A Day In The Alps With Client Liaison
Sippin’ on Cinzano Image:: Harry Webster
Mountainwatch | Watkin McLennan
This article first appeared in the 2015 issue of Chillfactor Magazine. Available HERE.
Adapted from the Client Liaison music video “Feed the Rhythm” by Jack Peddey.
“Great things are done when men and mountains meet.” – William Blake
The view of Mt Buller was spectacular, white capped like a cricketer, but the gentlemen inside the car were unfazed. This was their home mountain and they had seen it all before. In fact, these Buller dashes had become something of a tradition following a Client Liaison performance. Monte would place the microphone carefully back on its stand, pick up his discarded clothing and calmly say, “C’mon Harvey, let’s go skiing.”
Client Liasion is comprised of Mt Buller locals, Monte Morgan & Harvey Miller. Both are self-proclaimed ’90s Synth Pop masters Image:: Harry Webster
They would always take Monte’s 1993 Toyota Soarer. Monte enjoyed the way it handled the mountain road. Harvey on the other hand liked the sunroof; he’d open it to enjoy the rich aromas of the eucalyptus forest – “Utterly Australian,” he would think.
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The Soarer slowed and pulled over to the side of the road; the gentlemen hopped out, followed by their two cheerful black Labradors. They accessorised for a day on the slopes. Monte carried skis, Harvey a snowboard. They clicked in and dropped into a wild, pristine slope populated by a forest of handsome alpine ash.
With impressive prowess, Harvey and Monte descended down the mountain through the trees – the Labradors followed, like a pair of dolphins, leaping in and out of the fresh snow.
Image:: Harry Webster
Monte and Harvey found a calm and quiet place in the magical white forest where they sparked up a BBQ. Over time they had grown accustomed to the classic flavours of Australia and a day skiing didn’t merit changing their deeply satisfying menu of Crystal Bay Prawns accompanied by their favorite mango salad, just like mum used to make from her Women’s Weekly cookbook – so loved it had grown a colony of bacteria nourished by the salad dressings of years past.
“Like a pride of lionesses, they elegantly stalked the BBQ and the two young, handsome culinarians”
The smoke of the BBQ wafted through the wattles. Harvey enjoyed the smoke as it drifted past his lips that sipped the sparkling they had been given the night before. Monte turned and seasoned the prawns; he wondered when those girls were going to show up. The night before he had invited some attractive young girls to the slopes. Mid-performance, Monte had thrown a card out to them in the crowd. He said, “Meet us here for lunch.”
The girls approached on cross-country skis. Like a pride of lionesses, they elegantly stalked the BBQ and the two young, handsome culinarians. A flirtatious interaction ensued between the coquettish females and the obliging males – things got primal and carnal quickly as they feed on the prawns and drank from the bottle of sparkling.
Image:: Harry Webster
Monte broke the passionate scene to return to the slopes. He only ever made short turns; it was a rhythm he preferred. People gazed from the chairlift at Monte’s display of athleticism; it excited and astonished. The sun was falling westward. Monte’s gallant skiing had attracted a squad and together they felt a synchronised rhythm. He had returned to the stage, leading an audience in dance, only this time it was on the glistening slopes of Mt Buller. Harvey watched from below, impressed with their turn rate; it matched his favorite song.
United by the rhythm, Monte and Harvey dropped their ski gear for a farewell to the mountain. “Every day needs a crescendo,” Harvey said. They danced upon the summit as the sun set. It was their way of giving thanks to the beautiful and sophisticated.
