New Year's Day

We had a lovely evening last night. We were dressed up and ready with a glass of bubbly to cheer in the new year, while I took some family photos before we left to go to the restaurant for our dinner. In extras I have included a couple of those photos from last night. 

We used to go to the same restaurant every year, but a few years ago the hotel it was in was sold and the new owners limited the NY dinner to hotel guests only. So last night we went to a different restaurant at another hotel, and while the food was excellent we all agreed it did not have the fun atmosphere we were used to. Traditionally at midnight the village had a huge fireworks display and everyone would take to the streets to watch it. However fireworks have now been banned here due to the animals, as this is a farming community. We got home before midnight and Luke took Xena out for a last wee just as some people let off some very noisy fireworks right nearby, and poor Xena was so spooked by it - in fact this morning she was still out of sorts. Not sure how they get away with it when it is illegal here. I have an extra of some fireworks being let off over the village, as seen from our terrace.

The boys usually go out every NY as they have friends in the village, but they were all too tired to be bothered and so everyone went to bed just after midnight. This morning Luke and Tommy were up early to go skiing again - see extra of the skiers after they finished skiing - while Adam and Pip packed for their return back home to Cambridge. It was sad to say goodbye to them. A train back to Zurich and then flying back to London.

The warm weather continues, and while it is lovely to have bright blue skies and sunshine every day the lack of snow is worrying for the local businesses. They rely on the winter season for most of their income. Apparently this has been the warmest December since 1959. Out on our walk we met a local resident who was astonished to see spring buds on the trees, so early in the season. Luke said that some of the ski runs are getting quite desperate now, slushy with grass on the side of them.

It will be a quiet night tonight. We all enjoyed Glass Onions the other night, it was very entertaining and great to see Hugh Grant in a cameo role. I am loving Emily in Paris, its pure frivolous escapism and just the thing to cheer me up at being sad about Adam and Pip's departure.