I'm getting the Air Canada flight on Friday at 17.55
If such things can ever be really well time this flight is. Firstly it lets me have a big night out on Thursday when everyone else can go out as they don't have school on Friday. Secondly I should get back in time on the Saturday to go my niece Ivy's Second Birthday party.
Oh and the start of the Six nations as well!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
It's Snowing
I guess the weather has worked out I'm leaving. Since my crash we haven't had much in the way of new snow and the conditions out on the slopes have deteriorated. Not so good for the rest of the group and their skiing but quite good for me as the paths are clear of snow and ice for me to get around without too much trouble.
However today it started snowing as I was coming back from the hospital and everything is starting to get coated in snow. I had decided to walk back for the first time (rather than get a taxi) in order to work my leg out a bit and by the time I got back I was covered from head to toe in snow!
I was at the Hospital in order to pick up my treatment notes and get a letter from the ER doctor saying I'm able to fly home. The Insurance company have sorted out a flight back on Friday but I need the OK from a doctor first. Fortunately the same ER doctor was on duty and so she was able to fill in the required forms. She also checked my knee again to make sure she had made the right diagnosis has the swelling isn't hiding the condition of the knee as much.
The walk back took quite a while as I wasn't rushing. Several different kind local people took pity on me and asked me if I need help or a lift back and one told me all about her daughter who's a ski racing and has just had the same operation. apparently in Canada it can take a year to get the surgery done but when its done the knee is as good as new. I guess it was bit like the people I was talking to outside the restaurant the night before last one of who demonstrated how well the surgery works by jumping up and down on the spot!
However today it started snowing as I was coming back from the hospital and everything is starting to get coated in snow. I had decided to walk back for the first time (rather than get a taxi) in order to work my leg out a bit and by the time I got back I was covered from head to toe in snow!
I was at the Hospital in order to pick up my treatment notes and get a letter from the ER doctor saying I'm able to fly home. The Insurance company have sorted out a flight back on Friday but I need the OK from a doctor first. Fortunately the same ER doctor was on duty and so she was able to fill in the required forms. She also checked my knee again to make sure she had made the right diagnosis has the swelling isn't hiding the condition of the knee as much.
The walk back took quite a while as I wasn't rushing. Several different kind local people took pity on me and asked me if I need help or a lift back and one told me all about her daughter who's a ski racing and has just had the same operation. apparently in Canada it can take a year to get the surgery done but when its done the knee is as good as new. I guess it was bit like the people I was talking to outside the restaurant the night before last one of who demonstrated how well the surgery works by jumping up and down on the spot!
Monday, January 29, 2007
A final bit of Physio
A quick final session and a last chance to look at the view out of the window.
This time after a warm up on the cycle machine, he had me doing light walking on a tread mill (keeping my right foot still on the side, just lightly using my left foot)
and using the foot press on the weights machine. the tread mill work was to make my leg remember the correct motion for walking starting by putting the heal down and then moving through to lifting off at the toes. The weight machine was really just more work keeping the muscles working.
While I was there I also asked for a note for the next Physio, for when I get back to the UK.
This time after a warm up on the cycle machine, he had me doing light walking on a tread mill (keeping my right foot still on the side, just lightly using my left foot)
and using the foot press on the weights machine. the tread mill work was to make my leg remember the correct motion for walking starting by putting the heal down and then moving through to lifting off at the toes. The weight machine was really just more work keeping the muscles working.
While I was there I also asked for a note for the next Physio, for when I get back to the UK.
Pretty Icy Things
On Sunday I traveled up to see the ice sculptures. They were quite something to see with the beatiful view of Lake Louise in the background.
I was completely knackered from all the walking and my arms didn't work too well that evening.
Monday was my Final trip to the Physio and then off on the tour of Lake Louise and the Ice fields with tour guide Hugh.
I learnt the name Banff comes from Banffshire the home of the accountants for the railroad company when the names where being decided for the different slidings on the route to the coast. They where after something better to promote the tourist trade than 'Siding 29'.
Also that Canada is based on native language phase for little village.
