We made our way outside.
“Wow!” Mand allowed.
Tal let out a low whistle, “What she said.”

Down on the nursery slopes you really don't see the bigger picture; the mountains tops aren't even in sight and anyway you're concentrating on not falling over. But up here it’s a different story, the air is crisper, the view more expansive and what a view, snow covering pretty much everything under a clear blue sky and what look like tiny ants dotted all over the slopes. It’s no wonder people come skiing, it’s not the plank riding it’s the views and just being in these surroundings.

My reverie was broken by Mand, “Picture!”
“I haven't got my camera,” I mentioned.
“Dur, Handy.”

Why didn't I think of that? So okay, the pictures aren't brilliant but they aren't bad considering, certainly good enough for a few fun snaps, we even got another skier to take a pic of the three of us together. Have to send that to the guys back home.

“We eating then?” Tal queried.
“It is what we came up for,” I opined.
“Well come on then,” Mand chivvied.
 
“There you are,” Mum called out when we found our way into the restaurant.

Team Apollinaris were sat around a couple of window tables, the remains of plates of food and cups of coffee filling the table tops.

“You could've waited for us,” I suggested.
“We weren't sure you'd get here,” George noted.
“What time is your afternoon?” Mum enquired.
“Er two,” Manda supplied.
“Come on, let’s get you fed then, you don't want to be late,” Mater instructed, “Anyone want more coffee?”
 
Any ideas of a rustic restaurant with staff in Kostum and a raging fire were dispelled when we walked in, the reality of course is that they need to feed a lot of people as quickly as possible. As a result, the décor is more akin to a Dinea without the frills and the food distributed via an area that wouldn't look out of place in a school canteen. The menu was heavy with burgers, pasta and Würst, Tal lumped for Spag Bol, Mand a cheeseburger, I went for the Gülaschsüppe.

We returned to the tables and found seats amongst the chattering hordes.

“So how are the lessons?” Katy asked.
“Gab fell over about six times,” Tal grinned.
“You fell over too,” I riposted.
“Only once.”
“Everyone one falls over at first,” Roni mentioned from down the table.
“We were doing ploughs before we stopped,” Mand replied to Katy's query.
“You'll soon be terrorising the proper slopes,” Tina suggested.
“So, what about you guys?” I asked between a sip of my hot chocolate and the next spoon of soup. I had been tempted by the Glühwein on offer but they wanted five euro for a small paper cup.
“Just a couple of runs,” Anita told us.
“To the bottom?” Tal queried.
“No, from the top,” Erika advised, “There's a big car goes up.”
“Valluga,” Tina put in.
“Gesundheit!” I offered.
“That’s the name of the Bahn dopey,” Mum chuckled.
“So what're you guys doing this afternoon?” Mand asked.
“A couple more runs, I think Boss man has ideas of a race,” Erika advised.
“It was only a suggestion,” George chuckled, “Just a bit of fun.”
“If you say so,” Mum noted.
 
“So we'll find you at the Krazy Kangaruh,“ George told us.
“'Kay,” I replied, “We'll see you there.”
“Enjoy your race,” Mand added as we headed into the Galzig Bergbahn for the return to the town below.
“Tschuss!”
 
It’s about a fifteen-minute journey down to St Anton in the cable car, I was, if I'm honest, a bit jealous of the skiers below us on the slopes. Well okay, they've probably been skiing for years, I’ve only been doing it a couple of hours but I guess I’ve caught the bug.

“That looks like the Kangaruh place,” Tal suggested pointing down at a group of buildings nestling into the lower slopes. It might have a weird name but it looked like there was a more traditional bar cum restaurant place with loads of ski racks outside, although it looked like there were few customers at the moment.
“How do we get there, its miles from the town,” Manda pointed out.
“Well hardly miles, guess we have to walk up, there must be a path or road,” not that I could see anything other than white below.
 
We got back to the ski school with a couple of minutes to spare after a fast shuffle from the Bahn – well you can't exactly run in ski boots, can you? Matheus soon had us doing basic plough turns then moved us onto the more technical parallel turns which of course had everyone falling over multiple times. It’s not rocket science of course and by the end of the lesson at four o'clock we could all get from the top of the slope to the bottom in one piece.

“Well done girls, you've enjoyed yourselves?” our instructor queried as we retrieved our bags from the lock bin.
“Don't think we'll be winning any prizes any time soon,” Tal replied.
He shrugged, “Maybe not, the racers, they start at two, three years. I think with practice you all will be quite competent.”
“We can go on the proper slopes now?” Mand enquired.
“Of course, keep to the green runs to start, you'll know when you are ready to move up, you can take extra schools maybe but mostly its practice.”
“Cool!” Mand enthused.
“Er Matti,” I started, “Do you know the Krazy Kangaruh?”
“Of course, the bar on the west slope.”
“We're meeting our friends there; do you know how we get there?”
“Hmm, I think to walk today might be difficult.”
“Bum,” Tal sighed, “Guess we have to miss then, it’s not like we can ski uphill is it?”
“I'll ring Mum.”
“Hmm, I'm finished for today,” Matheus mused, “Tell you what, I just need to drop this stuff off at the shop and I'll take you up, there's a drag lift up to fifty-two then we can go down the run to Kangaruh.”
“That'd be ace!” Mand almost fell over her own feet in her rush to hug him.
“Gret'll be green,” Tal suggested.
“She won't be the only one,” well he might be as old as my parents but he's quite a dish.
 
