In soft flakes

 

A year ago today

I was travelling to France for the first of two skiing holidays.

They were both glorious weeks.

Impossibly blue skies, sun glinting on snow, conditions superb.

Perfect days and joyous, noisy, sometimes intimate nights with family, friends and strangers. Laughter and wine and good food.

A ski helmet full of vivid memories.

But this year I have arranged no trips to the mountains.

My ski partner across many years, many trips, many adventures, can no longer ski. Not without the risk of further damaging skiing-torn knee joints.

And I have not been able to summon up the enthusiasm to go without her.

Perhaps next year I will.

.

This morning, as if to taunt me, or perhaps to commiserate, the snow falls.

Outside my window.

Sadness in soft flakes.

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© the author writing as Romantic Dominant

Photo taken in Val d’Isere, France, March 2017 by self

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chantaje

 

Another in my occasional ‘songs that I like but you might not have heard’ series.

Except that I hadn’t heard this one either until Thursday last week.

So we had skied the day in wonderful sunshine. The afternoon had consisted of a couple of blacks on repeat, a number of reds, tame blues, some off piste moguls, and a longish blue taken at significant speed to head back to La Clusaz. Five o’clock, still buzzing with adrenalin we slid into a bar. Almost first up on the screen was Shakira and this song from last year. It also features Maluma, apparently a fellow Colombian. All new to me but I loved it.

I have to say that listening to it and watching it this evening it isn’t quite as good as I remembered it – perhaps the buzz of the slopes had heightened Shakira’s attraction – but I have always adored her singing in Spanish. And that face and body….

I saw her perform in London in 2010 and she was pure delight.

Anyway, as you know, I am always lost to a dancer.

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Song written and performed by Shakira accompanied by Maluma

Words in this post © the author writing as Romantic Dominant