Author’s book could make a very Alpy Christmas gift
WOKINGHAM author Linda Fawke has launched her new book, Going Downhill – A Retiree’s Guide to SkiBumming.
She recommends it as a lighthearted Christmas present for anyone interested in skis and slopes.
“Ski-bumming is definitely not sliding down a mountain on your bottom,” says Ms Fawke.
“It’s about enjoying life on the slopes.
“It refers to people who aren’t working, and who just enjoy being somewhere, having fun.”
Since retirement, Ms Fawke and her husband Tony do just this in the French Alps.
Linda’s jovial look at life on the slopes is based on their experiences of travelling, dining, and living in the country.
“It isn’t only about winter skiing,” she said. “In summer the Alps are delightful, as is travelling through
France, staying in unusual places, including chateaux, and eating good French food.”
The book also covers the drinking of French wine, buying an apartment, and learning the sort of French they don’t teach you at school.
“Lots of things that are easy to deal with in the UK become more difficult when you are having to sort them out in French,” she explained. “For instance, when you need a plumber,” agreed her husband, Tony, “or the washing machine breaks.”
“And one night, while we were asleep in a French lay-by, our car was broken into and I lost all my cards, and our passports,” said Linda.
“Explaining our situation to the police was definitely more challenging in a second language.”
Linda and Tony have mastered the language by living in the country, but France isn’t where they learned to ski.
“We actually learned in the 1980s
when we lived in Norway,” she said. “We were in our 30s, while our kids learned aged five, seven and nine.”
Linda and Tony, are able to cover long distances, and will be returning to the slopes next year.
“We chose to have an apartment in an area of the Alps called Three Valleys,” said Ms Fawkes. “It’s so
exhilarating to be able to ski all day over a wide area. In summer there are fabulous mountain walks through gorgeous scenery.”
Ms Fawkes says her book should appeal especially, perhaps, people who have retired, and who may be able to devote more time to the activity.
“But anyone thinking of learning will probably also enjoy reading about some of our amusing beginner experiences in Norway,” she said.
This is Linda’s third book, her previous two being novels.
She is a member of the Wokingham Writers’ Group, which meets every month in Wokingham Library.
Linda would like to thank the library for hosting the launch of her new publication, and for their continued support for local authors.
■ Going Downhill – a Retiree’s Guide to Ski-Bumming, can be bought as a paperback for £8.99, or eBook costing £3.99, from: www.amazon.co.uk
■ For information about the Wokingham Writers Group, visit: www. wokinghamboroughlibraries.wordpress. com