10th January 2008 - Wow, What a day!

Today was one of those perfect skiing days. Crystal blue skies, not too cold and no wind. So, we decided to go to La Rosiere for the day, after taking Heather for a long walk.

It only takes 30 minutes to get there and the resort just took us in!! The runs were mostly empty with dreamy snow conditions.

We took the opportunity of going over to Italy (it would be rude not too), skiing all the way down to La Thuile centre for lunch. We skied here last February and had an awful time. But this place is pretty good with some sun and no wind. The back bowl of La Thuile is wonderful with wide open, empty, flowing reds and blacks and beautiful snow.

We were back over in France (La Rosiere) by 3PM and stopped off at a lovely mountain bar for a glass or two of vin. I did my usual (John) and left our back pack on one of the chairs. Luckily the attendants found it and we were reunited, much to my relief as Fifi had a new pair of glasses and a new hat in said rucksack.

There are lots of beardy Russian types in the resorts now which makes quite a difference. They all speak very loudly and drink a lot of vodka a lot of the time.

Once home, we walked all the way down to Bourg centre which is a real surprise. Great shops, restaurants and bars with a friendly, cordial atmosphere. We liked the look of Le Savoyard eatery so have booked for a slap up nosh fest on Saturday. The hotel bourg in the centre look great. we took a look at a couple of properties in the local immobiliers. Property is quite expensive but a few are not too badly priced.

Shauna has just emailed to say that Jared and Debs are out in La Plagne this Saturday for a week, so we will pop over and meet for a ski and lunch.

We are just about to get stuck in to some local sausages with mash and onions which er deserve after all the hard work today!! Well, some one's got to do it!!

We would like to wish Ad (Fiona's Dad) a very happy 84th birthday. Lots of love, From Fiona, John & Heather xxx

9th January 2008 - Taking It Easy In The Snow

Took H for a walk this morning around the Bourg St Maurice nature park. It was very icy but pleasant enough.

After shopping at SuperU and having a coffee, we went to the Mono rail in time to catch the 12:20, giving us an afternoon pass.

We got talking to the lift pass office girl who speaks good English. Turns out she lived in Brighton for many years and still misses the shops!! She also told us about a 10 day lift pack which would drop the day price to 34 Euro.

The snow closed in almost immediately but the visibility was OK. We found a route which takes us back to Arc 1600 all the way from Piesey with only one chair lit. This will be handy when we are running late.

We got back for 16:30. It is raining in the valley but snow is expected down to this level Friday night into Saturday.

Tomorrow is looking fantastic, sun and light winds. If it's correct, then we might spend a day at Le Rosiere and La Thuile.

8th January 2008 - Great Day

Wow! What a difference a day makes. Today, it is crisp, clear and very cold.

Perfect snow, perfect sun, perfect company, perfect skiing. It doesn't get much better than that. We skied for 5 hours, then came back home, walked H then drove up to Arcs 1800 and watched the sun set over a glass of rose wine on the sun terrace at Hotel Du Golf. It's cold tonight with snow showers tomorrow. I will upload pics of today next as they say it all!!

Heather's Blog

We went for a really nice walk today into one of the fields near where we live - it was covered in snow which I liked and I had lots of new smells and things to explore- it was a really nice sunny day so all was well. I spend about 5 hours in the flat while Mum and Dad went ski-ing - had a good sleep. They arrived back and I was very glad to see them - we then went up to Arc 1800 and I expereinced my first apres-ski - not too bad lots of people to love me - it got a little cold towards the end so I put on my new sheepskin coat which I got for Christmas from Fergus (little cairn who I love to bully) - you can see my new coat in the photo below also I nice photo of me in the car on the way home. Glad to be back in the appartment I feel nice and safe here - not sure what is planned for tomorrow. Bye for now

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