The Dents du Midi from the 8-man chair in Les Crosets

It’s January and the annual Queens College ski reunion. This is the 10^thyear that old Cambridge friends have gathered in Switzerland, and now France, to remember trips of yore, including the celebrated one to Avoriaz where Ross and I met 40 years ago!

Team assembles – Ross, Vix, Nigel B, Diego and Batch

Ross about to do the Swiss Wall

The view toward the Dents Blanches

Hilary’s off…

Batch and Robs

This year we are a reduced number, but it is no less fun for that. A strict no spouse unless linked by skiing ensures that the ‘boys’ (and the girls) let their hair down. Catherine has joined us despite having a new hip and loved experimenting on raquettes. Bravo! Local friends and relations join us as friendships have been forged over the years. Blessed with new snow and sunshine, it is easy to start early, lunch well and to dine splendiferously.

Lots of genepi on this trip! John, Robin and Batch – all Queensmen

Another day another beer…Ross, Robin and Batch

Those Queens boys again!

Lunch at Marmottes; Hilary a ski original

Lunch at Chez Crepy

Dinner chez nous, the traditional Raclette evening!

Dinner at Le Fiacre in CHAtel, 1st night, Catherine complete with new hip, Diego and Christine join us

I stay on after the gang has departed and meet up with some stragglers and enjoy the fab conditions. Later in the week I ski over to Les Gets for the annual Livery Companies’ ski championships, held in Morzine.

Chez Nannon

Les Gets trees

The course on day 2, just in the sun, with the Master-elect of the Stationers who achieved the livery’s best time when age-adjusted

Looking down the course, day 2

Hosted by the incoming master of the Stationers, by my old colleagues the de la Bedoyeres from Heinemann days, and accompanied by my Vintner neighbours, I have split loyalties when it comes to cheering the racers down the two race courses. As a publisher of over 40 years’ standing, at heart I am a stationer.

Stoy boys, John and George Vintner team

A rivalrous handshake, vintner John and Stationer Fred Fenwick

After the race- Fred, Martin de la Bedoyere, Jane Hindley, and Caroline de la B.

Stationers lineup, racers and supporters: Jane H, captain Martin Woodhead, Martin de la B, Caroline and Nick Mockett

Martin pleased to have got down!

On the second day it is -14 and freezing cold in the shade. Luckily during both races the liveries provide copious vin chaud which makes the races fly by… Funny that.

Ah Stationers’lunch! Chez Nannon and cote de boeuf

The cheese room in Morzine!

Fred getting ready!

Ah, the vin chaud!

 One more day with our friends the Netts where we do the circuit – 37 kms non-stop, which takes in a Jazz band on the lift above Les Croset, and then off to celebrate our cousin Diego’s 70 birthday in Geneva. What an exhausting few days. The good news is the toe seems to have healed, the pulled lateral femoral muscle calmed down and I manage to escape with no injuries. Hurrah!

Looking out towards the Dents Blanches

Jazz Band

Author: vickyunwin

I am a writer and traveller. Our darling daughter Louise died on 2 March 2011, aged 21 (www.louisecattell.com) and I started writing as therapy. We never know how long we have on this earth, so I live for every day...in November 2013 I was diagnosed and operated on for a malignant soft tissue sarcoma in the calf, followed by 6.5 weeks of radiotherapy, so am embarking on a different kind of journey which you can follow here. I also have another site www.healthylivingwithcancer.co with my blueprint for health and well-being.