#SnowySaturday #SnowySunday

Saturday 31st, 4.44, -1.1dg, snowing outside my window again... Mountain forecast is for a moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Sun afternoon. Temperatures will be well below freezing (max -6°C on Sat morning, min -12°C on Sun night) It is hard to know what to believe, looking at the three different forecasters I watch every one tells a different weather pattern for today.. fact of the matter is it is snowing out. Yesterday the snow had stopped by 8.00 so I cleared the paths for my incoming Friday girls, as with the eldest being in her eighties and with a recent hip replacement I am always concerned as my driveway has a small incline. Girls dispatched and an early lunch before I head into Bludenz. The Spa supermarket has 25% off all wine, spirits and champagne this Friday and Saturday... need I say more, so my trusty trolley came with !! Hair cut organised at a salon in Bludenz, not sure I have a smiley face, but as I said to the hairdresser, six weeks on and it will all look different again. Snowing lightly on me as I moved around Bludenz and on the trip home. Late evening as I waited for the four guests coming in from Germany for the weekend. I had every intention of going up to the Kirchplatz to watch the closing ceremony of the 2015 EYOF but it was snowing, I knew it would be heaving with people, I was concerned that I may not be here at the house when the guests arrived, and I was just too darn tired, so fire lit and night in. None of the important emails in my inbox that I am waiting for, today is the end of January so a new week starts with February, time will slip away so quickly. My day today will be more sorting, shifting and shovelling of all sorts. The World Cup tour shifts to Vail for the World Championships 02.02 - 15.02 so no couch side for me today as ski racing is taking a short break, just inside work to keep moving forward.

#Snow #FinalDayForEYOF

Friday 30th, 5.48, +0.4dg, snowing steadily outside my window and a gusty wind blowing the snow into the front door....great. Forecasting on the mountain a heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Thu night. Temperatures will be below freezing (max -5°C on Thu night, min -11°C on Fri night) Yesterday was a day to clear the snow twice, and it was a very heavy wet snow to shift, but thankfully it had stopped snowing around midday. I am finding that physio and snow shovelling is not a good combination, she leaves me very tender and achy, and it does not help my back with so much snow to shift so I will have a session in my infra red cabin this morning after I have finished clearing the snow. Yesterday I did the round trip with my trolley to the recycler then out to the Lidl to stock up on breakfast necessities for guests while the weather was calm. Today will be a simple day with my Friday conversation girls in at 10.00 and tuition in the afternoon. Late arrival for incoming guests from Switzerland for the weekend... and they do not have a good clear weather pattern for their skiing sadly. This evening sees the closing ceremony for the EYOF here in Schruns. The general consensus everywhere is that is has been a fantastic week of sport and all the young athletes have had a wonderful time. Our little village has been bulging at the seams with activity everywhere. Party starts at 19.30 with the last medals ceremony then the closing ceremony starts. It is a tricky time for me as I want to go up to the village and be a part of the event but I have guests arriving between 20.00 - 22.00 ... it is a will I won't I thing. Happy Friday.

#Snow #ADayToShovel

Thursday 29th, 5.45, +0.3dg, snowing steadily out the window, forecasting on the mountain a heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Thu night. Temperatures will be below freezing (max -3°C on Thu afternoon, min -9°C on Fri morning). For us minors in the village, forecasting snow all day. The snow ploughs are late doing their first run on the road this morning, normally they do their first pass around 5am. I have some serious work to do outside, and as I have an early morning call for physio I will have to just shovel a path out to the gate...I do not have time to do it all before I leave. Yesterday was a beautiful weather day, but I was stuck inside doing more important things than being out in glorious sunshine doing a tour on my cross country skis... could only dream about it from the window. My house show went well, with a possible return visit for Monday with her husband and architect. Worst part of any of this is I do not have the technical info or knowledge that some require, but so it is, best foot forward. My Wednesday girls came in at 16.00, one with a bottle of bubbles as a belated Birthday celebration and we had a hilarious hour around the table... much mirth last night with some inappropriate comments !!! Today I am thinking I do not have too many options... it will be a snow control day. A day clear of incoming people for anything... nice.... just physio, which if anything like the session on Wednesday will leave me very uncomfortable, and then back into the rest of the day sorting my belongings....I am still in the cellar. Only a couple more days until the end of the month... I have a feeling this year will disappear quicker than I would like.