I was a good tour if a little long, quite a travel up to the Bow lake at the top of the Bow Valley. Bow Valley is the name for the overall area where Banff and the ski slopes are.
We still got nice weather for sightseeing and photos, no snowing and clear blue skys.
I was completely knackered from all the walking and my arms didn't work too well that evening.
Monday was my Final trip to the Physio and then off on the tour of Lake Louise and the Ice fields with tour guide Hugh.
I learnt the name Banff comes from Banffshire the home of the accountants for the railroad company when the names where being decided for the different slidings on the route to the coast. They where after something better to promote the tourist trade than 'Siding 29'.
Also that Canada is based on native language phase for little village.
I was a good tour if a little long, quite a travel up to the Bow lake at the top of the Bow Valley. Bow Valley is the name for the overall area where Banff and the ski slopes are.
We still got nice weather for sightseeing and photos, no snowing and clear blue skys.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Banff and its wild life
Well I'm not sitting on my laurels here I'm still going to have a bit of the Holiday experience and today it was a sightseeing tour around the area.
The guide/driver was Natalie and we travelled around Banff while getting a taste of its History.
We covered the giant Springs Hotel (very twin peaks), the Banff springs fall(still not quite frozen), Bow Valley, the Hoodoos, the local herd of Elk (a about a hundred of them). Lake Minawhanka (very big frozen three feet thick), the different mountain ranges, the finding of the hot springs (by some rail workers) and its unique type of snail (and all the conservation effort that are happening).
It was a half day tour with not too much walking. I've spent the rest of the day in the pool seeing how much weight I can put on my leg. The answer is a bit, which is good.
The guide/driver was Natalie and we travelled around Banff while getting a taste of its History.
We covered the giant Springs Hotel (very twin peaks), the Banff springs fall(still not quite frozen), Bow Valley, the Hoodoos, the local herd of Elk (a about a hundred of them). Lake Minawhanka (very big frozen three feet thick), the different mountain ranges, the finding of the hot springs (by some rail workers) and its unique type of snail (and all the conservation effort that are happening).
It was a half day tour with not too much walking. I've spent the rest of the day in the pool seeing how much weight I can put on my leg. The answer is a bit, which is good.
More Physio
Yesterday I went back to the Physiotherapists this time for more of a work out.
I was given some light work on the exercise bike and lifting my leg with the aid of an electric muscle stimulator.
Of course I had some more icing and ultrasound.
On the plus side he said that there was some resistance by the ACL so it may not be completely torn.
I was given some light work on the exercise bike and lifting my leg with the aid of an electric muscle stimulator.
Of course I had some more icing and ultrasound.
On the plus side he said that there was some resistance by the ACL so it may not be completely torn.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Dog Sledging
Last time I was in Banff I didn't get the opportunity to try Dog sledging as the weather was so warm that the whole thing had to be cancelled. This time around I've managed it and so completed at least one thing I really wanted to do while I was out here.
The weather was superb for sightseeing. The temperature at about 5 degrees and it was sunny, with crystal clear skies. Great weather for taking picture.
However the weather wasn't so great for the dogs. they are most happy running at around the minus 15 mark and so get quite warm in this sort of weather. They eat and rolled in the snow each time we stopped, but were so happy just to be out running they didn't seem too affected.
The dogs were not like I pictured them, they were lot more like greyhounds and alot more friendly than I thought they would be. They were very well trained and disciplined, with most of them being ex racing team dogs.
I had five dogs called Ellipse, Timer, Tron, Ella and Rebel. with Ellipse and Timer being the lead dogs.
Oh and of course the Musher (driver) who was call Chad.
We ran down and back long the shores of a frozen lake for a 10K loop. we stopped about half way and the more mobile of us went down to stand on the lake. I was able to get down to a nice viewpoint and took a load of pics. While we where there we saw a couple of racing teams practicing out on the ice, they looked like lines of very fast moving ants.
Apart from the difficultly in getting in and out of the sledge, which the drivers were a great help with, it was a brilliant couple of hours and something I would love to try again.
The weather was superb for sightseeing. The temperature at about 5 degrees and it was sunny, with crystal clear skies. Great weather for taking picture.
