Hard Shoulder

If I had had the presence of mind to take a shot, this could have been the amazing array of stars visible from a quiet French motorway on a chilly moonless night.  But more of that later.

Earlier, rash decisions made last night under the influence of rum and wine to steal lunch from the hotel breakfast so as to have more skiing time, were abandoned when everyone realised they couldn't be bothered. My planned champagne breakfast was similarly set by the wayside as none of the bottles of cava were open and I was too shy to do it myself.

And so, full of eggs and churros, we headed out for our last day on the mountains under beautiful blue skies. Despite some early tumbles, including an apparently spectacular somersault from CarbBoy (unintended), much fun was had, particularly by L, our smallest skier, who seemed to take great delight in skiing straight towards precipices ignoring our panicky screams to STOP until the very last moment.

Lunch was at an igloo bar a few valleys over: hot dogs, vin tiede (ie, could have been warmer) and a chance to peel off a layer of two and enjoy the sunshine. Even a huff from TallGirl didn't take much of the shine off the day.

Later some blues at race speed with two speedy boys snapping at my heels, while the rest of the gang proceeded more sedately. And some fun off piste through the trees with Mr B. I ski faster than him, but he is much more adventurous, so between us we make a good group leader!

After a not very successful search for proper jumps for our jumping contest, and a go in the fun park - noteable only for the daft snowboarder videoing on his iPhone who mowed down TallGirl - it was time to take the long lift up the mountain for the last time. Speedy Mr K, the 'proper' skier in our group, led the charge on the last blue, setting a pace I was struggling with, but the boys had no bother with. They seem to ski by grin-power.

A late decision to try a short fun route off the main piste resulted in an altercation between tree and helmet for one boy (seems fine) and a tumble for Mr B (sore leg, but fine).

Down off the mountain, hired stuff back, we headed for the cars, the drivers changed to more comfortable clothes, and I decided to as well. Not, turns out, the correct decision.

With the window at 'my' seat broken, I travelled again in our pals' car. After a little way we noticed that Mr B's brake lights weren't working. Then on came the hazards... and onto the hard shoulder. No power, apparently. His attempted 'turn it off and on again' resulted in lots of smoke... and a very hasty exit onto the hard shoulder for the kids.

And so Mr B and I are left standing by the road looking at the stars while our friends jiggle luggage around to make an extra seat for our kids, and head off to call breakdown folk for us. (Oh what joy that it wasn't one of us trudging down the hard shoulder looking for the phone.)


Our saviour arrived quickly (30 mins) and towed us to the nearest town, where we have abandoned the car in an industrial zone, and will sort it out in the morning.

Oh for a simple life.

I'm sure our marvellous friend (pictured here with his fearless son) who came to pick us up wishes our lives were simpler too...