First Light.
The mornings in our temporary abode for the week have been, let’s just say, far far from relaxing.
The days usually start at around 7am, when we are stirred from our slumbers by the melodic bings and bongs from Andermatt’s churches. The franticness starts soon afterwards.
Over the heads of reluctant breakfast eaters (it’s too early apparently) come the cries of two parents as to where certain imperative socks have disappeared to, “did we actually pack such and such”, and the many harried instructions of “hurry up and clean your teeth” and repeated barks of “get ready” and “make sure you use the loo before we go”… At this point of the day part of me wonders whether it was all worth it, and maybe we should have gone somewhere warmer and more “city break” like last year…
Accompanying this are the protests of two half asleep Small People who aren’t quite ready to get ready, with the addition of Small Boy’s week-long fury and indignation about his mother packing him his old (nursery school) Robot backpack (in my defence it’s the perfect size for everything he needs for the day), and all this before we have even left the house.
More gear goes on, along with the (“I hate these, they are so uncomfortable”) boots, and the obligatory (“this makes me too hot”) helmets that are squished onto heads as we leave, all followed by the inevitable sibling (usually) accidental odd wallop with a pole as we walk (if you can call it that) the few hundred metres down the road.
But then the bar comes down on the first lift of the day. The sun’s out again, and with it the smiles of anticipation start to appear – in fact all grumpiness usually dissipates the higher we get.
And then, as we get to the top, all this awaits…
And whilst keeping half an eagle eye on two overjoyed Small People rapidly disappearing into the distance (luckily they are way past the stage where it’s difficult to stop at will – unlike their less enthusiastic mother), I usually stand taking it all in for a minute or two, admiring the view, appreciating the peace, and breathing in greedy lungfuls of the cleanest, purest air…
And suddenly, I remember why a week-long ski trip for half term was most definitely a good idea after all…
(I had to laugh at the enthusiasm of this dog rounding up everyone at the bottom of a slope yesterday!)
Same again tomorrow?
PS. I will write more about the very gorgeous Swiss Andermatt itself soon enough…
Oh Emma what a wonderful place to be. Fabulous photos. Please can I use the one below where you say “and when we get to the top this awaits” for the BritMums photography round-up? I’d need a high res copy sent to me at charlydove@gmail.com by 7pm although I can probably lift it too x
Thanks Charly! :) x
Glorious! this brought back all the memories of ski trips (all 3 of them), the horror and stress of the early start, that melts with the first lift up! Wonderful!
I could almost go ski-ing if I could actually ski. I like to think I am a snowboarder, but actually I am just someone about to break their neck on a snowboard.
Thanks Gemma! :D I feel the same way about me on skis! When the weather and the surroundings are as good as we had them last week though, I don’t care! :D
Ah look at that sky – I want to take a deep breath and take in all that freshness.
Funny how kids are the same the world over – whining about shoes, socks and robot backpacks…
That blinking backpack! Even his sister had enough of him in the end and actually agreed to swap! :D Thanks Trish! :)
I am no skier but the views and scenery are so spectacular. I feel for my kids who I know would love the chance to have a go, it will have to be school trips for them. It does look like a wonderful way to enjoy an active family half term. thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids and treating me to these spectacular photos.
And thanks so much for your lovely comment Fiona! :)
This sounds like our morning before hitting the slopes when the kids were younger. Wow..all that was definitely worth it for winter wonderland like that. Absolutely gorgeous day on the slopes. Lucky you!
Thanks so much Mary! :)
This is just the prettiest place! Its so perfect there! #countrykids
Thanks Merlinda! :)
I am so jealous! That sky is SO BLUE. I fear I may be developing SAD since moving to Devon. Roll on Summer. Hope you have a wonderful wonderful trip and your photos are glorious as always x
I dream of Devon, grey skies and all! :D Thanks so much J! :) x
Although I’m no skier this looks incredible! Enjoy!
We should go together! Send the families out and go on a gastronomic tour! :D
Hope you are enjoying your holiday! Snow is only inviting to me if the sun is out…looks like you hit the jackpot.
It’s been a lovely break so far, thank you! Hope you are enjoying your road trip! :) x
Ooooh, I am very jealous. We have yet to take ours skiing, much to my husbands disappointment, and I have to admit, part of my reluctance is exactly what you describe in the mornings…the thought of getting three children ready for a day on the slopes terrifies me!
However, every time I see a photo of a lovely snow covered mountain, I do long for my snowboarding days.
I think that’s when ski school comes in handy though then you get to do what you want to do as well! Thanks Emma! :) x
Wow, beautiful. I can see why all grumpiness disappears when you’re on top of the slopes face with that view. The more I read about skiing trips, the more determined I am to take Monkey at some point. I haven’t gone skiing for about 15 years – but I remember it being exhilarating and so much fun!
Thanks Ting, go for it! :)
All the huffing and puffing is worth it once you get our on the snow… Beautiful
Definitely! Thank you! :)
It looks so beautiful and serene up there.
I remember the pre-ski early morning grumpiness, used to do the same to my parents :) Have a great time!
Haha, that made me laugh! :D Thank you! :)
Sports-feirien?! Have you been able to stomach the outrageous Swiss prices? :) I kinda miss the place, to be honest x
I think living in Copenhagen for a significant amount of time has helped us cope with the prices! I am kind of glad we opted for self catering though! I can understand why you miss it. Pushing for Mr R to get a tech job in Switzerland now! :D
It looks lovely but I would never never have the energy or the drive to do it. Well done you.
Thank you K! :) x
Reading this even makes *me* feel tempted to go skiing again. (Well, for a moment anyway.) Actually, I am determined to take Jack for a ski lesson one of these weekends. It’s the most snow the ski stations round these parts have had for years and I really want him to get started young and enjoy skiing in a way I, sadly, never will! x
I think that’s the key to loving it Mary, learning very young, which is why I definitely don’t love skiing, but I am glad my two do, and it’s great to see them having so much fun and gaining new confidence every day. I do love being in the mountains though, so I don’t let it stop me! :D Thank you! Hope you get to take Jack for a lesson soon! :) xx
LOL, love the dog!
The dog was having so much fun. Some of the people he was rounding up, definitely less so! :D Thank you!