However the weather wasn't so great for the dogs. they are most happy running at around the minus 15 mark and so get quite warm in this sort of weather. They eat and rolled in the snow each time we stopped, but were so happy just to be out running they didn't seem too affected.
The dogs were not like I pictured them, they were lot more like greyhounds and alot more friendly than I thought they would be. They were very well trained and disciplined, with most of them being ex racing team dogs.
I had five dogs called Ellipse, Timer, Tron, Ella and Rebel. with Ellipse and Timer being the lead dogs.
Oh and of course the Musher (driver) who was call Chad.
We ran down and back long the shores of a frozen lake for a 10K loop. we stopped about half way and the more mobile of us went down to stand on the lake. I was able to get down to a nice viewpoint and took a load of pics. While we where there we saw a couple of racing teams practicing out on the ice, they looked like lines of very fast moving ants.
Apart from the difficultly in getting in and out of the sledge, which the drivers were a great help with, it was a brilliant couple of hours and something I would love to try again.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Physio
Another new strange experience this morning, getting some Physio. Not a unpleasant experience and as a work place it has one of the most amazing views out of the office window. The window runs the length of the treatment room and looks out above Banff to the huge range of mountains to the north.
First was the assessment which Kevin the Physiotherapist check to see the damaged and confirmed it was to the ACL (Anterior) but also said it was to the PCL which stops the lower bones moving back. Apparently the way my shin slightly drops when the muscles relax tells him that the is damage to the PCL (Posterior)
Then he used ultrasound to help with the bruising and swelling. It helps move the blood around the knee.
Next some exercises to help keep the muscle tone in the leg. one was to push the knee down and straighten the leg for the muscle on the thigh and the other, with the leg bent push the heal into the mat to work on the hamstring.
Finally he iced the knee to let it recover after the workout.
The whole thing cost me 110 dollars and lasted about an hour.
Next time it should only be 80 dollars as he doesn't have to do the assessment again.
First was the assessment which Kevin the Physiotherapist check to see the damaged and confirmed it was to the ACL (Anterior) but also said it was to the PCL which stops the lower bones moving back. Apparently the way my shin slightly drops when the muscles relax tells him that the is damage to the PCL (Posterior)
Then he used ultrasound to help with the bruising and swelling. It helps move the blood around the knee.
Next some exercises to help keep the muscle tone in the leg. one was to push the knee down and straighten the leg for the muscle on the thigh and the other, with the leg bent push the heal into the mat to work on the hamstring.
Finally he iced the knee to let it recover after the workout.
The whole thing cost me 110 dollars and lasted about an hour.
Next time it should only be 80 dollars as he doesn't have to do the assessment again.
Week Three
Not quite the week three that I had originally planned. For me it has been mostly sitting on my bed watching the Sci-Fi and Discovery channels on TV.
The plan for the week is/was
Monday was a trip back to the hospital again this time to see a Physio and then the Knee surgeon. They concluded they couldn't really tell until the swelling has gone down. The verdict was 'Acute ACL Tear' and instructions were definitely no skiing for 6 week and get the injury re-assessed after 5 weeks. Also I was given the contact details for the main physiotherapist in Banff.
Tuesday nothing much apart from getting in contact with the insurance company, the travel company and anyone else that might help.
Wednesday has been a trip Physio to get a better assessment to my condition
Thursday will a trip out in the morning dog sledging, something I've always wanted to do and a little knee problem shouldn't get in the way of.
Friday will be more Physio in the room with a view.
Next week will be a couple of bus sightseeing tours of the wildlife and the scenery. Also I guess it will also include my farewell meal and my flight home.
BTW the knee doens't really hurt just aches a bit. It hurts lot if I go over on it when I'm not being carefully. Apparently this probally means I've done alot of damage and riped out all the nerve cells. Eek!
The plan for the week is/was
Monday was a trip back to the hospital again this time to see a Physio and then the Knee surgeon. They concluded they couldn't really tell until the swelling has gone down. The verdict was 'Acute ACL Tear' and instructions were definitely no skiing for 6 week and get the injury re-assessed after 5 weeks. Also I was given the contact details for the main physiotherapist in Banff.
