27 Weekends (part 6)

Skiing 08 Les Deux Alpes
Sleepy Mizoen without a tourist in sight. Early morning runs on the well marked tracks, stunning views to the reservoir below and mountains above. A track to Alpe d Huez. Our €30 Gite with three course meal. Chocolate Chaud for Breakfast. The enormous Les Deux Alpes. Catching the cable car on the first morning and watching the piste's unfold below. Skiing at 3250 metres. Ratatouille and Tartiflete for lunch high on the mountain. The exhillaration and cold snowmobiling for my birthday. Watching the piste being prepared for the next day. Surviving a handful of black runs. Morgane skiing backwards whilst teaching Debs how to ski. The blizzard and nervous moments as we thought we were the only ones left on the slopes.

Tampere/Helsinki Mar 08
Did I mention how cold it was. The pain of running at minus 14, along with the unbeleiving looks at my pair of shorts. An afternoon stroll on the frozen Lake Pyhajarvi, marvelling at the frozen in boats and taking nervous steps around the lakes edge. Lunch at an American styled diner. Watching our first game of Ice Hockey as the local team Ilves got knocked out of the play offs, despite a last minute equaliser. Being privileged to watch Raimo Helminen play his last game, World Ice Hockeys most capped player. Beer and sausage for dinner, with some very drunk patrons.

Snow in downtown Helsinki. Finally some outdoor ice skating. A touch of kitsch dining at Zetor Reindeer for a main and a tractor ride for desert. A boat trip out to Suomenlinna and a visit to the Fortress before a warming beer at the brewery. Working out sauna etiquette, naked men with cans of beer in the sauna at 9am. The Kansallismuseo for some interesting facts on Sami history. The Russian Orthodox churches dotting the city. Nokia and Kimi Raikennan. The Kauppatori (fish market) for lunch. The incredible selection of flavoured Cider in our local supermarket and not just Kopperberg.

Amsterdam/Groningen April 08
Two nights accommodation with Sander in his downtown student housing. The first signs of spring. A busy day on the canals. Hiring bikes and using the incredible cycling lanes. The obligatory frites and mayo. Catching up with Snead's Dutch friends. An old bike and two good locks are mandatory for cyclists in Amsterdam. Dinner with Sander, Gordon and Mariska. A visit to the Grasshopper and a wander through the red lights. Lunch in the sun at Nieumarkt district. Spring crowds in the Vondelpark. Sadly missing the Anne Frank and Van Gogh museums. Train to Fryslan home of the black and white cows to visit Melissa, Helmer and family. Beers in the sun and amusement at Melissa's handle bar baskets for the two girls.

Scotland, Edinburgh and the Highlands May 08
More Edinburgh curry chips with Adeline and Rob. Downtown hostel for the four of us. Rental car over the impressive Forth Road Bridge. A night in Newtonmore including beers with the locals. Waltzing Waters next door. Brunch further up the road at Aviemore. Impressive views over the Cairngorms. The famous half filled flat white at the Mountain Cafe. Wandering the river ness in Inverness. A half hearted attempt on Ben Nevis. A warming pint in the A framed Ben Nevis Inn. A night of Scotch in Fort William. B and B accommodation including square sausage and fruit pudding. Catching the Gondola up Aonach Mor for stunning views of Ben Nevis and the Great Glen. The mind wandering at the world class Mt Biking below and imagining the skiing in winter. Spotting Nessy in Loch Ness. Climbing a wall for views of Urquart Castle complete with catapult. Don't forget the intriguing Highland Cows. Drama on the drive home due to a lack of petrol. Coasting down hills to conserve petrol. Views atop Stirling Castle. The nightmare of filling the car up with petrol at Edinburgh airport.