#HolidayDreaming

Wednesday 28th, 4.38, +0.3, snowing out my window, mountain forecasting a heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Thu night. Temperatures will be below freezing max -3°C on Wed afternoon, min -9°C on Fri morning. Snow here in the village should be clearing through the day, but looking out the window it will be back on the shovel for me. It is too early for the snow ploughs on the road yet, but they made continuous sweeps yesterday through the morning. My day yesterday was one running between appointments... that I did on the road as it was safer than the footpaths. The physio was horrified at the state of my back, I knew it was a problem, but not to the extent that she maintained. I have to go back Thursday and under strict instruction not to shovel snow and to do more Lang lauf ... yeah, right!! What is she thinking ??? From physio a mad dash and running late, to the Litz Stübli for lunch with a girlfriend.. turned out it was her Birthday, sneaky soul. I had to ask the waitress to put my salmon back in the fridge at 12.50, as I would have to return and finish it after my next appointment at the house for 13.00 with the first removal firm in to quote. Gosh, mad dash up Wagenweg in the snow and he was waiting at the door for me. We did the survey of all things returning to NZ and then I ran back to the restaurant to finish my lunch and social moments. Sitting with my reduced number of Tuesday evening conversation girls due to snow, and we decide on a glass of wine to while away the hour as we talk. Incoming call from someone who had read the advertisement in the newspaper for the house. They come in this morning to look through the house. I may then have a pause and a feets up before in coming Wednesday afternoon girls. A girl can but dream of a holiday.

#SnowShovellingDay

Tuesday 27th, 5.05, -0.1, snowing heavily out my window. It started snowing last night as I came up to bed and is not forecast to stop all day so it will be sleeves rolled up at daylight. Forecasting for the mountain a heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Mon night. Temperatures will be below freezing max -4°C on Mon night, min -9°C on Mon morning. Wind will be generally light. Back to winter wonderland magic. Fantastic. Yesterday was one of those long days, early departure on the train to make my appointment with my lawyer in Dornbirn, and do a few things for myself as well. It is always encouraging when your lawyer has the same opinion as you with regard to the complex matters that are keeping me awake at nights. Sitting here with my patience hat on once again. This will be a smiley face if there is a good resolution. Home middle afternoon and then the long process to place an advertisement for the house on the internet. Not really the best time to take photos of the exterior, but no choices given as I do not have any photos of the exterior of the house, garden, surrounds and much more but not the house profiles. Winter does not make it an easy thing to do. No matter, advertisement posted and over 80 hits within two hours of it going public. That may signify positive things, but you do have to wonder at the thinking behind the real estate agent who rang about it... I had specifically stated Private sale no Agents. Chancer. Today is a day for physio in the morning, then at 13.00 the first removal firm coming today and doing the list of things to be shipped back to NZ, not sure I want to see the quote. Tuesday evening conversation girls in at 17.30 then doors locked. It will be a day to shovel.

#CrazyBrain #WCSkiThoughts

Monday 26th, 5.06, -4.7dg, forecasting a sunny start deteriorating into heavy snow. For the mountains a heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Mon night. Temperatures will be below freezing max -4°C on Mon night, min -11°C on Sun night. Yesterday's light overnight, early morning fluffies required a little shovelling but really only because there were people coming to look at the house and my departing guests had walked on it sufficiently enough that it needed to be shifted. The three departing guests enjoyed their stay so much they have booked to return middle March... it is always nice to know that you are doing the right thing for your guests. Busy morning preparing the house ... me a bag of nerves. 15.00 comes and the couple arrive... what lovely people. In your own stupidity you build monsters out of thoughts....What a crazy piece of work the brain is !!! we spent a happy hour and a half talking through the house and surrounds. She wants my dressing room, but is honest enough to admit that he has more shoes than she does. Bless. Today is an away day for me meeting with my lawyer in Dornbirn. This will be an interesting meeting. I have decided that the prone position is no longer where I want to be with this situation, and so the plan is to tackle them head on. A snowy incoming week forecast so I do not see me getting any hill time this week, the other side of that is I have enough to do to keep the momentum going inside the house. WC racing finished in Kitzbühel with Hirscher in 2nd in slalom... merely an observation, but has his form slipped just a little this season, could it be because of a love interest? Not taking anything away from him as he is a brilliantly talented skier, but is he as sharp as he was last season? My other observation from the weekend's racing, and I am the first to admit that some of the elder statesmen of skiing like Raich and Kostelic, have, in their time, have had stunningly brilliant results in their long careers, but does there not come a time when it is better to retire at the top of your game rather than carrying on and settling for such awful finishing places as is now happening more frequently for these men. Apologies to those I may insult by saying that. And Greece went to the polls yesterday... now it really will hit the fan here in Europe.

