Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Bukovel
So off we go again, this time to the ski slopes at Bukovel, 1hours drive away, “Very!” convenient. “Ha!” Kids have gone to the slopes, it's a decent enough day but there are snow blowers everywhere, lots of ski and snowboard runs. I do my usual thing sit and watch; Genny and I find a small cafe. As I write this we are drinking good espresso and excellent brandy, I wonder how long we can stay here before we have to order food? “Well!” We have not been worried, no odd looks, so we sit a bit more.
Sometime later we go for a mooch round,look at souvenirs, go and take in the scenery, and take a few pictures.
It’s a shame the slopes are just to inaccessible to me, I would have liked some photos of the children skiing. But I can't have everything; anyway they will have taken many themselves so we should not miss out. Poor old Tolik fell over and broke a ski,he didn't have as long as some of the others and was doing well, he says “Tomorrow is another day I can try again”; sensible lad.
4pm we are all piled into the bus,feet,face,and fingers glowing, tired and pretty happy I would say. The cameras are out and many giggles heard as photos are checked.
A long drive back,the driver puts on the film Avatar,no idea how he got hold of a copy so soon,OK so it was in Russian no matter it’s very visual therefore easy enough to follow.
A tasty dinner is soon on the table when eventually we return. Afterwards we sit around chatting drinking good coffee and vodka. “Now!”bed.
Monday, 4 January 2010
Winter Break In Verhovina
Here I am on a train bound for Chernivitsi we left Odessa on time, a 14 coach train. Phew! I am in our compartment, “Ira” has spread out a feast on the table and 2 large thermos flasks I thought coffee? But No! wine, or vodka. Always! be prepared. Soon other folk arrive we are sharing our fayre with them. Now waiting for tea boy to arrive, I am full and steadily warming up after our wait on the platform in Odessa. -3, the family determined we would not be late. Well fed and watered we have about an 18 Hour journey ahead. Great!
We arrive at the stationing in Chernivitsi, it's snowing hard, no worries; there’s the mini bus. soon be warm in hotel, “Big” mistake!. 3.5 hours later after sliding, bumping, and at breakneck speed, we debus in Verhovina, very cold and stiff, I had sat with my knees up under my chin that's how cramped it was, But hey! This is Ukraine what do you expect? Here's the thing, the scenery is stunningly beautiful, this is, the Carpathian Mountains. The Hotel? isn’t, it's a large Chalet all pine wood panels etc but well appointed and clean, I settle in for a sleep not having done much on The train. No. That’s not going to happen we are called to lunch.
Absolutely smashing, all food is locally produced and much more, the meat is raised and cured by mine host, it tastes so good. After lunch the youngsters opt for a walk, not me. I like the idea of forty winks, just an hour will do, ah! bliss!! Time for exploration and skiing tomorrow.
We arrive at the stationing in Chernivitsi, it's snowing hard, no worries; there’s the mini bus. soon be warm in hotel, “Big” mistake!. 3.5 hours later after sliding, bumping, and at breakneck speed, we debus in Verhovina, very cold and stiff, I had sat with my knees up under my chin that's how cramped it was, But hey! This is Ukraine what do you expect? Here's the thing, the scenery is stunningly beautiful, this is, the Carpathian Mountains. The Hotel? isn’t, it's a large Chalet all pine wood panels etc but well appointed and clean, I settle in for a sleep not having done much on The train. No. That’s not going to happen we are called to lunch.
Absolutely smashing, all food is locally produced and much more, the meat is raised and cured by mine host, it tastes so good. After lunch the youngsters opt for a walk, not me. I like the idea of forty winks, just an hour will do, ah! bliss!! Time for exploration and skiing tomorrow.
Friday, 18 December 2009
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Swimmin with Wimmen
The Doc, The Nurse and Genny The Beautiful (GTB) all agree I need more exercise, can't think why I do 20 press ups each morning 10 with each eye then I get out of bed.
In reality It is a good idea both of us need to keep fit. So it was decided swimming would probably suit best.
Next question where? Our beloved leaders agree we senior folk should be fitter and have suggested that swimming ought to be free for us.
