The next day we got up early ready to catch the train from St Pancras to the French Alps!
In sharp contrast to our normal family Christmasses, we decided both to go on holiday, and welcomed a couple of new family members - namely Emilie and Helen. We went to La Plagne (staying at Belle Plagne in a ski-in-ski-out catered chalet). Our chalet hosts (who made all the meals, etc.) were amazing, making breakfast when we got up and a meal in the eve. Although it didn't snow the whole time we were there (but did the day after we left!), the snow was mostly really nice and the skiing was brilliant. I didn't even see half the resort, mostly because I was skiing with Emilie, Andrew and Helen on blue runs, but it was really good just skiing the jumps and lips with Andrew.
Despite a humiliating grilling one evening from the people who should be most supportive, and a couple of family arguments, the week was relatively incident-free and while it was fun it was really good fun.
At the end of the hol it was strange to say goodbye to my family, seeing as I would be in Canada for over 8 months and would probably not see any of them until September. This will be the longest period of time I have ever been away from home...
