Chamonix 2002

The forward party of Niki and Rob arrived at Gatwick Airport at a sprightly 10am on Boxing Day 2002. Both were rather disappointed that they were not to participate in the respective family's traditional boxing day family mass food consumption bonanza.

It was at about this time the first argument of the holiday started, as Niki made a comment that her mother's Christmas stuffing was the best in the world, where her information was collected from Rob was not sure, but he knew it was wrong, for Mrs EJ Bruce has awards for her outstanding Christmas stuffing, (and please appreciate she does not just create one stuffing flavour for Christmas dinner - there is selection of three!).

The arrival in Geneva came smoothly, as did our trip all the way to Chamonix. And preparations started for the first assault on the slopes on the 27th - a good few beers and a hearty dinner.

A leisurely start to the following morning saw Rob and Niki arrive on the slopes, but first impressions for Niki were not good, the snow was favoured those skiing types, and not a bit of the fluffy powder stuff to be seen - a short day on the slopes!

That evening saw the advance party return to Geneva, in great anticipation, for they were to pick up the intrepid Explorers - Simon John Hugh Woolf and Andrew Philip David Flood - both fresh back from their recent dog sledding adventures deep into the Arctic Circle. Their trip had done little to change anything, for a couple of giggly little school boys emerged from the arrivals hall - Niki's thoughts of a dashing Ranulph Fiennes explorer were expelled. Back to Chamonix followed by beers and tales long into the night.

An early start saw both skiers and both boarders on the slopes by 10, exploring the area of Flegere and Argentiere, we managed to clock up an extensive amount of runs. But the "viso" was not on our side, and Woolfy whose previous experience was deeply rooted in fair weather skiing (and little has changed), had realised that arguing that only "Jessies" wore goggles, may have been a little hasty.

Niki was unsure that her recent purchase was fully up to the EU regulations and decided that a good fall should test it, after peeling herself of the ice and a brief inspection of the helmet she realised it was fine, and a sound investment at that.

Back to town, and a nice evening in and a crate of Biere D'Alsace later - thank you very much.

The 28th saw the team explore the Argentiere area, and a flurry of powder overnight and through the day meant that the boarders were happy. The surfers rode off the piste and into the powder they were swiftly followed by Floody and Woolfy - it was soon after this that Woolfy realised that digging snow holes was much better fun, it must have been his Arctic experience - Floody, well he just did what was necessary to get him down the mountain - a real survivor.

Rob ensured that he fell over frequently enough so that the lunch that he was carrying was sufficiently squashed for the team. Soggy map reading in poor visibility and the team were back at home.

On the evening of 28th Woolfy led a splinter group to Meribel - Floody visited the old Brookes lot (to which he exclaimed on his return that he got a slow dance with Georgie), and Woolfy, well he'd overheard someone say that the Reps down there were good, so chanced his arm (so to speak).

Rob and Niki stayed in Chamonix, and Rob regained the ten pin bowling crown, much to Niki's annoyance - and the boys in Meribel did Tonsley proud.

On the 29th, Tonsley Events skied and boarded - Flegere and Brevent in the Chamonix area and Courcheval, Val Thorens, St. Martin, Meribel and Mottaret in the 3 valleys - not bad for one day!!

The group were reunited in Chamonix on the evening of the 29th and the 30th saw us explore the Argentiere region once more - with some good off piste, tree dodging by Floody the team managed to get through unscathed - that was until the evening.

Anyone heard of "Quack Shot" - quite an advanced game, needing skill, agility and above all courage. Basically who can shoot the other farmers ducks off the pedestal first kind of game - but the first loser downs a shot of Vodka.

A bottle later and we head for town, first bar we enter and Rob meets his old friends from the International Ironing Course that he did a while ago - what a bore.

On to Dicks Tea Bar - the epitome of drunk Brits and Floody well, he's just interested where the bouncer is from - hoping that by having a conversation with him it will get him a reduction on the door entry. A few beers / dances later and Floody loves everyone - time to leave for the rabble had broken ranks and "Quack Shot" had taken its toll.

The next day saw little action - but it's New Years Eve, so after dinner once Rob had finished his sherry, removed his slippers and extinguished his pipe, the group headed for the square. French New Year should come with a health warning! Bangers and fireworks galore, I think that there were more pyrotechnics in Chamonix that night than there were in the American Fleet heading for the Gulf. 3,000 screaming French pyromaniacs later, not to forget 50 Italians dancing on 4 phone boxes later, and the Tonsley team headed back for the apartment -

Advice - Never throw water from a balcony over a group of Italians repeatedly, they don't like it. As we gathered that night.

The group returned to Geneva 6am on New Years Day, and the advance party returned to the UK, the intrepid explorers remained for the days skiing, to follow in the evening.

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