#Timetostartwinterprep

Good Morning to Wednesday 29th, 5.44, 1.8dg, Clear forecast through until next Tuesday, fantastic.

I have returned from a fun filled weekend experience in Fox Town, Mendrisio CH. A mind bogglingly huge retail area filled with all the labels a girl needs to make her smile..... and I came away with a small selection of things to make me smile. Our Hotel, Villa Porro Pirelli, was the original home of the Pirelli tyre family, a beautiful old residence, that in its day would have had all the grace and charm of a grand residence surrounded by magnificent gardens, now it is a bog standard and very tired hotel, run by a hotel corporation, filled with Bali furniture imports... I kid you not !! Comfortable and quiet, and not at all expensive with a good breakfast buffet, so in that respect ticked the boxes. We dined out the first night, and then a fantastic picnic in our rooms the second night with delicious foods bought from the Carrefour. Perfect. Now it is back to normality, starting yesterday with dismantling all the curtains from the outside glass terrasse to be washed and packed away for the winter. Today it will be all the cushions from the couches and dining chairs from the Terrasses and then onto the tubs, it is time to think about wrapping everything for snow protection.  School is on mid term break at the  moment and it is rather nice to have no children coming through the door for tuition. The adult conversation groups carry on regardless. In amongst the outdoor winterising I am now starting the decoration of the house for Christmas.. early I know, but I normally start the process the first week of October. Crazy Christmas Lady !! Yesterday up at the recycling plant the place was humming with cars with trailers and people for Africa... Saturday it had been closed so it was like Grand Central Station yesterday... In the space of 10 mins there were five women from my various conversation groups all there so we had a little social gathering in amongst the recycling humm.. a little like meeting and greeting in the supermarket, you always run into masses of people in the supermarket, especially if you don't want to see anybody.  Otherwise a quiet week just ticking along doing what is required in a beautiful but very cold weather pattern. 

Collina d'Oro - Gentilino. Via Sant'Abbondio

#IncomingLagoMaggiore #FoxTown

Friday 24th, 5.23, 1.1dg, 44.7ml rain since Wednesday. We have had it all in the last 48 hours, violent winds, rain and snow. The central heating was turned on Thursday morning early !!! I have waited as long as I could before flicking the switches, but it was too cold out to ignore it. Yesterday morning as we were walking in the sleet, the rubbish on the footpaths from the overnight storm front made for interesting foot actions, especially as it is in the dark at that hour of the morning. The snow was lying on the rooves and the felds at daylight, but rain dispatched that through the day yesterday, leaving a beautiful winter snow line around the mountains. Those in the know say it will not last. The forecast is for a mixed bag today improving over the weekend with a uninterrupted sunshine week next week. Yesterday I went to Bludenz to collect a TV repair and do a few chores, then back home to light the fire and look after myself... am battling a head cold, the last thing I need with a big weekend coming up. Today is a full day of tuition starting with the Friday conversation girls then two junior and one senior tuition... I will probably be able to close the door around 19.00, so will pack my little case through the day as we have an early departure to Induno Olona, Lago Maggiore. We are staying at the Villa Porro Pirelli which places us well for the things we have planned for the long weekend. School is on holiday here next week so I have a week of limited tuition but all the conversation groups continue to meet. I made a pathetic attempt to clean up the wind blown debris from the terrasse yesterday afternoon, but when you feel like total C*** then you never make a good job of it. It can wait until next week in the sunshine. Happy weekend ... :)

