On Safari and Going Skiing Not Skiing

I can't believe it's February already. Spring may be on its way but I wish the weather would warm up. It's still so cold although I have heard rumours that this weekend will see the sun coming out to play so looking forward to that!

Speaking of cold, those of you who have known me a long time will know my aversion to snow and ice and specifically the sport that is skiing. You will be amused to hear that at the end of March I am going skiing! Yes, you read that correctly. I. Am. Going. Skiing. Or specifically going on a skiing holiday NOT skiing.  Pick your jaw up from the floor please!

After literally years of saying no when asked if I fancied going on a skiing holiday, I have succumbed and said yes. Given my experiences over the last few months, I figured that it was about time I go to see what the fuss is all about. And mainly for Mat and I to have some fun. I hasten to add that I won't actually be throwing myself down a mountain skiing. My back is still a little fragile for all that nonsense and so I will be indulging in lots of NON-skiing activities while my skiing friends and Mat do their thing. I get to meet up with them all for the apres-ski anyway!

It helps that the resort we are going to is a place called La Clusaz on the French/Swiss border with, apparently, lots of non-skiing stuff available. Regardless, all the fresh mountain air can only do my health good and I'm pretty adept at entertaining myself. And I get to speak French again or rather my version of French given that it has been years since I have spoken it properly!  There will be eight of us going and should be really good fun as we always have lots of laughs when we are together anyway. Expect to hear all about the skiing and non-skiing adventures on this blog of Vanessa, Mat, Sean, Kira, David, Scott, Tony and Debs nearer the time.  Debs hasn't actually confirmed that she is going with us yet but she will...

The weekend just gone saw Mat belay for the Vertical Marathon Challenge (more on this later) and us visiting Amy and Frazer up in Liverpool.  We hadn't seen them for ages and wanted to hear all about their month long Asia trip in Laos and Thailand and obviously to see them.  They are always fantastic company and a good time was had by all. 

By the time we had eaten lunch and finished jibber-jabbering on the Saturday, we ventured over to Speke Hall although due to the winter season the inside wasn't actually open but as the grounds were, it gave us the opportunity to have a bit of a wander around. I got to see monkey puzzle trees in close up for the first time. Could you point out a monkey puzzle tree? Well, nor could I until Saturday! 

Wandering around the grounds of Speke Hall

The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping and in the evening we had a tasty meal at a restaurant called the James Monro. The rest of the night was spent back at Amy and Frazer's for more conviviality and I was pleased that I was able to stay up beyond 1am without feeling too tired.  It always makes me smile to see Mat with Amy as they are so alike without even trying. Yes, I know this is to be expected as they are brother and sister but it still makes me smile okay!

Anyway, the fun and games happened on the Sunday as we went to Knowsley Safari Park for the day.  As one would expect for a safari park in this country, it didn't really have the Serengeti feel about it but it was good fun all the same.  All the animals looked happy and healthy - too healthy in fact! 

Whilst driving through the lion enclosure, the one in the right photo thought about mounting Amy and Frazer's car but fortunately changed its mind which was a good thing really as a competition between a lion and a Micra bonnet would have resulted in the Micra bonnet losing badly!  

And as for the baboons, well!  I haven't laughed so much for a long time.  They were ridiculous - clambering all over the car and literally monkeying about like nobody's business!  Unfortunately, we lost a piece of the car to them as one thought it would be a good idea to pick out and try to eat the windscreen washer nozzle! Oh dear.


Below are some more photos from the day although the quality is not great. The piccies were taken on my not very good camera phone through firmly shut car windows!

After the safari, we headed off to a Wagamama restaurant in the centre of Liverpool for some sustenance. Whilst eating, we saw a couple eat their food using chopsticks in the funniest way.  You know in some restaurants you get given chopsticks joined at the top? And to use the chopsticks you are supposed to split them apart? Well, this couple were eating their food without the chopsticks being split!!!  Ohmigod! It was painful watching them trying to pick and eat their food but there you go, having spent the day observing animals, this was further proof that evolution takes a long time to happen and that there are no guarantees when it comes to gene pools!

Finally, as mentioned, The Big Vertical Marathon Tour finished at Craggy Island climbing centre on Friday night. It was a phenomenal achievement by the climbers Paul and Robin and hugely under-publicised - a real shame. Mat was there all afternoon/evening volunteering his belaying skills which was much appreciated.

I know a lot of people do all sorts of amazing things for charity but to climb the equivalent of a marathon between them every day for seven days at different climbing walls around the country is a pretty unique challenge to achieve.  No pressure on donating but should you wish to, please do so on the left of their website. Cancer Research always need support.  Also, if you are on Facebook, there are some photos of Mat on The Big Vertical Marathon Tour page should you be interested in seeing his handsome face or mainly the back of his navy blue hoodie! 

Anyway, time for me to go so fais de beaux reves tout le monde :-)