Boot Camp

By a happy accident of logistics, we had no ski-ing first thing on Monday. So after a lie-in, it was late morning before we had to kit up and make for the slopes.

Included in our chalet was a driver service to pick us up and drop us off at the slopes - not much more than 500 metres away. Hardly worth it, really, but on the other hand it's a pleasure not to have to trudge in ski boots particularly after 20minutes getting ready - layer-upon-layer, hat, gloves, goggles, boots, sunglasses, lip-balm, suncream, neck-warmer, coat, skis, poles. Got everything ?

First time back on the slopes for a year - or first time ever in Roger's case. It all takes some considerable getting used to.

Some things do come back to you though: the fact that everyone looks the same in ski gear, the fact you're always too hot or too cold, the fact that your boots are always too tight or too loose and the fact that the slope looks severe from the top, benign from the bottom.

Lessons in the afternoon - a chance to get some ski-legs back.