#Sunday #NoRestDay

Sunday 25th, 5.20, -1.5dg, forecasting down the bottom, chilly with intermittent snow and up on the mountain a heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Mon night. Temperatures will be below freezing (max -4°C on Mon night, min -10°C on Sun night. It was flurrying on us as we left the Haller last night, but only lightly. Early yesterday into Bludenz... I got my stereo sorted, and for free!! fantastic result, but otherwise it was a frustrating day waiting for the weather Gods to get their stuff together so the Men's DH in Kitzbühel could get under way. The women skied their downhill in glorious weather in St Moritz, with gusty wind at times, but blue sky day. Lindsay Vonn took the prize for the best OMG moment and lived to finish the course. I can imagine the reaction of her Doctors and physio team if they were watching. Men finally started on a shortened course so in all reality none of the true spectacle that is normal for the legendary Streif, but a good race non the less. I managed to do some more packing in the spare room late afternoon, principally because I have a couple coming to look at the house today at 15.00 and the spare bedroom is my depository for all things England bound.. in other words a S*** tip. I hate disorder... and even more, I hate not having all my ducks in a row... once more, patience. At 20.00 last night I walked into the village with a friend for an evening drink and a head settling discussion. The Kreuz was jammed, and it was a little too early for the Bodega, so we ended up in the very very smoky Haller cafe... Stink...I threw all my clothes onto the balcony when I got home. Today my three from Switzerland depart and I need to be relatively fast with turn around, so I can present the house in tip top shape. I have the coming week free from guests thankfully, but full of appointments. All the action from the piste in St Moritz and Kitzbühel will have to be recorded so I can watch at my leisure after prospective house buyers have left. In all honesty, I am not looking forward to this afternoon. If it is meant to be so it will happen.

#Week'sEnd

Saturday 24th, 5.08, +0.1dg, a little dusting settled overnight but roads clear, forecasting fog and snow here and on the mountain a moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Sun afternoon. Temperatures will be below freezing (max -4°C on Sat morning, min -9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. With any luck, what was forecast for the mountain today will not eventuate and may just be an inversion which will give my guests at least one reasonable day on snow.Yesterday was just a regular Friday... people in, people out, and in amongst that finishing touches to the Dachboden for incoming guests fro Switzerland, watching Men's Super G on the Streif in Kitzbühel and then later the slalom leg of the alpine combined. I just loved the courage of the men travelling at such speed and executing perfect gymnastics, sometimes only one ski on snow, to maintain an upright position. Hand over face moments at times. Toady is the big one, the Men's Downhill. This will be a brilliant spectacle, but forecasting overcast and periodic flurries.... please don't lower the start...11.45am. Women racing in St Moritz so it will be a busy day being armchair critic. I do need to dash into Bludenz early early with the mini stereo system from the Dachboden as it has been damaged by the previous guests so need to get it into the Doctors. All in all, a simple day under grey skies with a bit of snow thrown down for good measure. Tomorrow sees the start of " Rock The Alps " the Olympic Torch arrived in Schruns yesterday.

