a fortnight in february - part 1

Two weeks in the Pyrenees, or 15 days as the French say…

Day 1: Having packed the car with two weeks of food, booze, bedding, clothing and…er… booze for, at various times, ten of us, we had the luck to arrive at the Hydeaway during a short window of opportunity unhindered by snow. Unloading the car seemed to trigger a further snowfall that was to last unabated for the next few days.

Day 2: Skiing was out for us fair weather skiers, so we undertook a racquet walk up the hill behind us with the hounds. The combination of fresh snow on top of thick icy snow made going uphill somewhat tricky (see photos) and coming down only possible by bum.

Running up

Struggling up

Giving up

Humans sliding down steep slopes seems strangely attractive to Sky. She clearly thought I should continue careering down the mountain, thus helped me along by constantly charging me from behind like some crazed land dolphin.

Pricking up

Fuzzing up

They said it couldn’t be done; finding a good curry in France (apart from chez-nous of course). Spending the evening at Mike & Kim’s allowed Mike to prove his culinary abilities as well has his proficiency at kicking a man when he’s down by hammering me at both pool and darts.

Day 3: Picking Lisa and Christian up from the airport was an adventure in itself, with heavy snow en route. On our return, we took the dogs into the village so that Lisa and Christian could take out their frustrations upon each other.

With intent

First Strike

Revenge

What snow?

Waiting at heal

Love in the snow

Furry Lisa

That evening, we decided to test our fortunes by driving way up to le Mourtis on an uncleared road whilst the snow still ‘hammered’ down. This, to celebrate our 18th anniversary.

We had previously discovered that a four-wheel drive on snow, was equivalent to a no-wheel drive when it comes to braking downhill. Chains, we also discovered, were only any use if you could get the bloody things on… even then, after getting one chain on, the sodding thing disappeared en route.

This time we were well prepared with winter tyres (amazing difference, it’s almost like driving a…er…car) and made it without spill through thick snow. The return trip (after a generous oiling with 'eau de vie’) a couple of hours later was slightly trickier, being downhill. One interesting discovery on the way down was that when an avalanche hits, everyone in the car ducks! “Very useful” I thought whilst speeding off unscathed.

Next up, some skiing…

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