This was 2023

2023 has almost ended, and it was a year of ups and downs. This is how it was:

Healthwise

The year started with my chemo pills (Cabometyx) not working properly and the methastases growing again. So it was decided that it would be best to undergo a series of radiography sessions. These took place early in March. All went well until early June, when I had heavy cramps in my stomach and was sick all the time. One morning, I was taken to the ER and there it was decided that I needed urgent surgery. Afterwards I was told it was touch and go and even the surgeon didn't rate my chances very high. I had a stomach perforation, most likely a side effect of the radiation. But I woke up after surgery and only had to spend one night at the intensive care unit. By now the scar has healed well. This surgery had a couple of positive effects. Instead of taking chemo pills I had to start up immuno therapy. I seem to have no problems with that. By now I've had 4 courses already. And another thing: I can eat well again and even can enjoy a glass of wine of champagne! Last Sunday we went dining for my sister's birthday, and I finished the entire 6-course menu with suiting wines.

Weather

2023 has been a year of big heat (June and September) and for lots of rain and wind. Most of the time it looks like autumn. It doesn't freeze or snow.

Finances

Last year in December we could sell our flat at the North Sea coast (Knokke-Heist). Thanks to the nice price we received (an offer from somebody who really wanted the flat) we could start renovations in our house and we also could travel a lot.

We had the electricity in the house completely revised and also we placed new windows and doors in the entire house. Ceilings have been lowered and isolated. Old furniture has gone and has been replaced by custom made new one.

And in the course of the year, we have gone to Antwerp, Brussels, Manchester, London, The Hague, Amsterdam, Dresden, Iceland, Spain, Qatar, Montenegro, Morocco.

Conclusion: the year has ended a lot better for me than the one before!

Weekend Antwerp

Last weekend we spent in Antwerp, the town where our grandmother was born. We love coming here, as there is always something going on.

This time we went to see a theatre play. The company uses an old, cosy theatre near the Keyserlei. And oif course, Antwerp is also great for shopping! We couldn't resist buying some stuff, of course.

We came home on Sunday evening. The next day I had to take my second course of immuno therapy. Uop to now I don't suffer any odd side-effects. Since I stopped taking the chemo pills, my life has changed. I can now eat normally once more (already gained some weight) and drink a glass of wine when I like. My feet don't hurt anymore.

Let's hope this can continue!

Later this month we'll return to Antwerp and we'll also make a city trip to Bournemouth in Great-Britain.

Unexpected visit of an old friend

Saturday last, the day after we returned from our trip to Qatar - which is, btw, a wonderful destination and very safe for women (more about this trip in my travelblog) - someone rang our front door bell. It was our former neighbors's daughter. 

Emile and his wife Mariette came to live next to us early in the 1960's. A year or so later their daughter Christel was born. My sister Christine was only a few years older and the two girls became close friends. When Emile's father passed away, he inherited his house and the family moved. By then Christel was married to  Erwin and they got two daughters.

She always kept contact. We met in town for a coffee or a meal, we emailed or spoke on the phone. 

Right now, Christel and Erwin have emigrated to Kenya and have started a business there. They have a luxurious camp of tents for glamping. Around this time the took a short break and so we got a visit.

It's always nice to meet people if you haven't seen them in a while. We talked about our youth and all the fun things we did together.

Back at home

The recent months, our life has been quite busy. I had surgery in June, and needed the following month to recover. Then in August we did trips to Montenegro and Spain. Early September we travelled to Morocco, and now we have just returned from a trip to Latvia and Lithuania - followed by a weekend Antwerp.

We try to see as many places as possible because with my health problems you can never tell when it will stop.

The trip to the Baltic states was interesting. Pnly thing, it was quite cold there. Just as well we brought some warm clothing! Personally, I liked Vilnius (capital of Lithuania) better than Riga (capital of Latvia). But more about that in my travel blog.

A weekend Antwerp is always nice. Our grandmother was born there and as kids we always went to this town if we needed anything, next to seeing grandma's cousin Swas (abbreviaion from Francoise). This time we went to see a play. Theatres close around 11 pm, and by that time there aren't any trains to get home and therefore we always take a hotel.

Exceptional September

We have been having the most wonderful September month since ages! From the beginning of the month, the temperatures rose to the twenties Celsius, which is quite unusual for the time of year. Yesterday, the weather guy told us that September has been warmer than July and August. This year, we had two beautiful months, June and September.

I love nice warm weather, Because I don't have any fat left on my body, I get cold easily, and high temperatures help a lot. 

The nice weather is going to continue to at least the beginning of October. Hopefully it won't become very cold too soon, so we can save up on heating for a while longer. 

Apart from quirks in the weather, here in Belgium we don't suffer any other calamities in general. Earth quakes can happen, but are seldom felt. And fires we don't have a lot either. Sometimes a bit of heather goes into flames, but the latest years people have been more careful and nothing happened.

