Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everybody from Méribel. There's been a festive feel around the mountain in the last few days. This has been helped by wonderful weather with sunshine for several days, as illustrated in the photo of Harriet taken yesterday on Christmas Eve.

There have been the usual sightings of Father Christmas costumes and hats on the pistes and in town, especially last night outside the Tourist Office. Every Christmas Eve here in Méribel we have carols sung by those willing to let rip, expertly accompanied by professional musicians. The atmosphere was friendly and warming despite the chilly temperatures. In the photo from left to right are Cat, Jeffers, Emily and Harriet.

The piste conditions are holding up well despite the increased numbers of visitors. Skiing and sitting on chairlifts has been a pleasure this week helped along by the sunshine and views. I've spent a couple of sessions with Ella, from Australia (via Hampshire). It's her first time in the French Alps, and on skis, so we've had the usual wobbles along the way. It's great to see how quickly novices pick up the skills needed to be able to balance and turn on green slopes. Ella even managed to enjoy the process. Here's a photo of her this morning, I hope her family can pull themselves away from their barbeques in the southern hemisphere summer sun to take a look?

Next week promises plenty. I will catch up with Arthur and family from Monday. Plus there is the Méribel ESF torchlight descent and fireworks on New Years Eve. Will we all stay upright? How many times will my damned torch blow out? Will there be enough whisky in all of our hip flasks to last the descent?

Have a great festive period.

Martin and Harriet