Tony & Wendy's Travel Blog

Deer Valley

Dropped Wendy off at the hospital to volunteer. Bit of a lazy day for me. Too cold and wet for my short bike ride.

Went to an outdoor photography lecture at the library. Interesting.Made me realise how poorly I know my camera. What are all those knobs and buttons for? I just put it on auto and it spews out pretty pictures. Memo to self, explore my camera more.

In the evening we go out for dinner and bridge lessons at Bob and Marilyn’s. Bob knows how to play bridge so he’s taken on the onerous task of teaching the 3 of us. Have a great evening.Great food with spicy carnitas. Great company and thanks to Bob we get to understand the basics. Certainly a complex game and needs good memory and strategy. Seems like having a winking code between you and your partner is out, and no you can’t write things down or use your iPhone. Challenging.

Deer Valley

Just get back from my morning’s exertions, when Hal and Angela turn up ready for our afternoon hike. Pick Bob up and off we go with Angela channeling away, picking flowers and playing eye spy. Walk Mid Mountain from Silver Lake down to Deer Crest and then down to Snow Park Lodge. A pleasant, mainly downhill hike. Entertainment provided by Angela, she did really well to complete it.

Anne and Kevin arrive about 21:30 after a long drive up from Las Vegas.

 
In preparation for the start of BREXIT talks it’s time to remind us why we want out with a few EU jokes:

Rest stop on Mid Mountain

On Swedish people 
Ole (Norwegian) and Sven (Swedish) went on a fishing trip to Canada and come back with only three fish. Ole says,
– The way I figger it, Sven, each of them fish cost us $400 !
– Well, at dat price it’s a good ting we didn’t catch any more of em than we did, says Sven. 

On Norwegian people
– How do you say ‘genius’ in Norway?
– A tourist. 

How the other half live with their own private ski lift.

On Danish people
– Why do Danish people never play hide and seek?
– Because nobody wants to look for them.
Sweden was in the past just a part of the Danish Kingdom. For historical reasons, Swedes still bears the Danes a grudge. Danes tend to be depicted as untrustworthy and imbued with the spirit of dolce far’ niente, a beer-drinking, happy-go-lucky, vaguely unhygienic and profoundly disorganised people (Read more in French).

On Finnish people 
“The difference between a Finnish wedding and a Finnish funeral is that at a funeral there’s one person not having vodka.”


Deer valley ski lift

Lazy afternoon. Took Kevin for an orientation drive around PC and a superb coffee in Campos at PCMR base, while Wendy and Anne get their kicks and fix of the week at the local supermarket.

Then it’s off up to the National Ability Centre (NAC) to teach archery. Turns out that we have 3 instructors and just one pupil. Never mind gives us a great chance to get some practice in with their dinky American compounds – yes there is something in America that isn’t bigger. also have a go with a recurve. A new experience but you wonder whether the arrow will have the get up and go to get to the target. Not for me. Prefer my compound with a bit of umphh in it.

Dogs and suds picnic

Relaxing afternoon.

In the evening we go to the PCMSC’s “Dogs and Suds” picnic with Kevin and Anne. No the dogs doesn’t mean you have to bring a dog, it’s merely hot dogs. As for Suds, well they’re beer. Didn’t find that in my “Teach Yourself American” book.You give them a language and oh how they pervert it. Pleasant evening with Bob and Marilyn also.

 
More on the EU:

Park City from Payday

On Swedish people 
– What is the difference between Swedes and Finns?
– The Swedes have nice neighbors!
Finns mainly make fun of Swedes, their direct neighbors. They depict them as not very bright guys with no sense of humor. Surprisingly, Finnish people tend also to make fun of themselves and their alcoholic habits (Read more in French).


Payday lift

On Swedish people
“Keep Denmark clean – show a Swede to the ferry.”
Since there was a historical fight for hegemony between Denmark and Sweden, Danish people tend to depreciate their northern neighbors in their jokes. The joke above may be a reference to the Swedish habits of coming to Denmark to buy alcohol and get drunk in the ferries on their way back to Sweden.

On Belgian people
– Why wasn’t Jesus born in Belgium?
– God couldn’t find three wise men in Belgium.
Dutch humor has changed over the centuries. In the 16th century, the Dutch were renowned for their humor throughout Europe, and a large number of travel journals have notes on the happy and celebratory nature of the Dutch. But with the decline of the country over centuries, Dutch lost their sense of humor. During the Second World War, Americans soldiers were even instructed not to tell jokes to the Dutch as “they wouldn’t appreciate it” ! Dutch have nowadays a dark ironic and sarcastic humor which is often quite bold.


9th smile this year. Exhausting.

On Polish people
– What do you call it when 2 whites are pushing a car?
-White Power
-What do you call it when 2 blacks are pushing a car?
– Black Power
– What do you call it when 2 Poles are pushing a car?
– Grand theft auto.
Some of the earliest Polish jokes, also called Polack jokes, in reference to an ethnic slur, might have been told originally before World War II in disputed border-regions such as Silesia, wrote Christie Davies in The Mirth of Nations suggesting that “Polish jokes” did not originate in Nazi Germany, but a lot earlier, as an outgrowth of regional jokes rooted in “social class differences reaching back to the nineteenth century”. In the US, polish jokes are very popular. In German jokes, Poles are depicted as lazy and unemployed people who distinguished themselves in the art of stealing.

Mid Mountain hike

Lazy afternoon.

Feet up after the hike.

Beaver Pond up on the Flying Dog trail.

Pick Bob up at PCMR base and then Wendy drops us off at Silverlake for our hike across Mid_Mountain trail to Pay Day.

Good start it takes 3 attempts to find which of the 3 trails off to the right is Mid Mountain. Don’t you just love numpty sign posters. Finally we’re on a roll. Should have packed our snowshoes as there’s still patches of snow on the trail. Stop off at the Montage for a rest, water and in Bobs case I think it may be a 3 course lunch he’s bought with him.

Back on the trail and this time there’s a few mountain streams to contend with. No wonder these boots only cost $50, they’re not waterproof. After stream its a solitary moose heading up the trail in our direction. Hey he doesn’t look too big. Hey he’s starting to look bigger. Hey he’s ginormous. Perhaps it’s time to see who can run the fastest. Obviously he doesn’t like the look of us and trots off up through the brush. It’s about 4.9 miles and just under 500 feet.

Meanwhile Wendy and Marilyn take our credit cards out for some exercise and a spot of lunch at the Outlets centre.

Then it’s a slow ride down Payday lift, by the time we get to the bottom I need a haircut.

Pop down to Walmart etc for some thin socks. No chance. They’re all thicker than a sheepskin.

Up at the crack of sparrows to get to the Jordanelle reservoir for 08:00. It’s the National Ability Centre (NAC) training day for Aquatic Sports volunteers – thats me.

This organisation, and I use that word sparingly, does great work with the disabled but when it comes to organisational skills they seem to be severely handicapped. 08:00 start was wrong it’s 08:30. Sadly it’s howling a gale, a trawler has just been seen sinking on the reservoir! They can’t dock the ski boat so it’s a dry land training session. At least we don’t get wet. Looks like a choice of spotter, in the ski boat communicating with driver; jumper, jumping in to help water skier in the water and then picked up by jet ski follower; kayaking; canoeing; paddle boarding. I think I’ll give paddle boarding and jumper a miss – get too wet.

In the evening we pick Bob and Marilyn up to go to TGIF and then go out for dinner at the Grub Steak restaurant.

Angela at her violin recital.

In the afternoon we go to a violin and piano recital at a local church. Yes, you read that right, church, violin and pianos. Angela, 8 years old, was playing a piece on her violin – a budding Vanesa Mae.

