IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE A BIGGOT DO IT RIGHT

Please don't call me a biggot Mr Brown, I couldn't stand the thought of having you in my house for 40 minutes, grovelling like a sick pig and then appearing on my doorstep with that sickenening grin of yours to tell the world that I had forgiven you, but I think this is quite funny (and it's only a joke, honest!)

Last month a world-wide phone survey was conducted by the UN. In each country, the only question asked was:

"What is your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?"

The survey was a failure because:

1. In Eastern Europe they didn't know what "honest" meant.
2. In Western Europe they didn't know what "shortage" meant.
3. In Africa they didn't know what "food" meant.
4. In China they didn't know what "opinion" meant.
5. In the Middle East they didn't know what "solution" meant.
6. In the USA they didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.
7. In Australia they hung up as soon as they heard the Indian accent.

A POEM

Sadly we had to attend another funeral this week and one of the poems read out was so beautiful I thought I would like to share it. It was written by David Harkins in 1981

You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he would want: Smile, open your eyes, love and go on

It describes so well the emotions that I have in my heart. If only I could express myself better it would save me much heartache. It is such a rare and gifted talent and I sometimes have very poor delivery. Davy had a saying "don't listen to the words, feel the meaning" but sadly some people would rather be over dramatic and misinterpret words or, even worse, think that they heard things that weren't said.

BACK TO SCREAMING AT THE TV

Here we go again. The General Election begins "in earnest" today with the launch of the Labour Party crap manifesto. Same old, same old. The political pundits will now spend hours dissecting and analysing it instead of simply asking, if this manifesto is the future why haven't you tossers done any of this over the last 9 years instead of lying, cheating and robbing us.

Another "news" item is that "we" snack too much resulting in"us" piling on the pounds! Where do they get their information from, The University of Stating the Bleeding Obvious? Grrr!! This is all very bad for my blood pressure.

It is very quiet at my house at the moment. My grandaughter and her husband are in Mexico, my two baby greatgrandsons are with Dan's mum and dad and my two greatgrandaughters are spreading themselves around the family as the mood takes them. Right now they are with me and today we plan to do what all girls do at the first opportunity, go shopping. We may even take in lunch.

They spent the weekend with my batty daughter who took them out to dinner on Friday evening and then on to the late showing of Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang. They enjoyed the film and would like to see it again. My guess is that they slept through most of it because they are only little (7 & 9)! On Saturday they had a BBQ. My daughter has a large house and loves children. She keeps them as an insurance against boredom and the girls love it there.

Well, let's see what today brings shall we. Toodle pip!

Goodbye Switzerland

It's the sort of morning that would almost make me want to do something daft like stay here forever. The snow covered mountains are clear and sharp against a clear blue sky with predictions of high temperatures today. Who would want to leave this place? But home beckons and I miss my family and friends so I do the sensible thing and get on the train for the airport.

A petty weird thing happened last night when I was having a farewell meal with Monica. The restaurant music was the usual Swiss background stuff when all of a sudden they played 'I can see clearly now' which was a song that meant a lot to Davy and me. It was loud and clear and when it finished the normal lift type 'musac' resumed. It was really strange.
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Wind down to wind up

As the days progress I have gradually felt myself relaxing from the stresses of 'normal' life. One part of me loves it so much here that I would like to stay, maybe buy a small studio apartment, and another part of me wants to go home because I am bored.

My trouble is that I actually seem to thrive on the cut and thrust of the daily grind and can't wait to board that plane tomorrow.

My only regret about going home is that my family will not be there. George and Dan are taking a last minute break and the children are staying with Dan's family. I think it will be a lot for them to handle and have said the girls can come home anytime that want.

I plan to just hang around the hotel today after taking a gentle strole into town to enquire about a studio I have seen advertised. Oh damn! Here I go again!!
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A long walk

Another glorious day yesterday. Too good to stay in, even too good for the spa so off we set to walk part of the way from Barboleuse ( elevation 1211) to Solalex (elevation 1462) a distance of approx 4K. This road is closed to traffic in the winter making Solalex only accessable to skiíers and walkers.

As I am completely out of shape I had no expectation of reaching Solalex but we told ouselves that we would just go to the next corner, then the next etc. And before we knew it we were there ordering a life saving bowl of soup together with a small glass of local wine in the rustic refuge.

Monica then did her little party trick of feinting. She seems to have a problem with melted cheese as in whenever she eats it she passes out! Not funny when you are up a mountain with no way down but the Air Ambulance, a skidoo leaving in another 4 hours or the way we came up - foot! The patron bought a cushion and a blanket, she slept for a while and then announced she would walk down! And how could I argue with a tough old bird like that? Respect! Off she marched with me trailing behind and before long we were enjoying hamburger and chips back at my hotel. I tell you they don't make 'em like that anymore!

Today we were more gentle with ourselves!
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Building Project

This hotel is one of the first, if not the first in Villars, built, I believe, for the English. This is the last month it will operate in its original form. Next month a massive 2.5 year renovation will start, the biggest building project in Switzerland.

I feel priviledged to have been one of the last to have experienced its genteel splendour.

My friend Monica and I went, for me a hike, for her gentle stroll, to see the little Adonis in flower. They only flower for 2 weeks in one location near Martigne. It is a ritual that she observes every spring. It was very bracing hauling myself up the Mountain in a howling gale! I must be mad but I admit I felt pleased with myself for making the effort.

Today is glorious, so Lavey les Bain for a pamper or more walking? Ummmm? Hard one!
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More snow

Yesterday I had a peek into our old apartment. I probably shouldn't have done that because it made me want to buy it back again! The present owners have made it look beautiful, much better than our unimaginative but fuctional decor. It is up for sale but that was then and this is now. Move on. Apart from that, I can't aford it. All together - ahh!

I then spent the morning at Lavey les Bains. This is natural, bath warm, swimming pool complex. I start by gaving a hammam, then have an aqua massage, swim in the mineral water pools, then into the sauna, onto the darkened tranquility room to relax to the sound of tinkling bells, then relax in the aroma suite to the sounds of whatever season is sheduled at that time, like Summer birdsongs, sounds and perfumes etc.

I'm not sure what today will bring because it is snowing heavily at the moment.


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