#wildweather

Good Morning to Wednesday, 22nd, 6.22, 4.2dg, 26.2 ml overnight rain and after the early evening weather warning from my insurer Uniqa the storm front came through... and did it come through. There were things crashing and banging around outside and it became so bad that at 21.30 I went outside to see what on earth was happening. My big 400 litre water tank was thrown on the ground, and the terrasses were littered with things from the tables and the cushions from the chairs and the leaves... that is one way for mother nature to clear the trees. I will be interested to see the surroundings when it becomes daylight, and with the outside temps having dropped dramatically over night it will be interesting to see if there is a snow line above.Yesterday was an on off weather day but I managed to get two trips up to the recycler to remove all the bottles from the weekend's festivities... it is so embarrassing as you stand there feeding a stream of bottles into the bottle banks, considering they all know I am alone in the house !!! C'est la vie. Last night we had a happy Conversation group, down two on numbers but still very good all the same. A new senior incoming for Friday evening tuition as they have exams coming up... same old same old, waiting until the last couple of weeks before you hit the panic button. Today is a day of teaching a little the English alphabet as it is what her teacher Mother wants... As you do. Later in the afternoon it is my Wednesday girls and they always make me smile. In amongst all of that I will have to fine the time to clean up outside and I have a feeling the fire will be lit early today.

#Incomingwinter

Good Morning to Tuesday 21st October, 5.40, 12.9dg, 20.7ml overnight rain forecasting snow, and quite a bit of it tonight, Wednesday and Thursday.... incoming winter's start perhaps, but it is quite warm outside still. Fingers crossed. Yesterday was the finish of cleaning up after a super busy social three days. Eight of Paulii's old friends were here in Schruns for the annual gathering of the old boys from the ETH. Has time been kind to them, yes some both not others. It is an annual gathering we have all been doing since Paul and I came to Europe in 2008 and there have been changes and losses to the group as you would expect at this age. We all had a happy weekend and all the meals I did were a great success especially as the weather allowed us to dine al fresco on the terrasse for Sunday lunch. Now the big job is to cart all the empty bottles up to the re-cycler, I think it will be two trips!!! So I have signed off on that one as my last, but had some marvellous helpful suggestions from the group as to my next project. The past week of tuition has been a test of my stamina and patience in some cases, you have to love Mothers who know best.  I am very definitely closing the books and not taking any new children or adult tuitions. I have decided to take the Conversation groups back to the core reason for there inception rather than all the extras I have been giving some of the groups.. they have started to expect it as a tuition hour rather than using their language in conversation., for me it was all about using the language to stay current and improve their fluency with corrections in amongst the talking it has now grown three heads in some groups so I have explained it and changed it. This week will seemingly be spent dodging cooler weather patterns. I have still winterising gardens to complete for people, as well as some adjustments to my own. I am hoping this is an early blip on the radar with promise of good things to come rather than the onset of winter for the season. She and I have planned a trip to Fox Town in Italy this weekend... a little retail, especially when it is outlet, is always a happy thing to do, full of anticipation of the possibilities of a good find, and then of course there is the company and the evenings !!!

#Busy #TooBusy

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.

Wednesday 15th, 5.16, 11.9dg forecasting a bright shiny weather pattern for the next 10 days, with the slight possibility of a few nuisance showers perhaps this Friday... I'll take that thank you. I have been crazy crazy busy, with little time to call my own. A friend and I have started early morning power walking, we meet every morning at 7am, bar Sundays, rain hail or shine, and do the business, with power pole sprinting in the mix and inclines as well....all in the desire to be ski fit for November... the things you do!!! I have a 10 min cycle to get to her before that evens starts. Keen you may say. I have finally finished the planting for garden makeover I have been doing for the son of one of my Conversation girls, thankfully everyone seems happy with the finished job, now I just wait for the 40 cubic meters of stones to be delivered and finished. We have had lovely warm soft rain over a 24 hour period after I finished so all the new plants will be smiling. I have already moved onto my next garden to prepare it for winter, and my own still has work needing to be done. Ohhh la la!! My Tuesday Conversation group has grown by another two women of varying ability, but the dynamics of the group seem to be working.  One of my littles who comes to me for English tuition on a Wednesday has regressed so badly in his own mind that in conversation with his Mama we have decided to go back to the very first basics to try and re-engage him. Bottom line is he is struggling so badly with the English curriculum at school that he has switched off. I have a new 9 year old starting on Friday who is also finding the demands of the new school work impossible to follow, these are children who have not done English in junior school other than a little singing and game playing, so now when it become compulsory in middle school they are sinking. The children who have been coming to me privately for the last two years are streets ahead in their understanding and all the Mamas are now talking. My problem is I will not take a child after 17.00 as it is too late for them, and I have no spare time in the diary with all the conversation groups for the adults as well. I am beginning to have too many balls to juggle.  I am finally prepared for the incoming group of Paulii's old Zurich ETH friends and their wives for a weekend of catch up and celebration. All of them, bar one, have not been back here since Paul died so it will be an interesting time. I have booked them all into the Zimba hotel and I will do the lunches and dinners at home. The wine cellar is groaning in preparation. I have put a pair of  bright orange ski pants, bought yesterday, into my ski wardrobe... they are seriously bright and quite gorgeous... I am getting ready. 

