Well it’s been quite a week for me. I started it in Gibraltar, spent most of it in Italy and a fair chunk of yesterday in Barcelona (airport only unfortunately – but you can’t have it all!!). Here’s this week’s jet set edition of Sunday Sevens (or in this case Sunday Eights)…
A rainy escape
This was my view as we crossed the runway in Gibraltar last Sunday on our way to Malaga airport. Running away and leaving the Little Postcards with my parents, it was the first time we’d left them for more than two nights in about 12 years. We were enroute to the Dolomites in Italy for a skiing break with some of Mr Postcard’s work colleagues.
Until this week I had never skied. It wasn’t something I ever particularly fancied trying, I imagined I would be asking for an injury if I tried, so I was quite content to be a non-skier. That was all about to change.
First day on the slopes
After 10 hours of traveling on Sunday, we arrived at 11:30pm. First thing in the morning, we were up for breakfast, next stop the ski-hire shop and then an 11 o’clock appointment with David our ski instructor.
Those first ginger movements across the small slope from our hotel to the bottom of the piste were petrifying. As was the first couple of snow-ploughs at the very bottom of the slope. How we would ever master this with any grace or dignity intact was beyond me.
A pre-ski walk
Day 2 saw us with a window of opportunity between breakfast and our first lesson of the day. We put our hiking boots on and made a break for it to see what was beyond the pretty Village of San Vigilio where we were staying. We didn’t have to go far to see the amazing views. What a truly beautiful place. Ski-wise, we saw a slight improvement on our technique after 4 hours with our tutor, but we’re not attempting to score a place on Team GB for the 2022 Winter Olympics yet.
That’s me down there!
So that’s me down there, spotted from way above the piste by a friend traveling past on a ski lift. There were 3 in our class, me, Mr Postcard and another friend from Gibraltar. Our instructor is in blue and, quite remarkably, is able to ski backwards… he’s been skiing since he was 2 1/2 years old apparently. No hope for us two then, starting at the ripe old age of 40+.
Another snowy walk
On Thursday, after our lesson (which didn’t go too well – I fell for the first time on a very steep slope near the top of an amazing mountain, the views were great even if the skiing wasn’t), Mr Postcard and I continued out on the same road we had taken before but carried on for a few kilometers. We ended up on a woodland walk and then hit a cross country ski trail. It was so peaceful and beautiful.
Survived it!
Before we could say ‘après ski’ our five days of skiing were over. 17 hours of lessons later I can now parallel ski (slowly). And what’s more amazing is that I didn’t injure myself. I only had a few mishaps, 1 fall, I dropped one of my ski poles off a chair lift (eek) – fortunately no one was underneath at the time, and I may have come a cropper on a different chair lift shortly afterwards, but all in all I think it was a win. Cheers!
Ciao San Vigilio and grazie!
The last rays of sunlight on the mountains behind the gorgeous village of San Vigilio on Friday evening as I finished packing and got ready for our last Italian dinner. Wow, what a week it was, such a laugh with some lovely people and a great experience I will never forget.
Homeward bound..
We had a trip and a half yesterday. 5:20am pick up from the hotel, 3 hour drive from San Vigilio to Marco Polo airport in Venice (I’ve always wanted to go to Venice), a flight to a very wet Barcelona (I’ve always wanted to go to Barcelona). 5 hours at Barcelona airport. A flight to Malaga, and a car journey back to Gibraltar. We watched the sun rise over the Italian Dolomites and set over Spain as we descended into Malaga airport. 17 hours door to door!
Mr Postcard says I can now tick Venice and Barcelona off my bucket list, I’m not convinced that seeing the inside of the airports counts as truly experiencing either city :-/
Phew, what a week…
I’m off for a lie down! Thanks for stopping by.
I’m linking with Natalie from Threads & Bobbins for the weekly Sunday Sevens blog series (which features 7 photos from the past 7 days).
Sounds like a wonderful adventure – will you do it again?
It absolutely was Sandra, and yes, I would love to should the opportunity arise. Hopefully we will be able to go as a family on a ski trip a bit closer to home (ie by car) next year. Fingers crossed.
I went for the first time with my boys when they were 7 and 9. We loved it, I always thought I’d do it again, but given the choice of a cold or a hot holiday, I’ve always chosen a hot one since then. The boys have been often.
Ah I see, well I can understand your holiday choices were for sunshine!
It sounds like the skiing was a success! So it will be the whole family next year… 😉 😉 🙂
Yes, all being well, we will head to Sierra Nevada and all give it a go…
Well done with the ski-ing !! I did it in my teens and early twenties, was always falling over, but loved it, never got to Team GB standard, ha ha! One of the best things at a ski resort is the lovely crispy air, blue skies and snow that isn’t half as ‘wet’ as in the UK (or so it seems). May you enjoy future ski trips. I’d recommend whilst there try to go for a swim/pool dip in the open air – it’s amazing.
Thank you! Yes the snow at the top of the mountains was like icing sugar – never seen snow like it before!! I shall give that open air swimming a go then next time if I get the chance – I bet it’s a bit nippy as you get out of the pool though!! Brrrrr!
I’ve always thought I’m far too old to learn to ski and that you only really have the confidence necessary as a child, so it’s interesting to note that you enjoyed it and achieved good results after just 17 hours. Two of our favourite city breaks have been in Venice and Barcelona….just do it!
And likewise- you should give it a go if you fancy it now. It was lots of fun. Finances and holiday leave allowing we will one day get to see Venice and Barcelona for real I hope!
What a lovely week! You are so brave, I just know skiing is not in my blood… but the scenery is gorgeous.
Aw thank you – not sure about the bravery though, perhaps stupidity!! That’s as extreme as my sporting persuits will get though, nothing involving water or jumping out of planes for me!! It was truly beautiful there. 😊
A wonderful break. Lucky you.
Oh it was, I know! 😊