Ski Instructor Report 2 February 2013

My clients this week enjoyed good weather and great skiing. It was one of those groups that I really enjoy teaching, they worked hard at their skiing and they had a good time in the evenings. Half of the class came to the Burns’ party at the Palarine on Thursday night. (More about that later.) I started by saying that they had good weather, I should have added; until Friday night when it started to snow again. As I write this, I can see that the resort is covered by thick cloud and it is still snowing. I had a great week for partying. It started with my Burns’ party in Bogart’s. I looked splendid in my kilt. (My opinion) It was well attended and a group of instructs joined us for the dancing. I should point out at this stage that they had been celebrating an instructor’s birthday since 5 pm. Their enthusiasm far exceeded their skill or knowledge of Scottish dancing. They made it a very entertaining evening. As well as the British home nations the event was attended by people from; American, Andorra, Chile, France, Germany Portugal Russia and Spain. (I apologise to any nationality that I failed to mention.) There was a small hiccup; the Catalan chef did not realise that HAGGIS has to be cooked. This caused a slight delay whist it was taken back to the kitchen. This gave us time for more dancing. Eventually the haggis was presented and addressed then thoroughly enjoyed by those present. Several people were tasting haggis for the first time; they seemed to be enjoying it until I read out the traditional ingredients, including the bit about it all being boiled in a sheep’s stomach. As our party came to an end, the Velvet Blues Band started to play. They started their session with very upbeat music and soon had a lot of people dancing. As usual, I enjoy myself and hope that others did so as well. We also had a Burns’ Party at the Palarine on Thursday. This is usually in the form of a traditional Burns’ supper but due to several circumstances, it was changed to a very eclectic evening. It started with the ever popular, eat as much as you like, Oriental Buffet. This was followed by music from Mike Jones, who normally does Elvis impressions. We interspersed this with Scottish dancing and some poetry. Josh Cuell performed his now famous, gangnam style, with great applause afterwards. I think that one of the best turns was Mike singing Elvis songs to Scottish music. Half my group attended and said that they had had a great evening. The Irish found it easy to adapt to Scottish dancing. As an example of how popular Arinsal is; I would like to point out that my entire group, except two, had been to Arinsal last year. Last season was a poor one for snow but this is one of the best for years. The group all seemed very happy with the conditions. More snow is forecast for tomorrow, then hopefully good weather for the new arrivals.

Ski Instructor Report 26 January 2013

“Any snow forecast?” That is the second most frequently asked question to an instructor.( What do you do in the summer?” is the most frequent.) For the last two weeks we have not heard that question, due to the fact that it has snowed virtually every day for a fortnight. However, on Friday morning the sun shone and the sky was a magnificent shade of blue. The snow was deep cold and powdery. It was a brilliant day for skiing. I took a group of Irish clients up the mountain for the first time. They found the view stunning and the skiing great. We all thoroughly enjoyable lesson. By the way, the snow has returned on Saturday morning. As I write this on a Saturday morning, my memory of Friday night is very fresh in my mind. So if you forgive me for mentioning again the live music. Semipro in El Cau really have since they formed earlier in the sesaon. Velvet Blues seem to have an endless supply of great guest musicians, who jam with them, giving a great depth to their play list. In the Quo, Elvis had the liveliest audience. I would have made it to the Derby but I was hijacked by my Irish group. We ended up in El Moli, where we played Giant Jenga. Whoever knocked down the pile, had to do a pole dance. Thank goodness ot was not me. The victim was a very attractive Irish girl. I enjoyed that. I did not submit a report last week as I was in England; I had a difficult journey back to Arinsal, due to South West Trains cancelling my train to Gatwick and the following one, due to “The threat of bad weather”. Fortunately my wife picked me up at the station and drove me to the airport. We did not experience and bad weather, although it was very cold. Bad marks to S.W.T. and well done to Easyjet for getting me to Barcelona, in time to catch the Novatel bus, with ten minutes to spare. I was dropped off at the hotel in time for dinner. “Elvis” was not so fortunate, his Ryanair plane from Liverpol was late and he missed the bus. He had to catch the slower Directbus and pick up a taxi from the bus station. He got to the Palarine before the bar closed. When I finish this, I shall unpack my kilt for tonight’s belated Burns’ Party. You will receive a full account in next week’s report.

