Ive been very busy over the las few weeks, touring europe and working on various projects, as well as taking some time off to visit people.

Lets see, where to begin…

Well Easter weekend was spent up in Beadnell visiting family and friends.
A fairly uneventful  couple of days was punctuated by the train home, which i had arranged to catch with Charlie. We got to Berwick with plenty of time, and had intended to get a weekend-first seat at the head of the train.

Sadly, this is what everyone else was thinking…  it was a busy train on a bank-holiday monday after-all. Infact not only were we unlucky, but everyone was. All of first call was booked. And it looked like we were spending the full 4 hours to Kings Cross standing.

Luckily two seats emptied at Newcastle and we were in the right place at the right time. There were alot of irrate people on the train, and alot of people standing, but i dont have any issue with the train company. They sold booked seats. If you board a train without a reservation, thats the chance you take. Bank holidays are busy.

We hit london late on monday night and i headed home to pack, in the morning I was off to Austria, Mayrhofen and the JibVid.

Mayrhofen rocked, the JibVid setup was smooth, the teams late, and the various staff and crew sorted.

The riding was crappy, with soft slushy snow in warm spring conditions, and my foot was still mending from the ligament damage, so i decided not to go hard on anything… i just hit the park for the first two days… which works well, since straight-lining everything was the call.

It has to be said, the park out there is top rate. Cudos to the Penken shapers.

We were introduced to Scotties (Scotland Yard) on the first night and had instantly found our home-from-home. Cold Erdinger flowed and even colder Jagermeister was issued in test-tubes. Fantastic.

The next couple of days we indulged in the JibVid, scoping the Vans Penken Park, meeting teams, setting up, being briefed, hanging with the Oakley staff and crew and then the eventual running of the contest on the thursday. Friday however was the real highlight, with perfect blue skies joining us for the Best Trick Contest, and of course the hand-in deadline for the teams. In the evening it all kicked off with the film viewing, judging and awards, Clash DJs spinning and Devils Gun raging.

Big congrats to the Onboard crew who stole first place from the infamous Lock Down Projects…

Photos of the contest here.

JibVid Press release here.

This years 15 films here.

So, with JibVid over, we thought we had it sorted… two more days in Mayrhofen to cover the research we needed, then off to Laax.
Almost. We had almost forgotten about Snowbombing…

By the saturday evening, it was clear that something was happening to Mayrhofen. The streets were awash with northern-english accents, posters and branding was everywhere in town… had we forgotten that Snowbombing was one of the biggest prties in the Alps ?

We spent saturday in Scotties hiding from the invaders, drinking Erdinger and Jager on-piece. Consoling each other and talking into cordless 1970′s telephones stolen from the hotel by the fabulous duo of Vicki Warner and Vicci Miller (complete with broken collar bone).

Sunday we decided to venture up onto the other side of the resort, as yet unvisited by us. We walked the short distance to the bottom station of the Ahorn, and bumped into Marc and Brian fro the Clash DJ crew. Once we reached the top, it was decided that snowboarding was out and drinking was in. A quick survey found us all at the nearest mountain restaurant.. including Marc with his slipped-disk.

After a brief chat and much joviality, we decided on a quick run. A good choice as it goes. The simple, short, wide run had rollers-a-plenty and left you wanting more. Sadly the newly visible White Lounge, that we found from the chairlift scuppered plans of riding, again, and we dragged the Clash crew off to the Iglu village for tunes and beer. The weather was stunning and i used the opportunity to roast my face and forearms by refusing to wear anything but a tshirt all day.

One beer turned into many, and before we had said “four Jagereisters please” it had turned 3pm and the fellas were off back to london, the only thing left for us was to ride back down the mountain and complete our days work. Oh, and for Gaby to stack it, and destroy her ACL and Medial ligaments in her left knee.. making her even more useless than me and my bad ankle.

Injuries aside we explored the bar at the bottom of the home-run. Sunk a couple more, then went home for a quick nap before dinner.

Monday – and all was back to work…. we were in super-power mode. we tied-up all the loose ends with research, photography and contacts and then drove out of Mayrhofen bound for Laax and the Brits.

As it goes, it wasnt that bad a drive, it took longer than it should have, we took a wrong turn, and i was stopped and issued a speeding fine by the Austrian police. So about fair i thought. (all hire cars should go at 160 kmph right ?)