Evening it time for some TV and a luscious bottle of Zin and Zen Zinfandel.

Really lazy day.

Went over to Hal and Carols for dinner. Good to see Randy there too. Great evening with barbecued steaks and Brats. Pleasant sitting out on the patio, putting the World to rights, and watching the sun go down. Wendy and Carol book for us to go see “Book of Mormon” down at Salt Lake.

Home from home.

Swap the Hertz mobile out. Darnelle had got me a superb upgrade to a full size Chevy Malibu, but alas Wendy can’t see out the back window to reverse and can hardly see out the front. She manages to swap it out for a intermediate Chevy Cruze with plenty of gadget and gizmos. For intermediate read big, it just has to be bigger it’s America

Then as a special treat I get to go to the supermarket with Wendy. Apparently she hates me coming to the supermarket with her, as I pressurise her to escape ASAP. Morale there is simple, I won’t go to the supermarket. Yeah, we’ll all be happy.

Lazy afternoon and in the evening we finish season 5 of “House of Cards”.Not as good as the previous. Too complex.

On our way.

Wendy swigs down the last dregs of the brandy in the airport lounge, chomps on her tablets and staggers aboard the big metal bird. Pretty comfortable flight although the seats are a tad close together. A cynic, not me of course, might think it’s a marketing department plot to sell extra leg room.

Atlanta immigration is the usual free for all chaos. They have a cast of hundreds wandering around trying to improve the follow. Sadly they’re not the brightest knifes in the box and they add to the chaos.

Wendy gets interrogated. “Do you have a visa, it’s not showing here.”, “Good job you’re not that Wendy Edwards ” as he looks at photos of the baddies. Then finally “hang on, you need to be interrogated” – computer says. Wendy’s passport is daintily dropped into a sealed clear plastic folder as if it’s some sort of lethal pathogen and we’re led off for a root march around the airport. Finally we’re dumped into a glass goldfish bowl and the doors locked. We’re the only English speakers in there, the majority seem to be sombrero wearers.

On our way to paradise.

Suddenly some wizzened old witch, who looks like she’s one of the three witches in Macbeth, with more metal badges than a Disney worshipper, wraps on the window, points at my mobile and signals me to put it away and sit. By this time I’m starting to think, my visas ok, I’m alright jack, perhaps I should leave the criminal in here and slope off to the airport lounge for some food, wine and relaxation.

Finally after an hour the criminal is summoned to the door and an armed, flack jacketed immigration officer explains that it’s all a computer screw up, Now there’s a surprise, and she can go. He’s fixed it. No it shouldn’t happen again. It’s not normally this busy, hence the delay. No apology.

Dash off to the lounge, so Wendy can get her brandy and tablets ready for the next flight.

Final flight is on time and very comfortable, although I’m sat next to some freak who wants to tell me every random thought firing off in that empty skull of hers. Verbal diarrhoea.

Call in at the supermarket for breakfast and manage to restrain Wendy from marauding the isles. Get back “home” around 22:30 local time, just 23 hours since we left. It’s great to be back and the house feels like home as all our things are in there as we left them.

 
No this isn’t a joke it’s a real example of American enterprise in action. Advertised on a school Rounders – sorry Baseball – field to boot. How perverse is that. Obviously their marketing department had a brain wave.

Fancy getting this as a Father day present – depressing thought.

Our back deck with giant barbie and jacuzzi.

Sadly no coffee in the house so having the luxury of a car I toddle off to Starbucks to get some supplies. Having a car is great but it does make you idle.

While Wendy toddles off for her weekly treat with a trip to the supermarket I set off to scout out a suitable 3 mile leisure hike. In true American fashion, everything heres has to be bigger and better, so they call it a hike, but it’s really a walk, to be brutally honest a stroll would be even better. Just 3 miles, with one of the most spectacular espresso’s I’ve ever tasted, at the half way stage.

Carol and Angela pop in to welcome us back.

And by 20:00 we’re ready for bed.

 

Views from the back deck.

Yes, another horrendous attack and slaughter from the religion of pieces and permanent offence. It seems like prayers, vigils, flowers, fine words, coloured light up of monuments and rants of righteous indignation have not done the trick and “stricken fear into the hearts” of the jihadis.

First we had “BREXIT means BREXIT”. Now we have “enough enough”. At least we have a step forward in that “they” are using the words “islamist extremism” but still they persist with the head in the sand view that it is “…an ideology that is a perversion of Islam and a perversion of the truth”.

When will “they” recognise we are at war?

When will “they” recognise that islam is the problem?

When will “they” recognise that islamists want sharia not democracy?

When will “they” do something?

If you doubt it go read the Quran.

How can we tolerate 23,000 suspects in our midst and not take some drastic action.

And no, not all muslims are extremists. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some very kind muslims who you’d be proud to call your friend. But muslims do need to radically reform their religion. The problem is you have to see, first hand, how they treat women and of course their views on apostasy to understand how whole communties can be cowed by the bearded ones.

Silly Market.

Have lunch / coffee at the Town lift.

Walk back and that’s 5 miles round trip for the day.

In the evening Wendy goes off with the Schmitt family to watch Beauty and the Beast at the Empire. They’ve bought her tickets and thankfully assumed I would not want to go – spot on, I’d rather study the leaves shimmering in the Aspens.

They all enjoy it. Wendy thought it was great and Angela stayed awake all the way through.

 

Park city main street.

Finding something positive to say here in paradise is not difficult. It’s just awesome, great scenery, lovely town, plenty to do and such friendly people. Tempting to become an undocumented immigrant.

Inside Costco’s freezer.

Hal and Angela pop round to pick up their piggies. Good to see him, he’s looking good.

In the evening we catch up with “House of Cards’. Don’t think this 5th season is as good as the others.

 

Park city.

WTF is going on in my country? The bed wetting, PC brigade have truly lost the plot and have disappeared so far up their own rectum that they can’t see what the hell they’re doing.

A British mayoral candidate has caused controversy after delivering a video manifesto on the BBC website completely in Urdu.
Mohammed Aslam, who is an independent candidate for Greater Manchester ‘Metro Mayor’, appeared on the BBC News site’s “minute manifesto” series, in which each candidate is given one minute to spell out their policies.

However, the corporation appears to have had to dub over Mr Aslam’s speech after he delivered it in a foreign language.
Janice Atkinson, an independent member of the European Parliament, tweeted saying: “If you can’t/won’t speak English you have no right to stand in elections. You cannot represent our people, culture and values. Stand down.”

It remains unclear whether Mr Aslam is in fact unable to speak English or whether he simply refused to do so.
According to the BBC website, Mr Aslam was born in Faisalbad, Pakistan and moved to Manchester 17 years ago. He is the director of a property letting company, and says he wants to make the area “more developed and a modern region”….

Music on a hike.

Meet the Leisure hikes co-ordinator. Find it somewhat bizarre that they should want to discourage “too many” leisure hikes when volunteers are prepared to give up their time.

Leisurely afternoon followed by more of “House of Cards” in the evening.

The famous old barn.

Pick Wendy up from the Christian Centre. They’re all such friendly soles and Wendy comes out with more bagels, sandwiches and cakes, that will stretch the side of a giant US freezer. Can’t complain, looks like it’ll be butties for tomorrows tea. They get that much donated that anything that they think will go to waste they give out to their volunteers. They sure look after Wendy. I doubt we’ll ever have to buy bakery items ever again.

In the afternoon I go up to NAC Archery range for the Archery instructors course. A bit of a fish out of water surrounded by all these bubbling teenagers who are NAC summer camp volunteers and interns etc. They’re all having a great timed no doubt under age drinking and nookie features in their enjoyment.

More “House of Cards” in the evening.

 

Park City from Masonic hill.