Tuesday nothing much apart from getting in contact with the insurance company, the travel company and anyone else that might help.
Wednesday has been a trip Physio to get a better assessment to my condition
Thursday will a trip out in the morning dog sledging, something I've always wanted to do and a little knee problem shouldn't get in the way of.
Friday will be more Physio in the room with a view.
Next week will be a couple of bus sightseeing tours of the wildlife and the scenery. Also I guess it will also include my farewell meal and my flight home.
BTW the knee doens't really hurt just aches a bit. It hurts lot if I go over on it when I'm not being carefully. Apparently this probally means I've done alot of damage and riped out all the nerve cells. Eek!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Day time TV
Oh man it's enough to drive you nuts. the Canadains/American have the strangest ideas about some thing the are so many adverts and 35 of the 40 channels are complete (and I really do mean it complete and utter) rubbish.
and I had to visit the hospital again this time to get a set of crunches. they cost 30 dollars and the old style with the support under the arms. I understand you don't get this type in the UK anymore as you can damage the nerves under the arms if you don't use them right. I was abley assisted by Kevin and Craig (an expert at knee injuries) to get me there and then off to where everyone else was having dinner.
and I had to visit the hospital again this time to get a set of crunches. they cost 30 dollars and the old style with the support under the arms. I understand you don't get this type in the UK anymore as you can damage the nerves under the arms if you don't use them right. I was abley assisted by Kevin and Craig (an expert at knee injuries) to get me there and then off to where everyone else was having dinner.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Hospital
Tango, Bryn and Jess also helped me in the next stage of my (mis)adventures and went with me by taxi to the hospital. I had a bit of fun with the wheelchairs and basically handed over my credit card. It's not at all like the NHS with me being taken in to the exam room quite quickly. This was either because I'm paying for all this or maybe because it was quite quiet. Most of the other people from the first aid post were already here.
Like most hospitals it was a lot of waiting with no trousers on for people got come and twist my knee around to work out what it going on.
They bent the knee this way and that to work out which ligaments were still working and which bits are hurting. then they send me for a load of x-rays to make sure that the bones are OK.
After all that they weren't certain what the total picture was.
Basically they said I've got a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). They said use RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and made me an appointment to come back in and see a knee surgeon on Monday.
They sent me off with a knee brace and the guys helped me get up to the Elk and Oarsman for a late evening meal.
So its a quiet rest of the week and weekend watching TV for me.
Like most hospitals it was a lot of waiting with no trousers on for people got come and twist my knee around to work out what it going on.
They bent the knee this way and that to work out which ligaments were still working and which bits are hurting. then they send me for a load of x-rays to make sure that the bones are OK.
After all that they weren't certain what the total picture was.
Basically they said I've got a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). They said use RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and made me an appointment to come back in and see a knee surgeon on Monday.
They sent me off with a knee brace and the guys helped me get up to the Elk and Oarsman for a late evening meal.
So its a quiet rest of the week and weekend watching TV for me.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Rescue
So I'm lying on a steep slope a bit dazed and trying to get into a less painful spot. First to my aid was Bryn, one of other skiers in my group who acted very professionally and took control straight away.
Next along was one of the ski patrol who checked out the situation and called for a rescue sledge in order to get me off the slope. By this time I'm sitting up with Bryn supporting my weight to let me take pressure of my foot. The other members of the group are trying to find another way down, as I'm blocking the route down.
Because we where following the tracks of the instructor, Willie, he had to walk back up from where he stopped. It was a while before Willie got back up to us and then didn't really do much apart from asking me how I felt.
Fortunately the rescue sledge turned up fairly shortly after, being pulled by a paramedic called Matt. He had difficult time getting right to us due to the weight of the sledge and the steepness of the slope. Matt, Bryn and Willie loaded me into the sledge, strapped my leg to a board and covered me in blankets.
