An Austrian Christmas

Okay, not posted for a couple of days, it has been a bit hectic.

Today was day off so much calmer...I wish.

Yesterday was not too bad except I couldn't go skiing because of the low cloud, meaning it was impossible to see. Also the temperature has shot up and certainly lower down the snow was melting and it has been raining. Anyway yesterday evening I went on the sleigh ride to a little wooden cabin that has a nice bar and a restaurant. It was quite nice and it was trying to snow. The horses did well and there is a little dog with a green light on it's collar to runs on ahead. They stop on the road and one of the drivers hands round a bottle of schnapps. Very warming.

Everyone seemed happy.

Today was my day off. So I thought I would do a bit of skiing. The weather was not much better, very thick cloud but a bit of snow this time. The hotel asked if I would be about later as they would like me to read something at their Christmas hoohah that afternoon/evening. Well why not......?!

Anyway skiing was OK apart from stacking it very big time because I couldn't see the edge of the piste, big head over heels. But no problem.

Big old pizza for lunch then popped home to change. Back at home the landlady and family gave me a big plate of traditional Christmas biscuits and a bottle of wine. Luckily I had a bottle of cava in the car for a prize in the quiz on Sunday. So that was their present. But they are very nice, as is everyone. They just say Gross Gott to you all the time, complete strangers, it does make you jump at first. But I am a bit used to it now.

Back to the hotel looking a bit more presentable and the general manager gives me a present of a big candle, chocolates and a memory stick. Very nice.

Then time for the celebrations, she says it is easy, she will read out a welcome on german and wants me to do something in English, then she reads a bit from the bible, from Luke for anyone who follows the Bible. OK I'll do that. Then she says everyone sings Carols and that is it.

All goes well until she says the band don't have music for Jingle Bells and she and I must sing, archipelago until everyone joins in! Well it seems to go down OK, no-one left.

Then the Kristkind arrives on a sleigh, probably the one I was on the night before, and hands out presents to the kids and everyone goes off and has their Christmas blow out.

All very nice especially as it is now snowing quite heavily. Good for tomorrow unless I have to put on bloody chains. On the car,  not me.

So that is everything up to date.


 Ski leading tomorrow so that should be good.

Merry Christmas everyone!