New Zealand - Footrot Flats

Thursday morning, sun shining, snow glistening on mountain tops and we are all off on our adventure to Cardrona again. A litle bit of a hitch as Bett decides to take a shortcut down the stairs and ends up covered in bruises. Lucky I didn't hear the scream, a naked BB just might have been too much for first thing in the morning. Still she is OK to join the tour party for the day, thank goodness. A safe arrival, a ride on the cattle truck to base camp and after a few photo's Bett & BB head off down to Wanaka for their day of sightseeing and the rest of us make our way to the ski lifts.

I started the day with a couple of runs on the 'baby slopes' and then I was ready to join the others for the adventure of the day - Footrot Flats - here I come. Up in the chairlift and a perfect dismount - a good start - and we are truly on top of the world. The view from up there is magical. And so we start our descent. Slowly, carefully one run at a time and with only 2 tumbles, I made it too the bottom in one piece. Again absolute elation and it didn't take too much persuasion to get me back up there again. This time Marg, Peter, Bill & Pete were going to come down a huge blue slope which involved skiing down to catch another chairlift to a higher point and then come down from there. I was content to have one more run on Footrot Flats and then wait for them with a coffee.

So after a good look at the view again, a deep breath and I'm off again. Like before slowly & in easy sections, I was doing OK. With base camp in view I set off again and all of a sudden it was .......'Uh oh, shit shit, BUGGER' I hadn't quite made the turn and I was sitting in the snow again. Once I sat up, untangled my ski's (which didn't come off) & brushed myself down, a nice couple came along to help. As they went to help me up I felt a little twinge behind my left knee so thought I had better not risk standing up until I had checked it out. On further investigation I guessed that I had twisted it and the lady set off to send someone to help me. I still thought that all was well and that I was probably just being a wuss, but as they say better safe than sorry. So there begun my next adventure.

A Medic appeared to check me out and decided that it was probably a Medial Ligament, so the Skidoo was summoned and head first down the mountain we went to the medical centre - I would rather see where I was going for future rides. Here I was transferred to a stretcher to await consultation by the Dr on duty. In the meantime our intrepid skier's had returned from their adventurous run and thought I had gone back up again - if only. We found each other shortly after, thanks to Peter M's sleuthing skills, and they got a bit of a shock to see me sitting up, quite cheerful, with an icepack on the knee. The diagnosis, once seen, was not too hopeful. Definitely, probably Ligament damage, so a slab & bandage to keep it still as we headed back to Queenstown, a phone call to Bett & BB to let them know of the change of plans and we were off again on the trek home. Of course we had to stop on the way for a picnic lunch. Peter M was in raptures with the Salmon - & he thought Marg had forgotten the vegemite sandwiches.

On arrival at the Queenstown Medical Centre I was assessed & X-Rayed where all became apparent - Uh oh, not only the ligament but also the little bone that holds the ligaments on. Shock Horror what had I done?. So with my leg in a brace & a pair of shiny new crutches I was sent forth to continue my holiday from a slightly slower perspective. BUGGER!! And so there endeth my skiing adventure for 2006. Footrot Flats bites but I do hope to get back another year and conqueor that darn mountain.

Bett & BB had come home too as she was beginning to feel the worse for wear after her little mishap from the morning. An omen you might wonder.

That night we were all booked to dine at the Gondola Restaurant on the mountain top right in front of our apartments. I decided that I could not master the crutches enough to get in & out of a Gondola just yet so put myself to bed with the telly and sent the others off to see the most wonderful view in Queenstown. The photo's were wonderful. Just 2 days to go and Lorraine & Hans were due to arrive the next day. What adventures were awaiting us.

Until next time..................