#Kitzbühel #EYOF2015

Friday 23rd, 5.14, +0.3dg, forecasting light snow through the day and into weekend, for the mountain a heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Temperatures will be below freezing (max -3°C on Thu night, min -9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. It is a busy time here over the incoming week... today sees the start of the European Youth Olympic Festival, EYOF, being run in conjunction with Vorarlberg/Liechtenstein. Last night I was watching a search light display that I think was coming form the Fussball Platz... memories came back to me when as a little girl in Christchurch, the Industries Fair which always held in Au,gust, they had a search light display to guide people. Back in the 60's the Industries Fair was a big deal and so exciting when we were taken there. So today sees the flame make it's way around the area and competition starts tomorrow. The area is humming. Yesterday for me was once of pressure and intense frustration. My day was littered with must do's, time lines, emails, phone calls, decisions and appointments. Upshot was the phone was nearly thrown at the wall in frustration by 18.30. As I said to my daughter.. it will all look different after a sleep. Today is Friday... tuitions all day so my phone will be on silent. This weekend we have the Hahnenkahmm Rennen in Kitzbühel. Today on programme is the 11:30 Uhr HAHNENKAMM SUPER-G on the Streifalm, and at 16:45 Uhr HAHNENKAMM KOMBI-SLALOM . This will have to be on record.. darn. Tomorrow 11:45 Uhr HAHNENKAMM ABFAHRT the big race on the famous Streif. That I will do live from my brilliant position in my armchair. Sunday 10:15 Uhr HAHNENKAMM SLALOM 1. Lauf Ganslern
13:30 Uhr HAHNENKAMM SLALOM 2. Lauf Ganslern. Incoming guests in the house from Switzerland, arriving later this evening. I imagine now after the incredible actions from the Swiss banking authority, we will see an influx of Swiss here on holiday, and for grocery shopping, as the removal of the pegged rate, Swiss Franc to Euro, has turned everything upside down financially. My departure from Europe cannot happen soon enough in some respects.

#AnotherDayInParadise

Thursday 22nd, 530, -3.8dg, last night we had stars in a beautifully clear night so I was picking a good day ahead, this morning all forecasts tell me mist and freezing fog, daylight will tell. Forecasting for the mountains a light covering of new snow, mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Freeze-thaw conditions max 1°C on Thu morning, min -6°C on Sat afternoon. Yesterday was another lovely morning with my buddy on skis... tasting Salomon v Völkl, clear winner yesterday was the Völkl,  I suggested in fairness she test a third, so game on. I do have a ski date this morning with another friend, but I am feeling a little weary after yesterday. After skiing I had my lovely Wednesday girls at 16.00, then we had a little Fasching starter tickler at one of their homes. Bubbles, homemade bread and home marinated olives... seventh heaven stuff, yes I do eat bread!! I did not overdo any aspect of the evening and was home just before 22.00, but with so much going on at the moment it does not take a lot to tire me. The question is shall I or shan't I ? The boot bag is plugged into heat just so my options are open. Yesterday I fired off an exocet missile in the direction of the Presbyterian Support Otago... My dear wee Mother is the very proud owner of a massive white elephant in the name of Villa 15 in the Wanaka Retirement Village. Because of the stranglehold these companies who own Retirement Villages have over the rights of the Villas we have to pay NZ$530.00 a month for the privilege of mum's name being on the deed of ownership when she has not been living there since September last year. Couple that with the NZ$4200.00 a month we pay for her care in a rest home in ChCh. I had a red mist come over me yesterday when the sole in charge real estate agent charged by the PSO to handle all resale of Villas in the complex wrote a monthly "progress" update to the family and asked what to do next... we have no voice, no options, no choices, no input, nothing other than the requirement to continue paying outrageous fees for the privilege of owning this bloody vacant Villa. It is an absolute scandal. Not only in NZ but around the world. Why are the elderly in our communities treated in such a disgraceful way? I suggested in my email they all hang their heads in shame. Will they, not in a million well paid years. Full stop. My lawyers appointment to tackle the Volksbank has been postponed until Monday, the removal firm is coming Tuesday to start the quote process... It is all going off here, I may go skiing again.

