Extreme Kayak World Championship

Congratulations to Joe Morley who beat an Italian and Russian to win the Extreme Kayak World Championship.

Joe worked for Stanford Skiing as driver/handyman at the Sylvana last winter.  We are hoping for great things for Joe at Rio as he just missed selection this last time.  He was first reserve for the kayak team.

Joe is the second member of Stanford's staff to become a world champion after Tom Stallard, who won a gold medal in the World Rowing Championships in a four and silver at the Beijing Olympics in an eight.   Our staff are obviously experts at the wet stuff.  All we need now is a world class skier!

Check Joe out at Extreme Kayak World Championships

Peak Weeks Nearly Full!

According to Where to Ski and Snowboard, snow has already fallen in the Alps this year, so now's the time to start thinking about this seasons holiday! 
We have very limited availability for peak season weeks of Christmas, New Year and Half Term.  At Half Term we have only one room available for the full week in our catered Chalet/hotel Sylvana otherwise short breaks only in that chalet and the Rond Point.  Our superior chalet Les Clochettes is still available for the whole week so get in there quick!  At Christmas we only have two rooms in the Sylvana and a couple for short breaks in the Rond Point.  New Year, is full everywhere with just a few rooms still available in the Sylvana. 
 So, if you think you may want to get away, don't leave it too late as things are booking fast and we'd hate to disappoint!

RSPSoc Student Award MSC

Congratulations to Ricky Martin who has just been awarded the above for his 2012 dissertation.  For those of you who remember Ricky he is that tall, good-looking Australian ( he might be reading this) who played cricket, and Aussie Rules Football at a very high level.  He was always enthusiastic and cheerful and huge fun to ski with.  I took him and Tim (New Zealand Chef at the Rond Point) to Argentiere and we skied all day without stopping, except for queuing for lifts.  I didn't dare  suggest we stop as they were two fit young men and they didn't like to as they thought that the boss's wife wanted to keep going.  So we were all exhausted by the end of the day.

We are thinking of having an honours board for achievements by ex members of staff.  So, that's Ben for his award for best pies in New South Wales, Tom Stallard for a gold medal in the World Championships and silver in Beijing for rowing and an honourable mention to Jo for being first reserve atI the London Olympics for white water kayaking.  We're hoping to hear more of him in Rio.  Who have I forgotten?  Please let me know.

Anyway, good luck and congratulations to Ricky.

That Was The Week That Was

Monday.  John and I leave London in brilliant sunshine, arrive to cold drizzle.  Not good

Tuesday.  Lovely morning. John,Gordon, Phil and Becks and I walk over to the Radaz for lunch.  We have a thunderstorm and Jean-Marc has to pick us up in the minibus.  Gordon and Carol's boys and their friends do a via ferrata at Passy with Johnny (resort manager and climbing instructor).  They come back on a high

Wednesday.  Gordon,  Carol and I go to the lake at Passy for a picnic and swim.  The boys go downhill mountain biking with Johnny and have a competition to see who can go over the handlebars the most times or In the most spectacular fashion.. It is won by Johnny, who chooses his moment with care to perform at the bottom of the Petit Fontaine chair In front of everybody.  There are quite a few cuts, scrapes and bruises.  Lots of people arrive and we are 40 plus for dinner.

Thursday.   John and I go for a  5 hour tramp with 5 others.  We see lots of gentians and some lovely orchids, particularly the lesser butterfly orchid.  The boys had a quieter day but spent part of it at the summer luge.  There was only one who came off it so another scrape.

Friday.  We have a quiet day and meet David and Jane Redwood at the Passy lake.   Elizabeth (our daughter) and husband John and children arrive from Geneva and join us for a quick swim.  The boys split in two groups, one white water rafting and the other downhill biking again.   In the evening the Jazz Competition starts so we go and listen to the bands.   After dinner we go down to the Caleche bar where a lot of the musicians are having a jam session.  They pack up at about 1am

Saturday.  The night of the party.  We have a walk with grandchildren and then listen to more bands.  The boys are exhausted so only a few a manage the rock climbing with Johnny.  There are about 80 for the party.  Becks and Phil produce a fantastic buffet with an amazing birthday cake.  Then there are fireworks.  We go down to town but sadly there is no jam session.

Sunday.   Surprisingly most people manage to stagger down for breakfast.  About half go home, the rest go tomorrow.  Sadly, the band we all liked and which was staying at the Rond Pint did not make the final.

It has been a fantastic week, with glorious weather.   We managed to park 15 cars and a motor home outside the Sylvana.  Those who have not wanted to walk or swim, bike or rock climb, have visited Annecy, or wandered round Megeve.  The ages have ranged from. 5 to   70 plus and everyone has mucked in and enjoyed themselves.  Thanks to Carol for organising such an amazing birthday party for Gordon.  We can't wait for the 70th!

Gordon's 60th

Here we are in Megeve again for a BIG party.  Carol and Gordon have taken over the Sylvana and Clochettes for the best part of a week.  The party is on Saturday and about 90 guests are expected. So watch this post.

porridge and teabags

John and I have just come back from Megeve, having driven the minibus out loaded with (inter alia) porridge, teabags, scaffold tower, paint, carpet, fridge, tools, plants.   It was drizzling when we left London but hit sunshine through  the Jura and then it was beautifully sunny and hot in Megeve.  Tracey and I planted out the planters at the Rond Point and we found lots of pots etc for the Sylvana and Clochettes.  Hopefully everything will survive and bloom.  I did go overboard on what I bought but then they were so cheap at B&Q.  

Johnny and Tracey are working really hard to get everything spick and span.  All the little things, such as varnishing the clothes knobs in the rooms, are being done.  They are off to do some mountain biking and a via ferrata with friends this weekend.  There is still snow on Mont Joli as the temperature has only warmed up in the last day or so.    The shops and restaurants in town were starting to open in time for the summer season.  The  council were planting out their planters (not as good as ours!)  We are out in July  and looking forward to it.

Summer in Megeve

Johnny and Tracey are out in Megeve, beavering away at maintenance or taking in the joys of `Metro.   Last week there was snow in the village but summer has arrived at last. They had a  lovely walk yesterday round the lake at the Javen restaurant which was alive with tadpoles.  We are out in July for the jazz competition and Gordon's birthday.  We have 2 bands staying at the Rond Point this summer.   3 years ago we had a Dutch band staying with us that won the competition which was very exciting.  If you haven't been to the jazz competition you should come.  It is huge fun, particularly late at night with the jam sessions at the Caboche bar.  

Jean-Marc and Nicole will be running the Rond Point this summer on a B&B basis so if you haven't experienced Megeve in the summer why not find out what you've been missing!