“So,” Matti addressed us, “Grab hold of the bar, keep your skis straight, when you get to the top let go and go to the left ja?”
“Got it,” I confirmed.
“What if it goes wrong?” Mand asked.
“Just let go and roll to the side, I'll be behind you don't worry.”
“Let’s do it then,” Tal suggested, pushing herself towards the lift.

It was a bit weird at first, bit like being on the back of a tandem, you're hanging on for grim death without any control whatsoever. On the other hand, apart from balancing your poles there's no real effort needed, other skiers have made grooves that your skis follow and you're not going particularly fast, maybe a little over walking pace. At the top I let go and let momentum carry me clear to where Tal was already adjusting her goggles ready to start our descent.
 
“Ready?” Matti queried.

Well to be honest, I know I was looking enviously at the free-range skiers on the slopes but now I'm here, well I’ve got the willies. From here it looks like a vertical white precipice, I know it’s not but my stomach was doing somersaults.

“You alright Gab?” Tal asked.
“Er yeah, after you.”
“So, remember what we did earlier, keep the skis straight, bend the knees to turn, we'll stop by that Schneefan where it drops away?”
“Okay,” Mand enthusiastically replied before pushing away.

Clearly Matti had picked up on my nervousness and descended next to me offering words of encouragement. Of course, we were passed by other skiers who made it look so easy.

“So, you race the Fahrrad yes?” Matti mentioned.
“Uh huh,” I agreed not taking my eyes off the front of my skis.
“I think skiing is similar, it is more difficult the more you think about it, how do you go on a big downhill on your bicycle?”
“Well I guess I look for the line and relax, brake into the corners and let it flow out.”
“So, we do the same with skis.”

Well, with Matheus offering guidance and a steadying hand once or twice I got down to where the others waited.

“This is brill,” de Vreen enthused.
“Er yeah,” I sort of agreed a bit less enthusiastically.
“The next bit starts steeper but it flattens out, keep to the left side when we get to the other run, there will be faster experienced skiers coming down.”
“Like our lot,” Tal suggested.
“Are you okay Gaby?”

I nodded.

“In your own time then,” Matti encouraged.

 
Our arrival at Krazy Kangaruh was hardly what you see on James Bond, certainly not the snow spraying turn and stop, think more of slowing to an ungainly plough halt. Only just in time too, we'd barely racked our skis before the first of the team arrived with somewhat more panache.

“Yes!” Katy stated, thrusting her poles skywards.
“Remind me not to race you on snow again,” Mum breathlessly stated.
“Competition for you then Bond,” George added as he released his own planks.

The back markers arrived, clearly Ron, Gret and Tina had been talking rather than racing on their way down the mountain.

“You girls got here okay then,” Mum mentioned.
“Thanks to Matti,” Tal told her.
“Who's Matti?” Erika enquired.
“Our instructor,” Mand filled in.
“So where is he then?” Gret pursued, “I bet he's a right hunk.”
“They usually are,” Anja opined.
“Think he's gone inside,” I suggested, “Like we should.”
Mand continued undeterred, “We used some cable thing then came down the run.”
“You will soon be racing me,” Katy grinned.
“Er maybe,” I managed.

 
I think our version of après ski was somewhat muted compared to the tales you hear, it was certainly not the drunken party often shown in the media. Well I guess, we do have to get back to the bus down in the town and drive back to Feldkirch for dinner – oh and the boss is here. We did have Glühwein and snacks, I avoided the impromptu karaoke session somehow, well a trip to the facilities in ski gear is a bit more involved than just knickers down.

“Urgh,” Gret allowed with a shiver, “It’s pretty cold.”
“And dark,” Ron observed.
“We are like halfway up a mountain,” Mand pointed out.

Our visit to Krazy Kangaruh wasn't actually that long, maybe an hour, but if I'm anything to go by, I think everyone was feeling the efforts of the day. Luckily for us, the run back into St Anton was lit, not well but enough for us to ski down with some local knowledge from Matti getting us almost directly to the ski shop. We quickly returned the borrowed gear then made our way to where the Saab and minibus awaited us, already covered in frost.

We returned the way we'd come, through the Arlberg motorway tunnel and then down past Bludenz back to our base. One good thing is that our new wheels have a really good heater, we were pretty snug by the time we got back to the Weisses Kreuz where it was thankfully frost free.

 
“Good day?” Dad enquired as we trooped in, he'd clearly been sat waiting for us armed with a cup of coffee and a newspaper.
“Not bad,” Mum allowed, “We got time to shower before dinner? I think there're a few stiff bodies.”
“I'll talk to the kitchen.”
“Come on girls, chop, chop.”
“And don't forget, dresses,” Dad added.
“Do we have to?” I groaned.
“Yes you do kiddo,” Mum told me.
“We look like airline staff,” I mumbled.
“Your point being?”
“Oooo!”
 
