Shpichak

Špičák... for a little place barely on the map, it sure is fun.

This past weekend we decided to get the family out of the house and make the most of the snow we've been having. In Plzen, while the snow has fallen literally in huge clumps from the sky, it has been too warm for it to last more than a few seconds on the ground, but up the mountain it a different story. Temps on the warms side just below 0, but enough to keep the snow in good nick.

So, the early morning train got us there, the babies forgiving us the early hour by the excitement of getting to play in the snow (we took the bum-boards and the sleigh).

To add to the excitement, this was the first day open for the resort and they'd had over a metre of snow.

Unlike our last trip here where we were skiing on ice and dodging little patches of grass and earth popping up, this was a nice think white blanket.

Got to špičak and hired all the kit for the day - you know, they should rent wheelbarrows for families with small kids - carting the day bags and 4 sets of boots, ski's and poles is a major drag between 2 people. Anyway we set off for the groomed training slope, much better than the one we were on last time (which was still closed) and the kids got stuck into their day with all kinds of laughter and games.

These two are really good mates, they play so well together and have an absolute blast no matter what they do.

Colin and I didn't get that much skiing time in. We took the babies on a couple of runs down the training slope until they decided that it was WAY more fun to be able to run knee deep in the snow chasing a sleigh than to try and balance on the very wobbly and unpredictably slippery things called skiis... We then took a few runs on our own until the long overdue lunch urge became too strong. It is also very difficult to get very much time and distance between the constant calls for some sort of assistance or another (and then the ever present "I-Need-a-WEEE" call - one that only arrives when the pee is already so urgent that it requires hopping, clutching and very quick undressing right there and then :-0.)

Lunch time was a bit of a turning point for the babies though - from a "this is cool and fun" to a "ok, I am cold and wet and this is beginning to get a bit much now" feeling. Colin wanted to do a couple of runs down the main slope, so I took the girls into the only place that was inside and warm (apart from the toilets) which was the ski hire shop. So, much to the amusement of the shop attendants, us 3 girls huddled around the heater until tears dried up and fingers got warmer. It didn't take long before the suggestion of "shall we go ski again" was met with bright smiles and "oh YEAH!" (with real American sounding yeahs thanks to their Teacher Hanka).

At 4.30, we then waited for the snow train to arrive at the station to take us back home again. (Notice it is pitch dark at 4.30!!!)

So, Colin & I are barely back and during our customary Sunday shop at the Tesco, Colin suggested that I try on a pair of the ski boots. OMG is that what ski boots are supposed to feel like???? They were unbelievably comfy - they even had padding on the inside! So, we are now doing some major research into ski boots and kit and are looking to make some investment into "the real thing". Actually, after trying on "real" ski boots, I think I may actually be able to do this thing called ski, kinda, rather than just careering down the slope trying to work out why my feet don't feel like they belong to my legs as they are generally going in the opposite direction!

Anyway, it is hopefully going to become a reasonably frequent week-end ritual to head to a snowy patch and get in some ski practice!