Huge scale of terror threat revealed: UK home to 23,000 jihadists.

Let’s stop blaming the security services and police. They are swamped and given the size of the problem they are doing a great job.

Let’s start demanding that the PC bed wetting politicians do something more than fine words, vigils, prayers, half mast flags and other platitudes. I’m sure these are not “striking fear into the hearts” of the islamist.

Let’s start by recognising we are at war, and saying so.

Let’s start by naming the problem, speaking the words “the problem is islam”. Yes, of course not all muslims are islamist but the problem is in their community and they need to be seen to be doing a lot about it and routing out these losers.

Let’s realise that we are going to have to take drastic measures that will impinge upon all our freedoms.

We are at war and should:

Deer Valley from Masonic Hill.

1 Offer each one of these 23,000 three choices, leave the country and surrender any British citizenship (the preferred option); interment, preferably on some inhospitable, cold and wet island; tagging.

2 Stop allowing known Jihadis back into the country. I really don’t give a rats if they become stateless. The 400 who have come back from ISIS should be immediately kicked out and their citizenship revoked.

3 Close any mosques or place of worship attended by anyone guilty of a terroist attack or planned terrorist attack.

4 Deport the leaders, and their immediate family, of any mosque or place of worship in 2 above. Also deport the immediate family of anyone involved in a terrroist attack or planned attack.

5 Appoint volunteer worship monitors who will attend all meetings in places of worship to monitor content for extremism. In the vent of extremism then the place will be closed. If they’re not promoting extremism they’ve nothing to fear by it.

6 Appoint volunteer education monitors who will attend religious schools to monitor for extremism and report into OFSTED. In the event of extremism then the school will be closed.

7 In the event that places of worship or religious school refuse to voluntarily let monitors attend, then close them.

8 Ban all sharia courts.

9 Ban the burka as a message to regain our culture and stop the rot of this failed multiculturalism that has got us into this problem.

10 Apply a 400% VAT on Halal meet products and remove it from our schools as a message to regain our culture.

11 Remove all blasphemy laws and encourage open criticism of all religions.

12 Remove the word islamophobia from our vocabularies. Recognise that it is quite rational to fear islam.

Another lazy day as I hobble around on my crutches.

Wendy starts the big clean up. I sort boots and get my skis all tucked up in the ski locker ready for next year.

Well it looks like we’ll miss this years Pond skimming at Park City:

Lazy day again. Wendy’s still tidying up. She’s volunteering at the hospital in the morning.

High ho, High ho off to work she goes.

I was planning on leading at least one Leisure bike rides week as well as co-ordinating – leading by example, also leading one Leisure hike a week. Hopefully I’ll be fully recovered and fit enough by June as I was really looking forward to it. If not then I’ll just have to focus on co-ordinating from my sun lounger. Also trying to set up an Archery activity for the club.

Meanwhile Carol and Angela call round to say goodbye.

Then it’s a lazy evening watching TV.

CT Scan of my hips. Enough to give anyone nightmares.

Neighbours bring round corn bread cakes for the cripple, delicious – it’s an American thing.

Moose on main:

https://www.facebook.com/SkiDeerValley/posts/10154435337108314

Leisurely morning packing. As we have lockable cupboard space we have the luxury of being able to leave all our winter clothes, ski gear, skis, mountain bike and foodstuffs. Amazing that suitcase was still pretty full.

First class travel SLC to Atlanta – on Friday.

Back home for afternoon tea on the balcony in the glorious sunshine.

 
Drinking Wine Exercises Your Brain More Than Doing Math, Says the Smartest Scientist Ever

Skip the calculus and pick up a glass of Malbec instead.

Yes even I get a drink.

Our brains need constant exercise to stay in tip-top shape (and no, trying to guess which Housewives will get caught up in the latest catfight doesn’t count). Crossword puzzles and Sudoku are all well and good, but a new book says that enjoying a glass of wine engages our brains even more than activities like solving math problems or listening to music.

In his new book, Neuroenology: How the Brain Creates the Taste of Wine, author Gordon Shepherd, a neuroscientist at Yale University, states that the flavor of wine “engages more of our brain than any other human behavior,” according to an NPR article. When we sip a glass of wine, thousands of taste and odor receptors are stimulated in our mouths, which triggers brain activity involving “pattern recognition, memory, value judgment, emotion, and of course, pleasure,” says the article.

And sipping wine is key; gulping it down doesn’t have the same effects. “If you take too large a sip, you’ve saturated your system,” Shepherd says.
So sniffing, sipping, and enjoying your glass of Merlot is the way to get a good brain workout in. Sounds like the best exercise ever.

Music to my taste buds. Break open another Zinfandel.

Business class flight to Manchester – at least they have Champagne.

All very civilised. Some say I have a break each year just to avoid cattle class.

Delta lounge is very comfortable and a good choice of food and drinks. Access criteria for Delta airport lounge seems to be have a big gut or giant boobs that stops you seeing your genitalia.

But don’t I just love the customer first service where they announce boarding, even send you a text, and then when you get to the gate you have to hang around for another 10 minutes. All for their convenience. Has it never occurred to them that customers get wise to it and therefore ignore boarding calls – result.

Delta Business class cabin.

Roomy seats but you can’t stretch legs out horizontally. As for the toilet. Well anyone joining the mile high club in that must be Cirque de Solei contortionist as well as a horny devil. Certainly not worth the money.

Typical married mans interrogation by her in doors.

Wendy: Did YOU turn the heating up at home?
Tony: No.
Wendy: Why didn’t YOU?
Tony: I forgot. Why didn’t YOU turn it up?

Pretty impressive cabin layout. Very similar layout and service to Virgin Upper class. Continental quilts and soft pillows but alas no jim jams. Mind you virgin, only a shadow of its former self, no longer has personal chef or on board masseur.

 
The Estonians on the (hard-drinking) Finns:
Two Finns meet up for the first time in years. “So how are you?” asks Pekka. Ahti grunts and orders a beer. “And how’s the family?” asks Pekka. Ahti grunts and orders another beer. “And how’s work?” asks Pekka, three pints later. “Look,” says Ahti, “did we come here to drink, or to talk?”

On the runway.

The Germans on the (thieving) Poles:
When is it Christmas in Poland? Two days after Christmas in Germany.

The Swiss on the (not very bright) Austrians:
Why is the Austrian flag red-white-red? So they don’t get too confused when they hoist it.

The Austrians on the (boring) Germans:
The main difference between Austrians and the Germans is that Germans would like to understand Austrians but can’t, and Austrians understand Germans but would rather not.

The Slovaks on the (despised) Czechs:
What does a Czech need to be happy? Not much, as long as everyone else has got less.

The Romanians on the (mean-spirited) Hungarians:
“I’ve had all the tests, and the doctor tells me there’s no question, I’m xenophobic. That’s another bloody illness the Hungarians have given me.”

Good.bye

Flight arrives early and then we have to wait on tarmac because our gates not ready. Bloody marvellous service isn’t it. When we set off they knew to within the minute what time we’d arrive in Manchester and yet they can’t have a gate ready. Great customer service yet again.

No queuing at immigration, straight to the front of the cripples queue.

Home sweet home. Freezing cold but it’s home. Two fan heaters and we’re sorted as central heating takes as long as climate change to heat the house up to inhabitable levels.

Manage to stay awake until 20:00.

Well I had a pain free night. I’m ok if sitting or lying down, it’s just movement that can hurt. Having to sleep on my back all night though is not my idea of slumber bliss. And those dam Percocet give me nightmares, I’m waking up every 30 minutes with the same stupid recurring night mare, on top of that they certainly fuddle your brain. As for pain killing well they’re not that impressive. Decide to give them up in favour of wine. Who knows I can probably sell them as they have a good street value.

