​The past few days I have spent ‘working’ in La Clusaz in the French Alps.  I use the term ‘work’ relatively loosely.  I was flown over here to check out some cycling routes,  identifying hazards and stop locations as I went. I also met a client out here to show her around the hotel and restaurants and to give her more of an understanding of how the event will work. 
When I was arrived my hire car was upgraded from a 1litre Suzuki swift..  Boring!  to a brand spanking new VW Golf.  Happy days!  Needles to say I have thoroughly enjoyed ragging it up and down the alpine roads. Only trouble was the automatic handbrake, no sideways turns 😦  in hindsight a good thing otherwise i’d probably be at the bottom of a ravine now. There is a saying that the fastest car in the world is a rental car,  I think I proved this to be true

Fortunately my client only came in the car on one day, ( i dont drive like  a mad man when i have passengers) which was great for me!  Being stuck with an unknown client for 3days initial filled me with dread.  However we quickly discovered we had a shared passion for the outdoors,  dogs and the occasional drink. Which was a relief and made the trip more enjoyable! 

Between the driving and hotel visits we were treated to some excellent meals!  All on the company too. I got to try the local dish of tantiflette – essential potatoes bacon and onion covered in melted cheese…  So good!!!

With a near constant summer of working I had built up 24 days of holiday to take before new year.  With my flights on the company i decided to make the most of the opportunity and stay out in the alps, move on to chamonix and to learn how to ski. 

The trouble is…  there is no snow on the baby slopes!!! despite being one to throw myself in the deep end,  I don’t fancy taking on black runs as my first experience! I have my climbing harness and boots with me so never mind i thought,  plenty of fun to be had still.

For xmas in recent years I have tried to move away from the commercialisation and now I buy charity xmas cards from the RNLI and enter a variety of charity raffles for presents,  some years I’m lucky and have good gifts other years my cousin might get a ladies scarf or nothing at all,  its just how the dice rolls.

So as I was buying my annual surfers against sewage raffle tickets – great charity!!!  I thought i’d have a peek at the surf reports for the next few weeks. My days off this summer never coincided with good surf summer surf days and I have been craving surf like a crack addict. It just so happens that next week the surf is gunna be pumping!!  Literrally all over Europe!!  This is now my dilemma..  To stay in the non snowy alps and climb / walk.  Or grab a flight home / elsewhere to enjoy a week or so of cracking surf. Talk about first world problems!