We ran a cake stall on Tewkesbury Farmer's market a couple of times, which was quite fun, not profitable in the least, and probably unnecessarily hard work. Whilst there Rach appeared on the local BBC radio, which was lots of fun.
Once Christmas was over and done with, we went to the Alps for two weeks snowboarding. For the first week we returned to Peisey-Vallandry in the tiny yellow car and hammered the old stomping ground. This was after a 19 hour non-stop (except for the ferry) drive to Annecy. Fortunately it snowed all the first day which, whilst making the first Saturday's 'boarding a bit rubbish, set a good base for the rest of the week. It was then gloriously sunny, and probably a bit too warm, every day. A lovely time was had by all, and the tiny yellow car proved beyond all doubt that it was as awesome on fresh snow as it is on tarmac. Who needs chains? Chumps, that's who. Oh, and we had a bit of a dress-up on the last day. I was a dragon. Rach was a monkey. It certainly amused people, and made us quite popular.
The second week we mostly spent living in the valley near Grenoble and visiting a couple of other resorts, namely Chamrousse and Les Sept Lacs. On both occasions there was an extreme surfeit of snow causing much hilarity. In Chamrousse there was half a metre of "pow" on the pistes. It made for some serious leg-work. Mucho mucho fun-time though.
Later we went to Grand Bornand near Annecy, which again had massive snow, and enjoyed their pistes. Whilst traversing a severely off-camber, off-piste/on-piste, foliage-strewn red run (yes, apparently these things exist), I managed to snap off one of the screws on my bindings. I therefore spent the last two hours riding a board secured primarily by two thin tassles removed from my jacket zips. It was a bit loose. Still fun though. God I love snowboarding.
We then drove back via Epernay. That is the abridged version of our Alpine holiday.
Now we're, once again and in addition to our day-jobs, promoting the fun and wonderful Sunshine Festival. This year we're looking forward to The Beat, whose hits include "Tears of a Clown" and "Mirror in the Bathroom." I also want to see Boney M's "Ma Baker," Dr & the Medics' "Spirit in the Sky," The Sweet's "Block Buster" and literally nothing by The Blow Monkeys. Really can't wait for the festival itself, 'cause if it's half as much fun as last year it'll be great.
That edges me towards the plans for the Summer. As a result of our intensive promoing regime we don't actually have that much time. Regardless, we've decided to take on a few physical and mental (mental, chicken oriental) challenges. Hopefully, as a result, we might earn a few extra quid for the very worthwhile charities we've been supporting. One of these charities has become even more significant to us as Moomah B has just worked at Honour Village Cambodia for six months, is still overseeing their social work programme, and will be returning at some point in the not-too-distant future.
We've recently run a couple of organised 10km races, and I had a go at an absurdly windy duathlon (run-cycle-run) in preparation for our Summer of challenges. I know. We did actual 10km runs in mere preparation. And me, with my body made entirely of chicken bones, broken glass and pain sensation. Anyway the current list of exciting challenges is as follows:
May
- 10km Bulmers Bash off-road run
- Tewkesbury 1/2 Marathon (Rach) & 10km run (Sam)
June
- Malvern 10km run
July
- Midweek Monster Duathlon (total 6 miles running, 20 miles cycling to be done as a relay)
- 10km Dirtrun off-road run
There are also a few others that we intend to enter, but won't be able to confirm until nearer the time. So the list is only likely to increase. Suffice to say we'll be busting a gut (probably literally in my case) to complete some proper challenges in the little precious free-time we have.
Also, we're hoping to line-up a truly mind-bendingly stupid event in September which will be announced in due course. It wouldn't be Team Snow without some crazy, half-baked idea where preparation is key, but conversely sadly lacking.
So that's the update. My intention is to blog with the results of these things and at any interesting juncture throughout the Summer. Expect tales of interest!
