Tuesday 24 December 2013

HOTEL DE LA POSTE, CORTINA D'AMPEZZO.. CHRISTMAS FORTY YEARS AGO..

Whoooo.. what a couple of windy days WE have had and the storm that blew across most of the country last night has caused a lot of damage.

WE feel very sorry for all the people who have had their homes damaged by either the water or the wind.. that norty W again..

So SHE and I are extremely glad that WE had not made any plans to go anywhere for the holidays.. but really, unless YOU know that YOU are going to be very cosy and snug when YOU get to where YOU are going, why go anywhere?

Yes, WE do appreciate that people like to go away to stay with their families or friends but the journey alone can be very stressful and it has proved to be this year especially as this appalling weather was forecasted a week ago.

YOU all know that SHE is very old but with an 
exceedingly good memory and SHE was talking to an old friend last week. He is one of the very few people still alive who knew Bill and HER all those years ago and they were remembering a very happy, completely stress-free holiday that they had had many years ago.

He and his lovely wife were with Bill and HER in 
a large party of friends all staying in the same hotel for the Christmas of 1973 and the New Year.

The Hotel De La Poste, Piazza Roma, Cortina d'Ampezzo, high up in the Italian Dolomites, was where they had a wonderful time for ten days.


Lots of 'good' snow had snowed and as the skiing conditions were excellent, the men, all as mad as hatters, were out on the slopes long before their women folk were even properly awake! 

The women awoke and met in the dining room to have a more leisurely start to their day, some went off shopping, some went off skiing, some went off 
to take lessons at ski school.. but what everyone did.. was to meet up for lunch at the Refugio Faloria which is halfway up the mountain for lunch and a mini snooze in the sun.. including all the men, who, of course, by now were ravenous!

Then there was more of the same or they changed it to, those that had shopped now skied and the others shopped or went back down to walk around the charming town but everyone had a great time.


They had dinner together en masse and a lot of 'masse' that was too! A very noisy bunch of people of several different nationalities all chattering and laughing.

The hotel was owned by an enchanting family, who truly knew and practised the art of hospitality. SHE has not been back but the friend, with whom SHE talked this week, has and he said.. "all that is 
different are the faces. The place is still charming, the food is still delicious and the atmosphere still warm and welcoming".

How very nice to hear that this hotel, which has been in existence since 1835, has been maintained at a such a high level of expertise and not been made over into some 'glitzy-bling'ed place.

They left Cortina just after the new year and were supposed to fly onto Geneva but then some BIG snow came in and nothing was going to fly anywhere but no matter, for once in Europe, there are, of course, no seas to cross, the only obstacles are mountains and both the French and Swiss universities are world famous for training engineers on 'narrow track'. 

So instead of flying.. they boarded a comfy train and chuff-chuffed their way up into Switzerland.

Adventures with Bill.. Christmas 1973. Long ago and before SHE had an African Grey Parrot.

WE are here in London for Christmas and the New Year.. SHE worked today and will work again on the 27th. SHE will go to HER own church and WE will have a very happy peaceful time.

WE are both going to have lunch with Tereza and her family on Christmas day.. Now, SHE knows that I will behave impeccably.. but the adults know that there is going to be a certain amount of very riotous behaviour.

How do the adults know this? Well.. there are two young girls who have never met an African Grey Parrot before, let alone had one sit and eat Christmas lunch with them at the same table.. WE know there will be many squeals and giggles when I appear..

So watch this Blog. WE will report back with more Tales of life in deepest Knightsbridge at Christmas time.

Now where is that box.. ooh.. I lurve a good box, it is almost as good as a big brown paper shopping bag.

And so WE wish YOU, Dear Readers wherever YOU may be, a very happy holiday, remember those whom are less fortunate and please, please remember to treasure those whom YOU love and please let them know that YOU do.

GeeGee Parrot.
December 24th, 2013.

No comments:

Post a Comment