Life is not a Practice

Round the Grüntensee with Alison and Rhiannon.



Route at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=myykleyqnqgbyjir

More photos at https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/2012CyclingI?authkey=Gv1sRgCMWHpMvsrOXVyQE#

Visited Oxford on Monday and then two days at the Open University in Milton Keynes. Lots to learn but fun.


The picture was taken in the "ghost forest" (http://www.ghostforest.org/) in Oxford.

Two days ago I cycled up above 1100m and today I was out on Bognor Regis sea front.



Afternoon in Oxford.

Out in to Austria with the race bike. Short top and trousers with people cross country skiing past. Very surreal.



Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=zivyggcachmvohct

Shooting with colleagues from my new job the evening before.


Work then skiing from nine to twelve with some colleagues from my present job.


Then in the afternoon the mayors 60th birthday party followed by an hours spinning.


Then back to Nesselwang for circle training and volleyball.

Spinning again and great music again.
For example
Funky Cold Medina
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCBX_lTKz3k&feature=related
We had the 8 minute LP version just to make things really fun.

The weather forecast promised rain in the afternoon so this morning we went to the Hahnenkamm for a few hours of extreme skiing.


This picture was taken just as Max gained control after taking off over a cliff - crazy!

Both Max and I managed accidents. I lost control and tumbled head over heals down a steep off piste slope and Max head butted the piste. He is going to have such sore muscles.

Another sunny afternoon so another race bike tour round the Grünten Lake.

This evening Alison and I went spinning. It was great fun especially to Smoke on the Water.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WX_4FNoto4

30 years ago I was listening to Deep Purple and now I am spinning to them.

The first time out with the race bike this year. The weather forecast said it was going to rain but they lied.



The Wertach Bridge (shown in the picture) is closed from tomorrow for the next 18 months to be rebuilt. This means that I need a new "standard race bike" route so I tried including Bachtal and Gschwend today.

Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=csiuwwcuxflryjcr

After two days cycling, back on the skis.
With Alison and Max in Tannheimertal.
Wide, fresh, steep pistes!



Pictures at https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/Winter201112#

Out for a Friday afternoon ride with Max.
There is still snow every where so we kept to the roads (most of the way) despite being on our mountain bikes.



Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=hjovbyuhhoadtval

Picture in original size at https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/Winter201112#

The first bike ride of the year.
Only to Wertach and back. Shorts and short sleeved tricot. The people skiing looked at me strange.

And just got back in time to go for an hours spinning with Heidi who was out skiing today.

What a life!

It wasn't perfect snow but any snow is better than none.
Took Max to work (ski teacher) and then skied a few hours myself.



More photos at https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/Winter201112#

A few hours next to the piste on a Sunday morning.



A few days ago they had to rescue some one out of an avalanche so I was carfeul not to leave the piste too far behind.

I have nearly got the hang of carving on the slopes so this morning Jon took me off piste between the trees.



Nesselwang was still in cloud but we were above it. Freezing but beautiful. Thanks Jon!

Photos at https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/Winter201112#

Up early this morning to join Jon in our traditional "buying tickets and freezing". This is when we beat every one else to be the first in the queue for tickets for the carnival ball. This morning it was "only" -14°C so after the recent temperatures, it felt like Spring.



This afternoon I was out on the Alpspitz. Met Max when he finished ski teaching for a mad half hour. Great fun applying the tips and tricks I have learned from Jon.

This week I managed 3 x spinning and one evening sport :-)