Slush

The penultimate day in Zell am see, and the big snow didn't materialise. It was big slush instead. At our hotel, at the base of the gondola, it was sleeting all day so no new snow settled. The skiers went up as usual early on, but Ian, Chris and Vicky found the conditions too difficult and returned to the hotel before midday. Chris was also nursing a netting injury to his side from the day before. Vicky did ski for long enough to acquire a stalker. On a clear wide run a German man was following closely in her ski-tracks yelling 'Schnell, schnell!'. This was eerily similar to an incident on a summer bobsleigh track in Germany many years ago when me and her were being followed by hells angels screaming the same phrase. Maybe he had a long memory too.  Kathy and Alex soldiered on despite the conditions and Kathy had her best ski day ever, with something just clicking for her. At one point they were battling on when they noticed the piste bashers coming up the slope. Nirvana! They waited till they'd passed then swooped down, the first to ski on perfectly bashed snow. They also noticed a whole class of small children 'skiing' off piste. Only one was still standing, screaming at the top of her voice as she skied out of control. Alex managed to have his customary high speed tumble, kathy deciding he could manage without her help and just abandoning him.  From our hotel Kathy finally returned, leaving Alex alone up the mountain, and we (minus Chris and Alex) had a walk into town. It wasn't nice down there, the sleet turning to rain at the lower altitude. I showed them the lake. We had a quick look, hit the shops for the things we had come for, and got the 71 back up. I had borrowed Chris's lift pass, thus saving e2.40. We got back to find Alex and Chris tucking in to afternoon tea, a very nice sausage casserole. Neither of them had been brave enough to steal from breakfast for lunch like me Kathy and Vicky. We partook as well before watching a pointless episode. One of the proudest moments of my life occurred during this, Kathy got 2 (Two) pointless answers on football. I was really proud when my sister got one, but my own daughter getting two. Well done Kathy. Then we had tea, did a quiz, went to bed. Last day tomorrow and we (that's them not me) are hoping for better conditions.