#ShoppingDay

Wednesday 21st, 5.35, -5.9dg outside my window and there could be a fine day dawning at those temps. Forecasting for the mountain a dusting of new snow last night. Freeze-thaw conditions max 1°C on Wed afternoon, min -7°C on Tue night. Today is a day for my skis to go up the mountain again. I have this friend here who is currently test driving new skis and I am helping her so it means I must be on the snow discussing the merits of each pair she is testing. My story, and the decision making here in the house can wait another day. Actually I wasn't here yesterday either.. opps, not a high achieving week so far, but I did do something yesterday that made my heart smile and that was to drop 25 large home videos into the rubbish bin for collection this Friday... never to be seen again. smile emoticon Small minds !! Yesterday I had simple plans. A quick trip to Bludenz early to collect boot repairs and then into it. An sms changed that to a most of day shopping tour to buy a dirndl suitable for the Jägerball in Wien. There were a few other sidelines to the day as well, as you do when girls are on the loose, especially with this particular one. By the end of the day I am sure she had maxed out her cards!! Heavy trip to the recycler late afternoon, as I continue to clear things out and it is a free dump system unless it is sperrmüll and then they charge you by weight, hence the home videos into the collection bin. Tuesday evening conversation girls in at 17.30, then I had to set to and finish a job that I should have done through the day... clean the ovens that I had sprayed on Monday.. I just love cleaning ovens. Today I am up the hill for the morning as we have a good weather pattern, and then hopefully home by midday to do things here. There is a date night on the cards... just three crazy women doing dinner and drinks but thankfully I will slide under the radar on this one as it is supposed to be Friday night and I have a late check in with incoming guests. It will be rescheduled, I just know it and experience has taught me that there is no such thing as moderation in the company of these two.

#FabDayOnSkis

Tuesday 20th, 5.00, -2.8dg, Too dark out to call but there were stars last night when I went upstairs. Forecasting for the mountain, mostly dry. Freeze-thaw conditions max 1°C on Thu morning, min -7°C on Mon night. Yesterday was a stellar morning on skis. The snow was fab, the company brilliant, the new lift is wonderful, but in all reality it does make things feel a little cluttered after the pistes I ski being so open and free.. I know that sounds silly but now we have massive pylons dotted around in places where we had free air...Only my observation, but it shifts people in a very quick and orderly manner from the front to the back of the ski area, sadly the seats aren't heated!!! My knee behaved well until I used the right leg to stamp out of my skis out at the Grassjoch.. lesson not to do that again but all in all a lot of worry about not a lot. Fab. New jacket stayed at home as I had read the temp was -7 at the Kapel, but the new trousers were more of a colour co-ordination fluke with the skis than a fashion decision.... It was pointed out to me by several people. Back in the house by 13.30, not bad for the two of us when we get together. The afternoon was spent with more of the same old same old... am I seeing the daylight, not yet, but I am making progress. Free day for me until 17.30 when the Tuesday group gather, so it is back down to the cellar for me today.

#TimeForSkis

Monday 19th, 5.22, Woooo finally, -3.2dg, forecasting for the mountain, a dusting of new snow. Temperatures will be below freezing max -1°C on Wed morning, min -8°C on Sun night. Today is ski day, my first of the season. Boot bag on heat, skis standing by the door, I am finally going up. The weather will not be as perfect as the absolute bobby dazzler it was yesterday, but never the less, I am going up. The house is free of guests, I am free of tuition and conversation and the sorting and deciding can jolly well wait for a moment. I have promised myself it will not be a couple of hours of skiing and then the rest of the day lost in apres ski.. promised. Yesterday was a day to be outside, with the fresh snow that fell for the entire day and night Saturday, Sunday was a cracker. I was inside sorting the Dachboden after my departing guests, laundry, ski racing from my armchair, selecting and readying for the auction box then polishing all the trophy cups, silver and pewter tankards that were part of Paulii's motor racing history, and then back into the cellar for more organising until 17.30 when my senior tuition arrived. Day done, well and truly. So, today will be a test of quite a few things...my knee will be put to the test in a gentle way, the new skyline lift that I can see from the house will carry me for the first time, a test to see if my end of season prep on my skis is still up to scratch, I do have to be honest I did get a new jacket...that was before I knew I was having to return to NZ and will not be required on voyage, but so it is ... so a test to see if it is a deepest darkest winter jacket or more inter seasonal jacket, and my dear little handies.. always cold so my gloves are in the hot bag with the boots. Incoming onto the snow..... Oh yes.

