We are just back from a fantastic week skiing in Garmisch. The slopes were virtually empty, the people friendly and the food good. After a bumpy first day sam really enjoyed himself and couldn't get enough of the slopes. Despite not skiing for over 10 years I was not as sore as I had thought I would be and really enjoyed the challenge of getting back some semblance of form. Matt was perfect from day one and relished being back on his snowboard. The last few years he has skied rather than boarded and has missed it.
Garmisch is a very family friendly destination and more like your local neighborhood ski run rather than a big resort area. Most of the other skiers were german with the exceptions of the americans who not only have a base there but also a special ski resort for the armed forces. Each afternoon after skiing we went to the main konditeri (cake shop) for yummy cakes and by the end of the week they knew us! Sam received extra chocolates and smiles with each visit and that was typical of everywhere we went. All of the shop keepers seem to keep a jar of sweets to give to the children and thus sam enjoyed visited shops even more than usual!
Our apartment was lovely, would have gladly moved in full time if we had had the dogs with us! Matt especially liked the underground garage which meant that the didn't have to defrost the car each morning.
All in all we had a fantastic time and would happily go back!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Heading toward daddy
Here is the boy on the second day. We went up to the zugspitz which involved two very scary cable car rides but was worth it because the skiing was great.
Mastering the turn
At the start of the week sam could only just turn but by the end he ws trying to do parallel turns. If only we could hit the slopes every weekend!
End of a long run
Here is our speed demon at the end of a long run. It was a couple of kms from top to bottom and sam loved every minute.
Cool and dudey
Here is the monster heading down run 1 on the Hausberg lift. It was a great intermediate lift, much nicer after the fresh snow we had on matt's bday.
Quality DS time after a hard day skiiing
The boy chilling in the living room after a long day skiing. This was a very comfy sofa for resting weary limbs on after a hard day on the slopes.
View from the kitchen
This is the view I had when doing dishes, I could just make out one of the ski runs in the distance, what an incentive to finish the dishes!
View from the bedroom balcony
This is the view from from the bedroom balcony, wouldn't it be wonderful to wake up to this everyday.
The dining area
Here is the dining area-very typically german-we had something similar when we were stationed in germany. Sam had great fun sliding around from end to end.
The amazing tub
This is the tub in our on-suite bathroom. The bathroom was amazing and the tub big enough to fit all of us! The boys had a nice soak every evening after skiing.
For Anna
A beautiful snow sculpture at oberamergau of an angel playing the cello for sam's friend anna.
The boys at Linderhoff
On our last day we visited Linderhoff, the lovely little palace built by Ludwig II. This photo reminds me of a similar visit made by my mom and dad and I when I was about sam's age. We went to the better known palace of Neuschwanstein, also built by Ludwig. As I recall we went in the dead of winter, with snow all around, but dad took us up the summer path! It was a steep winding path covered in snow and took us twice as long as the winter path would have done. It must have been fun though or I wouldn't have kept the memory all these years.
Atlas
The amazing statues at Linderhoff again as taken by matt. Linderhoff is a lovely little palace built by Ludwig II of Bavaria as his personal retreat.
Frozen stream at Linderfhoff
A beautiful shot from Linderhoff taken by matt. Linderhoff was even more beautiful than I remembered.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Look what I got dad!
We did manage to save some pressies until later in the day and here are the boys opening the last few.
Rogue guarding the presents
I think santa asked rogue to guard the presents and he did a very good job!
Can't wait to get riding
As soon as he opened this he was determined to get us outside so he could ride it. As it was cold, dark and 6am we made him wait until later in the day.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Happy New Year!!!
Okay, I know it is several days late but better late than never! I must apologise for my lack of blogging over this festive season, my only excuse is that we have spent the better part of the holidays on the boat and the mobile broadband connection is slower than molasses. We have a lovely xmas and new year, despite matt working most of it. Having the boat made a huge difference, matt didn't have to spend xmas in hospital accommodation, instead we were all able to celebrate together on a warm and toasty boat. I am pleased to report that santa was able to find the boat and left the boy lots of nice goodies.
We are all enjoying life afloat, it is so peaceful and quiet at the marina and the dogs enjoy long walks along the tow path. Matt's parents came up yesterday and we took boudicca out for a spin. We sailed her down to lincoln and back, it was the first time we have taken her out since she was put back in the water. Matt really had fun and it was interesting seeing lincoln from a different perspective.
Sam spends his time on the boat doing lego, ds-ing, drawing and reading. We have had long xmas break from formal work so we have to get back on track, at least until we go skiing. We are all very excited about skiing and matt checks the weather in garmisch at least 10 times a day!
I hope you all have a wonderful 2009, full of great happiness. We had a mixed year last year and hope that this year is a little less eventful!
We are all enjoying life afloat, it is so peaceful and quiet at the marina and the dogs enjoy long walks along the tow path. Matt's parents came up yesterday and we took boudicca out for a spin. We sailed her down to lincoln and back, it was the first time we have taken her out since she was put back in the water. Matt really had fun and it was interesting seeing lincoln from a different perspective.
Sam spends his time on the boat doing lego, ds-ing, drawing and reading. We have had long xmas break from formal work so we have to get back on track, at least until we go skiing. We are all very excited about skiing and matt checks the weather in garmisch at least 10 times a day!
I hope you all have a wonderful 2009, full of great happiness. We had a mixed year last year and hope that this year is a little less eventful!
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