Ski Instructor Report 13 January 2013

The weather was very warm at the start of this week but turned colder towards the end of the week. The clients enjoyed good skiing conditions. Although the snow was getting thin in places until the snow cannons were able to make snow. The forecast for next week is for temperatures down to -15 , with snow forecast for every day. We must wait and see if the forecasters are correct. I had a very jolly après ski this week; firstly , I was in Quo Vadis listening to Mike ( Arinsal’s top entertainer) perform when a girl from my class came in with some friends, she got me up to dance, we boogied, we danced to smoochy tunes and I supported her in Karaoke. Next day in class, she admitted that she and her friends and had been out drinking earlier and was very drunk when she arrived at the Quo. I found this information devastating, I thought that she danced with me as she thought that I was devastatingly handsome and had irresistible charm. NO, she danced with me, because she had on her “Beer goggles” So you see lads, even ladies wear them occassionly I went to hear Mike at the Palarine on Thursday Party Night following their splendid Oriental buffet. He had an amazing supporting act , Josh Cuell, of the Palarine, who performed “Gangster Style/ He was great. So good in fact, the following night he was invited by Elvis to close his act in the Quo Vadis. The show ended with thunderous applause. (Elvis is alive and appears each Friday evening.) As previously reported Friday Night is Music Night in Arinsal, with live music in the Arinsal bar, El Cau, Quo Vadis, Bogart’s bar and the Derby. I find it hard to fit them all in. I arrived at the El Cau just as the band finished their final session. I did not hear them play but it looked as if the joint was jumping. I am returning to England next week for some eye treatment, so I hope that the forecasted snow does not delay my bus trip to Barcelona. I am looking forward to seeing my family and my badminton friends again and to appearing in four performances of Fawlty Towers on the Groundlings Theatre in Portsmouth. I have minor role and my daughter plays one of the main characters, Polly. There may or may not be a report next week.

Ski Instructor Report 5 January 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR. This year started well for us in Arinsal, with new snow on the 1st and 2nd. The last couple of days it has turned sunny and warm. We were quite busy this week; I had a morning group of intermediates and an afternoon class of beginners. The morning group was great fun, everyone was here to enjoy themselves and they did. I was unable to take my beginners as far up the mountain as I would have liked. However they all tried very hard and all were pleased with their personal achievements. I cannot report on New Year week without mentioning the après ski; the Palarine had their annual fancy dress party with free bar. This is included for all the hotel guests but the tour companies had not told them about this. Some had made other arrangements or had not brought a costume. (Maria always has a few spare ones). The locals who had booked this evening looked spectacular. Most had made a great effort. I wore my kilt for Hogmanay and visited a few of my usual bars to pass on the seasonal greetings. Several ladies were very keen to find out what I was wearing under my kilt. My stock answer was “Give me your hand and you will find out for yourself.” One screamed “That is gruesome.” My reply was “Yes and it grew some more.” I saw in the South African New Year at the Quo Vadis, then the Andorran New Year back in the Palarine. We stayed up for the British New year then partied for a while. The Party broke up about 3-30 am. The hard worked bar staff went to the Quo to relax and saw in the American New Year. The people clearing up after the late night party were joined by the staff who had arrived to lay up for breakfast. I believe everyone enjoyed themselves. Of course, I retired a bit earlier as I started work at 9 am. All of my class, bar one were on time. Later on in the week, we were entertained at the Palarine by Mike (Elvis) Jones. The guests loved it. This will be a regular gig, on Thursdays, following the “All You Can eat Oriental Buffet” this should prove popular with the locals. Mike’s arrival means that we have even more choice in Arinsal when we are looking for live entertainment.

