Nothing like "peaking on the first night" as Mike would say. Last night was a big "Rugby Night"in Araches! Wales vs. France. Being Welsh, our friends Rick and Gavin were keen to be installed in the local pub to watch the game. They were also keen to meet the Bartons who were, after all, the people responsible for us being here in the first place.
The night's programme was action packed. A quick dinner of mushroom risotto with Rick & Liz, all squeezed around the tiny table in our flat, then off to Pub for boys, and to the picture theatre for the girls. Meeting up with Sue, we enjoyed an English version of "Slumdog Millionaire". What a terrific film! No wonder it won an oscar! Unfortunately, jet-lag hit Leanne and she missed most of the film. She just could not keep her eyes open. The other tricky thing was that the first part of the film is in Hindi, but the subtitles were in French. No wonder Leanne fell asleep! As the film ended, we woke a weary Leanne, Liz and I dried our eyes and went to pick up the boys from the Pub. What a mess! Wales had lost and the beer had won! Apparantly Graeme was wearing most of a jug that had been up-ended and a glazed and wobbly Mike slurred repeatedly "Wow, the beer is really strong here!!" Nothing like "peaking on the first night!" is all I can say!
Understandably, the boys were a little fragile this morning. But the beautiful warm weather and bright sunshine could not be ignored! We had to get the skis on this morning.
We have solved a mystery! For all those at home in Wanaka complaining about the summer that has never arrived - we know who stole it!! The Bartons have obviously had the sun packed in their suitcases all along!!
Mike and Leanne opened their suitcases to don their ski gear this morning, letting Wanaka's Summer escape in to France! Well done Mike and Leanne! Thanks to them, we enjoyed a completely perfect day of blue, blue sky, with no wind and mild temperatures on the slopes today.
Given the amazing weather, the plan was to show them the amazing 14 km Cascade run to Sixt. This long run is only open in good weather. Looking at the long range forecast, it looked like that there would not be another chance this week. Lots of rain and hopefully some snow!
2/ Mike surfing behind the ski-do!
It's wonderful to be sharing some of our best times with our friends. This Cascade Run is really something special. We have done it 3 times now and we never get sick of it!! But given budgetary constraints, we have not previously had lunch at the gorgeous little Chalet Gers. This time we indulged! Delicious omelettes, salad, bread, wine, all consumed while bathed in glorious warm sunshine, by a frozen lake and surrounded by snow capped peaks - does it get much better than this?
We may have slightly underestimated the full distance for this ski adventure. We skied over 25 km today. Poor Mike and Leanne, were understandably a bit tired. Leanne was also very brave suffering some seriously crucified feet from ill-fitting hire boots!! After 15 weeks of skiing pretty much every day, the aching muscles and sore feet that we endured in our first few weeks have dulled into a passing memory. We owe the Barton's our profuse apologies! The good news is that the weather forecast for tomorrow looks hideous. Leanne is secretly ecstatic.
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