Is it STILL snowing?
Trip Start
Oct 11, 2011
1
8
17
Trip End
Sep 01, 2012
Arosa, Swiss Alps, Switzerland
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
A lot of food has been prepared by me and consumed by various others since I last blogged. I also managed a train ride through the most stunning scenery, to Chur, the oldest settlement in Switzerland and the most beautiful town where everyone cycles, even in the snow!. And then there was Christmas too. It has been an unusual one for us this year – Sophie and Victoria came to Arosa to help me out and to ski – they did both and we had a lovely if somewhat hectic time. It turns out that both of them can cook, and not only that, they can perform under pressure! I could not have managed without them and I think we did a good job, earning a hefty tip AND a case of champers for our efforts from our lovely guests.
Life in the dug-out (yes, these are real chalet girl digs, let me tell you) took on a whole new meaning with two extra people here – Vic finally relented and shared a bed with me, with Sophie on the futon in the 'sitting room' and we somehow squeezed in all the ski paraphernalia, presents. cards and goodness knows what else. Best time of day was late evening when we all three collapsed into the dug-out, got into our jimjams and sat in bed, chatting over the day’s events on the slopes and in the kitchen and helping Sophie to drink her duty free Baileys. I loved it. Christmas Day was busy but we did have an hour in the dug-out with bucks fizz and lots of pressies before heading off to ski and a good lunch on the slopes. We then rallied round and delivered a great Christmas dinner to 17 very happy guests, including four lovely children, with whom we all fell in love. No culinary mishaps to report that day and hats off to Sophie for an amazing raspberry parfait served with drizzled chocolate, and some rather delectable parmesan and rosemary shortbreads for canapes. A big tribute to Vic for the best cucumber & dill dressing ever, some scrummy roast potatoes and a delicious tiramisu later in the week. (… if you want to hire them you can, but they don’t come cheap!!)
I am very proud of those girls and so appreciative of their help and support,
Our day off was well earned therefore and not to be wasted – on Mike and Helen’s advice we headed up the valley to Langwies, where we left the train and walked some 500m to a waiting skidoo for a 5km journey to the Heimli, a lovely remote mountain restaurant en route to Davos (4 hours on foot!) where we had the most delicious macaroni cheese and cheese fondue, followed in Sophie’s case by Apple Chocolate Cake and Schlagsahne. The best bit was yet to come however as the real treat at Hemili is the return journey to Langwies…..the only way down is by sledge, a number of which are kindly provided by the restaurant, so when you leave you merely grab one and start off on the 5km run home – no matter what your state of alcoholic stupor. We had been quite sensible (for once) and had a great run back with no major incidents, unless you count my continually crashing into the churned up snow and grinding to a halt. According to Vic, I was not going anywhere near fast enough, as she had no such problem. Whatever, tomorrow marks one week since this wonderful adventure and I can honestly say that for the first time since then, my bottom no longer hurts when I sit down, and I can walk normally! I am also sporting some amazing black bruises in the weirdest of places – behind my knee for example?!
Life here in Arosa is calm, quiet and very pleasing. It has snowed for Switzerland since I arrived so we often have white out days which makes skiing difficult. But it’s beautiful and peaceful and everything works despite the snow. There are enormous diggers that almost run you over, continually moving the snow and making the roads passable . They are organised! None of the wrong kind of snow here!! And no, I don't miss the UK at all!
As well as skiing, there are tons of walking trails and its quite common to see people pushing prams or pulling their kids on sledges at 2000m. Only 13 ski lifts, so not a huge ski area, but lots of lovely empty runs, fantastic snow and great off piste possibilities. A haven too for those who love being in the mountains but don't like skiing as there is loads to do here, an ice rink, ice hockey, curling, snow shoe-ing and cross country, all on the doorstep. To say nothing of the shopping! The chalet Runca sleeps 10 and has some availability this season so let me know if you want to get a party together!
The job of chalet girl is a hard one, no doubt about that. I am lucky that I don’t have to clean, just shop and cook, and that’s enough!! I have loved the cooking and am surprised and pleased that my efforts have turned out so well. I didn’t know I could cook – I know that sounds silly, but it’s true!! It’s a great feeling, watching people enjoy the food you have prepared. And I love the mornings in the chalet, when I make the afternoon cake and prep the dinner, in my own time, with my coffee and Woman’s Hour for company – its heaven. Over the three weeks, I have learned to ‘duck and dive’ as our cookery course director Lou is fond of saying, which means I have learned to adapt and change and innovate and improvise and its very rewarding somehow. It feels creative and I have loved it. But on the other hand, I am exhausted and have hands like a brickie and I am desperate to wear nice clothes and make up again, and to find the time and opportunity to lie in front of the TV and watch a movie with nothing else to do or think about! If the truth be known, I miss home.
Disappointed that I have met few new people outside the chalet, but then I am here from 7.30 am until 10pm with a short break to ski or walk in the afternoons, so not surprising really. Just been to book a cross country lesson for tomorrow, so looking forward to a new experience (!) and judging by the number of Porsches parked outside the cross country school, could be interesting in all sorts of ways!
I leave Arosa next week, for the nearby mountains of Austria where I am not going to cook but I will be skiing I hope and catching up with some old friends from Brussels days, and the Edwardes family too.
And I’ll be contemplating the next challenge….where to next??? Argentina beckons, and I am looking for contacts in the wineries and ranches there – if you can help please let me know!!
Thanks for all your lovely comments and emails – I love reading them and it’s great to hear from you!
Have a fab 2012
Jo
xx
Comments
Don't know how you've done it - am sure you deserve every bottle and tip that the guests leave you, and more!!! xx
Hi Jo and Happy New Year! Have loved reading your blogs and admire your energy! Say Hallo to the Pichlers if that is where you are heading next. Love kathy and Stevexx
It sounds really brilliant - very tempted to offer my breakfast making skills . Loved to see pictures of your girls- wow. Say hello to the Montafon - guessing you are off to chez Pichler. Drop by in paris on the way back if you have a chance xxxx
Hi JoJo, Great to hear from you and that you're enjoying the challenge. The area looks fantastic and all that snow!!!! What a place to spend Xmas with the girls. I trust Sophie made it to Les Gets posts celebrations. See you soon. M
well done sounds exciting left 3 presants at marks for you .all that food ,lovely ,i feel envious ,hope you have a lovely birthday love to you all
Lovely to read your blog and see the girls. Unfortunate I can't join you skiing this year although I might persuade Richard to sample a big steak cooked by you in Argentina !!
Love Susie
hope you're having a great birthday - but we want MORE blog!!! x