7th Jan 2008 - Bad Day

Well today has seen heavy, heavy rain all day. It was supposed to clear up my early afternoon but it just kept pouring. We had planned to make this our first day on the slopes but there was no point as it would have been totally naff.

Unfortunately, it has warmed up and the rain is up to mid resort level. The lower slopes have taken a pounding and the resort valley suddenly looks brown and green and wet!!

We took H for a walk just before lunch and got soaked to the skin. Not very winter ski type weather at all.

We drove to Montchavan and Les Coches (20 mins from our pad). We can catch a bubble up into La Plagne from here. The place was deserted and dripping wet.

We then went to Meribel (40 mins from our pad). However, if we can park at the Olympic Bubble at Brides Les Bains, we can save ourselves 15 minutes. This bubble takes you up to Meribel in approx. 10 minutes.

As eveing approached the rain stopped and we say the eveing sun.

We are hoping the weather will cool back down soon. All the weather forecasts seem to think it will cool down tonight. Fingers crossed for some pleasant skiing tomorrow.

6th January 2008 - Settling In

Hi everyone, We had an interesting night as we think we have mice in the loft training for the 100 metres! They started training at 2AM. It snowed during the night but then turned to rain early hours. Leaving the very steep roads down from our apartment nice and slushy.

After breakfast, we took H for a walk and then took the car down to town. Very slippery but OK. we asked the french farmer who lives opposite, if we needed snow chains, he didn't speak English, but we think he said no!!!

Today we went to La Rosiere and then Val d'Isere. La Rosiere was very snowy with plenty of the white stuff. We had a coffee and bought Fiona some water proof boots and we both purchased a new hat.

Val also had loads of snow and we sat outside the posh hotel near La Face and had a coffee. No skiing today as the weather wasn't perfect!! We plan to get our ski legs back tomorrow. It was very cloudy today but it is now 16:30 and we can see the resorts all around us even though cloud hugs the tops of the mountains.

We will have to sort out the bed situation for Tim and Simon later in the trip as we have discovered that we only have double beds!!

It's just started raining down in the valley. Looks like more snow in resort.

Bye for now, John

Heather's Blog

I went for a walk in the snow this mornong - really liked that great fun - there are 3 dogs who live near me - I have taken to one of them but not so keen on the other 2 - all a bit french for me.

We then travelled up to 2 ski restorts - I must say I am not sure about these skiers - Mum and Dad tried to get me on the Piste but I decided that was not what I wanted so I ran as fast as I could in the direction of the car - nearly getting knocked over by a skier in the process - got told off but felt I had made the right choice. Didn't much care for val D'Isere either but I am told I will get used to it. Made it back to the appartment after a nice walk again in the snow which I liked then tucked into a hearty Dinner. Not sure what is planned for tomorrow just relaxing on my chair at the moment.

5th January 2008 - Arrived In Bourg

Travelled down to Bourg st Maurice today. We had rain all the way. Found apartment OK and it was as we had expected. Met Luke, the french Ski Instructor who lives below us. we also met the Welsh/Cornish band who also live next door. They are playing Dicks Tea Bar in Val d'Isere 3/4 nights a week. we plan to go and see them soon. They play covers mainly, Beatles etc.

We went for a large shop at Super U. The food is fab compared to blightly. Fresh fruit and Veg and champagne for £6 a bottle. Fromage and meat to die for. Trying to stay slim (and even loose weight) will be a task indeed.

My cold is still with me but less hacking today. It is still raining but is snowing up at the resorts.

No UK or French TV yet as there is no arial, but we have some decent video's and we will be emailing those coming out to see us tobring some more. However, we can get BBC radio and news pod casts.

Not missing anything in the UK yet!!! Heather is stil looking to find her french feet.

4th Jan 2008 - Journey Begins

Travelled down to Dijon Today. Thought Dijon was very nice. Lots of good shops and the Christmas decorations were lovely.

We stayed at the Hotel Sofitel, which was also very good, although the evening meal was definitely Nouvau Cuisine. For 36 euros l had 4 small langustine and a piece of fatty pork about 1 inch square!!

We had a good sleep even though my cold was still giving it big, with lots of coughing etc.

Heather quite liked the hotel too!

Welcome To Our Travel Blogg

Hi everyone, and welcome to our travel blogg. Its the easiest way to keep in touch with everyone.

We intend to keep this updated regularly and post some pictures etc.

Here is the current itinerary:

Jan, Feb & early March - Skiing in the French Alps
March - Skiing in Utah
April - Home & UK Stuff
May - Sailing in Croatia
June - Coast to Coast walk (190 miles across the middle of the UK through the Lake District)
June - July - Canada
August - To be announced
Sept - October - Namibia, Zambia, South Africa
Nov - December - New Zealand

Please note our email will be thegodleys@hotmail.com