Why would anyone want to be in such a befuddled state?

Wendy cancels going to the hospital in case I fall, break something else, need help or in my befuddled sate suddenly have an irrepressible urge to cook a meal or use the dishwasher.

Got to come next year now as I’ve paid for my season pass.

Beatrix enjoys her new blanket. Lexi tries to sneak on t.

Lazy day, interspersed with phone calls to insurance company, airlines and doctor.

It take 95 minutes and 11 different department to finally get through to the Amex Emergency Support line to register my incident. When I tried yesterday they even told me they were closed. Unbelievable. What if you’re lying on a gurney, bleeding to death and you need them to authorise payment before the hospital will apply a tourniquet. You’d have no chance. I get through to one department, asked her what her name was and she instantly transferred me to another department. Perhaps they knew her name but it’s dire when the staff are that thick they don’t even know their own name – perhaps they’re all on these Percocet tablets.

Half of them don’t listen, their English is appalling and are just too keen to pass you onto someone else.

After that episode I think a whole bottle of Zinfandel is called for to calm me down and get me back on my surfboard of life.

This especially applies to Jasper.

Got a nice call from Jasper who’s worried that I’ve hurt my leg. He says I’m a “silly Billy” and wants to come back to our American house.

In the evening Helen and George come round for dinner. We finally gave up on the blind dog after exhausting their supply of ink and diaries with so many changes.

What a great evening we had. Italian takeaway and lots of wine, fun and laughter trying to put the World to rights – some of the best medicine, although the state of the world and our crackpot politicians is enough to make you lose the will to live. They really are amazing company, such good friends and have been oh so helpful.

Jere and Diane pop in to see how we are and say good bye. I think everyones wanting to check it out for themselves, they really can’t believe it – they’re not the only ones – and probably suspect it’s a delayed April fools joke.

Another pain free but sleepless night.

Perhaps this should be my standard ski gear for next year.

Wendy’s decided to trust me, so she’s gone off to the Christian centre for the morning. Meanwhile I’m resisting the urge to venture into the kitchen, watch TV or start drinking wine.

Carol pops round to see the invalid and haVE a chat. In typical American fashion she brings round cookies for us. Then Sharee, past president of the PCMS club, pops round for a chat and with a chilli for our dinner. It’s such an American thing, they’re oh so friendly and helpful anyway, but when someones ill or injured they all rally round. Especially in the PCMS club.

Hmm….

Watching TV whilst on percocet is a real challenge. Normally we nod off through most programmes but these drugs have the added advantage of appearing awake but my brains stopped. Yes, it seems that they can stop your brain, put you into a NOOP loop and stop your thinking. Still at least after many repeats we’re both onto the final episode of the “Young Pope”. It’s that weird and quirky that I’m not sure whether its the drugs or the actual crazy programme.

Decide it’s time to venture upstairs to bed, rather than the settee. Manage it ok by shuffling up and back down on my arse. Has all the elegance of a Walrus trying to climb stairs but its effective. Now I know how Daleks must have felt when they encountered stairs in their way of World domination.

Yeah, not a bad nights sleep and the drug induced nightmares seem to have taken flight. At least I’ve not been attacked by the killer clown balloons. Breakfast in bed, how neat is that, and at last a shower.

Fortunately I know where they are, perhaps just need to keep a better eye out for ice boulders.

Well the good news is Wendy seems to have given up on the, abandon skiing and take up tiddlywinks monologue. Locals ski pass booked and now I’m sharing a locker next year with George and Helen – so no lugging skis and boots up to the mountain each day.

Quiet day for me. Help fend off rickets with some sun and afternoon tea on the balcony.

Sticking with the recommended percocet dose, not skipping a dose, seems to work best and get the maximum pain relief.

In the evening Barbara and Steve, neighbours, come round for a drink. I could quaff down a good Zinfandel but manage to resist and just have one glass, well perhaps it was nearly two.

Breakfast in bed again. Save a trip back upstairs for a shower.

Uber to the hospital for follow up with Dr Pidwell. What a great service Uber is. You can see exactly what’s going on; timings tend to be accurate; everything charges straight to my credit card; no need for cash and best of all no need for tipping.

Uber back home and drop Wendy off at the Christian centre. I get a quiet afternoon in. What is it with percocet? It helps with the pain but you end up constipated. Feel as bunged up as a Hummingbird trying to lay an Ostrich egg. Pity I’m not allowed to ski, as standing at the top of “Ericas Gold”, merely looking down, is a guaranteed all natural cure for constipation. I’m pretty sure I must be emotionally constipated as well – I haven’t given a crap all week.

The Blind Boys of Alabama at the Egyptian theatre.

A lazy morning.

At the Egyptian theatre with family Schmitt.

Yet another awesome evening with great friends and new experiences. Thanks Hal for the tickets.

POWDER ALERT, POWDER ALERT. 8″ of Utah’s finest. Crack of sparrows start to catch first tracks. Hang on there, sawbones says no. These crutches make crap ski poles. Bugger. No doubt this will be the last POWDER day of the season. It closes next weekend.

Lazy day instead. Wendy makes a short trip out on the bus to do some shopping.

Then we pack ski boots and gear ready for our departure on Thursday. It’s great here because we’ve got lockout cupboards where we can leave our gear locked up ready for our return in June. Bedroom lockout has all our jumpers, anoraks and ski pants etc hung up, boots, helmets and other gears in duffel bags; kitchen lockout has food, wine and brandy; garage has two lockouts with skis in; mountain bike is left in garage. A real home from home.

Then, after 17:00 of course, we catch up on loads of TV. Really spoilt for choice as we have access to all UK TV, HBO NOW, Netflix, Sky UK and now PBS. Keeping track of them all is a full time job.

Awesome days skiing with Helen. 4″ fresh powder, nice and cold. Much easier skiing on Utah’s finest powder rather than ice or a slush puppy. Then dragged kicking and screaming to Tipsy Tuesday for a couple of beers – Cutthroat is actually quite good.

https://www.facebook.com/tony.w.edwards/posts/10158523964270249:0

Get to catch up on TV in the evening. Our social whirl seems to have calmed down.

 
Greatest George Carlin Quotes

Beatrix enjoying Helns handmade blanket.

I think everyone should treat one another in a Christian manner. I will not, however, be responsible for the consequences.

“When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?” This title offends all three major religions, and even vegetarians!

Thou shalt keep thy religion to thyself.

And now, in the interest of equal time, here is a message from the National Institute of Pancakes: It reads, and I quote, “Fuck waffles.”

Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

Have you ever noticed that the lawyer always smiles more than the client?

 
Many non-Muslims have not wanted to look too closely into Islam. It’s upsetting. They choose to believe that Islam is “peaceful” and “tolerant” (as Muslim apologists keep assuring them). That’s a comforting fiction, but also dangerous, as it minimizes the menace, and keeps too many in the imperiled West whistling in the dark. It is especially disturbing to see those in positions of power, who are supposed to instruct and protect us, choose rather to dismiss Islamic terrorism as “having nothing to do with Islam,” or as being carried out by “misunderstanders of Islam” (Barack Obama). Others declare that Muslim terrorists “defame” Islam (General Mattis), or insist that what those terrorists do constitutes a “perversion of the faith” (General McMaster, Theresa May).

Yeah, May signs the Article 50 letter.

No matter how many times Muslim terrorists declare quite clearly the justification for their attacks by quoting from the Qur’an and Hadith, no matter how many learned clerics similarly justify these attacks by citing Islamic jurisconsults, many of us Infidels still refuse to connect Islam to Islamic terrorism, and further declare that anyone who does so is guilty of Islamophobia, an unpardonable offense in today’s topsy-turvy world.

