Saturday, December 19, 2009

The top of the slippery slope

Friday was my last workshop before the Christmas holidays. I was to drive 100 kilometres to a music school in Rennes to give a masterclass in the interpretation of jazz standards.

I was a little nervous about the weather, slept very little during the night before, and almost singlehandedly brought down the website of meteo france by my constant visits there in hope of an improvement in the negative temperatures and snow forecasts.

When it finally got light enough, the view from the window was not promising, and a walk down our hill confirmed that I was likely to go down it faster than I wished and not be able to get back up it again. I called the school and postponed, and suddenly all the stress disappeared, I realised that I was on holiday and felt about ten years old...snow seems to have that effect on those not actually stuck in it somewhere. The feeling persisted until today and so we took a family walk to see whether we were still stuck at the top of the hill.

Darling D ran round the garden throwing snowballs for Porridge to chase...


Mysweet bravely drove the car down the hill, delighted at the chance for some Jeremy Clarkson- type car handling. Darling D just HAD to get to a party, so he drove her to a friend's house.




Some of us found the snow so exhilarating that they were compelled to run about in it and then roll about in it.
It was an improvement on the things she usually rolls in, anyway...

6 comments:

Zhoen said...

Such a happy post, thank you. I agree, snow (when uncoupled from obligation) brings out our playfulness and joy.

You have a beautiful family there.

marja-leena said...

Oh, I do love snow, but not if I have to drive in it! Thankfully you didn't go in the Chunnel! According to my news, France had some of its worst winter weather in years. Glad you are safe. Enjoy the preparations for Christmas!

Dingo said...

Snowstorms are so much nicer when you don't have to go anywhere! Everyone looks as if they are having fun.

Lia said...

I know what you mean about driving down a hill at break neck speed.We live on a hill and I am going now where in the snow till the last flake has melted away.
Lovely photos and porridge looks to be having the best of times.
Enjoy the snow and your holidays.
Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Much love
Lia
xx

Rosie said...

z- yes happy sums it up...
m-l the chunnel has certainly been playing up lately
Dingo- All responsibility completely shirked
Lia- I have only just been brave enough to drive down the hill in my car, but it is an automatic and the wheels spin if you give them half a chance

Lucy said...

So it was you stopping me getting on the Meteo site...