It’s been a desire of mine to learn more about Avalanche awareness for some time. I do like to ski off piste, and I wanted to make my own decisions about slope safety and route choice, as opposed to waiting for others to make a move, and then citing the “difficulty” of teaching this stuff, or claiming they are “professionals” as if it’s the Masons’. I chose my teacher with some care, as I’m a slow learner and need a supportive environment.

My journey to meet my teacher in Chamonix was longer and more challenging than I’d expected, see my Blog entry Persistence for the details!

It was a good job that I’d done my pre-course preparation before I’d set off, as I spent the evening before the course drying my clothes, as all my ski kit was soaked through. I was a little tired in the morning, as I’d failed to pin down the sound of running water in my room, which woke me several times.

I met up with Chris Fecher of Tinderbox Ski School at my hotel, and we headed for Les Houches, as the heavy snowfall had closed the Chamonix slopes. Chris had advised me to bring my fat skis, but standing in the line at the ticket office, my Movement Black Roses did look a bit on the skinny side!

We gave up on Les Houches, as the lift company seemed to have frozen lifts and did not know when they would open. Headed down the valley to Megeve, parked at the Princesse lift and headed up!

I have skied for many years, never have I seen a Black Avalanche warning flag flying, let aone skied off piste in such conditions. Megeve is a great choice when the weather is closed in, with heavy snow and low visibility.

We dug several Inspection Pits in the snow, checking for unstable layers, and examined the size and shape of the snow crystals under magnification.

Compression Testing

Testing the Snow

We also undertook a Compression Test of the snowpack, and ascertained that there is indeed a slab layer way down in the old snow, but it took a fair bit of effort to get it to slide.

Day 2 came around and we headed for Grand Montets, made it up to Lognan to see that there were no other lifts due to open. Took a look at the cross loading on some of the terrain close to the cable car and understood why.
Skied in the trees directly underneath the Lognan cable car 1st, and choosing to avoid the longer off piste route. The snow was quite deep! Back at Argentiere, the queue for the cable car was long, so we headed to a cafe to talk theory and wait for the queue to fade away. Coffee was good but the queue tactic failed, so Transceiver Practice was held in the wooded area behind the Cable Car. I’m quite pleased that I’ve made a breakthrough with this, and the transceiver burial’s organised by Chris, made all the difference.

That queue was still there, so we headed over to Brevent and I had my 1st ride up in the new Gondola. Again, there had been lots of heavy, drifting snow, and really only 1 chairlift was open, but that gave us plenty of terrain to play in!

Knee Deep at Brevent

Cafe View!

For me this was a valuable way to spend a weekend. My knowledge has improved, and I’m much more aware of what I can ski. I will admit to only a minor hugging of one tree, and having one major wipeout. I realise I’ve only just scratched the surface of this knowledge, but at least I have made a start.

The photos of me are courtesy of Tinderbox Ski School, Chamonix.

It’s not often that I get up in the morning and the day starts to go wrong, but when it does happen, clearly there is some catching up to do. My day started normally and well ordered. I was heading for Chamonix, just a quick hop by train from Martigny, Checked on the Swiss Rail website, no delays or problems showing, what could go wrong?

Everything was going to plan until I left to catch my Bus to Sierre. Someone had locked the external door to our apartment block. No problem as we have a Master key, which fits the outside door, so all was fine, right up to the point at which the key failed to turn. I was locked in!

Hmm, not good, but all was not lost as I could hear shovelling noises, and banged on the glass and and shouted until the snow clearing contractors came into view. They thought that being locked in was amusing.

I failed to see how it was funny and gave up on asking them for help. Of course we have two “identical” door keys and once I’d managed to dig out the other one, I got the door opened and even managed to make my bus. These are identically numbered keys, and are supposed to be the same!

So, my 1st bus was on time, the 2nd bus was late arriving in Sierre, so I watched my train connection pull out.

The next train was late, so I missed my connection in Martigny. On arrival in Martigny, I look at the service board to see that my next train, and all others will terminate in Le Chatelard Frontiere with no linking bus or rail service towards Vallorcine and Chamonix.

I decide to ask in the SBB Ticket Office, where I’m met with a shrug from the staff and a suggestion of a taxi. My day was turning ever so slightly Pear shaped.