Islamic fundamentalists are at war with us. Go read the Quran, it’s all in there. Clear instructions.

One Jew, a Holocaust survivor, who was asked what he had learned from the Second World War, replied: “When somebody says he wants to kill you, you should believe him.” Everything is so clear and obvious, yet, we do not want to learn.

As for the moderate Muslims. Well yes of course they exist, but their voice is a mere whisper in the wilderness, you certainly don’t hear them shouting from the minarets. They may well disagree with the violence but fear, community pressure and risk of being declared an apostate – we all know what their fate is – stops them from speaking out. How many have co-operated with the government programmes? How many have told the authorities of the terrorists in their midst?

Free days skiing at Deer Valley, courtesy of a voucher from Bob. Ideal chance to re-evaluate Deer Valley, should I buy a season pass here next year? It’s a great blue bird day.

Article 50 letter is delivered. At last we’re on our way out.

But it’s oh so icy. Worst of all it seems so busy and crowded. Despite there being no scumboarders I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. Seems so busy and yet it’s only mid week. I would dread to be here on a busy weekend.

Conclusion I’ll stick with Park City. The runs are much wider, more of them and a phenomenal ability to soak up the skiers once you’re on the mountain. Best of all the locals pass is half the price at $600, with 6 buddy passes, 6 ski with a friend and free lift access over summer.

Well today is our 1776 moment as we finally fire the starting gun on our escape from the Evil Union.

Yeah, at last we’re on our way out of the Evil Union.

Shortly after 4.30pm yesterday, Mrs May signed a letter notifying the European Council of Britain’s intention to leave the EU. Once the letter is handed over today, two years of talks will begin on the terms of withdrawal allowed under Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty.

https://www.facebook.com/tony.w.edwards/posts/10158522507820249:0?pnref=story

 
EU Jokes – It’s No Laughing Matter
A Greek, an Irishman and a Portuguese go into a bar and order a drink. Who picks up the bill?
A German.

The Eurozone credit ratings are like a frying pan.
Greece at the bottom…

The starting gun is fired on our escape from the Evil Union.

Oh dear. The eurozone’s Facebook page has changed its currency status from ‘single’ to ‘it’s complicated’.

NEWS FLASH: Greece has approached the IMF for a €60bn loan after they were turned down by Wonga

In heaven: the cooks are French,
the policemen are English,
the mechanics are German,
the lovers are Italian,
and the bankers are Swiss.

In hell: the cooks are English,
the policemen are German,
the mechanics are French,
the lovers are Swiss
and the bankers are Italian.

Chicken out of skiing today. It’s raining down here and looks like a white out on the mountain. Forecast is for rain, sleet and snow most of the day. Not done bad so far this season as I’m on day 46 of skiing. That works out at just under $14 a day.

Fiona’s ski boots. They cost the grand sum of $0.50.

Go and meet Wendy at the Christian Centre. Off up to Main Street to try on this vivid blue Marmot ski jacket. Awesome colour and it looks like I’ll have to go for Large.

Then it’s back to the CC to pick up a trolley load of food we’ve been given. Two ginormous cakes, ones Key Lime, big enough to feed 10. Tough look for Fiona she’s dipped out on it.

Why do I call Park City paradise? Well apart from the awesome mountains and skiing in winter. There’s a great social life. Summer bring biking and hiking in those mountains, along with free concerts most evenings.

Then there’s the bus service. Not only is it FREE but it also has FREE onboard WIFI. How neat is that and the driver are oh so helpful and friendly.

Mind you I’ve not come across “70 dark eyed, full breasted, perpetual virgins”.

Spring is here.

It’s bucketing it down with snow. Visibility is so bad even Heathcliff of “Withering Heights” acclaim would be lost. Add to that flat light and you’ve got the makings of yet another crazy skier pin.

Time for a well earned coffee and do my blog.

Saw the ultimate in hardiness, or was it stupidity, as a guy skis in a Spyder jumper. Everyone else is out in there extreme weather gear, but not this geezer. It’s a love your goretex day. But there has to be something magical about skiing on such a day.

Pick the hertz mobile up. This time we get a Jeep Compass SUV, a good upgrade from a 2 door Nissan micro or similar.

Now we’re mobile it’s a good opportunity to do some shopping – joy.

In the evening we catch up on a wealth TV. It’s becoming a major task keeping on top of where we’re up to with all the programs and a real memory test on plots. When will they simplify characters with one off of each male, female, bald, with hair, black, white. Either that or name tags or colour code them.

 
After the recent Westminster Bridge terrorist attack deputy assistant Metropolitan police commissioner said:

Jasper finally gives Beatrix a cuddle.

They’ve arrested many people in connection with the attack, but they say he acted alone. He was a “very religious” Muslim following an Islamic State modus operandi — running down people in a car and then getting out and stabbing — that other Islamic jihadis have followed in the recent past, and they say, “We must all accept that there is a possibility we will never understand why he did this.”

British officials don’t admit that there is an Islamic jihad against Britain and the non-Muslim world in general, and so of course they don’t understand why he did this. When the last pockets of resistance are conquered and Sharia is fully implemented in Britain, the last Briton who remembers that Britain was once a free society but, like the overwhelming majority of his countrymen, is concerned above all to observe politically correct niceties and never appear “racist,” will say of his new masters and overlords: “We must all accept that there is a possibility we will never understand why they conquered and subjugated us.”

Thankfully he wasn’t around in the 2nd World War when the V2 Rockets rained down on London, as I’m sure he’d have been there saying “We don’t understand where they’ve come from.”

Come on get real. Smell the coffee they, islamic fundamentalists from the religion of pieces and permanent offence, are at war with us. Their aim is World domination by islam and will not stop until we are all dhimmis subjugated under sharia law. Doubt it? Go read the quran.

Shopping. New pair of Levis for me all of $16.

Wendy gets her fix at the supermarket, I get mine at Starbucks.

After lunch I go for a bike ride down the rail trail. Then bugger me if I don’t fall off my bike as I come to a halt at our garage. One of those really embarrassing moments, a bit like when you fall as you come to a standstill on your skis. Perhaps I’ll have to take up Tiddlywinks, Bridge or chess.

Rain and snow forecast but after a day off I need to ski so I risk it.

Where is everyone. I came on the bus thinking parking would be difficult but there’s fewer cars than Christians at a prayer meeting in Tehran.

Wow it’s as icy as Europe on a bad day. Quarter load, a green off Crescent, and the main route down is sheet ice. It looks perfectly groomed, you can see the perfect corduroy, but It’s under a thin layer of sheet ice. Should have bought my Hockey skates. Then it’s onto teeth rattling crud. It’s rain, sleet and snow depending how high up the mountain you are.

At least on the plus side visibility is not bad and there’s no queues.

Well time to buy my locals season pass for next year. $639 and not like me to say it but great value. $49 now and the rest in September. 6 buddy pass and 6 ski with a friends worth about $300 and then there’s free lift access all summer.

Next year I really need to get super fit before I come out and make the most of February and early March. Also need to ski iron mountain side of the Canyons more – Copperhead and Alpenglow are just two awesome runs over there. This spring skiing on slush and ice is not fun.

Time for a very early coffee and some blogging while it softens up out there.

After lunch we go round to the apes ski party. Good food and company. Best of my first wine in a week.

 

Yeah it’s our 46th Wedding anniversary.

https://www.facebook.com/tony.w.edwards/posts/10158550182190249

Off skiing with Helen. Then disaster happens.

