Today was the day we’d been waiting for and Kent delivered in time-honoured style, taking myself, Martin, Chris, Louise and Will off for a bit of exploring. And it was amazing…

 

 

Yes, Kent’s long threatened day skiing with the Grinning Swede arrives today and we’ve just been skiing epic spring snow over on Mash. If you want to know where exactly you’ll just have to book Kent fit the day as he’s sworn us to secrecy.

(I however am open to bribes…).

Yes, the Autumn equinox came and went and in true Swiss style we celebrated through the medium of cheese. As we did last year. And the year before…

It could be because the people of the Bagnes traditionally celebrate the return of the cows from the high pastures at this time of year. It could be because Raclette was invented here in this very valley (I firmly believe between 1972 and 1974, but the evidence on this theory is lacking). But we think it’s more likely that everyone will eat cheese and drink Fendant at the drop of  hat.

The pictures never do it justice – there’s a real buzz in the air. So we videoed it. Toby’s video I think captures it well. Mine makes it sound like the whole thing took place on a helicopter.

 

 

 

  

Yes, the interesting evening that is the Performance team dinner was held last night. As usual, Toby got over enthusiastic and started arm wrestling the girls for cash. He was less amused when he was beaten. Twice. Well done Gina and Karro, and thanks everyone for a most amusing night…

Well, actually that’s not true. But last night was the annual Powder Extreme v Performance Bowling Night and the end result was a disappointment to say the least.

That’s not because we mind losing, it’s just Felix will gloat for the entire summer about this…

So, we all trotted to Martigny with high hopes despite a depleted team as Kent, Martin, Toby and Gus were all missing due to ‘prior commitments’. We think they just couldn’t handle the pressure.

But it was a great night, Performance once again reverted to the ‘lager + pizza = high scores’ theory. Which wasn’t entirely successful. Powder Extreme, led by the irrepressible Felix, took it all very seriously. Well, except for Seb and Ben.

And it looked like this – the rematch will happen soon and we shall be bringing the A-Game next time Felix, you have been warned…

(Oh, one more thing, does anyone else think that drinking coffee during a bowling competition is, well, a sign of weakness?)

Yes, after last season’s disputed Powder Extreme vs Performance bowling night, we thought it wouldn’t do any harm to head back to Martigny to get some practice in. Well, Felix has been down to do some training and we don’t want them to have an unfair advantage do we?

Anyway, in true Performance style, the quality seemed to improve as the night wore on, with Stu and Emelie suddenly turning into characters from King Pin by about their fourth drink…