And they're on their way home

Was there much snow?

You be the judge...

O2

This photo if nothing else accurately describles my last day.  Caught the Emirates Air Line cable car across the Thames to the O2 Arena where I was able to squeeze in an interview with celebrity West Ham fan James Corden aka Smithy at Sky's studios.  You can see some classic Smithy here. 

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dqij-GltNyw0&sa=U&ei=GaDVUqTpIIKV7Abv54GoDA&ved=0CA4QtwIwAQ&sig2=dOi_6h0CG0Bal9k5n1j5VQ&usg=AFQjCNGcRZASx0n6Ck7f9fYRyg_OSkWlzw

View From Our Room

Last Night

Last night in UK, staying at the West Ham hotel with a view of the pitch from our room.  Tea in the Thames Ironworks Players Lounge and a pint of Boleyn Tavern Cask Ale in the Boleyn Pub.

Riding in the Forest

The other night we went on a horse drawn sleigh ride around the village and during a break for hot blackcurrant and cinnamon we were chatting to the sleigh driver Torgai who said he also operated riding stables.  We arranged to meet him on Saturday for a ride through the forest.  Absolute magic.  He picked us up and drove us the 5km to his farm and brought out 3 beautiful horses, Areon, Jo and Lometroll.  Pretty soon we were riding through a wintery forest and while Ben started out being led by Torgai he was eventually riding solo.  So peaceful and enchanting.  A truly unique experience.

Sent from Samsung Mobile

Private Mountain

Not sure where to start posting about this magical week in Norway.     First up during the week we have basically had the place to ourselves.  Almost literally.  We went to the other mountain yesterday and the *only* people skiing were the 10 people who caught the shuttle bus.  Back at the local mountain there were maybe 50 or 60 people on all of the slopes combined.  Fortunately there are several kids Ben's age so he has company in his lessons, sledging around the town and on the activities.

Supporting from afar..

I have seen my future...

...and it involves being sprayed by powder as Ben blasts past me on the slopes.  He is getting so confident and so much better and just has no fear.  None.

He is parallel sking straight down from the top of the mountain, no turns, just straight and fast.  He doesn't begin to wedge until he gets to the bottom and needs to slow down to get back on the chairlift.  I am doing fast very shallow carving turns at pace and not keeping up. He chooses to go straight but he can do turns and quite happily slaloms through a set of flags (wedging not parallel).

Tonight at night skiing he was going over steep jumps.  Not actually jumping much but just flying over them without fear and leaving me far behind.

The photo is of one of the organised activities, junior ski mobiles.   The kids had a ball.

Other activities later in the week include a traditional Norwegian meal  of Elk stew in a teepee up the mountain where there is absolute silence, ice fishing and snow rafting (coming down a halfpipe in a whitewater raft)

Completing the Scandinavian Trifecta

Hei fra Beitestolen i Noway der det er fersk pudder, ingen køer og tomme bakker!

Translation

hello from Beitestolen in Noway where there is fresh powder, no queues and empty slopes!

Having skied Sweden in 2010 and Finland in 2011 as the post subject says, we have now completed the trifecta visiting Norway.  We are in the small village of Beitostllen skiing a family friendly mountain that is not that  super challenging for Carole or I but does work perfectly for us to ski together as a family with Ben who went up on the big chair lift for the 1st time today and loved it.  We had a job keeping up with him coming down actually, he was really zipping along.  Carole is happy with the slopes and if I feel the need for more of an adrenaline rush I can catch the bus to another mountain that is only 15 mins always where our lift passes are also accepted.

Farvel for nå (bye for now)

Uno Momento

No reservation?  Ai ai ai.  Uno momento. Actually Senor if you are happy to be finished in an hour and a quarter I can give you the best seat in the house.  Perfecto!    The Cuban Revolution for me, the Full Enchilada for Senorita Carole and 2-4-1 latin cocktails. O'le.   

@ las Iguanas Nottingham

 

Right place, wrong day

We're in Nottingham where we booked a cheap hotel for the cup tie against Forest.  Only one problem.  After we booked they bumped the game to Sunday and we have to be in London to fly to Norway by midday!  Poopi happens.

Pint of Staropramen Czech lager and pork scratchings while I wait for C&B to finish in Primark. Can think of worse ways to wait.

With Chocolate!

Thanks Glen.

Are West Ham worth it?

Wake up new years day to catch a cheapish train to London £54.  £100 for match tickets.11,000 frequent flyer points for a room tonight.  £23 for train back to Crewe tomorrow.  Rained all day.  Lost 2-1 after leading.

Are Fulham toffs?  You be the judge.  Heard outside the ground "father can we go for a meal now?".  At the Spotted Horse the meal options include wild mushroom & chestnut pie, duck & butterbean casserole, smoked fish and clam chowder. 

Happy New Year & May 2014 be an absolute cracker!

Curry at the Red Melon at Nantwich down Welsh row, drinks at the Red Cow on the way home and Auld Lang Syne on the driveway at midnight.  Good times with good friends.

Happy New Year everyone!

By Hook or by Crook

We're at the Lyceum Theatre in Crewe to see a Christmas pantomime.   This year it is Peter Pan starring Ian Beale from Eastenders as Capt Hook.  Pantos are loads of fun with audience participation compulsory. Carole has organised front row seats so nowhere to hide.

With Louis & Dorri in Bolton

Drove from London up to Bolton to see our friends Louis & Dorri at their cottage at Egerton near the moors.  Always enjoy seeing them and Ben's eyes light up when we get there.

We set out to walk up to the tower at the top of the Darwen moors but the weather defeated us and we went and had lunch at Tockholes cafe instead. 

Last night we tried a few interesting ales with Louis along with some embellished pizzas.

Set off mid morning via Carole's grandparents graves and made it back to Nantwich in time to pick Eileen up to go to a pantomime.