How did it happen this year. Well this has to be the 10th time I’ve related this today. I’m 5 foot 8 inches tall, weigh 186 pounds, I was wearing a helmet, I wasn’t skiing fast, I did fall, regrettably I had not been drinking……

I’m coming down and there’s a guy ahead of me on the ground and his skis uphill from him so I start to slow down to pick his ski up for him and see if he’s ok. Then I see it. A 2 foot ice bolder on the run. Yet again Newtons laws of motion are seen to be observed and I go over the top and land on my reinforced femur yet again.

The guy on the ground really perks me up by saying “Yeah that’s what just got me.”

He gets up and lugs the ice bolder off to the side. I get up and think about skiing down. A tad painful so I call on my buddies in the ski patrol to sled me down, yet again.

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The rest is just a repeat. X-ray in the medical centre, no breaks showing but they despatch me to PC hospital for a CAT scan.

Don’t you just love the nurse screening questions, especially “am I depressed”. You bet. 3rd year in a row I’ve had an accident. And best of all it’s the same dam leg. At least this year I got 49 days skiing in.

Anyway CAT scan reveals a broken hip. “But you’re lucky” says the doctor. I can walk on it, no surgery needed and it will heal itself. Interesting use of the word lucky, but hey ho it could have been a hell of a lot worse. Walk on it but no skiing. What about day 50?

The one advantage is that being a regular everyone’s on first name terms and we’re on Christmas card lists.

Wrong place, wrong time. What a bitch. If only the Yurt had been open we’d have stopped for coffee and missed it. If only I’d followed Helen to the right around the trees. If only I’d not bothered to try and pick his ski up. If only…. If only….

Bugger Luke 10:25-37, I’m beginning to think ski by is the new philosophy.

Remember that all important saying:

“Accept the things you can’t change; have the courage to change those things you can; and the wisdom to know the difference”.

Time to get back on the surfboard of life.

Thankfully our good friends Helen and George are there for us. Now they’ve upgraded from Uber to Ambulance drivers.

Get back home. Percocet tablets for pain and some Zinfandel for my sanity. Sleep downstairs, fortunately there’s no pain sitting, sleeping or drinking. It’s just when I’m swinging along on my crutches, fortunately I’ve not forgotten my training – “up with the good, down with the bad”. It’s a bit like “plane face edge, plane face side, gauge and plane to wide, gauge and plane to thickness”. How could I ever forget. If anybodies confused by that then email me and I’ll explain.

 

Says it all. Thank the FSM I’d bought next years season pass yesterday.

Jasper even skis in a raging snowstorm. Proud of him.

Jasper on leashes so we can slow him down and stop him.

Well done Jasper a proper little mountain man.

After lunch it’s yet another trip down to the Outlets.

Bob and Marilyn come round for afternoon tea to meet Jasper and Beatrix and the kids.

Just love the American term for the houses on the slopes around here, “Ten, ten, ten”. That’s a 10 million dollar home, 10,000 square feet, for 10 days a year.

On the First Time chairlift on a blue bird day.

Thankfully I’ve survived skiing for 42 days this season with no major accident. I’ve been very cautious so I finally get to ski with my start pupil, Fiona, after 2 years.

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Fiona and I leave Beatrix and Jasper with Kurt and Wendy as we head off for a morning’s skiing together. I think she’s more nervous about leaving Beatrix and what if she needs feeding, than about skiing. We get to the top of the mountain. I assure her we can be back down to Beatrix in minutes if we get the call for fresh milk. Really depends on how fast she skis.

Time for family photos.

After 3 hours skiing we meet everyone in the Legacy Lodge at the base for lunch. Beatrix has been fine and not needed feeding so Fiona’s had 3 hours of time to herself and enjoyed a great mornings skiing.

Butties are smuggled into the restaurant by Wendy, we take Jasper onto First Time. Kurt manages to sneak a couple of free rides upon the lift and then Fiona takes the reigns and brings Jasper down for a 3rd run. He’s doing some awesome and fast runs straight down. Still no sign of a snowplow or being able to stop but he’s starting to master tuns on parallel skis. Oh well target for next year is snow plow stops and then he can ski without the need for leashes.

Nearly have tears when we come off as he wants to go up for more.

A quiet family evening on the last night for kids.

 
Greatest George Carlin Quotes

“One thing leads to another”? Not always. Sometimes one thing leads to the same thing. Ask an addict.

Modern mums.

Property is theft. Nobody “owns” anything. When you die, it all stays here.

The best thing about living at the water’s edge: You only have assholes on three sides of you, and if they come this way you can hear them splash.

The future will soon be a thing of the past.

The planet is fine. The people are fucked.

The real reason that we can’t have the Ten Commandments in a courthouse: You cannot post “Thou shalt not steal,” “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” and “Thou shalt not lie” in a building full of lawyers, judges, and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment.

 
Well I bet all those marching against Trump and BREXIT will be out in force today outside their nearest mosque with placards and chants against ISLAMIC fundamentalism and these hate preachers. Don’t hold your breath.

More family photos.

And no doubt the truly devout moderate British Muslims will be screaming from their minarets on how they intend to expel the fundamentalists from the Mosques and hand them over to the authorities.

So what have our government done about this recent terroist attack?

1st the house of commons suspended business when the attack was taking place. So much for business as usual. Surely the bold message to these gutless islamic fundamentalists would have been to carry on business and show them we are not cowed,.

2nd they’ve ordered the flags flown at half masts. Well thats going to strike fear into the heart of the jihadis. We need to recognise we are at war and take some harsh measures.

All the girls.

Never mind winning a battle of hearts and minds, I think it’s really about time we fought back. Here’s my two penneth:

1 Stop admitting back into the country anyone who fought for ISIS. So far we’ve re-admitted over 400. Deny them entry. I couldn’t give a rats if they’re made stateless. Lets find some 7th century barbaric islamic hell hole of a country and ship them there, or to any country of their choosing that will accept them, even if we have to pay that country.

2 As for the 70 terrorists due to be released from prison lets ship them out too.

3 Anyone found guilty of terrorism should be in-prisoned for life, I’d even bring back hanging, and their immediate family shipped out to the hell hole.

4 Close down the mosque that anyone convicted of terrorism attended.

5 Ship out to the hell hole, or a country of their choosing that will accept them, the leaders of the mosque that anyone convicted of terrorism attended, along with their immediate family.

6 Lower the burden of proof for terrorism.

Sounds harsh, but we’re at war and the threat of deportation certainly worked for Sarkosy when he quelled the French riots.

Mum and baby.

It’s raining so thankfully we pass on shopping in Salt Lake. But as a consolation prize use we get to go to Smiths supermarket to top up while we have the drug mobile.

I’ve my own philosophy for driving on the interstates over here. Stick in the middle lane and then you don’t end up snookered into an exit lane. Bugger being in the way. They undertake anyway, so it’s no problem.

Lazy afternoon then in the evening we’re back on the social whirl as our next door neighbours Dominique and Sam come round for drinks. Can you imagine that happening in the UK? What friendly people, within just 5 minutes they’ve offered us their 3rd floor to store any of our gear. And of course, in true American fashion they come armed with wine and home made Swiss cookies – delicious.

A great evening just getting to know one another. They’re leaving on Monday but will be back in summer. Looking forward to seeing more of them and the block party in July.

Mother’s Day, cards left from Ross etc., Kurt etc. and Jasper and Beatrix. Anna sends a lovely email.

More family photos.

Another 3″ snow yesterday day. After a day off and several days just on First Time I’m back in my routine. Up at 07:00; good breakfast; great coffee; gear up; catch the bus, despite having the luxury of the drug mobile; hit the slopes. A blue sky day and a tad cool so I have a mid morning start.

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That’s 43 days this season, despite what the Epic Mix says, it doesn’t know everything.

Another day in our social whirl as we head off to Bob and Marilyn for dinner along with Helen and George.

Great evening with great food, wine and good company.

