A note from the Alps.....

Another beautiful day here, but my camera is dead. My sister has the same camera, just a slightly newer model, and I assumed the batteries were the same. They are to look at, but there is a 2mm size difference, so her charger is too big. So I borrowed one from her friend, who also has the same camera, and it charged beautifully the first time, but the second time.....nothing. Nada. Dead. So either the battery is drained, or dead, or the camera has expired. I won't know till I get home and try charging it there. And then I looked at the price of new batteries, and to be frank, I could get another camera for the same price. Not as good as mine, but still.....

I am not wildly impressed. Thank heavens that this is the year, I think, of universal mobile phone chargers. That reminds me, I have to decide on the upgrade when I get home. Or I will end up paying way too much on the monthly plan. Sigh. I do wish life could be less complicated.

It was -14C yesterday. I actually bought some of those instant handwarmer things for my gloves. That cold. I looked like a blimp with a green scarf when I ventured out to buy some wool. No, I didn't BUY the wool, I went to use up my gift voucher. The BEST kind of shopping! Oh the choice! The delight! And not having to pay!!

On New Year's Day, I went for a walk. I was so cold, I thought my fingers were going to fall off, and yes, I was wearing gloves. Hence the acquisition yesterday. But it was oh, so beautiful.

The sun just reaches the valley for a short time each day, because of the gigantic Alps all around it. There in the background, you can see the Kloster with its school.

The Klostermatt was packed with people skiing and having fun. I ordered a glühwein (hot mulled wine with fruit and spices) and watched the skiing as I warmed up. Just what the frozen body needed! Delicious too.

I managed to leave my glove at the kiosk, but thankfully, I found it half an hour later, or believe me, I would be typing one handed right now. It was cold. Did I mention COLD?

The frosted frozen bush near the stream.

Sun and snow and blue skies are the most stunning combination, aren't they? You actually have to wear sunglasses here, the glare is so bright. Wrap around ones. Or you scrunch the eyes up and they water and then freeze and you look disgusting. I know. Been there.

And, here, for good measure, are some of my annual photos of the fireworks on New Year's Eve on the BBC. I take photos of the TV because the sky line is so beautiful, and the fireworks are spectacular. And this year, or last year, I suppose, did not disappoint.

One day I would like to be there. But then I would never see the skyline in quite the same way, would I! There are times when the couch is actually the best place to be.

This one is my absolute favourite. Just look at that skyline. It looks like a print from a book of fairy tales, doesn't it. And the London Eye. Such a wonderful addition to the skyline of a great city. If you come to London, make sure you go on it, especially in the evenings in winter. Just amazingly beautiful.

And now for something to tingle the taste buds..............

My brother-in-law made these desserts for New Year's Eve in his restaurant. He was fully booked and did a set menu, so great fun was had by all. That is a chocolate flower, filled with Bavarian Creme ( a creamy mousse flavoured with orange, I think) on a raspberry sauce with cream. We will not discuss the calories, but it looks stunning, got rave reviews at the restaurant, and totally blew his sister-in-law (me) away. My paltry efforts back home may need to be improved this year. I mean, I have my own personal master chef to teach me how to make things, don't I, so I need to make the most of it! He is immensely talented. And the eye appeal is simply stunning.

It tastes wonderful too.

Just a few more days, and I will be home again. How the time flies by.

As I look out of the window now, I can see paragliders flying in the sky. Their bright canopies drifting past the mountain peaks. Orange, Red, Yellow. Everything is white out there, and very cold, but the Foehn wind is coming later this week which brings much higher temps and there is a chance most of the snow will disappear. In the valley, at least. Not good for the height of the season.

But for now, I can enjoy the beauty, can't I. I don't really mind re the weather at all. The scene before my eyes is imprinting itself on my soul. I can take it home with me. The photos do not do it justice, you know. It is so much bigger. The mountain(s) in real life. And it is right there, so close I feel like I could reach out and touch it. Soaring high into the heavens.

I could use my sister's camera, or I could try using words instead to describe it all. I love the snow here. It is the ice I try to avoid like the plague. I seriously do not want to fall. And the pavements now are very icy indeed. The snow is carted away each day, and so help me, that exposes the ice. The thinking is that people need to know that there is ice under the snow. I KNOW THAT. But the snow makes it easy to walk, and when you are doddery like me, I have to be sure I am not going to splat. At least I have traction in the snow!

Right. I do believe I will wander over to Marge and have a coffee. All in the name of exercise. Of course!