#ScumOfTheEarth #AnotherRedFlag #Sgt.JasonRay

What a crazy, unhinged, couldn't give a shit sort of society it is in parts of this sad mad world of ours these days.
Yesterday I received a request for vacation accommodation via a website I use called Gulivers Vacation Rentals, alternatively www.Gulivers.com. I have registered my top story accommodation, along with several other providers, with this company.
Seemingly they have no verification required to access or apply to the website. OK you say, well, I say not so.
The initial email came in as so...

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL! LOGIN HERE AND CHECK YOUR INQUIRIES!

Sgt.Ray is inquiring about your rental property:

Beautiful Tranquil Schruns

Check in date: 17.10.2014

Check out date: 23.11.2014

Message: I am interested in this hotel room and would appreciate it if you could tell me the best price or contact me to discuss it further. Thanks. 

All contact information is saved in your Customer Admin Area on our website. CHECK YOUR INQUIRIES 

My response was so....

To: ratarva@usa.com

Subject: Your enquiry for your stay In Schruns, Austria

Hello, 

Thank you for your enquiry. May I enquire the purpose of your stay as it is for a lengthy time and our Village is not really open for a great deal over this late Autumn early winter period.  A lot of places and mountain lifts are closed as they prepare for the opening of the winter season.

My normal price is €77.00 per night.

 The Dachboden is free for your dates and I am very happy to have you as guest here in Schruns. There are a couple of things I need to point out to you in case you have not read the description. The Dachboden sleeps four happily, but there is no kitchen in the flat so you can only prepare cold foods. I deliver a breakfast basket each morning to your stairwell for collection...rolls, bread, hams, cheeses, butter and confitures. There is a refrigerator, a kettle, a toaster, a Nespresso machine and an egg cooker in the flat for your use. As we are only a quick walk from the centre of the village there is no problem with walking in for your supper in the evenings. Check in is after 3pm and checkout is 9.30am. Providing you are happy with these details I am very happy to accept your request. I will pre-approve your request in the meantime in order to save the calendar dates, and wait to hear back from you.

 Many thanks M.J.

His response was so...

                                                        I WANT TO INVEST IN YOUR COUNTRY

Hello Mary,

Thanks so much for your urgent reply,I am in need of your assistance which is the more reason why i contacted you, Am Sergeant  Jason Ray Am with the  Engineering unit here in Kandahar, Afghanistan for the United States. we have about  11.5 million Euro that we want to move out of the country. My partner and I  need a good partner, someone we can trust to actualize this venture. The money is  from oil proceeds and legal.

But we are moving it by diplomatic means to your house directly or a safe and  secured location of your choice using diplomatic courier services. But can we trust  you? Once the funds get to you, you take 30% out and keep 70% for us. Your part of  this deal is to find a safe place where the funds can be sent to. Our part is  sending it to you,also know that,am surely renting it on your price for a long period of time.

If you are interested,reply and I will furnish you with more  details.

Urgently awaiting your response.

