funny the prayer they did included Zimbabwe and those away in the armed forces – freaky!
Woke up nice and late on Xmas day and headed over to Aunty Fi & Nick’s to open stocking presents and eat mince pies! I am saying I had a white Xmas, it didn’t actually snow but there was still some on the ground. Xmas dinner was a feast – beef, ham and turkey! And lots of extras on the side.
After dinner, we mnaged to have a skype chat with the Aussie Meads who were on Boxing Day already and about to sit downa nd watch the cricket - looked so nice and warm, was very jealous.
We played charades altogether which was pretty funny, we are quite the dim family not being able to make the connection between kneeland and Disneyland, was a good laugh though!
Ofcourse Xmas isn't christmas without someone falling asleep on the couch, this is the start of balance things on Uncle Ju's head game!
After Xmas, there was a lot of leftovers eaten and a trip to Bath for the sales before I headed up to Scotland to celebrate New Year.
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