Ski Instructor Report 29 December 2012

I had a pleasant surprise this week. There were some lovely guests in the Hotel Palarine, who actually read my reports. It is very nice to know that someone reads my rambling thoughts. They even said that they enjoyed some of my reports. I thought that I should give you an update on the smoking ban in Andorra. On the positive side: a bar man told me that he has much more time to serve and talk to customers as he is not constantly clean ashtrays. One pretty barmaid told me that she now feels that she does not have to wash her hair, after every shift, to get rid of the smell of smoke. On the negative side, smokers appear to go out on to the street to enjoy their cigarettes. This means that you can no longer walk down the main street in Arinsal enjoying the clear fresh air. Now you have to go into a shop or bar for fresh air. One of my very nice group complained that there were no tea making facilities in her room. In even cheap B & B s in England you would expect this facility but I cannot remember having this in a ski resort. I have asked, if anyone knew of a hotel in Arinsal which provided a kettle in the room. No one could think of one. So if this is important to you, I suggest that you check with your hotel and bring a travel kettle, if one is not provided. Friday night is music night, so I went out to listen to the bands. Firstly, I went to Bogart’s bar and as usual, enjoyed Velvet Blues. I then went to hear a new band in El Cau. This band has just been formed from local workers and I went there with no great expectations. However, I really was impressed, I thoroughly enjoyed their music. I would describe it as Country Rock mixed with some modern pop. Danny, the front man, did a great job involving the audience. I hope this band will be around for a long time. They are so new they do not appear to have a name yet. I did enquire and someone suggested “Semipro”. I suspect that a more appropriate name will be found in the near future. ( Suggestions please, to the webmaster.) After a pleasant time in El Cau, I moved down the hill and visited the Derby. Their resident musician is Keith, an Irish singer and guitarist. This young man is excellent in audience participation. The whole bar was enjoying his eclectic style of music. He appears there, most days and has an extended session on Fridays. With so much good music in the bars I do not know which bar to go to next week. I think the best solution would be to go to them all.

Ski Instructors Report 22nd December 2012

At last, I have joined the working class. I have had two glorious weeks skiing on well groomed deserted pistes and generally behaving like a ski bum. Now I was given my first class of the season. They are such a jolly group of beginners that I do not look upon it as work. I could say that it is just an extended holiday for me. We have all been meeting each evening to watch the videos of the ski classes. All have been amazed at the rapid progress from the first few stumbles on Monday morning to the slalom race on Friday. The race was won by the 13 year old girl, well deserved victory; some of the other racers had slight hangovers, the rest had big hangovers. My domestic situation at the Palarine has improved as they now have British guests. This means that I start my day with a full English breakfast. Somehow they are able to source real English back bacon and pork sausages. This is a great start to the day and is so much better than the attempts at an English breakfast that I have seen in some hotels, who cater for British tourists down on the Costas. The breakfast is British as is the Sunday roast. This may be my favourite dinner; excellent roast beef with Yorkshires or roast pork with apple sauce. Last Sunday it was accompanied with a choice of 6 vegetables. I say that the Sunday roast is my favour dinner but I also liked the Chinese buffet on Thursday and the Curry night on Friday. When I come to think about it, I also liked the Italian, the Catalan and the Tex Mex evenings. All these are self service buffet; eat as much or little, as you like. I did suggest to Graham that he weighs the guest when they arrive and leave and make a surcharge for each kilo they have gained. So far he has ignored me. We have had mixed weather for skiing but I think that the guests enjoyed the skiing on very quiet pistes. On Sunday we are expecting many more visitors for the Christmas week. Snow is forecast for Christmas day. But we will have to wait and see. I will report back next week and tell you if it arrived.

Ski Instructors Report 16th December 2012

NO SMOKING. That is now the rule in Andorra for all bars and restaurant in Andorra. What a difference it has made for the majority of people. Our Irish and English are quite used to going outside to smoke. The bar staff now have a lot more time as they are not constantly emptying ashtrays and sweep up the mess left by smokers. Parents with children will now be prepared to take their children into the bars for a coke and burger if they so wish. I have enjoyed a great week’s skiing on empty slopes but now our guests have arrived, I will have to do some work. On the plus side, it means that I will earn some money to help pay for my après ski actives. Talking about après ski; the Velvet Blues Band was playing in Bogart’s bar last weekend. I enjoy this group’s performances, especially the delightful lady keyboard player, who does some great Amy Winehouse covers. I thought that she looked stunning, with heels slightly longer than the length of her miniskirt. I like her; in fact, all the lads like her, even some of the gay snowboarders like her. The group play a good mix of blues, early rock and modern pop. They told me that they hope to be playing most weekends in Bogart’s. I am looking forward to their next performance.