Your Buddy.

SGT. Jason Ray

God Bless America!!!

I then responded and suggested that one, I was not his buddy, and two That God could and would never save America with low life like him operating in this fashion.

And so another red flag to anyone out there that may not see the wood for the trees.  It just seems to be endless this crazy sick scamming system.

#CrazyWednesday

Late Wednesday afternoon... crazy day that has left me thinking. Today started early with an arm pumping, fast moving hour around the flat tracks with my good buddy.  It does leave you feeling very very righteous for taking the time to change the morning schedule and for making the effort. All of this in order to prepare for winter sports.
My young boy that comes to me for important English tuition has had a nightmare session and left me wondering what to do next. His parents understand the absolute importance of the tuition as he has no interest or care, but so it is with some of the young attitude.  It does stop me and make me wonder what to do to engage him.
Ebola continues to dominate this part of the world. I assume we are safe.. assumption can be a dangerous thing.  It continues to sneak closer to the country where I live, and now the super powers are meeting to make a plan... oh Yay !!
Yesterday was a easy day of simple pleasures, a girl needs simple pleasures, more often than not, I say. I have to be honest I have been test driving a new bottle of bubbly, French of course, and I am suitably impressed, so much so, I will go back and get a truck load ... just joking, but I will buy enough to fill some empty racks in the cellar as it is so very drinkable and it is so very not expensive for when a girl needs a little sparkle in her day.  Tomorrow is going to be a day setting the first steps into the creation of the garden project I have undertaken. Sad to say, as I did to the Mother today... we do not have enough plants. So it is also. Found a cutie boots button to put onto the Poppets Birthday dress, when she finds it it will please her. This I know. Miaow !! ❤

#Littleroadtours

If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

Tuesday 7th, 6.12, 11.7dg, forecasting clear sunny weather through to the end of the week. Perfect.

Yesterday was a cool start and a lovely day. I left here at 9am to go on a little road tour to buy plants for the garden project.... car and company courtesy the Mama of the garden owner.  I had an idea, a vision the way I wanted it to look, a purpose behind the job.... Mama had an idea and the pocket book, consequently what we bought was lovely but no way enough. Her worry was buying too much and it was " such a little space" Job done, thanks in main to Müller Gartnerei just outside Thüringen, so off home we trundled with a small selection of plants and weed mat in the back of car. Bless the wee soul when we unloaded the plants on site... her comment was " Ohh it is quite a big space isn't it...I do not think we have bought enough" I hide my look of astonishment..... I will start the job Thursday. Today I am off on another road trip, this time into Bludenz with my buddy in all things girls do. We both have things we need to get done, then I am going to insist on her stopping here and having an aperitivo, lunch and a chat with me. It is time to chat.  This evening I have a challenging Tuesday Conversation group as two new girls are joining and one has only basic basic English... we will all try and see how it works, how they gel together and how the mix of levels goes for all of them especially the original girls in the group.  It may be we have to create a real beginners group for Conversation, time will tell. The Poppets 2nd Birthday dress is still not finished... I need to sit and finish putting embroidery on the little collar and then complete it and get it into the post. It is such fiddly work sewing a dress for a two year old. as everything is so small,  One of my Conversation group girls asked me why I do it ??? My answer was because I have the skill to smock and create a special dress, and it is something I like to do, it is after all for my grand daughter. Blank face. 

#HappydaysHappynights

It’s so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don’t say it.

