Charlie goes off piste

We have just got back from a brilliant weekend in Chamonix where Mike and my brother indulged in a long weekend of snowboarding. We stayed at out favourite place the Hotel Eden where we have been several years in a row. I, unfortunately could not take to my board for fear of my very neat caesarian scar ripping open in a tumble down the slopes, so instead took the opportunity to hang out in Chamonix town with my lovely boy.

Charlie and I spent the mornings preparing for my interview which was the day after we got back and then in the afternoon headed into Chamonix to indulge in coffee and cakes in our favourite patisserie. The walk down into the town from the hotel is about 45 minutes and is a beautiful path along the riverside surrounded by the slopes either side and with huge white gleaming mountains in the foreground as you head down the valley. The sun was shining and the sky was brilliant blue and I couldn't have been happier. As for the snow, Mike and Jon were in their element. Even though it was the end of March, the snow was the best it had been all season, lots of deep, thick powder at the top of the runs and warm sunny weather which makes boarding at its best.

The evenings were spent gorging on the amazing food in the hotel restaurant and drinking local wines. Charlie was so good and the Maitre d gave him his own table so we could put him in the car seat asleep whilst we dined. It really was such a brilliant weekend and so great to be able to take Charlie on his first trip abroad and for him to have his first taste of the snow.