In travel modus

We're back home, after a trip to Morocco. We were there when the earthquake happened, but as we were staying in Tangiers, we didn't even wake up.

Morocco is a great country to visit. The people are very friendly and helpful and the food is good (good news for those who watch their weight: you won't get fat by eating the local food). I love couscous and tajine's. 

Tangiers is in the north of Morocco. From our hotel's roof terrace you could see Spain and the Rock of Gibraltar. The town itself is worth a visit, and in the area you have other town like Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Assilah. Enough to see to spend a week there.

We came home with things we bought, as usual. The last places we visited were all cheaper than Belgium and so you buy things which would cost some otherwise. In Montenegro I bought mostly t-shirts in my XS size, in Spain I got a beautiful leather jacket and now from Morocco we brought back a painting (actually, just the canvas, rolled up and it just fitted in one of our suitcases) of Berber warriors.

We had a great holiday and now we're enjoying the last beautiful days at home. The weather is supposed to change next week. In October we go to Lithuania and Letland and then the next trip is to Qatar. Now that my sister is retired as well we can travel whenever we like (and as long as there's money for it). Quite a nice feeling! 

For next year we have plans to visit Finland, Brazil, Egypt, Saudi-Arabia, Jordan, Estland, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia and Albania, Israel and Cyprus. 

Eviva Espagna!

Normally, we should have taken a trip to Albania early in July. Regretfully, due to my surgery, we had to cancel this trip because I was still not strong enough to travel. To console ourselves, we booked a trip to Spain for the middle of August.

Our destination was Malaga at the Costa del Sol. There are direct flights from Brussels airport, which makes it easy. From Malaga airport it was only a quarter of an hour by taxi to our hotel in Fuengirola. The Higuron Hilton is really something. A big complex with hotel, villa's and flats. We had a suite in the Leiro tower. The hospitality was superb! We were warmly welcomed, found lots of welcomin surprises in our suite, like champagne and chocolate sweets.

Our main goal was to relax, but of course we didn't spend all our time at the infinity pool. We took a trip to see Malaga and environs, and also went to Granada to visit the Alhambra. It was a very relaxing time. When we returned home, it was a big change from the sunny and warm weather at the Costa del Sol. Here it a lot colder, and it rains regularly. Luckily for us, we are looking forward to a trip to Morocco.

Exploring Montenegro

 We have just returned from a trip to Montenegro, one of the former parts that once made Yugoslavia. We stayed in Podgorica, the capital city. It's in a deep valley, not directly at the coast but ideally situated to visit other places. From there you can ride to Tirana (Albania) or Sergbia and Croatia.

The stay at the hotel was quite cheap. All in all, everything was cheap in Montenegro. Unfortunately, it won't stay that way because Montenegro has applied for membershipt of the EU. They already have the Euro. 

We made several excursions to places in the mountains and at the coast. We had a great time there, mostly sunny days with temperatures around 35° Celsius. Only one day we had thunderstorms in the morning and late evening. 

I could eat well and had no other problems. Slowly on the mend, that is. It felt nice to at last see some sun, as the weather in Belgium  has been bad, more like autumn. And it doesn't look as if it's going to improve!

Getting back to normal

 The weeks are slowly progressing, and my body is healing. I still have an ugly scar, but the wound has healed well and the scars will fade in time.

I'm still finding out what my stomach will do when I eat certain things. I can't have fries, that's a given. I have replaced them by slices of potato (boiled and cut into slices) which I put in the oven and bake. They get crispy, but there is no fat involved. Vegetables poses no problems. Fish is ok, so are scampi and prawns. Meat is ok when the weight of the piece is around 100 gr. I just have to avoid fat food (no fast food, like pizza, hotdogs, hamburgers, ...) and hot spices.

I have been out the house for a couple of times already. Walking goes better by the day. At first I was a bit wobbly on my legs (too weak after the surgery). I don't do heavy lifting yet, and pulling a fully filled caddy with errands is out of the questions. 

At the end of the month we'll be leaving on a trip to Montenegro. We ordered a taxi to bring us to the airport, so I don't have to do any lifting. Because when you take the train, you alwys find out that the lifts aren't working and you have to climb a lot of stairs to reach the platform. We didn't cancel this trip because normally there shouldn't be any problems, according to my doctor.  I'm looking out for it!

Recovering after surgery

Last week I was discharged from the hospital. It felt good to be at home. Now I'm getting home nursing for a while, until July 10th. The wounds have to be treated daily and tomorrow the last stitches have to come out.

I can honestly say that I feel better day by day. Here at home I can eat the things I like best (like oats and yoghurt in the morning instead of stale bread with jam). My sister tries her best to prepare all those things I like. At first I still couldn't eat very much, but now it goes better. I have to gain weight asap. In the hospital, after surgery, I weighed barely 44 kg! I don't ming being a frail women, but I can't get underweight. Tomorrow I have to check in at the hospital to see some doctors. The dietist will also come along to see what can be done to get me stronger. I'd like to weigh 50 kg again. Then I don't have to renew my wardrobe, but I will feel healthier by far. 