Then it was time for my ride down the mountain. Although I had to be injured to take this ride is was quite a bizarre and fun experience. travelling backward at speed approx 30cm off the ground. We whistled down the greenest runs to get back down to the first aid post at the bottom of the slopes. We past one of our groups on the way back and I smiled and waved to them. They all looked a bit confused.
By the time we got to the bottom I was really cold. The problem was travelling at speed you get really chilled if you are just sitting in a sledge rather than using energy and generating heat like while skiing. The rest of group managed to beat us down so I guess we weren't travelling that fast, and waiting for us by the first aid post.
Matt took me inside with Willie to check me over and give us loads of forms to fill in. Inside were a couple of other casualties for the day, including a girl with her arm strapped up and a lady in bed who had done something to her hip. Matt gave me a bag of snow to put on my knee and loosened my boot. By now its getting quite late and the last bus back to Banff would soon be due, so I said I would try to get the bus otherwise it would have cost me at least 700 dollars to get an ambulance back.
I couldn't really walk so I had to be helped to the bus with help from Tango, Bryn and Jess. it took us quite a while but fortunately they waited for us. The guys from my class also sorted out my stuff and put my skis into one of their lockers.
So I travelled back to Banff with a bag of snow on my knee in the front row of the bus wondering how bad it is and was my skiing trip now over.
Next along was one of the ski patrol who checked out the situation and called for a rescue sledge in order to get me off the slope. By this time I'm sitting up with Bryn supporting my weight to let me take pressure of my foot. The other members of the group are trying to find another way down, as I'm blocking the route down.
Because we where following the tracks of the instructor, Willie, he had to walk back up from where he stopped. It was a while before Willie got back up to us and then didn't really do much apart from asking me how I felt.
Fortunately the rescue sledge turned up fairly shortly after, being pulled by a paramedic called Matt. He had difficult time getting right to us due to the weight of the sledge and the steepness of the slope. Matt, Bryn and Willie loaded me into the sledge, strapped my leg to a board and covered me in blankets.
Then it was time for my ride down the mountain. Although I had to be injured to take this ride is was quite a bizarre and fun experience. travelling backward at speed approx 30cm off the ground. We whistled down the greenest runs to get back down to the first aid post at the bottom of the slopes. We past one of our groups on the way back and I smiled and waved to them. They all looked a bit confused.
By the time we got to the bottom I was really cold. The problem was travelling at speed you get really chilled if you are just sitting in a sledge rather than using energy and generating heat like while skiing. The rest of group managed to beat us down so I guess we weren't travelling that fast, and waiting for us by the first aid post.
Matt took me inside with Willie to check me over and give us loads of forms to fill in. Inside were a couple of other casualties for the day, including a girl with her arm strapped up and a lady in bed who had done something to her hip. Matt gave me a bag of snow to put on my knee and loosened my boot. By now its getting quite late and the last bus back to Banff would soon be due, so I said I would try to get the bus otherwise it would have cost me at least 700 dollars to get an ambulance back.
I couldn't really walk so I had to be helped to the bus with help from Tango, Bryn and Jess. it took us quite a while but fortunately they waited for us. The guys from my class also sorted out my stuff and put my skis into one of their lockers.
So I travelled back to Banff with a bag of snow on my knee in the front row of the bus wondering how bad it is and was my skiing trip now over.
Disaster
Its one of those pieces of advice that you hear all the time but some times does actually ring true. Be careful of the last run of the day.
Wednesday had been a full days skiing with us covering alot of ground around Lake Louise from the front face of the resort to some of the back runs up at the Larch chair.
We decided to up to top of the world chair one more time and ski back for the end of the day. We had been practicing applying pressure, edge and pivoting in the turn and was following the instructors tracks like we had been doing most of the day.
While doing this I landed badly in a rough steep section and felt a pop in the back of my left knee. I collasped to the ground and stuck my arms out to bring myself to a stop and tried to get into a less painful position.
Wednesday had been a full days skiing with us covering alot of ground around Lake Louise from the front face of the resort to some of the back runs up at the Larch chair.
We decided to up to top of the world chair one more time and ski back for the end of the day. We had been practicing applying pressure, edge and pivoting in the turn and was following the instructors tracks like we had been doing most of the day.