#HappySunday

Sunday 18th, 5.56, +1.4dg a murky dark sky out the window, but no falling snow. Forecasting for the mountains a moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Sat morning. Temperatures will be below freezing max -2°C on Mon morning, min -8°C on Sun night. We had a variation of snow falling all day yesterday and into the night last night. Sometimes heavy and wet sometimes light and fluffy. I cleared only the once around 11.00 as I had walked on the path to the garage, so cleared the entire area and it was just so heavy and soggy, the snow never really settled again until late afternoon. By then the house was toasty warm and I wasn't going out to do anything about it.The evening floodlights on the jumping centre were fabulous last night through the falling snow. It is seemingly a very busy place up on the jumps since it has been built. My day was also a mixed bag of activities, starting with some slalom ski racing in Wengen.... My man Hirscher straddled so that was the disappointment of the day for me. Today the famous downhill... the forecast should be good. For the women hopefully they get racing off today in Cortina, yesterday was cancelled due to weather. After lunch I was a good girl... into the office mind settled, email written , details sent to carrier firm from England about first definite load out of the house and the contents of the garage. No furniture at this stage. Breathing space. Yes !! The rest of the day was spent finalising the boxes and the office is now officially finished. The spare bedroom looks like a bomb site with boxes everywhere but hopefully it will all be gone within the month. How does a boy collect so much.. seriously... and more importantly how did I let so much of it come across from NZ. Lessons, you are never too old to learn. Today will be a little like yesterday with additions. My Swiss boys bail this morning for a days skiing and then head home, so a turn around on the Dachboden. Ski racing to supervise from my armchair, Sunday lunch to prepare, I really like Sunday lunch as it comes with a glass of wine. I no longer indulge in lunch time aperitivos unless it is for a good reason, or the weekend. smile emoticon Late afternoon I have my senior student who is cramming for her Matura Exam coming for some encouragement and help. Day ticked and sorted. Happy Sunday.

#Friday

Saturday 17th, 5.40, +2.3dg snowing steadily out my window. Forecasting for the mountains heavy falls of snow, heaviest during Fri night. Freeze-thaw conditions max 2°C on Fri night, min -8°C on Sun night. The snow is only just starting to settle on the ground now, with a week of warm winds it is back to the start again for the build up on the ground. I was watching the last of the snow avalanche off the garage roof yesterday as I was in the office, the föhn wind was fierce at times yesterday. It is always nice when Fridays are finished... it was one of those revolving door days yesterday with my three lovely young Swiss boys arriving, bearing gifts at 9.30, so a guide around what they needed to know for their stay with me, then the Friday girls were at the door. By then I had three men in ski gear, five women deshoeing and jacketing, all talking in unison standing in my hallway... first conversation group meeting since Christmas so the noise had bells on it. I have a small eye rolling moment briefly. My hallway is not the grand salon!! One of the ladies ...this one being 84... came 5 mins after we were seated and when she sat she asked who the three lovely young men outside the door were.. they had said to her.. " Ohhh you're late, the others are already here !!! " Just another Friday. My Friday girls always leave late, so a quick lunch and into the office to prep for incoming littles. My day finished at 18.45 ... my senior student was putting her boots on and we were discussing her senior Prom for next Friday, nail polish, hair, dress shoes and the boys arrive back from a day on the HochJoch and a session in Urmonti, a little apres ski bar at the foot of the HochJoch bahn.. No comment...introductions all round and I can see Johanna's little eyes sparkle, bless. In conversation it transpires one of the boys had spent a year in New Zealand in Auckland, Gosh, I have not been called a Kiwi in such a long time. Hopefully we will catch up today and sit down over a glass of something to compare notes. They have requested a late breakfast basket as they were intending on a BIG night in Schruns last night. They have friends staying in the Löwen Hotel so they were all out socialising together and as they knew the forecast for today was heavy snow all day felt there was no rush to go up the hill... if at all. Day off for me today, an opportunity to watch a little ski racing, spend some time in the cellar, again, and just quietly keep ticking boxes as I move slowly through the house. Lawyers appointment next week as I have decided to tackle the bank ... ohhh, that will be a watch this space moment.

