Monday 23 March 2009

Friday 20th March

Snow had continued overnight so valley was white again. Car park at Areitbahn busiest this week so wondered if new snow had brought the locals out in force. Judging by the busier pistes it would appear than new snow was the attraction. Had my first altercation of the week with a father blocking my entrance to cable car whilst he ushered in his 2 little darlings. Still wait till he comes to Wales – I’ll get my own back.

Lots of new powder meant another good day skiing. Sometimes it was challenging with flat light when the occasional snow shower passed by. Dangerous had a fall on a flattish link to a piste – no messing – both skis off and a super head plant into the powder. Something to do with the wrong edge. Took a wrong turn to a black – but the good snow meant it was tackled with ease.

Back for lunch –last time I will see cheese for a while. Finished lunch with really gooey gateaus. Looking forward to getting back to Ryvita and rice cakes. Skied for a couple of hours after lunch – very pleased with how we skied. Fill up the van and took the bottles back which proved interesting. Put them into a machine which counted them and issued a credit which I redeemed at the till. Surely we in the UK could go back to returnable bottles.

Reminisced with Dave about getting money when we were kids for taking bottles to the shop. Girls had had a girly day – hairwashing, shopping, packing, reading a watching a weepy DVD. Went out to eat – Italian – very good and much especially as D & H insisted on paying. All packed ready to go by 6am tomorrow.

We have had a wonderful week, super apartment, excellent food – thanks to Helen and Kay, good conditions, lots of skiing, great company – who incidentally tell me they will never eat walnuts again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT WEEK IN WHICH THE SKIING EXCEEDED ALL OUR EXPECTATIONS

Sunday 22 March 2009

Thursday 19 March

Woke up to a grey snowy morning, after attempting to get into the loo in the middle of the night when Dangerous was in there with the light off (how can he read the paper with the light off - Is that something you learn at print rep school?). I kept trying the locked door thinking it was jammed, but realised Dave was in residence when a voice said “Jeff I’m in here”. What are the chances of us both wanting the loo at the same time? Spooky.

Set off for morning ski, albeit later than usual. Visibility was poor above the tree line so stayed lower in good snow conditions for an enjoyable morning ski despite continuous snowfall. As instructed by text picked up our ladies in the village and back to the flat for a very enjoyable French stick and cheese lunch.

Off again pm to slopes directly above Zell. Most had packed up by then, but not us. 3 runs on pistes covered in powder – tough but satisfying (feel the burn). Dangerous pleased with the chance to yet again test his skills in soft powdery snow – almost same conditions to off piste skiing (but bad to poor visibility).

Girls decided to walk to small town on lake called Thumerbacher or was it Thumbalinner. Harder than expected, Kay did brill to walk it but we met up in small local bar for beer and Jagertee. 2 very merry ladies after drinking half a litre of the stuff.

Walking and drinking doesn't come any tougher than this (see Master Chef again). This bar was very much a local bar with the walls festooned with trophies for curling, darts and football.

Back home for smashing stirfry a la Helen. Pleasant evening in which we won a Million on Millionaire (on the Nintendo DS). All of us glad when 10pm arrived as we were bushed and our rush to bed did not reflect the company we were keeping, but more the need for sleep and anyway “you can’t go to bed before 10”.

Lack of unsecure wireless internet locally causing much annoyance so sorry if you are reading this whole weeks blog in one go.

Wednesday 18 March


Off to Kaprun to glacier. Really really amazing snow, pistes and visibility. Another dream come true!!

After a couple of Chocs with rum Dangerous was back to his wizzy self plus a bit of off piste to hone his new skills. Skiing on the glacier slopes was so good but T bars (no chairs) presented Grumps with some challenge. After going up as a pair thought it best if went up singly as I might cause Dangerous an injury when de-t barring.

However getting off still causing a problem as I caught bar under my knee and ended up on bank above the d-t barring area. Other than my pride no damage done.

Back for late lunch which included a first of leftover chilli on toast (what next cold kebab and pizza?). Girls been to shops and Helen spent lunch justifying yet another coat.

Off to pistes above Zell for a mad last 90 minutes whilst girls walked to Zell along the lake - really really beautiful. Say this in a Master Chef Style "Lakeside walking doesn’t come any better than this".

