Happy New Year!

It was nice to see 2009 in somewhere different. We went along with a few other thousand people to the main square in Verbier (where there is a roundabout, go figure) and stood in the snow watching various fireworks going off in all directions - including on the ground when one fell over and failed to take off... A bit scary as it was quite close, but all part of the fun. And firecrackers seem to be the in-thing around these here parts. As does setting them off around people's feet for a laugh. Ha bloody ha you little shits. Downing a bottle of champagne was fun too, as that is the tradition. Unfortunately there were only the two of us to drink the whole bottle... luckily, toilet needs came in the way of finishing the thing, so we had to head back to the flat after a good two thirds. Shame. The photo below was taken on Vic's phone, hence the slightly grainy nature - nothing to do with the shakiness of the taker!

The party then continued in the bar below the flat as Vicki mentioned, which I left around 3 to go and get some kip before my early start. Apparently turning up reeking of booze and half asleep is not what clients expect. Some people...

I have started work in earnest now, and have not stopped since the 22nd December, which is nice. I have had a good mix of lessons too, with private clients as well as group lessons. I am looking forward to having a full day off - although as Vicki says, all I do is ski around all day! But being polite and not doing stupid things on the piste for days on end is probably the trickiest thing... I almost had New Year's day off along with Vicki, but the family I had on the 31st decided that I was so good they wanted to book me for the next morning as well. Always a nice compliment, but it was probably one I would have gladly done without!

Thanks for all the text messages and voicemails (Daniel, j'ai rien compris mais merci du fond du coeur!) it was nice to know people were thinking about us, all the way over here. Oh and for those who have asked, we both have Swiss mobiles and only rarely check our English SIM cards. So email is definitely the way to get in touch!

Happy New Year and all the best for 2009!