Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
PHOTO PROMPT © SUSAN EAMES
Skiing in the rain
“Comment as-tu su que je suis Anglais?” I demanded of the bus driver.
He shrugged.
“Only the English go skiing in the rain.”
It wasn’t actually raining, and at the base station it was snowing thinly. The button lift was steep, seven hundred metres at forty-five degrees. You might call it exhilarating; I called it scary. I dismounted, scrambled a turn, caught an edge and tumbled.
Ow! My ankle burned.
Mobile phone.
Bother! It’s still by the bed.
“Only the English…” I thought, gazing round the deserted piste.
Balancing on one leg, it was a long, painful, exhausting journey down…
Autumn Leaves 
I love that your protagonist says “bother”. That’s so English in the most Pooh-like way
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the lovely comment. I guess it places me in a particular age and class, doesn’t it?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A Winnie the Pooh reader? It’s timeless and classless
LikeLike
Oy that so must have hurt
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes.
I’m glad the hurt came across in the story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll be honest, I’ve never seen the attraction of skiing – for exactly this reason! Glad she made it back down in the end!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, but Iain, it’s wonderful! It’s like being a little kid again! Utterly exhilarating. You don’t need to be good at it, or tackle difficult pistes. Just imagine gliding down a track, the skis whispering and Mont Blanc looming next to you. And mulled wine waiting for you at the base station!
And you don’t have to be stupid like the protagonist, and go skiing when there’s nobody else to help you…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll take the mulled wine and the scenery! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I fell off a tea tray sliding down a snowy hillside once and that was bad enough, but this?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, well doing what the protagonist did and skiing when there’s nobody else about is stupid, of course. (Mind you, I’ve done it, more fool me). And I’ve never hurt myself really badly. But, trust me, skiing is magical!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never tried it. I wonder …!
LikeLike
Penny, well written and unfortunately I’ve been there, tumbling off the button lift. Fortunately I didn’t hurt myself but getting back to the start again was hell through the deep snow
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, those button lifts can be tricky…I’m glad you didn’t hurt yourself!
Thank you for the kind comment.
LikeLike
it must be quite an experience. at least, she survived for another day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeed. She’s even been skiing again! Thank you for commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear! She should have thought this through!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I don’t think she’ll ever ski on an empty piste again! Forget her mobile again – hmmm! Thank you for commenting.
LikeLike
Dear Penny,
The pain comes across with stinging accuracy. Ouch. I, for one, avoid anything that includes heights. 😉 I prefer deep water. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle
Thank you for your kind comment. Have you ever tried water-skiing?!
Shalom
Penny
LikeLike
Hi Penny,
Nope, never had a desire to waterski. I’m more of an underwater person. I’ve snorkeled but have yet to scuba dive which is on my bucket list.
LikeLike
Them black runs can be scary, but o so exciting
LikeLike
I have to confess that I’ve never skied a black run, although I’d tackle most red runs. But really I prefer a nice blue run where I can enjoy the scenery and the sunshine!
Thank you for the kind comment!
LikeLike
It reminds me of past adventures that have ended badly. Fun story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the thoughtful comment. I hope your misadventures weren’t too bad!
LikeLike
Poor lady 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, she got down to the bottom with a very sore right ankle, and a very tired left leg, but she got down safely which was all that mattered! Thank you for your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome 🙂
LikeLike
Ha Ha, mad dogs and Englishmen updated for 2020
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha! Yes, indeed. The bit of the story about the bus driver is true! Thank you for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
One legged skiing, slow but acceptable in the situation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeed. Although the lift was frightening, the piste was only a green run. Just as well, since she had to ski on one leg!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Oh, bother!” I’m hearing echoes of Christopher Robin and Pooh :). Fun story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, It is rather A A Milne! Thank you for your kind comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh bother, indeed! Why is it the one time we need our cellphone, is when we leave it by the bed stand? And now you’ve reminded me that I really must try skiing again (in the snow, however) this winter. Oh. Wait. We probably can’t rent equipment with the dang virus still about. Well next winter, then!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the nice comment. We’re so used to having a phone handy these days, aren’t we? I don’t know how I coped before!
I hope you get to go skiing soon and often. Such a wonderful sport!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been promising myself to go again for years now. It’s been a good, oh my gosh… 30 years! That can’t be? But it can…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ten years ago for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re due!
LikeLike
We certainly are!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some days I best spent in bed!
LikeLike
*are* – I don’t know where my English is today! With her phone I guess. 😀
LikeLike