Caption Competition #2

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Caption Competition #1

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Here Comes The Sun.

Here comes the sun indeed. After pleasant trip down which included a delightful trip to the Rhone Waterfront at Lyon (Why didn't we do that last time) we finally arrived at the resort of Chamrousse Saturday lunchtime. interestingly the temperature (even at 1750m) was 24 degrees. Unsurprisingly much of the snow had decided to migrate to the Med for the summer (via the aforementioned Rhone no doubt). I give you the above picture to illuminate the point. Having said that it was a delight to ride around in shirtsleeves and damp trousers (sitting down is a bit unpleasant later in the day). Water wings and swimming trunks tomorrow.

Three Go Mad In Chamrousse

I find that a good measure of the passing years is the apparent increasing frequency of posts I submit to the Powder Monkeys blog-site. Suffice to say, it only seems like last year that I was posting our most recent antics on sleety st Sorlin. Mixed news for the Monkeys this year. On the down side we've lost two tour stalwarts; Ashworth P and Georgeson A. One of them through a subtle mix of reckless hedonism and injury (Ash is currently enjoying the dubious delights of Bolivia) and another.... Well we're not really sure why, but there it is. He's not coming (Phil). On the plus side Phil has lent his kit to his replacement and partial facsimile - Brother Ste! Welcome Ste. Also joining us this year after a couple of seasons exploring the dry slopes of the North of England is Mr Richard (Richie) Edwards (Not to be confused with the Severn Bridge Leaping former member of "The Manic Street Preachers"). We're off for some late season snow in a couple of days to this years cheappo ski destination the idylic and seasonally warm (if the weather reports are anything to go by) Chamrousse. Wish us luck. Rhod.

One More And You Get To Keep Them.

Some interesting times out on the hill yesterday with tumbles aplenty. Firstly Ash has skinned his chin, pranged his wrist and gererally gave himself a good going over. He's OK though and carried on with the days riding (though prudently took a day off today). Phil has also managed to have a few moments, managing to collect French Lady Skiers on two seperate occasions. If you manage a third Phil, you get to keep her! Choose wisely. Matt has managed to "do something to his ankle on a drag lift" and Rhod, who started the week with a dodgy knee, the legacy of a serious television watching injury he sustained last November is now looking like the fittest of the lot (medically that is).

Hats off to the boys in St Sorlin!

Yes! We put the style in slope-style. While sampling a favourite mountain chop house and their splendid vin chaud the boys decided to put on an impromptu fashion show for an appreciative audience. (2 bar staff, a bemused patron and a cocker spaniel)

Our best efforts are captured below for your enjoyment.

Le Human League

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar when I met you. I picked you out, I shook you up and turned you around. Turned you into something new. Now five years later on you’ve got the world at your feet, success has been so easy for you. But don’t forget it’s me who put you where you are now and I can put you back down again.

Don’t, don’t you want me? You know I can’t believe it when you say that you won’t see me...................

Le Grippe du Porc

Swine flu was a serious issue that we now realise was a complete waste of everyone's time. (Unless you're a conniving pharmaceutical manufacturer) Ash makes sure that the over-hyped media frenzy surrounding a couple of cases of the sniffles doesn't get forgotten in a hurry with this interpretation of a Mexican tourist board official.

Le "Know what I mean 'arry"

Everyone loves a bit of Bruno. Here Rhod shows us what might have been for Britains best Boxer since Harry Secombe. (he's demonstrating the sniffing bit they do between bouts)

La Mere Teresa

There she flits! Across the hill she wafts, dispensing relief and succour to those in need. Like a religious St Bernard she's always there with a prayer and a toothy kiss. Mother Teresa, gone, but not forgotten.

Le Tawdry Hepburn

If a cut-price Audrey Hepburn is what you're after (Copyright Viz Magazine) then look no further. Here's Ash's recreation of the classic Hepburn look, complete with stubble, squint and THAT scarf.

Le Stig of the Piste

Some say he can smell the letter T, posts his nail clippings to Nigella Lawson and that when he goes to the toilet all the cuckoo clocks in Switzerland strike three!

All we know is, he's called Stig of the pistes!

Le Dickie Bow

The trouble with skiers and snowboarders is that they're generally a fairly scruffy lot. Even the ever dapper Italians can be found sporting eighties style neon jumpsuits. Nowadays it seems de rigeur to pretend you found all your gear on a local landfill. Well the rot stops here!

Look at Rhod as he winningly wears his scarf in dickie-bow formal. Now tell me that's not an improvement!

Le Monstre Genetique

When will we ever learn to stop meddling with nature? First they grew a human ear on the back of a poor unsuspecting mouse, now look what they've done to poor old Phil. Whatever next?

Le Pat Cash

Anyone for tennis? Ash demonstrates his (and his scarf's) versatility in this spooky recreation of Australia's foremost stroppy tennis players signature look.

L'homme Invisible

Who is this mystery man? Lord Lucan? Reginald Iolanthe Perrin? Richey Edwards? Glen Miller or even Franny Jeffers?

It's Phil actually, can't you tell?

Le Bon Jovi

Made famous by John Bon Jovi. Made brilliant by Ashley Georgeson. The very epitome of slopeside nonchalance and debonair. What more need be said.

Le Gandalf

"Le Gandalf" needs no introduction. Nonetheless, here's one anyway. Le Gandalf, winner of the St Sorlin d'arves hat and scarf show's best in breed gold rossette for a record first time.

Below The Line......

Being in the Powder Monkey crew is certainly no easy life. Below, we can see behind the scenes footage of 'the talent' being prepared for the chop house photo shoot. Powder Monkeys, where there's a daft face to be pulled, we're there at the front of the queue. Except in France where they don't have them.

Le Demi Gandalf

Le Demi Gandalf is basically a "Half Mast" Gandalf, but should only be worn when a member of the royal family dies.

My Left Leg.

My left leg threw a sickie a few months ago. I guess it must have woken up one morning and thought “Bugger it. I’ll have a few days off”. Those few days quickly turned into a few weeks and before I knew what was going on, I was carrying a passenger. More accurately my right leg was carrying a passenger. Stairs, walking, cycling and many more activities were pooh-poohed by my errant left perambulatory limb. As some kind of conscientious objector my left leg was living the life of Riley while poor old right leg was taking on the (not inconsequential) burden of all that extra work. As a result of its sloth, left leg became lame and withered while reliable old right leg, became sturdy and strong, muscles bulging and sinews taut.

Of course, it was only a matter of time before all this idleness came home to roost. Well yesterday was that time. You may be able to swing the lead when you’re out on a walk or riding a bike, but snowboarding is a different matter. Yesterday my left leg had to put in a shift at the snow-face and I can tell you, it’s not happy. The pain starts in the lower ankle, flares up again in the knee and follows through with muscular spasms in the thighs. Only the lower arse seems to be bearing it’s burden with dignity.

I’ve applied the usual remedy (God bless you Nurofen Gel) but secretly I’m quite pleased it’s had its come-uppance. Better still I’ve a nice surprise in store for it today, plenty more downhill’s and maybe, if I’m feeling mean (which is often the case) a mogul field or two.

That should teach it a lesson.