Drawing A Snow Line Under The Day

Posted on Mar 6, 2018 by TanGental

I’m skiing. In Italy. In the shadow of the Matterhorn. Cervinia, which apparently is ‘Matterhorn’ for the locals and the town, originally Breuil, was renamed by Mussolini…. but I digress.

I’m with six friends, a small hand-picked elite of post menopausal males with folicle challenges aplenty and an insatiable desire to be 27 again.

There’s been the usual mix of banter and badinage, more appropriate for those of the beardless years, some unnecessary toilet humour and several ten minute organ recitals*. We are intellectually athletic and physically arthritic and combing the two is rather like dad-dancing on ice: we know we look good even if the occasional video clip is more redolent of Postman Pat having just discovered a pet rat in his salopettes,  than Frank Klammer circa 1987.

* the ten minute organ recital is a rule introduced by a friend of the Textiliste to their get togethers: the first ten minutes are given over to a discussion of the latest ailments (including those of best friends) after which they are not to be mentioned again – we used each coffee/lunch/hot chocolate break wisely.

What has made a difference this year is the acquisition (by someone who in every sense is old enough to know better) of an Apple Watch. Said watch  has a ski function and it has provided us with some statistics.

Distance skied: 71km

Top speed: 66.4 kph

Highest elevtion: 3460 m

Is this good? Healthy? Downright foolhardy?

Who knows? Who cares? Like Dog in this picture Stop the irrelevancies, just serve the food.

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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35 Responses to Drawing A Snow Line Under The Day

  1. barbtaub says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 1:11 pm

    Love the organ recital! What a brilliant idea. Hope your trip goes well and you survive your regression back to age 27.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. willowdot21 says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 1:36 pm

    Have a great time Geoff be careful and make sure to return to the UK with all bones and joints intact! Love the yellow salapets I hope there is not a Dulwich council worker missing them! Love Dogs photo too 💜

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Teagan R. Geneviene says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 1:42 pm

    LOL… Geoff, I relate to the ” intellectually athletic and physically arthritic.” I am far to clumsy to even attempt to ski. Heck I’m safer not even trying on the things. Have fun! Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Allie P. says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 2:15 pm

    I haven’t been skiing in ages. Between your pictures and the Olympics, I feel like it may be time to give it another go.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Darlene says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    That is the best dog picture ever!! Have fun.

    Like

  6. watchingthedaisies says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 2:54 pm

    I have never been skiing but I live tge idea of it😉 Enjoy.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Ritu says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    Never been skiing… not tempted! But loved your pics!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. pensitivity101 says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 3:39 pm

    Forget age…………. act your shoe size. 🙂 Great pics, though skis and I are not destined to be partnered.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Shallow Reflections says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 3:58 pm

    I’ve gone downhill skiing, and gave it up when I kept falling off the t-bar. Your expedition with your post menopausal friends is hilarious. I had to look up the word ‘salopettes.’ What a great word and so funny when imagining a pet rat hanging out in them. And the organ recital is priceless! Glad you made it to the dinner table. That would be my favorite part.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. josypheen says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 5:37 pm

    Ha! I love your idea of the ten minute organ recital! I sort of want to get my grandma to start that rule…but i don’t think it would go down well if I suggested it!

    I am sure you are all faaar better skiers than me (I just graduated to be “beginner plus” level!). 66.4 km/hr sounds really speedy! Have an amazing holiday anyway!!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. robbiesinspiration says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    I am sure this was awesome, Geoff. My one and only attempt at skiing was horrible as an unusually rotund man who was also learning skied right into me and knocked me flat.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. JT Twissel says:
    Mar 6, 2018 at 6:03 pm

    I like your rule about discussing ailments! I have a friend who starts and finishes each discussion with complaints about her finances and her weight. She is practically anorexic and, as we say, loaded…

    Liked by 1 person

  13. derrickjknight says:
    Mar 7, 2018 at 9:36 am

    You’d be picked out in a line-up anywhere 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Mick Canning says:
    Mar 7, 2018 at 9:37 am

    have a great time, Geoff. I’ll be like Dog.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Charli Mills says:
    Mar 7, 2018 at 10:21 pm

    Beautiful shots! But this reads like an ad on Tinder: “I’m with six friends, a small hand-picked elite of post menopausal males with folicle challenges aplenty and an insatiable desire to be 27 again.” 😀

    Like

  16. Jane Gealy says:
    Mar 19, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    Fabulous! I’ve just got back from a week in Morzine in France and we were able to ski over to Switzerland. Great company and superb conditions. Happy days.

    Like

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