#BusyDay

Friday 16th, 5.15, +6.8dg forecasting a fine day in the valley and for the mountains a heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Fri night. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 4°C on Fri morning, min -7°C on Sat night. Yesterday was one of those long Italian lunch sort of days, the only difference it was in Austria and more an Anzac sort of lunch. We started at 11.30 at the Litz Stöbli and were home by 16.00. I probably don't need to say much more. The only constructive thing I did yesterday was sort the filing and desk tops in the office... that was done before my luncheon engagement. A day for the Queen is always lovely. Today is a busy one. Incoming early guests, Friday conversation girls at 10, two littles for tuition in the afternoon and then a senior exam cram at 17.00. It will be good to shut the door at the end of the day. My ski racing today comes courtesy of the men in Wengen and the women in Cortina d'Ampezzo... I will be on TV record today for the mens racing as Wengen is always a spectacle. Combined today, slalom tomorrow and finishing with the grand spectacle of downhill Sunday. A busy weekend ahead.

#Necessity #BeingGood

Thursday 15th, 5.24, +1.4dg, forecasting a partly cloudy day for the village dwellers and a moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Fri night. Freeze-thaw conditions for the snow bunnies...max 4°C on Fri morning, min -4°C on Wed night. The incoming weather pattern should deliver some good snow... waiting waiting. Yesterday was a bed rest day for the entire day with an elevated leg until my Wednesday Girls came at 16.00. I must say it is lovely to see all the conversation groups again, they have been missed. Today I think I am walking a little easier, but no high speed walking this week, either dark mornings or bright days. I am not sure I like inactivity much but I am clearing an impressive backlog of downloads !!! But for all of that it doesn't get any of my more pressing things done. More waiting. Today I am having lunch with a friend... it was to be a ski date.. my first for this season, so instead it will be chat, eat and drink meet.. I suggested a flat non snowy environment, much safer for me anyway. smile emoticon Three young Swiss incoming early arrivals for tomorrow morning, for a weekend of skiing... the forecast is for constant snowfall, so it may turn into a social weekend for them instead. Quietly waiting. I am being good.

#CurveBalls

Wednesday 14th, 5.33, +5.0dg with a sunny morning and rainy afternoon forecast. Last night at 22.00 as I was going to bed it was +5.8dg outside.. not very wintery sadly. Forecasting for the mountain a dusting of new snow. Freeze-thaw conditions max 4°C on Fri morning, min -4°C on Wed night, but they are forecasting incoming snow Friday with heavy falls on Saturday, easing for Sunday...Murphy's Law with incoming guests for the weekend. My trip to the mountain, organised for tomorrow is now cancelled due to a small mishap early yesterday morning. On my early morning walk I decided to test the hill road, up Latschaustr. into Foppastr. and out past the Aktiv Park... it was going well if I stayed in the middle of the road where the slippery bits were almost nonexistent, I had my headlight on the whole way to monitor the surface and adjusted my speed according to surface. Came out of Foppastr. and onto the main road and there was a river of ice coming out of a driveway. A over K. Can't move for several minutes. A long pause to wait for mobility and then headed home slowly. By 13.00 my right knee has developed a new look, and I am in seriously uncomfortable walk mode. Not to be the master of understatement, to say I am pissed off is a good start. I have worked so hard to get my right knee fit after the op last April...sure it will only be a twist as I felt the knee twist when I hit the road, but now I know it is not a happy knee. I gave myself until this morning to see how it came through the night so I will go to the Doc to make sure it is just as I think. Living in a four level house, in a winter climate, poses challenges when you are not totally sprightly..... I am well miffed at myself, and the lesson to be learnt is that it is better to lie in bed in the mornings and be a couch potato through the day ..it is dangerous to try to keep a good level of fitness. The end.