Monday 6th, 5.40, 9.4dg, 1.1ml rain on and off.  We have really had such a lovely weather pattern so far and that is always helpful when you have things to get done outside and you are on a limited time frame. Winter approaches, and if the garden is not prepared for the possible heavy snow we often get for long periods of time the plants just break open or break off.  That never pleases me as it then alters the summer look and broken plants are never happy plants. I have taken a gardening job to help with my pocket book, and last Thursday I was on the other end of my trusty garden fork and loppers for 6 hours, stripping out a garden area ready to re-plant it into something the male owner can manage with out any real work required to maintain it.  Big job, very sore shoulders. Today I go to buy the plants I have visualised for the garden area and then after laying down a heavy weed mat I will get the plants in and the rocks placed, and then he can do the donkey work shovelling on all the stones. It has been a busy time since I last wrote, with tuition and with socialising... not all the social aspects of the last four days have been very orderly, best to leave it there !! but suffice to say enjoyable at the time. It was a sad F1 race from Suzuka yesterday with Bianchi being so seriously injured, yes it can be a dangerous sport but the unforseeable is very hard to predict. Thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family for a speedy recovery. Online trolling is another aspect of today's modern society that seemingly also has a price to pay. As you sow, so shall you reap. So, the start of a new week, with what looks like a good weather pattern at least until Wednesday. It would be nice to think my plans for the week will sail forward without hitch. I have a new woman joining the Tuesday evening girls and another wanting to come in on the group. That is then full, so anyone else wanting to have English conversation will have to start a new group of five. I bumped into one of my Mother's of a little on Friday night as I was experiencing the hospitality of a new woman's fashion shop opening in the village, and she wants her daughter to start back into tuition in February... that poses a problem as I have very limited space left for after school tuition. I have to operate it on a first in first served basis regardless of how long a child has been coming to me. Bookings in the Dachboden are going well... I see a busy winter ahead. As for the temperature in the house, I decided to get over the fact I didn't want to start having fires so early, I was just too darn cold, so I light a fire every night and now the house is a proper living temperature... at last. Happy days, happy nights.

#Doneanddusted

Wednesday 1st October... how the year flies...5.59, 14.2dg, 3.7 ml rain yesterday late afternoon, forecasting a drizzly wet patchy sort of day today and tomorrow foggy, sunny, cloudy sort of day, not that we generally get fog here in our valley thankfully. Yesterday was a day that was supposed to start with me being caddy for my good buddy on the golf course... she bailed as her game the day before had left her with aching muscles... really !!.. I say get fit under my breath, but in all reality it was a blessing in disguise as I went out early and finished cutting back and preparing the garden for winter. Three large garden sacks of green waste to be taken up to the re-cycling courtesy of my neighbour, thank goodness for fabulously helpful neighbours. Inside for an early lunch of slow roasted pork belly that I had put on to cook at 8am, and I had that with a fresh fennel and orange salad... it was seriously good, seriously seriously good. I had to wait until 13.00 before I could go back outside and start the wood splitter as the lunch hour here is a little like the Sundays... best not to do work that makes noise while people are having their lunch break and rest. I then spent the afternoon mowing the lawn, trimming the edges, and then onto the wood splitter to reduce the size of some of the monster pieces in the wood stack. I then attacked the longer pieces of the plum tree that I had cut down last year and not got around to cutting up into proper lengths. The back area where I do my firewood has been swept down and packed up for another year... I will still have pieces of wood that are in the stacks that will be too big to fit into the firebox but they can be sorted next year. Lawn mower and weed trimmer washed down and packed away for the season, garden sacks packed away and vegetable garden soil covered to minimise weed growth... Sorted, and all just in time before the rain came. Today I have tuition with littles and then my Wednesday conversation girls, but today with a bit of a twist. We normally meet here at the house at 16.00 but today we meet at one of the group's houses at 17.00 for an hour of conversation and then dinner and drinks... my contribution, as I am not sure of the makeup of the evening, is a batch of pistachio and apricot chocolate that I made last night so I hope that will please the sweet tooth among the girls.  Tomorrow I have an appointment to dismantle an exsisting garden, and completely re design and re plant it for him. I am hoping for happy gardening weather. I am, at this present time, considering the upgrade of my iPhone... reading all the articles about the good and bad of the new phone I am not so sure I want to do it. Problem is I have always had an iPhone and am not inclined to change to any other brand or model... hmmm decisions decisions.