We eventually arrived in Laax and found some digs in the recommened Capricorn hotel. The weather was thick and heavy, and you could feel the snow pushing in.

The Riders Palace was just round the corner and we were well setup for a fun few days dodging British champions skiers and snowboarders. As it turns out, everyone else from Mayrhofen was doing the same thing, and the Crap bar and restaurants were laden with riders, staff and industry types we had seen in Austria the day before.

The poor weather and lack of any riding ability between us hampered our exploration of the mountain somewhat, and i found to my dismay that Laax has LOTS of drag lifts… so i decided to drink.
And drink we did.

On the Tuesday night coming off the hill, and after three pints in in the Crap Bar, we headed back to the hotel to change. We got as far as the Riders Palace and decided to have one more…
We immediately bumped into friends and found that the fellas i was arguing with over world politics were actually the headline act for tonights party. Well, what could we do but take them out for pizza ?

The South Central guys were a blast, and we bounced stories and jokes all night before they headed back to prepare for their set. We had a quick change (it was 10pm and i was still in snowboard boots and googles…) then headed back for the festivities. South Central ROCK. End of story.

We socialised, networked and met peope, including Kathryn Miller, winner of 5 medals this year in the various womens snowboarding disciplines – top girl, we love her. Especially her hunger for dry slope kickers and body armour.

The following two days were hampered by heavy snow, high winds and low spirits, we truly had lived beyond our bodies means.
We tied up the work that was needed, drove around the resorts covering the bits we had missed, and packed up ready to leave.
Thursday at 9am and we were driving out of the alps to Innsbruck away from heavy snow…. it felt so wrong.

By thursday night, after a long exit procedure from Gatwick, we were starring at the somewhat brighter, but still depressing sight of the London’s urban sprawl…

Roll-on next season… or at least the summer and beach-time… 

tonight is the beginning of a two rollercoaster… – cant wait.

im VJing with the C6 crew and Longrange at SE1 from 11pm till 3am tonight, then, i head home, get a few hours sleep, then drag myself to Kings Cross for a train to Newcastle. Steve is picking me up there, where we’ll drive up the coast to the beach and relative serenity.

Saturday, we have 20ft waves forecast with 20MPH wind…  so we’ll see if the sea is worth a surf about… if not, diving with the seals could be on.
Sunday is more of the same, waves look better, wind lighter.. some good spots will open up .. looking forward to it. Of course friday, saturday and sunday will be punctuated with large amounts of drinking, catching up with old mates and talking story.

I think we have some time slotted in for a meal with the folks on saturday, so that could work well, really good to see them again.

Monday, will be a quick surf in tht morning, taking in the views and air, then heading for a train at Newcastle for 5pm. Landing back in London about 8pm.

Tuesday morning is 7am up and to Gatwick – flying to Innsbruck, then on to Mayrhofen for the JibVid team talk and build-up.
Wednesday is riding, shooting and learning the park… might even get a few hits in – lets see how the ankle feels..
Thursday is the start of the event, lots of shooting and coverage. Evenings are party’s all through the week.. and somehow im working… till 2am.
Friday is 3 hours of filming, then the close down. Afternoon is best trick in the park – guess where im going to be – then its a 6pm start for the judging and prize-giving. Afterparty ? – yeah, im sure.. go on then.

Saturday, we hope to get some decent hill time… ride some powder, learn the pistes – Mayrhofen is quite a short resort, so should be easy and quick.

Sunday last day of riding and researching, hit some pubs, hit some hills, then ge the car packed for the drive to Laax and the Brits..  Contest evening party arranged… would be rude not to turn up… ?

Monday, we’ll have the contest to cover and meet with contacts..  then its the work on Flims we’re producing… and maybe some snowbaording. Contest evening party…

Tuesday – reseach, riding and shooting at the contest. Hard life. Contest evening party…

Wednesday – last day of trip – run around madly, go riding, grab last shots not shot already, cover anyhting weather disallowed… head for the airport.

Land back in the UK, then off to Croyde for the weekend to see Jamie, get some surf, and maybe chill out a little…

This photo is my desktop at the moment – it arrived through Desklickr – sorry if its your photo