MERRY XMAS and HAPPY 2009.....

It has been another busy couple of weeks here in Luchon for Ian and I. Would you believe I have only just started to think about Xmas. There has just been so much going on in our lives, from building work, training, organising AQR, to planning my 2009 race schedule....my brain is actually in September 2009 right now as I have been organising my accommodation for the Champery world cup. Suddenly it is less than a week before Xmas, and the cards I had written weeks ago, when I decided I would be organised for Xmas, are still sitting in the bottom of my bag....sorry mum :(
Anyway right now I have a moment to think about Xmas while Atika sleeps. It's amazing how children can remind you to stop and smell the roses. I have been baby sitting Atika today (Russ and Bené's three year old future down hill mtb super star if Russ gets his way). I have destroyed cute animal figurines and have turned Mr Potato Head (That's Monsieur Potate) into mash, and best of all I have had a french lesson Atika stylee....I can't believe Atika corrected my French impersonation of Winnie the Pooh. After some very tiring playing and reading, we headed to the park to feed the ducks.
This was such an adventure. Usually I walk down the main street oblivious to the sights and sounds around me, but not today. Atika gave me her own personal tour of Luchon's main street. You don't need AQR guides for an adventure, just baby sit Atika. I made friends with loads of dogs, and jumped on every pavement crack Atika could find. I fed the bear statue, and learnt a new walk. I think Atika was playing a game called walk as slowly as you can or she was just trying to walk and do the splits at the same time. Then I discovered Papa Noel or Santa as we say in the english speaking world. Atika's face beamed and I suddenly remembered that Xmas when I receievd my first bike from santa.... It was my beloved green machine with training wheels. I couldn't wait to ride my first bike. I jumped on it and raced down our long steep drive way.....crash.....story of my biking life really :) Darn training wheels made me fall off my bike. So I cried for some extra parental attention and a sweet, before blaming those training wheels. Dad took my training wheels off the bike, then I raced down the drive way to the joy of another big crash as I forgot to turn the handle bars and rode straight into the gutter....more tears and more sweets later and I finally got to ride my beloved green machine. That was such an ace little bike until I destroyed it....yes another big crash.
So what will Sants be bringing the Potter household in 2008...well already all my Xmas pressies have arrived as I'm back riding for Cotic Bontrager in 2009 and 2010. I have updated from my green machine to my gorgeous gold machine...well Ian and Russ have just said that my Soda is not gold, it's closer to silver, but to me it is gold and I have just told them to stop spoiling my story! Honestly those two are always picking on me, now where was I. Yes I'm really excited about my new Soda machine. Cy has told me all about it and as soon as I'm allowed I will tell you more, and include piccies....so stay tuned....as it's a bit top secret at the moment so that's all I can say. In the meant time don't forget to stop and smell those roses! Remember what Xmas is all about and remind yourself that you are never too old to ask Santa for your first bike :) Enjoy those trails this Xmas!
MERRY XMAS and all the best in 2009!
KPxo

Exciting and much warmer days and nights.

CIMG1555
Originally uploaded by Kate Potter

Sorry I meant to finish my previous blog two days ago, but due to my previous blog I have been grounded. Ian doesn't have a sense of humour at times and so I was put to work. Work has always been really fun because it has involved cycling, training, breathing the fresh mountain air. But not this time, my holiday off from guiding, training and breathing the fresh mountain air has been to learn a thing or two about building. I have hammered nails, I have put insulation up, I have varnished and painted walls....I have even learnt a new swear word or two as there have been a few sore Potter moments, especially when Ian tried to knock himself out on the wooden beam. I haven't breathed fresh mountain air for almost two days now since being grounded as Ian decided no weekend for Mrs P, instead let's put her to work. There has been so much plaster dust in the air after we, or perhaps I should say Ian sanded....it's a harsh life :) Well I was still helping and giving Ian moral support. But at long last I can reveal my exciting news....Our room has almost been born, we have almost finished the loft after 6 weeks of working on it day and night. Now instead of freezing our little toes off as all warmth disappeared out of the ceiling, we now have an insulated room. Our house has been sooooooooooooooo cold that we were opening all the windows and doors to let warm air in, how weird is that. In Australia where I grew up we opened all the windows and doors to let cool air in. Anyway I will be back with the almost finished product soon, and then from now on I will be ranting and raving about all my training rides, biking adventures and guiding which I'm so pleased to say starts again very soon.....I'm first to admit I'm a crap builder, actually Ian is probably first to admit I'm a crap builder as I hold most building tools like a pen (bad habit from my university days) and I'm always tripping over things, even my feet. I will also have a brand new gym and AQR office in this space next week, hopefully a phone line too, as we don't have one at the moment. No longer will I be trudging 3km to the hotel for emailing duties......once we get a phone line installed there will be no shutting me up....sorry :)

Mr Ian Potter...my hubby!

Mr Potter
Originally uploaded by Kate Potter

I'm so in trouble for this blog.....but I couldn't resist. I don't think I have really introduced my husband Mr P to you all. So here is the man who introduced me to the mountain bike. Who now receives my bike bits hand me downs, when once upon a time he would buy me bike bits for Xmas, so that he could then put them on to his bike and give me his second hand bike bits.....as I have always said Mr Potter "What comes around, goes around".
Anyway Mr Potter is my b*#%ch. Well that's what he calls himself these days. As he takes it upon himself to look after my bikes, and feed me at races and help me train. He really is a sort, if I do say so myself :) Doesn't this piccie speak for itself.
Anyway Mr P is also part of the Cotic Bontrager Team and owner of AQR......well that's all for now as I have been caught and must end this blog right now! Be back soon, well tomorrow if you are lucky as I have some very exciting news......
Cheerios for now
KPxo