24 January 2010

Amazingly, Emily slept in until 7.20. It was a bright day with a little new powder overnight. We had a bit of a scramble after breakfast as the minibus came earlier than expected and it takes a long time to get so many layers and accessories on. Wimp that I am, I had decided I would not partake of any more skiing. My legs were aching a lot, but I'm sure that if I really wanted to do it I could have just about risen above the pain, though if required to snowplough a lot I'm not sure my muscles would have been strong enough to stay in control of my speed.

Though I was only in the cafe next door I put Emily in daycare again, so that she would have toys and friends to play with. (Nick managed to book himself onto a lesson for the morning and had a good time out on the slopes.


Unlike Saturday, this time Emily was subdued and got upset when I tried to leave. I suppose she realised this time that I was leaving her for a while. There was no-one else in the cafe and I felt totally lame sitting watching skiers and snowboarders pass before the window. I was utterly despondent and also worried what Nick was thinking about my lack of staying power. I marvel less at my inability than the fact that so many people can ski so well, as it is such a dangerous, demanding and physical sport. I suppose that there is a point where you suddenly 'get it' and it really can become quite comfortable and enjoyable. I'm sure after a decent amount of time has elapsed I will be tempted to try again and subject myself to more humiliation! There has to be a worthwhile sport out there that I can master, but I am running out of options to try, having exhausted surfing, scuba, climbing , skydiving over the years.

Around 11.30 the guilt got the better of me (and, if I am honest, I was bored with reading in the cafe and had exceeded my caffeine quota for the day) so I went into the daycare. They were just about to go out into the snow with the toboggans, so I said I would go too. Emily and Charlize had great fun sliding with me down the side of the piste on the small plastic sleds. The walk back up was tough though,because Charlize's boots kept falling off so I had to carry her, and Emily got jealous and refused to walk.

Nick returned from a successful lesson and we all wolfed a quick lunch before the minibus came to take us back to the hotel.

There we finished our hastily-packed meal then took Emily back up to the room for a nap (they had been extremely helpful and said we could use the room as it was not needed for the next night). It took such a long time to get her off to sleep that she only got half an hour before we had to wake her and prepare her for the journey home. Nick was wiped out too, and the two of them kipped together while I packed around them.


Arriving at the bus-stop we found the service to Nagano station was about to leave, 10 minutes earlier than the timetable I had researched on the web, so we piled aboard quickly. As we left the city the sun was setting behind the surrounding mountains.

The three kids managed the ride very well and we were soon at Nagano and on the shinkansen home. Luckily, it was again not full at first so we could spread out.

Once we got to Karuizawa all seats were taken, but Julia got the DVD player out and that occupied the girls most of the way back to Tokyo. All-in-all, a satisfying weekend in the beautiful Japanese Alps, despite my unsatisfactory skiing experience.