Our Authority seems to have chosen not to listen, fair enough, however across the border not so far away the Authority has a different attitude, no charge.
Anyroad up free or fee paying our local pool turned out to be the best bet.
GTB suggests we should try Aquarobics as a start, something she had done in the past and enjoyed.
So one Thursday I am in the pool waiting for the fun to begin, the only male surrounded by lovely ladies, it's to much I nearly have a stroke, just couldn't quite reach. (stop it thats not funny)
Now it begins. "Well," Another disaster, jumping up and down is ok but then comes the swimming aids, we are supposed to stand on them and stuff, I ask you "Have you tried standing on something that is naturally buoyant?" it's impossible, I look around, all is serene ladies bobbing up and down, for them no problems. Splash! all eyes are now on me, one helpful soul says "try putting your knee on it first" I try again, I am getting there just one more push then, Wham! it slips from my grasp shoots to the surface clouting me in the face, I yell fall backwards creating a large splash and wave, swamping the nearest ladies all are laughing they're swimming aids bob to the surface, class disrupted.
I have decided this is not for me, the giggling lifeguard says you can swim up the other end if you wish.
I am unanimous that from now on I am only going to open or adult sessions and doing lengths.
In reality It is a good idea both of us need to keep fit. So it was decided swimming would probably suit best.
Next question where? Our beloved leaders agree we senior folk should be fitter and have suggested that swimming ought to be free for us.
Our Authority seems to have chosen not to listen, fair enough, however across the border not so far away the Authority has a different attitude, no charge.
Anyroad up free or fee paying our local pool turned out to be the best bet.
GTB suggests we should try Aquarobics as a start, something she had done in the past and enjoyed.
So one Thursday I am in the pool waiting for the fun to begin, the only male surrounded by lovely ladies, it's to much I nearly have a stroke, just couldn't quite reach. (stop it thats not funny)
Now it begins. "Well," Another disaster, jumping up and down is ok but then comes the swimming aids, we are supposed to stand on them and stuff, I ask you "Have you tried standing on something that is naturally buoyant?" it's impossible, I look around, all is serene ladies bobbing up and down, for them no problems. Splash! all eyes are now on me, one helpful soul says "try putting your knee on it first" I try again, I am getting there just one more push then, Wham! it slips from my grasp shoots to the surface clouting me in the face, I yell fall backwards creating a large splash and wave, swamping the nearest ladies all are laughing they're swimming aids bob to the surface, class disrupted.
I have decided this is not for me, the giggling lifeguard says you can swim up the other end if you wish.
I am unanimous that from now on I am only going to open or adult sessions and doing lengths.
Monday, 19 October 2009
I Didn't Wanna Do It
I've been sitting here looking out the window and thinking you should be doing something useful, USEFUL HA! This morning GTB got my friend Ray and I clearing out the garage, two hours of heartache and pain as I watched my life disappearing all those things I thought I had a use for and had not looked at in fifteen years, how to books, how not to books, books about cats, books about dogs, as well as books about books, How many bits of string Tangled leads and cables should a man have? and why did I keep this and whats the good of that, an imponderable? all those old videos that I meant to watch again, ancient computer games and programmes according to GTB all had to go. She is right of course. I did find my Train set and track a load of 8track tapes and a goodly collection of LPs.
That brings me back to the beginning “something useful” ( ooh thats clever the quote marks put themselves round the right way I never noticed that before) to continue Umm yes! useful, put all those records onto the computer mind you have to borrow a deck for the job. Most all is done a few boxes to go through.
I give Ray lunch and me a pat on the back Genny gives us a big smile and a look which says “when are you going to sort out those boxes” Cheeky Monkey.
That brings me back to the beginning “something useful” ( ooh thats clever the quote marks put themselves round the right way I never noticed that before) to continue Umm yes! useful, put all those records onto the computer mind you have to borrow a deck for the job. Most all is done a few boxes to go through.
I give Ray lunch and me a pat on the back Genny gives us a big smile and a look which says “when are you going to sort out those boxes” Cheeky Monkey.
Monday, 5 October 2009
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