Then on the way home it’s time to say goodbye to our drug mobile, a GMC Yukon XL, as we drop it off at Hertz.

Me and my super start skier.

Wendy’s off with Helen and Marilyn down to the Outlets to have a girly day out. Probably practicing for the 100 yard Outlet trolley dash event. Just cruelty to credit cards.

Helen backs out of a ski day. That’ll probably jinx the major snowfall thats due.

I have a fraught morning trying to re-install Dreamweaver and setting up FTP. Then escape for some sanity up the mountain.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158518445045249&set=a.10152635544405249.1073741825.621375248&type=3&theater

A relaxing afternoon mesmerised by the snow falling. Wendy returns with some shopping bags. Now there’s a surprise.

 
Oh joy.

My privacy sold to the highest bidder.

On Thursday, March 23rd, the US Senate voted to let internet service providers (ISPs) sell your web browsing history without your permission.

If you live in the US, your browsing habits can now be sold to advertisers and third parties. If you live somewhere else, it’s unsettling that this is already a $24B industry.

Jasper on the Magic Carpet on his way to First Time. Saves walking up hill.

Ice cream time at MacD’s.

Angela shows Jasper snowplough with the hope he’ll copy but he’s having none of it. Sticking with parallel. After 3 runs down First Time Jasper and Angela head off home with Fiona and Wendy. They end up at MacD’s for lunch.

Kurt, Hal, Chris and I head up Crescent for some proper Spring skiing. Have 3 runs in slush with them and then head off down and leave them to the tender mercies of Hal. He takes them on a good tour and puts them through their paces.

Jasper on leashes so we can stop him.

Get back home for shower and change and then head off to a PCMSC apres ski afternoon. Take our own booze and some food. There’s a fantastic selection with awesome Carnitas from Helen, other Mexican dishes and amazing Key Lime and lemon meringue pie.

End of another awesome day here in paradise.

Snow may be crap but at least we’ve got some and how fortunate can we be to have the kids and grandkids out here. Just awesome to get to ski with Jasper at last and watch him come on. Brings back memories. A new generation of skiers.

 

The picture that this whining harridan wants to get rid of.

Says it all. When will we ever be rid of this gobby harridan who’s trying to sell the jocks knitted smoke. Let’s give them another once in a lifetime vote two years after BREXIT, but this time England should get a say whether they stay or go. If this whining jockess bag pipe and her ilk are still in power then let’s rebuild Hadrians Wall and get shut of them.

Finally the 8th army gets out. No doubt about it the more people involved the more complex it is. It’s exponential 1 person has a factor of 1; 2 = 4; 3 = 9; 4 = 16 and if there’s a 3 year involved then double it. God only knows how we ever managed to win two World wars.

Even Beatrix enjoys it out here.

Take Jasper straight to first time – slow walking with a 3 year old in ski boots. Meet up with Helen who wants to see Jasper ski. Now Kurt can’t find his ski pass. So we ski down home run with Jasper and wait while Kurt gets a new pass. Just one of those days as I remain balanced on my surfboard of life.

Helen just can’t put Beatrix down.

Still can’t convince Jasper to snowplough, I think he wants to miss that stage out and go for the downhill skier style. Sadly he hasn’t learned to stop yet, a fairly critical fundamental skill.

Lazy afternoon and then Helen and George pick me up to go to a slide show and lecture, at the museum, on steam trains to Park City. Interesting and well attended.

Lovely blanket crocheted by Helen for Beatrix.

A lovely evening with good friends. I think George might be getting worried as Helen can’t put Beatrix down.

 
As usual there is all this hot air and revolt from the liberal bed wetting PC storm troopers about hard BREXIT and leaving the Single market and customs union, yet I doubt most don’t even appreciate the difference. If they did they would know that remaining in the single market = free movement of people. While remaining in the Customs Union means we could not negotiate tariff and deals with other countries. Certainly not what we voted for.

Here’s a simple table that explains the various options:

Single Market = 4 Freedoms of movement of goods, people, services and capitol.

Mac D’s yet again.

I venture forth for a few runs. With all the excitement of snowploughing down First Time with our star, it seems ages since I did any proper skiing. After a few runs, some coffee and catching up on my blog I’ve had enough. Spring slush puppy skiing is not that good, but at least we have snow.

Lazy afternoon trying to figure out all the gizmos on the drug mobile. If you wave your foot under the back it opens the boot for you; if you want to fold down the 2nd or 3rd row seats then there are buttons for that; the drivers seat has an orgasm if you drive to close to an object and vibrates on the left or right; it shows you if you wander out of your lane; it warns you if it thinks you’ve nodded off; it warns you if a cars coming up in your blind spot; it even has onboard wifi and satnav. Sadly it doesn’t park itself, mind you it needs a slot the size of a football pitch and does 16 MPG.

Then it’s off to dinner at Hal and Carols. They give Kurt and Fiona the guided tour of their new home, it’s massive and awesome. You can easily get lost.The view of sunset over the Timpanogos is beautiful. Meanwhile Angela and Jasper are having a whale of a time playing and chasing one another. Dinner’s Raclet, a friendly cook it yourself style of meal. After dinner we relax while Jasper and Angela torment Hal.

Another lovely evening with great friends. All part of our PC social whirl.

Rain, rain, rain stops play. Really cruel to the snow. Quite rare to encounter rain in winter, reminds us of home. So it’s no skiing today.

Fiona takes aim.

A trip to the Outlets is on the cards.

Then in the afternoon we see the news of the islamic terrorist attack in London.

When will we wake up from our slumber and smell the coffee. Let face it these terrorist activities are in the name of Islam.

Kurt with his weapon.

If you doubt it go read the Quran.

I nip up to Heber to pick my mountain bike up from Hal. Angela comes round for a sleep over.

In the evening we troop off down to Park City Gun Club. Fiona, Kurt, Hal, Bob, George and I are all shooting. I think the club must think it’s a nursery invasion as Beatrix, Jasper, Angela, Wendy and Helen colonise the lounge and turn it into a playgroup outing.

We have a range of guns, 45’s and 9mm. When I’m shooting the target is the safest place to be. Take aim, fire and miss. Amazing how difficult it is to load the gun clips with those sharp pointy things. Given this ultra-convieniance society it’s a wonder that Americans don’t get the clips ready loaded. Wow those 45’s have a real kick. We all have a great evening and Fiona actually enjoys it. Quite proud of her that she went.

I think us Brits will be passing on NRA membership. An enjoyable experience but thank the FSM we don’t have guns in the UK.

Then it’s off to Chubasco’s for an awesome Mexican takeaway. Perfect end to a very sad day.

 

When will we smell the coffee and realise fundamental islam is at war with us.

Well they’re at it again. When will we wake up, smell the coffee and start to realise that the problem in our midst is Islam. Islamic Fundamentalist and the Quran is the problem. If you doubt it go read the Quran. Read the 109 paragraphs that promote violence. Realise that this is not just a religion but a complete political ideology whose aim is World domination, the overthrow of Western democracy and the implementation of Sharia throughout the World.

The Quran incites violence yet is not illegal or illegal to sell it. But the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 inserted Section 4A into the Public Order Act 1986. That part prohibits anyone from causing alarm or distress. Section 4A states:

At the gun range.

(1) A person is guilty of an offence if, with intent to cause a person harassment, alarm or distress, he— (a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or (b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting, thereby causing that or another person harassment, alarm or distress.

Read the Quran and it will certainly cause any “infidel” distress.

Fiona practicing before she gets her hands on a real gun.