While doing this I landed badly in a rough steep section and felt a pop in the back of my left knee. I collasped to the ground and stuck my arms out to bring myself to a stop and tried to get into a less painful position.
Week Two
This week instructor is Willie who's French/Canadian. The week is more about getting us to think how we would explain the aspects of skiing to a class. Also the lessons have concentrated on keeping the center of mass low and how this helps improving balance.
We are starting to get some very smooth rhythmic ski out of the group and you can tell we are improving as our skiing is all starting to look similar to one another.
Also the lessons have been about managing the pressure that a skiing applies to a slope during the turn. As the pressure increases near the end of the turn the idea is to lift the skis up so that they take the pressure off and let the turn finish.
The Weather has been clear and mostly sunny so not much more snow but the runs have been well groomed so the skiing is fast.
We are starting to get some very smooth rhythmic ski out of the group and you can tell we are improving as our skiing is all starting to look similar to one another.
Also the lessons have been about managing the pressure that a skiing applies to a slope during the turn. As the pressure increases near the end of the turn the idea is to lift the skis up so that they take the pressure off and let the turn finish.
The Weather has been clear and mostly sunny so not much more snow but the runs have been well groomed so the skiing is fast.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Bumpers - As recomended by my Parents
We had a big outing to Bumpers resturant on sunday night. Its a steak house at the end of town and they do some very nice steaks. half of the group (we booked for 15 people) had the man mountain cut which is basically a whole roast beef sunday roast joint with chips. I went for a slightly more sensible spencer steak. It was very good and tasty.
Generally speaking the food here in Banff is good with large portions. During the week we get meal tickets which can be used in a number of resturants in town, so we will be experts in eating out in Banff by the time we finish.
D
Generally speaking the food here in Banff is good with large portions. During the week we get meal tickets which can be used in a number of resturants in town, so we will be experts in eating out in Banff by the time we finish.
D
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Baby its cold outside
MINUS 27 DEGREES
out on the slopes on Thursday.
It wasn't as bad as it sounds the sun was out so it felt warmer. The skiing was good groom runs but because it was so cold the nature of the snow changed and it was actual a lot slower because the grip increased.
It made me think of the polar explorers saying when it got really cold, the problems they had getting the sledges moving and the feeling that they where moving over sandpaper.
As for the cold as long as you keep covered up and not have any exposed skin its fine. We checked for frost nipped noses on regularly and took a couple of hot chocolate (not coffee as caffeine is bad at low temperatures as it makes the blood go from the extremities) breaks so we could warm up.
I actually felt warmer on Thursday at minus 27 than Wednesday at minus 7 because Wednesday was cloudy and snowing rather than clean and sunny Thursday.
D
out on the slopes on Thursday.
It wasn't as bad as it sounds the sun was out so it felt warmer. The skiing was good groom runs but because it was so cold the nature of the snow changed and it was actual a lot slower because the grip increased.
It made me think of the polar explorers saying when it got really cold, the problems they had getting the sledges moving and the feeling that they where moving over sandpaper.
As for the cold as long as you keep covered up and not have any exposed skin its fine. We checked for frost nipped noses on regularly and took a couple of hot chocolate (not coffee as caffeine is bad at low temperatures as it makes the blood go from the extremities) breaks so we could warm up.
I actually felt warmer on Thursday at minus 27 than Wednesday at minus 7 because Wednesday was cloudy and snowing rather than clean and sunny Thursday.
D
The Flat
Got the first offer on the flat on Thursday. A couple want to offer 180pw and start on the 20th Jan.
It is advertised at 205pw by the agent which might have been a bit optomistic. I mail them back saying I won't go below 190pw which is what I orginally budgeted for and is about right for the area.
It is advertised at 205pw by the agent which might have been a bit optomistic. I mail them back saying I won't go below 190pw which is what I orginally budgeted for and is about right for the area.
One Week
The first week is over
The week was made up of four days of lessons covering the basics of correct balance in skiing. Balance is made up of four components; laterial, vertical, fore-aft and rotational. move too far out of balance in one of the directions and you can't easily move in one of the others. So we did a series of execises to try and feel the limits of these movements and feel how different movements affect the ability to ski.