My train departs with me and a handful of other passengers. I chat to a fellow passenger,  who tells me that there has been no service for several days, but the service might start from 4pm. I’m the only person getting off at the end of the line. It’s now raining hard.

I head into a Bar which has a very friendly dog!

The staff tell me that a Taxi will cost 100 Francs and suggest that I hitch to Vallorcine, it’s only 2km. So, off I set in the rain, across the Border with my luggage and skis, and up the road to Vallorcine which runs beside the rail track, with thumb extended!

Not many cars passed me! I’d got close to Vallorcine and got a lift with a lady who works at Chamonix Tourist Office, which was wonderful. She drove me to the rail station in Vallorcine, which was closed for the day. She drove me to her home, loaned me some dry socks and made some phone calls on my behalf. I was getting closer to Chamonix, one village at a time!

Apparently, when the train service does not run, and the Col des Montets is closed, then cars can go through the rail tunnel in single file at set times during the day. This is how I arrived in the Chamonix valley, courtesy of a lift from Ski Instructor Richard Etellin of http://montblanc-loisirs.com/
Apparently the train was derailed by snow, though I can tell you that the roads were fine that evening.

The night before I was due to make my return journey to Switzerland, I went to Chamonix train station to ask about the service. “No idea when it will run” was the response.

So I caught an Alpybus and returned via Geneva, first time I’ve used them, and a very good service it was.

Every pair for sale!

I went to the London Ski Show this Autumn. It’s a showcase for the brightest stars in the UK and European Industry to show their wares, and, in some cases themselves. I met many old friends, I enjoyed renewing friendships, making new friends, and even participated in my first TweetUp.

This year the London Show seemed a smaller affair, and even if it was a bigger venue, there seemed less to see. The layout was not easy to follow and many folks I chatted to seemed to have experienced the “getting lost” sensation that plagued me.

I spent my time browsing the big retailers stands, and chatted to small independent ski manufacturers, who were keen to talk about their range. The large ski manufacturing companies did not seem to be present. I can’t speculate why, but for the boutique ski makers their decision must have been quite welcome.

This old American car caught my eye. It seemed authentic too, though I’m not too sure it had much more than a casual connection with skiing.

Studebaker at London Ski Show

Lovely sunny day for a bit of sightseeing. We used to live in Hampshire and have not visited for so long, for no good reason.  The Spinnaker Tower was built after we moved away, so we played tourist for the day, visited where we used to live and took in some stunning harbour views from the top platform.

For some unknown and bizzare reason this photo won’t load upright! You can still see the Glass floor though!

Doing this was fun. I was a little sad that the external elevator was not working, this made up for that!

We headed to Southsea next to see that the Hovercraft service to the Isle of Wight is still running. Not been over to the Island for many years, not enough time today though.

Called into the village where I used to live on our return route. Nothing much has changed, which is good to see. There are less big yachts on the river, the village seems to be quite busy, more houses have been built, and there are plenty of sold signs on properties in the local Estate Agencies.

Looking up river with the Royal Southern Yacht Club in the foreground.

Advertising for the Moors & Christians Parade

We make sure we are in Spain for Fiesta. In September, Peniscola has a massive party, lasting a couple of weeks. Parades, Bands, Fireworks, all night Disco’s and traditional Spanish celebrations.

It’s better to show you the photos, words can’t really explain the atmosphere!

Girls in the Fiesta Procession

Band Accompanying the Parade to the Church

Fiesta Queen in the Parade to the Church

Here is some video of the Dancers who accompany the Fiesta Queen on her way to the Church in the Old Town

http://youtu.be/QxslpJ6N5IE

There are many different attractions, something for everyone. The Mandarina Club organised a Vespa and Lambretta Parade starting on the seafront.

Vespa and Lambretta Parade

I managed to video some of the Scooters!

http://youtu.be/tUuNtwokrMs

The next day, the Scooters made way for Vintage cars.

Vintage Car Display

One of the biggest events is the Moors & Christians Parade. In reality, there  two. They march into town one day, and back out the next. Getting a good seat for the Parade takes planning. This part of the audience is on a Roundabout.

