Or did we leave it all in the UK?! Snowfall was a bit poor in Lauterbrunnen, and in the Jungfrau region in general, but there was enough to keep everyone happy for the week! I don’t mind – I’m used to skiing on ice, mud, grass – it’s powder that throws me!

Christmas Eve

Having worked like mad this semester, and after several days of heavy cooking… Christmas Eve, I was ready to feel the breeze on my face as I zipped down the slopes…

On the train up to Murren, hopefully en route to the Schilthorn (the famous James Bond black run – which I have done 4 times before, the first time largely head-first, on my back, quite high speed, whilst a friend collected skis/poles, etc. as they flew off, and the 4th time beautifully in deep powder, thanks to the tuition of Sarah!). We’d just dropped a lot of people off at Winteregg, including6-7 base-jumpers – was having a chat with the guy who seemed to be in charge – he said there’s a great jump (if you have sky diving experience) near Winteregg, jumping into a Shooting Range – you just need to ensure that no one’s shooting that day.

OK, if you’re observant, you’ll see that this is Kleine Scheidegg, not Murren, but as the next bit explains… there’s not too many photos of me with skis this week!

Sat in deep snow at a restaurant half-way down a ‘20 minute blue’, after I’d limped down from the top. You know, the only way is down once you get off the chair lift… and my body was past exhaustion and my legs didn’t want to play, way too painful, so 1.5-2 hours later, with some encouragement from others, I made it back to the chairlift , kicked the boot habit, and went back to the hotel for a Hot Chocolate! Incredibly frustrating, especially as there was a chance to ski Christmas Day too (cooks usually only get time for 1 day)

Christmas Day

Ed, ski instructor extraordinaire, looks to be map-drawer extraordinaire also! Good for snowboarders too.

Now that’s what we’re looking for – outlandish costumes on the slopes – or indeed for any extreme sport! “Make sure you don’t slip over” (ha ha ha, oh, ROFL!). I just kept thinking of “Bananas in Pyjamas” (and I’m not even an Aussie!)

Taking a break from the skiing to sing Carols – we had several interested onlookers!

Well, if I’m not skiing, let’s go and eat – if you’ve not tried the Apple Fritters in Brandegg – you’re missing out (they inspired me to get down my first ever blue run on my first ever day’s skiing!). Think it was 5CHF for 3, 7CHF  for 3 with sauce, 10CHF for 5 with Vanilla Sauce – pretty filling!

And you may need pretty good eyesight for this one – here’s a paraglider, past the Staubbach Falls!