#ThinkingExercise

Tuesday 13th, 5.22, -0.9dg, a bright early morning sky so it must be clear out. Forecasting for the mountain a dusting of new snow. Freeze-thaw conditions max 4°C on Tue morning, min -4°C on Wed night. It is a mixed bag week with heavy snow incoming Friday night. A friend rang yesterday and suggested a ski morning and then lunch on the sonnenterrasse afterwards for Thursday... I am not so sure that I want to go up skiing just yet... we have so many variable reports of the conditions up the hill... thinking. Yesterday was not a walking day as a little snow had come in over night and it makes for difficult and slow walking when you have to pick your way through the paths. A quick shovel to clear the paths so they can dry through the day, then checked in with my elderly neighbour who watches the house for me when I am away and does the mail run. A trip into Bludenz to sort various things, most of which I didn't, and a vegetable buy up. Home and back down into the cellar to continue the sort, throw and repack. Sorting all the Christmas things is easy, the next job to tackle is all the not often used heavy duty clothing, mine and his... where I am going in New Zealand there will be no call for 80% of all that is hanging in the cellar, problem is the decision to get rid of it. From the oil room I go to the wine cellar... now that is an eye roller!!! At this rate I will still be here next year !!! Thank goodness we have only been here for a relatively short time. Today I will put on my walking shoes, then a little more of the same as yesterday. Incoming Tuesday conversation girls this evening at 17.30 so a nice steady simple day with just a touch of exercise of some sort  ... bliss.

#LifeBackToNormal

 Monday 12th, 5.07, -1.2dg. Only a small amount of shovelling to do looking out the window. Mountain forecast a light covering of new snow, mostly falling on Sun night. Freeze-thaw conditions max 4°C on Mon afternoon, min -7°C on Sun night. Yesterday started with rain turning to sleet then snow and it was an on off day all day. A simple little clear up of the snow on the paths late morning because you just never know... they had been saying a lot of snow but obviously not at village level. I spent the best part of the day between watching WC ski racing, dismantling Christmas and then cellar dwelling. Normally I would just return all Christmas things to their boxes until next year but this time I am having to pack for travel so it is not a quick job.... in amongst that, throwing out all the tree lights and things not designated to go home. I figure if I start in the cellar and work my way up the four levels then I should have an orderly system of achievement... well that is my theory anyway. This week starts the return to all tuition and conversation, and new guests incoming for the weekend. I continue on with my piles, boxing and lists of sort, throw, label and don't know yets, in amongst waiting for quotes from removal people for the transport of the things to go to auction in England. So many things and decisions up in the air and no choice but to wait. Patience. "Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week."

#HappyToBeHome

Sunday 11th, 5.55, +3.8dg, home in my bed, forecasting for the mountain mild with light rain (total 9.0mm) on Sat night Becoming colder with a light covering of snow, mostly falling on Sun morning. Freeze-thaw conditions max 5°C on Sat night, min -9°C on Sun night. Home after a very long day yesterday... note to self... don't piss the border guards off at Heathrow because they have the power to delay you and make life difficult !!! A small issue with a 100ml bottle of collodial silver I was carrying in my handbag to ward off the bugs that surround you when you travel at winter time. Wooooo... was he mad at me for not having it in a plastic bag, but more importantly he didn't like my response. Let's put a little of that down to my late night and excessive partying at the Hog and Hoof the night before. The only thing he didn't swab was me personally. Central Europe is on such high alert after the shocking week that was in Paris, so I smiled and nodded my way through it as I had the time. Naughty naughty Moochie. Lesson learnt. Incoming Swiss flight delayed by atrocious weather so we were delayed by over an hour for departure, no problems in the Senator lounge apart from trying to stay awake. I found out once we were finally boarded that we had been delayed further as a checked in passenger, with luggage, had chosen not to show up for his flight, bags out, luggage located, removed.. in all probability taken to a secret location and blown up, then we missed out take off slot so it was a 30 min wait on the apron for a new one.... Joy oh joy, there goes my rail connection in Zurich. Big time. Two hour wait in Zurich HBF for the next rail connection to my part of the world. Super day all in all. Today is a simple one really, unpack, sort, wash, iron, walk, pack away Christmas, catch up on WC ski racing and count my blessings I am safely home.