On the slopes Grumps nearly wiped out by 6 year old (then probably hit on her mother - the joys of editing the blog JK Jnr). Met up again in Red Bull type tent. Isn’t German europop great – got us all rocking!!!! Back for tea via Supermarket to get a snack.

What is it about holidays that snacks and much alcohol are obigitory?

Tuesday 17 March – St Patrick’s Day

Later in the day became very aware of Irish voices and silly green hats. Surely there are other nationalities in Zell am Zee?

The day started for the skiers with an early transfer in the van, driven by Dangerous to Kitzsteinhorn glacier. Fabulous snow, awesome scenery but poor visibility (had Grumps put Kay's contacts in again?), very much the place the locals come to ski- busy busy.

Back for lunch then on to Zell. Ladies went to village. Men had just under 2 hours of good skiing in bright sun.

Met up in Zell in one of those “euro pop” type tents - sadly only us attending to enjoy Amariillo and no scantily clad ladies dancing on bar 'Helen and Kay did take their hats and gloves off' but somehow this didn’t draw the crowds in. Back home via supermarket AGAIN, to a superb chicken dinner, a couple of glasses of prosseco and a cheeky beer or two. Watched CNN (only English channel available).

Forgot to say we thought we saw Lockett on the slopes – bright orange jacket – were we mistaken???? Or was she really off skiing with Swiller. We will never know?

Monday 16 March


Off to slopes in van leaving ladies wot lunch to take on the domestic chores !!!!!!!.

Great morning including Dangerous Dave falling on shallow blue – something about wrong edge – still made me feel a much above average skier at that moment anyway. But skiing back to gondola base was a mistake. Took ages in the porridge, I must add not for Tewey but for me, a sharp reminder of who was the better skier despite his fall, have I mentioned that ?? (Think pride comes before a fall).

Still ticked the home run box – really really amazing, a dream come true, will change my life forever – skiing doesn’t get any tougher than this (As you will discover a Master Chef quotes theme features this week).

After lunch went up to Glacier at Kitzsteinhorn above Kaprun. Woman in ticket office refused to let girls up (suspect Grumps was talking loudly and slowly to make her understand) as she felt not enough time for them to appreciate the area. Both were relieved to have saved £21 each, for what would have turned out to be 10 minutes at the top so thanks Ticket office lady (said loudly and slowly). The intrepid skiers risked it. . Fabulous vista but skiing affected by lots of people (can't believe they didn't get the memo to stay off Grumps and DD's mountain) and some slopes skied out.

Hate to be here when really busy in the height of the season.

Finished off the day with the excitement of a trip to the Spar, although a box of prosseco,and a crate beer eased the pain. Excellent chilli for dinner. Bed by ten

Sunday 15 March 2009

Not too early a start, drove to lift car park this time heading in the right direction. Skiing good at top. Not too busy on the piste. Came back for lunch which will probably turn out to be our habit every day as it is meant to be a cheap holiday.

Back 4'ish, showered, snacked and off to Salzburg to collect the Teweys. Miserable wet journey. Kay helped by pointing out most vehicles on the road (NIGHTMARE PASSENGER), which I of course would not have noticed despite it being dark and they having their lights on !!!!!!

Waited at gate with our sign – DANGEROUS DAVE & NEL (& possibly LUCY). Set off without Lucy back to Schuttdorf where apartment is located. Calorie free supper of wedges, pizza, garlic bread and beer – very well received.

Saturday 14 March 2009

Early start to Manchester Airport courtesy of Taxi Jason (how I loved the 4am start. Check in good and much to our relief no problem with luggage, skis and boots so no need to abuse Thomson’s staff.. (get the felling Grumps is a little disapointed). Good flight but heavy landing (all of a sudden everyone is an aviation expert). Terminal rather busy with all the Saturday holiday charters arriving at similar time.

Pleased with car – upgrade to Vauxhall Zafira – a van with windows. After a slight deviaton, we set off for Zell. Kay felt going north on the motorway instead of south should not be classed as a slight deviation (let's hope you weren't driving against the flow) - she didn’t mention it again MUCH.

Extremely pleased with the apartment. Bit of shopping (trip to the off license me thinks) but parted with a lot of actual cash as Austria does not universally do credit cards, which we’d forgotten so didn’t check before filling the trolley. Call from Lucy to say she was coming, followed by text to say no flights – very disappointed.