Less than a week until I hit the snow. Tash organised a seven day snowboarding sojourn to Chamonix where I will learn afresh the true meaning of pain. I have not been boarding for nearly three years, and I’ve gained about 10 kilos in that time. This weekend was mostly spent buying new gear – goggles, gloves, thick toasty socks, and a kick-arse West Beach jacket. Yee-hah!