After a pleasant stay in Lussac-les-chateaux we set off for Blond where we had what sounded like a pretty idyllic farm to stay in. La Flambee. Nice cycle, heading towards the 60km Mark, and then we arrived at the farm, which did not disappoint! Lovely all round from the lovely reception from the host, to the rooms and the huge fire next to which we played our first game of travel scramble ( first game to Katharine). A lovely breakfast followed then off to limoges. Slight change of plan due to inclement weather forecast, 70km winds and rain, initially a plan to stay in limoges and get train to Thivers, however a strike forecast for Wednesday 9th saw us jumping on the train to thiviers that afternoon and excitingly being picked up by Dave and Vicky a couple of days early.

Stayed at the house of an artist, in Tours...very nice place..we were able to use the kitchen and cook our dinner. Silvie made us very welcome and made us a cup of tea on arrival. Woke up to snow the next day(Saturday) so decided to catch a train south to find dryness and avoid the busy roads.
Cycled about 40k on Saturday...good to see the French church steeples in the distance...signifying the next coffee stop!
Saturday night was spent in a seedy hotel on an industrial estate near Chatellerau...great to be 'living the dream'.' again!!!
Cycled 50k today in sunny weather, stopping off for coffee along the way...before finally arriving at Lussac-les-chateaux...sunny evening.   Happy Mother'sDay Mum!!!!!x

On the road again! After a night in London, eating out with my son, Harry, then an overnight ferry, 20k cycle, 3 hour train journey and a stay at Tours...can't lose the British weather though!!!!

Last ski of the season.

this is Kath, I've uploaded the wrong vid.

9th march to 18th

What a time this had been. Weather getting hotter by the day but snow just about holding in readiness for ladies from Lancaster coming on 12th. Final look after Oliver on the 11th :-( so cute. Pippa kindly baked a lovely chocolate cake for the birthday girls.

Morning of 12th arrived, military operation put into action!!! Decorating and stocking up maison rose, cooking curry, decorating cake and then they arrived. Steph and Janet birthday girls, Diana, Lisa, Paula and tracey. Lots of hugs, lunch then walk with blaze around cham, (needless to say blaze big hit) viewing of tiny studio, tracey very happy with family painting done by Dave, coffee then fitting of ski equipment, all done to time. Curry, beers early night.

Couldn't sleep for worrying. Awake at 3.30!!! Off to le tour for early lesson for 5 of the girls, trace being an old hand at the skiing. By lunchtime, feeling concerned re Steph look of sheer terror, thought she was slightly better in pm with things, but unbeknownst to me tearful texts and to Pete did ensue. Diana managing well, similar to Steph though seems to want to avoid learning snow plough and just going straight down slope parallel!!!! By afternoon Paula and Janet on first nursery. Lisa low on energy due to virus, so relaxed in the glorious weather.

Evening, amazing meal at munchies, has to be recommended on, and at 41 euro a head with tip for 2 courses and wine a bargain for cham. Early night again.

Le tour on Friday. After a shakey start for poor Diana and her bruised shins eventually remedied to her relief, herself and Steph returned to the previous days slope but by lunchtime had moved onto another slope of slightly more gradient and length. In the meantime Janet trace and Paula onto longer nurseries and by lunch time onto the blue!!!!! Back to Steph and diana, with more and more control being obtained by 3pm we moved onto the nursery slope proper, and with help from fellow ski advisor tracey, they were conquered, much to both Diana and Steph delight, we then couldn't get them off until the final button at 5!!!!!! Brilliant day all round!

With skis returned prosecco at des alpes followed joined by some of the lovely people I have met in cham. Feeling at last I could relax drank too much, though managed to cook supper then drank more wine. Lots of giggling marked this final evening!!

Tearful goodbyes on the saturday, then cleaned maison rose removing all traces of balloons etc, then off to Jekyll for the rugby, so close for England  but Ireland came out on top. Too many beers later off to bed

Recovery day Sunday then Monday 17th march dawned. Gulp!!! Vallee Blanche beckoned. Below are videos and photos that speak for themselves. Frightening descent of the arret followed by beauty and best way to spend ones 51st birthday, thanks Dave. Barbie in evening at fellow St Patrick days birthday girl dawn, excellent day all round. Detox starts on 18th!!!!!!! ng!

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25th Feb to 8th march.

Days wizzing by!!!! Can't quite remember all that we have been up but lots of lovely snow has fallen so we have done the best skiing. Highlights have been skiing some lovely powder on the 28th in les houches with tom and Sophie, going through the trees for the first time. Amazing day skiing off the top lift of the grand Monte, powder off piste, with Megan, sophie and friends on the 2nd march. Would have a great video and pics for that but they didn't quite turn out as planned but Megan's deep breathing in the background makes me laugh more than the good video would have done! Then to finish off a great weeks skiing off to courmayeur on the 6th with Ian and dawn, gorgeous snow, deep and fluffy and blue blue skies too!

Sadly news of two deaths in the valley, good reminder of how seriously one has to treat these mountains.

Sorting out accommodation for my mum and myself in June. Found an apartment through the girls at the office, nice and central and at 29 square metres almost twice the size of our little studio, so palatial!!!

Dave painting in readiness for some paintings for arterial and a little commission for trace. I am upping my hours at sno station whilst still looking after little Ollie until the 11th march once a week. Couldn't resist a little blue pair of ski slippers for him!!

Trace et al due on 12th, promises to be fun 4 days with stunning weather.

Looking into getting Dave back in a van in mid April with all the gear, much easier than flying with the bike boxes. So could be here 2 months without him, but we both have lots to fill that time with. Think he is really looking forward to his Tuesday nights out.

18th Feb to 25th

Great powder day on the 17th. Met up with trace and family for ski and then drinks in pm. Quiet couple of days needed after the weekends activities. Recovered by Thursday which was another great days skiing following more snow. Met up with a friend, Alison and her family for pizza as they popped over from moraine. Snowy day Friday, day off skiing.

Rugby weekend, good results all round. Again some nice skiing around work. Getting better with going through powder to the sides of the piste, loving it as it also so much quieter there than on the pistes.

Monday skied on brevent with Julia, gorge spring like day. After work popped to Megan's and left with yet another change of plan. Charlie, Megan's flat mate off for an amazing cycle across south USA just as I will be here on my own, so as Dave goes back 30th April I shall move in with Megan until my mum arrives on 6th of June. Another little adventure :-)

Lovely ski on brevent today snow on its way so making most of blue skies. News from dawn, blaze needing us again at end of march :-) happy days dog sitting again, peripatetic lifestyle continues.