Injury list so far is one badly twisted knee and a dislocated shoulder(not as bad as it sounds).
We were split into three groups of skiers (8,8 and 7 people) and two groups of five boarders (5 and 5 people). One boarder, Laurie, because of her shoulder had some private lessons in order to build up her confidence again.
Each week we will get a different instructor and this week he was Jeff (nicknamed Skippy apparently) and he took us for the four days.
for Friday and the rest of the weekend we are expected to revise what we have done in the week and take a rest so as not to get too worn out.
We got a DVD and a text book so lots of useful info
The week was made up of four days of lessons covering the basics of correct balance in skiing. Balance is made up of four components; laterial, vertical, fore-aft and rotational. move too far out of balance in one of the directions and you can't easily move in one of the others. So we did a series of execises to try and feel the limits of these movements and feel how different movements affect the ability to ski.
Injury list so far is one badly twisted knee and a dislocated shoulder(not as bad as it sounds).
We were split into three groups of skiers (8,8 and 7 people) and two groups of five boarders (5 and 5 people). One boarder, Laurie, because of her shoulder had some private lessons in order to build up her confidence again.
Each week we will get a different instructor and this week he was Jeff (nicknamed Skippy apparently) and he took us for the four days.
for Friday and the rest of the weekend we are expected to revise what we have done in the week and take a rest so as not to get too worn out.
We got a DVD and a text book so lots of useful info
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Arrived
Well I'm in Canada. It's Sunday morning and I'm killing a bit of time before we all get on the 10:20 bus up to the slopes. The trip, apart from taking a long time, was fine with us getting into the resort about 5ish.
The group is a fairly mixed bunch, with a full age range from 17 to 50ish. They all seem nice and we've been out for a couple of meals and drinks and everyone is quite chatty and sociable. I'm sharing my room with a snowboarder called Richard. I don't know too much about him yet as he was on a later flight and so actually turned up about midnight, after I had gone to bed. I was so knackered from being up for 24 hours and having had a couple of beers at dinner, that all I could manage to was say hello and fall straight back to sleep again.
One thing that is exactly the same as living in London is the number of Australian and New Zealand accents I've heard since I've got here. Our Rep, Monique (No idea if that's how she spells it) is an Aussie and gave us a huge amount of good info about the place and the things going on.
The guys at work managed a little revenge on Friday, by making me the victim of the weekly caption competition, using a picture from one of our nights out last year. The aim is for people to add their own captions and maybe change the picture a bit using Photoshop. Matt Black sent me a email with the finished pictures. Some of them are quite funny. I'm not yet sure who won yet but I will find out.
So far I'm taking it fairly easy and yesterday was just a bit of shopping and wandering around trying to get the layout of the place sorted. We've been out to a few of the different night spots and places to drink, but as there is such a large selection I don't think will run out any time soon. I spent 900 odd dollars and got myself a pair of B2 Bandit skis. So fully kitted out I had a huge grin on my face walking back from the shops. I'll be trying them for the first time in about two hours. I can't wait.
The conditions are good if a little cold so I'm pack a rucksack full of extra clothes to take out with me today.
The group is a fairly mixed bunch, with a full age range from 17 to 50ish. They all seem nice and we've been out for a couple of meals and drinks and everyone is quite chatty and sociable. I'm sharing my room with a snowboarder called Richard. I don't know too much about him yet as he was on a later flight and so actually turned up about midnight, after I had gone to bed. I was so knackered from being up for 24 hours and having had a couple of beers at dinner, that all I could manage to was say hello and fall straight back to sleep again.
One thing that is exactly the same as living in London is the number of Australian and New Zealand accents I've heard since I've got here. Our Rep, Monique (No idea if that's how she spells it) is an Aussie and gave us a huge amount of good info about the place and the things going on.
The guys at work managed a little revenge on Friday, by making me the victim of the weekly caption competition, using a picture from one of our nights out last year. The aim is for people to add their own captions and maybe change the picture a bit using Photoshop. Matt Black sent me a email with the finished pictures. Some of them are quite funny. I'm not yet sure who won yet but I will find out.