Meanwhile the liberal bed wetters will no doubt be gobbing off that it’s all nothing to do with islam – the religion of pieces and permanent offence. Let’s face it these liberal PC do gooders, our political leaders and their multiculturalism are partially responsible for this state of affairs. For too long now we’ve bent over backwards to accommodate, like dhimis rushing towards our own demise. Time to get our values back, our country back, recognise the problem and deal with these extremists and any of their supporters harshly. It’s a war.

Jasper and his Park City toys. It’s like Christmas day all over again.

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Pick up the Hertzmobile. Get a great free upgrade to 8 seater Yukon / XL with all the bells and whistles you can imagine. Needs a 500 page manual to know what all the knobs and switches do, but still can’t figure out how to open the tailgate from inside. You need a step ladder to climb in it and it’s a proper drug mobile in black with black tinted windows to complete the image.

Carol pops round and then we go for afternoon tea at Barbara’s – except that there’s no tea just wine. As I’m driving there’s no wine for me.

Drive down to Salt Lake airport to pick the kids up. Flights on time but Delta’s lost Beatrix’s car seat. Fortunately they get a loaner. Jasper and Beatrix were really well behaved on the two flights.

Jasper at 05:30, just like Christmas Day.

Another summers day.

Off for a mid morning ski. Timing is all. Too early and its a frozen slush puppy; too late and you’re on a soggy slush puppy; there’s a 5 minute sweet spot between 10:55 and 11:00.

Manage a few easy runs – extra cautious so close to finally getting a o ski with Jasper. Have a leisurely coffee and some sun sat outside the Viking Yurt.

Beatrix in her chair.

By 19:00 keep we are cream crackered and all tucked up in bed. We manage to doze through Billions.

 
We-Vibe fined $3 million for spying on its customers through their smart vibrator.

The ultimate in Internet of Things abuse.

Jasper’s first time on First Time lift.

Awesome mornings skiing on the magic carpet with the kids and Jasper. He’s coming on great, really enjoying it and really wanted to go on the big lift to the big slope. He sat still all the way up and handled it like a pro. I think we were all more nervous.

Jasper on the magic carpet.

He did really well. We had to drag him off.

Meanwhile Wendy tries to drive the drug mobile, to pick me up from the locker. Three of them, all drivers, a manual to complete with a “War And Peace” manual and not one of them can figure out how to put it in gear.

All good things come to an end. As I drop Wendy and Fiona of at the Tangier outlets for a mega retail therapy session.

Family day on the magic carpet.

Mind you Walmart’s a fascinating place for people watching. Hal says only the crazy people go there. Well you certainly get some “interesting” suitable cases for treatment.

An hour later and Walmarts swallowed them all up without a trace. I’ve lost the will to live and meanwhile my bottle of Zinfandel back home has oxidised and gone off.

Moral of this saga is, show Wendy how to put the drug mobile in gear.

On the big lift – First Time.

On the magic carpet.

He did really well again.

In the afternoon we pick Bob and Marilyn up and head off to TGIF at Deer Valley. Don’t recognise a lot of the people there, must be the Deer Valley lot. Somehow they don’t seem as friendly and inclusive. Food not that good so we go out for dinner with B & M to the Boneyard – good choice of American food and not expensive.

By the time we get home Chris has arrived.

 

The bane of my life. Wasn’t like this in my day!

We need to talk about code. Bad code. Cyberattacks grab all the headlines but they only account for just over half of IT-related incidents in corporations. Outages, data corruption, delays and poor service resulting from old and degraded software and dodgy source code account for most of the rest. Together they represent a hidden risk to modern businesses that is often referred to as the “IT debt” and that has been assessed at more than $1 trillion.

I’m sure BBC iPlayer must be experts in bad code. As incompetent as they’re biased. Time for a Saturday afternoon lion feeding.

Wendy doing Nana duties.

Fiona in the drug mobile.

Hal, Carol and Angela come round for dinner. Have a great evening together as usual. Angela plays so well with Jasper, he tends to boss her about a bit but she’s very good with him.

The golf course in winter.

Problem is if you start early the runs are still quite icy from freezing up overnight. Then by 10:00 it’s starting to soften up and by 11:00 it like skiing of a slush puppy. This weather is just cruel to snow. Need to investigate some warm snow wax.

Get a few runs in and then have a coffee in Miners Camp whilst I do my blog. Gone are the days by the log fire in the Snow Hut, reading the Times online. Now there’e no log fire, no free wifi just extortionately priced coffee.

https://www.facebook.com/tony.w.edwards/posts/10158437862455249:0?pnref=story

Wendy’s volunteering at the Christian Centre. Thankfully there’s no toys today. Good job because they’re colonising our lounge.

In the evening Bob and Marilyn come round for dinner. Good company, good food and good wine.

 

Only in America.

 

Beatrix’s rocking chair.

Well the FSM be praised. Inklings of common sense at last.

“Extremists and terrorist suspects face “Al Capone-style” disruption of their lives or permanent exclusion from the UK if they try to return from fighting with Isis in Syria or Iraq.”

Let’s hope it’s permanent exclusion. Only liberal storm troopers would contemplate allow them back. Oh dear the poor we nights would be made stateless. I’m sure the liberal do gooders bed wettest will be up in arms.

Silver Star lift.

Have a walk up to Silver Star cafe for Wendy’s lunch, then walk back to Starbucks, of course a supermarket and then home.

Evening catching up with TV.

Clocks go forward tonight.

 

Scumboarder tries to hang himself.

Another Saudi journalist, Muhammad Aal Al-Sheikh, argues in the daily Al-Jazirah that groups like IS are a faithful representation of Islamic texts that are no longer relevant today and for that reason Muslim law urgently needs updating.
“We cannot dismiss their actions by saying that they ‘do not represent Islam’ when most of their actions originate in books from our past heritage, [books] that dealt with matters of the day in accordance with the conditions and norms of that period, which are different from the conditions and norms of our own period,” he writes.

Girls just having fun at St Patrick’s Day Apres Ski party.

Go up for a few runs. It’s one hell of an icy start to the day, as bad as skiing in Europe. Vibrates me ankles and nearly knock me new Zirconium capped tooth out.

Morning skiing with Helen, Jere and Diane.

Not the best of conditions, yesterday’s slush has frozen up so it’s terrifyingly icy. Then by 10:30 you’re skiing on a watered down slush puppy. The joys of spring skiing. Manage a few runs by picking the sunny slopes. Then I slope off down to have a dirty Chai with Eva.

View over back of Deer Valley from our hosts home.

The family from hell.

Oh the joys spring skiing.

Afternoon Bob picks us up and we go to the St Patrick’s Day apres ski party. Some pretty good food and as always BYOB. Terry’s house is awesome. Big enough to house the whole cast of Star Wars, including the extras. Fantastic views over the back of Deer Valley.

Then in the evening it’s TV catch up time.

Hats knitted by Wendy ready for the kids.

https://www.facebook.com/tony.w.edwards/posts/10158457229100249?pnref=story

 

Typical. If they want another leave referendum lets make sure England gets a say in whether they stay. Sick of them whining.

Yeah, at last some common sense. The Commons has over ruled the Lords lunacy on guaranteeing EU citizens rights and ignoring Brits in EU, and the Lords have acquiesced. At last we can invoke Article 50, give the PM a free hand to negotiate and escape this tyranny. Now time to get on with BREXIT and we need to have a good clear out and abolish the house of Lords.

Of course the whining Sturgeon harridan tries to throw a spanner in the works by demanding another “once in a lifetime” referendum on Scottish independence. Let’s get shut of these whining Jocks. Their economy is worse than Greece. They’re a financial drain on England and constantly complaining. Financially they won’t meet EU membership criteria and to top it all several EU countries will veto them joining. Let them go. Why would anyone in their right mind want independence and then want to join the tyranny known as the EU. It’s just all about independence really. Let England have a say. LETS GET SHUT OF THEM.