The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,600 times in 2015. If it were a cable car, it would take about 43 trips to carry that many people.
Lots of new guests arrived during the holidays. The Poffly’s and Whitehead’s were all experienced skiers (having all stayed in Les Gets almost 20 years ago) and introduced the chalet to some serious gaming – ‘Linkee’ and ‘Name in the hat’ were played every night. The Tsar got well involved and enjoyed himself thoroughly. He got so confident that he could be found chairing the contest on some occasions! He did need a bit of advice from his experienced father the few times the decisions became almost too tough to call.
Our Friends The Boreham’s also came for their customary week. Jessica and Becky’s skiing is looking so good these days!! Although, Jessica did manage to lose her ski in the offpiste one day, forcing her father to ski down to a chair so he could go back up to rescue her. A good lunch was very much had that day:))) And, we were able to introduce the Borehams to the new gaming culture in the chalet – ‘Name in the hat’ especially was played on more than one evening.
The second weekend of the holidays saw Jo Burns, her son (Julian) and her friends the Jones’s arrive in the chalet for the first time. Conditions were good with the first serious sign of Spring happening on the Sunday, having been snowing heavily the previous day. Whilst we were in the Nyon Bowl we realised that the temperature had risen almost 15 degrees in less than 24 hours based on the visible gauge.
We really enjoyed showing all the guests around and The Tsar loved skiing with Jessica and Becky. I got to spend a lot of time with an absolute Cherub – Jessie Jones. Her skiing came on leaps and bounds over four days – having just been able to stand on her skis when we first started to following just a couple of metres behind me and matching me turn for turn. Fantastic – a great thrill!!
Finally, just when I thought it was safe to go back on the mountain with the hordes having just receded after the holidays. I spent a great day skiing with Jonathan Callow who I’d met in the World famous ‘Sherpa Bar’. He was busy trying to persuade the proprietor (Star Wars Martin) to go skiing with him, and knowing full well that was simply a non starter I volunteered to show him around Chatel via the two new lifts – ‘Gabelou & Portes du Soleil’. It really was a fab day despite the snow falling since we were able to confine ourselves to tree lined runs:)) Jonty was very fit and just loved to ski and ski – the previous day he had clocked up over 50 miles (Yes, miles not kilometres!). If I’d known I probably would have declined the venture – I did insist he had to buy me a longish lunch, of course!! None of this 50 miles malarkey for me, I’m getting on a bit these days (although we did manage about 30 miles).
Here are the pics:
Lots of fresh snow and the return of the Lawless Boys meant all were bound to have a great time. Then Ian Brennan, alias ‘The Chef’ arrived plus his smooth Bushmills Irish whisky and everyone just became friends in an instant – The ‘Lawless Boys’, new guests The ‘Keenans plus Alastair’ (who introduced us all to the wonders of Tinder – Google it pls) and ‘Chef’. We knew there was a good reason why we run a highly personalised, weekend ski lodge!
Of course, if the Chef is around a trip to the famous Café des Sports, Morgins is in order – think he was a bit shocked he had to do the PDS circuit on his first day though!! As were the ‘Lawless Boys’ when I lead them down some tricky off piste (windblown & sticky). The sensible ones went straight to the traditional Swiss Buvette below us via the piste. There, we met two girls who were completely lost! We assisted, of course but did wonder if they’d turn up in the Café des Sports a bit later, looking for some further help. They did not so we all hoped they were ok – and just enjoyed the food which was XL as always.
Alex ‘the Tsar’ was glad to have Ian B around – he’s his Wii bowling bitch and allowed him to recover some pride after shock defeats in January. We even managed a fantastic poem from Dave Carr on ‘living in France’. Only just though – most were eating their tea & cakes before departure. I’m sure we’ll sample some more when he’s back in March:)))
Here’s the customary pics:
After the trials and tribulations of New Year with little snow. Things got back to normal in January with Old friends like The Keech Gang, Costin & Eunice and Kath & John Sherry spending time with us in the Chalet. There were also plenty of new guests to arrive as the snow conditions got better and the sun came out as well!
It was generally an eventful time with the lights going out all over the village due to a storm one evening, some good skiing and fantastic Wi bowling contests and table tennis matches. Seems Robin who arrived from Amsterdam became the latest Wi champion much to the chagrin of Costin. Here are some of the pics:
Backs&Blacks@ChaletMargaritka 