So far I'm taking it fairly easy and yesterday was just a bit of shopping and wandering around trying to get the layout of the place sorted. We've been out to a few of the different night spots and places to drink, but as there is such a large selection I don't think will run out any time soon. I spent 900 odd dollars and got myself a pair of B2 Bandit skis. So fully kitted out I had a huge grin on my face walking back from the shops. I'll be trying them for the first time in about two hours. I can't wait.
The conditions are good if a little cold so I'm pack a rucksack full of extra clothes to take out with me today.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Last Day
Well final day here at the Company I'm at someone elses desk with a spare PC as all my stuff has been give to other people. still the new, if temporary desk has got a wicked view of big ben from between two buildings and I'm back in a nice quietish spot. things of note this week included chairing my last senior developers meeting which I've been doing for the last 8 months, despite not been a senior dev and finally getting around to giving out the last of the lego keyrings to simon in IT support cos he took most of Xmas off (and still has a mountain of holiday to use) and hasn't been here.
I've just send out my goodbye email...
From: David Dunhill
Sent: 04 January 2007 14:13
To: Social
Subject: The more it snows...
Well
Its my last day here at jolly old uS****h, in accordance with tradition and because I believe the best way to get through tomorrows nine hour flight to Canada is by being hung over, I'll be heading down to Bar HA HA for a few drinks and to carrying on at some length about how I'm off skiing for months.
I want to wish you all the best of luck and hope to see you all well in a
couple of months.
I'll be contactable on XXX if there's any interesting gossip or you need ask
a question about Customisation (for a very reasonable call out rate).
I've just send out my goodbye email...
From: David Dunhill
Sent: 04 January 2007 14:13
To: Social
Subject: The more it snows...
Well
Its my last day here at jolly old uS****h, in accordance with tradition and because I believe the best way to get through tomorrows nine hour flight to Canada is by being hung over, I'll be heading down to Bar HA HA for a few drinks and to carrying on at some length about how I'm off skiing for months.
I want to wish you all the best of luck and hope to see you all well in a
couple of months.
I'll be contactable on XXX if there's any interesting gossip or you need ask
a question about Customisation (for a very reasonable call out rate).
And just in case I didn't mention it before...
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
I'm going skiing !
D
...and now I'm just checking I haven't missed anything I need to sort out and waiting for 5:30 and the pub.
Christmas - Exciting, Exciting, Exciting.
Exciting is my neice Ivy's new word and as it was Christmas, with lots of
new toys, it was definately exciting.
It was a good, if slightly crazy Christmas at my Parents which also included
Rosa my sisters the dog running around and my poor nephew Freddie, feeling
poorly.
new toys, it was definately exciting.
It was a good, if slightly crazy Christmas at my Parents which also included
Rosa my sisters the dog running around and my poor nephew Freddie, feeling
poorly.
I stayed from the Sunday to the Saturday. Getting there a little later than
I planned because I need to get on with packing up my flat.
My Parents brought me back and helped with more packing and stayed the
Saturday night.
We sorted out the storage with Vanguard as soon as i got back 300 pound for
6 months in a huge warehouse which is only a couple of doors up from the
flat.
So it was a case of boxing stuff up, carrying it down to the car and then
driving 50 metres up the road. Russ and Vicky were down to celebrate the new
year and got roped into helping me move the stuff into storage. They were
staying at a Hotel up by Canary Wharf and it was there were we started our
new year celebrations.
Also 8000 pound loan cheque was in the post when I got back to the flat on
the 30Jan. Too late now to order much Canadian Dollars or at least much of a
good deal. I should be alright because I can get money out using my
Nationwide Debt Card without it costing me the extra admin charge for
foreign money.
The only other thing I really had to sort out was to cash in my Oyster
travel card and I did that last night.
So the flat is now empty (with only a couple of bags of stuff to take to
storage tomorrow morning), my accounts are about sorted, my bags are pack
and I've nearly finished my last day at work.
So its time to go and Ivy is right, it is very exciting.
D
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