“That’s better,” I stated, squeezing the wet from my locks into a towel.
“Took your time,” my roomie complained.
“Had to do my legs.”
“Thought you waxed?”
“I er sort of forgot.”
“How could you forget?”
“I've been busy, thought you wanted to shower?”

Oh the joys of womanhood, whilst I quite like being hairless getting denuded is always a chore whether you shave, depilate, wax or whatever. Sometimes a quick touch up with a razor is the easiest thing for the odd errant hair, I guess I'll have to book in to be thoroughly plucked before Weihnachts. I finished drying myself and with a sigh got myself into my Apollinaris frock, all it needs is one of those silly hats and I could work for Lufthansa.

By the time we got to the dining room most of the other patrons were about finished with their meals which made me feel even more of a plonk dressed up in a dress and heels. Of course the support staff can wear what they want, I caught Kat smirking at me, I'm sure because my hair and dress clash.

Dinner was a bit better than last night, Fleischsuppe followed by Schweinkotlets with Semmelknödel and green beans. Dessert was three tiny scoops of sorbet, there again, what can you expect, oh what I wouldn't give for some Spotted Dick and custard!
 

“Your attention please ladies,” George requested.

It took a moment for conversations to subside, well a dozen women, what do you expect?

“Well I hope you all enjoyed yourselves today, I certainly did. So tomorrow, I think we will tackle the Arlberg in the morning then the afternoon is yours. Nine o'clock depart please, the junge plus I think Roni will set off first, the seniors will give ten minutes, Dave will follow his people with Petra, myself and Kat will use my car, Mike will meet us at the top. Questions?”
“How far is this summit?” Erika asked.
“About fifty kilometres, the Pass proper starts after Bludenz until there its almost flat up the valley.”
“Up the valley,” Gret grumbled.
“I'm sure no one here will be interested,” Dad offered, “But we may have time to stop at the Milka factory shop on the way back. Not that I'm encouraging chocolate eating by such elite sportswomen.”
“Milka? As in purple cows? There's a shop?”
“Thought Bond would be interested,” Kat chuckled.
“Just curious.”
“Like when we go through Bad Segeberg,” Mand suggested.
“What's at Bat Zegborg,” Katy enquired.
“Haribo,” Tina supplied.
“And you don't go in?” I pointed out to Manda.
“Well someone has to keep an eye on what you buy, I swear you'd fill a van if you could.”
George cleared his throat to interrupt, “If there is nothing more about tomorrow, I'm done.”
 
“Fifty kilometres climbing,” Gret moaned again.

Of course, where she lives out in Brandenburg its almost pancake flat, you could go that far and not climb that many metres. Tomorrow it’s something like a thousand metres of up, not super huge but still a lot of up. On the plus side, what goes up...

“The first bit's not really climbing, we went up it today,” I pointed out.
“There's that up word again,” she complained.

We've gathered in the room she's sharing with Tali, no trips to the Weihnachtsmarkt or Maccy D's tonight, just coffee courtesy of Roni.

“Mum was telling Katy that it’s not as bad as the Silverberg earlier.”
“And that's supposed to help?”
“Oh give over Gret,” Tal complained, “You think Niedersachsen has mountains either?”
“Not bad coffee Ron,” I put in to change the subject.
“It’s only Tchibo.”
“At least you can get it easily,” Tal observed.
“Yeah,” Roni agreed.
“Isn't it a lot of hassle, carting the machine around I mean,” Mand suggested.
“Not really, it’s not like I’ve got to carry it anywhere, it’s in the bus.”
“Dunno that I could be bothered,” Gret opined.
“Some of the hotels can only manage dishwater,” Ron told us, “A lot of girls on the circuit take their own.”
“Mum takes her English Tea,” I mentioned.
“Wonder what this Milka place is like?” Mand mused.
“I thought you weren't interested.”
“I can be curious, can't I?”
“Oh come on de Vreen,” Tal started, “I've seen you with a bar of chocolate, now you see it, now you don't.”
“Don't know what you mean.”
“So you got any Lotus Ron?”
“Might have,” she delved into the bag her coffee machine travelled in and produced a packet of the caramel biscuits so enjoyed by millions. “Don't eat them all.”
“As if.”
“Hmmph!”
“What're we doing tomorrow afternoon?” de Vreen queried.
I shrugged, “Dunno, go into town?”
“It’s hardly a throbbing metropolis is it?” Gret pointed out.
“You got any ideas then?” Roni asked.
“We could probably go swimming again?”
“That same place?”
“There's a flyer for a waterpark downstairs.”
“Hmm, might be worth a pop,” Roni allowed.
“Sounds good,” Tal agreed.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind going to the pool from time to time but twice in a week? Maybe some of the others are doing something more interesting.
 
© Maddy Bell 14.03.2019