Aching muscles in Fairyland

Well, well, well...now we really do have something to write home about! Deep snow drifts, whizzing skis, chocolat chaux and the chalet to end all chalets with a view into Fairyland (see pic). The funny thing about all this storybook fantasy is the accompanying harsh reality of the bite in our thighs and shoulders. Man, skiing is a seriously tough sport! Robyn has taken three days of skiing lessons so far, and while being disappointed that her ski instructor was not named Jean-Pierre, but the rather less romantic, Frederik, she is enjoying them immensely. The foray onto the slopes with Mark in the afternoons have been slightly more of a challenge as Mark's motto is "if you're not scared out of your ski boots, you're not learning enough". Up, up we go onto ever icier blue slopes.

It is a holiday that is hard to describe if you haven't done it before. Sometimes you can get lost in all the excitement of skiing and forget to admire the fantabulous view of the Alps. While we gulp everytime we open our wallets to pay to everything, this is an experience not to be missed. What a pity we have to head back to the UK to work. Mark is going to be working in Northern Ireland for the first two weeks of Feb and Robyn will shack up with Tannie and Oom in Bristol and hopefully do a leetle bit of work.

Hope everyone is well. Loving the fact that we have 4 followers - nice one guys - and comments that are flowing. Keep 'em coming. Big love to you all.

Sunshine in London!

Yep, you read that correctly. We landed over a Thames river sparkling in the sunlight. It was an amazing view that I'm sure few have the pleasure of seeing.

Robyn survived the flights (3!!) with the help of Tranquilite (highly recommended) and an excellent movie selection, and has decided that she has let go of her fear of flying. Mark is relieved that he will not longer have nail marks gouged into his palms during every take off and landing.

We're very happy to be with Nicci and Lyons in their flat in Putney. It is so homely with the newly-weds. We've had a day of interviews and phone calls about work. Mark has secured a 2-week consultant job in Jersey. So after the ski slopes, we'll be hitting the islands. Not bad, hey? So now we're looking for work for the first 2 weeks of February. There is lots on offer for both of us; we just need to keep our wits about us to avoid the dodgy stuff.

Just got back from a run on Wimbledon Common. We left at 5pm - in the dark.

Sorry for lack of photo. See next post.

It all began in Africa

We're 3 days away from lift off - leaving Cape Town on Tuesday 20 January for London via Joburg and Doha. So this is why the picture of the idyllic South African bush made you look. We started our travels with a trip around South Africa to see friends and Mark's parents in Ladysmith. It was an epic trip, 4500kms in 10 days. These are pics from the travels.

We'll know more about where we'll be based in the UK by next week Friday and will give details as soon as we can.

Not to shock our systems into work too quickly, we are going skiing for a week from Saturday. Mark being a seasoned skier is excited; Robyn being a novice is poop-scared, but also excited. Besides, if she survives the flight to London without a nervous break-down, all other challenges will be putty in her hands. Let's hope all the geese have flown far South of Cape Town International already...