Waiting for Moors & Christians

Moors on Parade

Christians on the March in Peniscola

Each group of Moors & Christians have a Marching Band with them, and they all play a different tune, which makes for a noisy Parade!

Moors March Out

On the second day, the Parade marches out of the town. It was very windy, there was quite a lot of sand blowing around. Full credit to the Parade participants for not being affected.

Flamenco Dancers on the cobbled road to the Castle.

Flamenco!

Horses in the Parade

 Watching the Parade is not just for the tourists!

Watching the Parade

On Sunday 21st August around 12,000 folks got together for a Charity Fundraiser in Brackley at the Festival of Motorcycling.
We were really quite glad that we’d managed to park up on the front row!

The weather was kind, the crowd good natured, and the entertainment was, at times quite astounding. The rider in these photos is the amazing Kevin Carmichael.

There were a huge number of displays of Vintage motorcycles, with lots of really rare bikes. Quite a few were run up and down the High Street, aah! the smell of Castrol R. The legendary Slippery Sam was in attendance, plus one of Mike Hailwood’s race Honda’s, ridden by his son.

Several manufacturers were present with stands, including Ducati, BMW, Harley Davidson and Triumph.

On the playing fields, an Enduroland circuit had been built and large Quad bikes were racing around the track and over big obstacles.

They were joined by an Ambulance Service Quad, clearly not wanting to miss out on the fun.

A Trials bike course was set up and anyone could try and conquer the Limbo, in front of the crowd. No pressure then….

There was a large Arena, where off road bikes, both new and old were being raced, plus children’s Display Team the Tigers were in action.

I tried out a test ride on a Harley on a rolling road. What can I say, it vibrated, neutral was elusive, and the saddle was very comfortable!

The Custom Bike Competition was large, apparently over 100 entries, some were more attractive than others. I feel certain that their owners love them.

A fairground offered the chance to watch the Wall of Death riders in action.

I lost the lens out of one mirror on the M40 on ride home. If you were following me and it hit you, my apologies. They come as a pair, naturally!

Dear BlogCatalog

Thanks for letting me know that you don’t consider that my Blog is good enough to be listed with your service.  I’ve subsequently removed your Banner from this Blog, since you don’t warrant free advertising here. I’ve been Blogging for years BTW. Can’t imagine why I bothered to apply to your site, oh I remember now, you have my old Sunshack site listed, apparently, that’s worthy of a listing. I won’t bother contacting you again, but I will be Blogging about this. Enjoy.

The early part of summer on the Med is my favourite for taking photos. There are less people, less tourists and somehow the light is sharper than at the other end of the season. It’s also when the resort of Peniscola receives quite a bit of care and attention ready to look it’s best for the summer crowds.

There were some Tourists about, and the French Tour Buses had started to arrive. I’m guessing that this was the 1st time that this particular French Coach driver had been required to reverse into the Papa Luna. Note the parked cars, carefully positioned to inflict maximum stress! Still, as he got stuck, the road was nice and quiet for a while!

I wonder if the passengers on that Coach were those I saw walking around the Castle a little later on. Well, when I say walking, some of them were taking a breather by sitting on the traffic roundabout, which is cunningly disguised as flower planters, before hitting the Souvenir shop.

The Church in the Old Town is well worth a visit, again, choose a quiet time in order to enjoy the architecture, the quiet and the atmosphere inside. I’m not so keen on the electric Pay Candles, though I suppose it’s a safer option, and shows the popularity of the Church.

I’m mostly retired, which of course means that I have tons of free time. When folks I meet ask the inevitable question, along the lines of “So what do you do”? I tell them that mostly I paint. I know that they are thinking Watercolours or Oils, whereas I’m thinking Emulsion, filler and Sandpaper. Sometimes I work in Varnish too!

Also the Spanish version of Hammerite over a rather large drop, with wonderful views though!

For the external work, there are always local residents ready to give an opinion on the standard of finish!

Just in case you were thinking that retirement will mean your days can be spent sitting in a deck char enjoying the views. I’m always busy, and it’s fun!

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For the Moors & Christians Parades

This year I have a better camera, so the images should be a little sharper. The Swords and Axe’s are all real, and are quite sharp enough! It’s a great spectacle and I can’t wait!