Gaining weight is harder than losing it, I think. Now that we are eating healthy food, my sister is losing weight (she's very happy about that) but it doesn't have any effect on me.

Hospitalised

Monday past I had to go to the hospital because I felt bad as never before. 

After a couple of hours of investigations, the doctors decided I had to have surgery. Proved that I had a perforated stomach. This was treated and now I'm in the hospital awaiting improvement. I can eat again, although only very light meals like yoghurt and some bread.

Perhaps I can go home by the end of the coming week. The past year I've been suffering with my health, having one problem after the other. I hope this will be the last thing! 

Health problems

 I'm sorry I haven't been writing for a while. The past three weeks [ had a lot of pain, especially at night. And it'still going on. I have an abdomen scan next week and other appointments in the course of the coming weeks. 

So I won't be activeren for a while. 

Long weekend

During the month of May, we get two long weekends. On this first one (starting on Wednesday), Chris and I made a trip to The Hague in Holland. Not far away, but still a nice destination. By train it takes about 2 hours to reach the Dutch capital.

Our hotel was in the middle of the town center, which made it great for exploring. The Hague is a cozy town and the people are friendly. Everywhere we went drinking or dining, we were served by folks who love what they do and don't have a thing with tourists. Prices are equal to those in Belgium.

On our first evening, when dining in the hotel's restaurant Blue Blood, we were talking to an American woman who sat at the table next to ours. She told us that the famous Vermeer painting, Girl with a Pearl, was back in the Mauritshouse. Back on our chamber, we immediately tried to book tickets and managed to get a time slot for Saturday. I can certainly recommend a visit to the Mauritshouse. They have a fine collection of Dutch and Flemish masters, like Rembrandt, Van Dijck, Rubens, Breughel, Steen, Vermeer, ... Up to April, most works of Vermeer were on display at the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum, but all tickets were sold out when we visited two weeks ago. 

But luck was with us, as now we had a chance to see the famous painting. As a memento, we bought a framed tile with the image of the painting on it.

Also with the weather we were lucky. It didn't rain for a change, and the temperature became more agreeable day by day, with Saturday being the best.

Eurovision 2023

Did you watch last night? Thousands of people did, including us. Our country had qualified for the big final, with Gustaph and his song 'Because of you'.

In the media, the winner was already known: Sweden with Loreen's 'Tattoo'. 

As always, it was a big circus with some special acts. You only need a big bag of potato chips and a bottle of wine to get through it! 

Gustaph brought his song as always: with a strong voice, good live vocals and some dance. Personally, I found this song the best of all. It gives you a good vibe. He's gay, but I've experienced that gay people are very nice ones. When I lived in Bensberg (Germany), my best friend was a gay man. He cuddled me often, but it never gives you a bad vibe. With straight men you always have to be on your guard, because any of their gestures could be sexually interpreted. So when a gay fellow likes you and shows his affection, you know it's genuine and you can just enjoy it. Unfortunately, my friend is no longer with us. 

In Belgium, both Flanders and Wallony send it candidates for the Eurovision Song Festival. One year Flanders, the other Wallony. Belgium only won the contest once, with Sandra Kim (J'aime la vie). Flanders's best result was sixth place with Tom Dice and his song 'Me and my guitar'. Now Gustaph took 7th place. He even got three times 12 points from the jury. Greece, Australia and Georgia were so kind to give their 12 points to our Gustaph.

Busy weeks ahead!

This month will be a very busy one. Not only do we have workmen over the floor - renewing the electricity circuit - but we also will be away from home quite a bit.

The electrical work started at the end of April. Our installation dated back to 1929 and although some renovations were done already, you can imagine it's not quite up-to-date with the new regulations! So now Ivoco (the company we contacted to do the renovations) is busy with work on the electricity. New cables everywhere, new contacts and plugs. We've been living in the dust for some time yet. You can clean as much as you like, but as long as the work is going on, it's actually no use.

And at the end of this month, another firm will put in new windows and doors. More dust!

To escape the dust, we do some trips this month. Then at least you're a couple of days free of loud noise and dust. We've been to Antwerp last weekend, and coming up are trips to Amsterdam, The Hague and London. 

I suppose our renovations will go well into 2024, as there is still so much to do and sometimes it takes time to get the right materials. And of course we must see to our financial plan. The hourly rate of the workers is fair, but materials have gone up in price quite a bit. 

Oh well, we'll survive and then we can live in a house that looks new and is up to the new standards. 

Hope this can continue...

I don't know how it happened, but since I underwent the 5 sessions of radiology in the hospital of Aalst, I have been feeling better than ever.

At first I thought it could be because I had to stop taking my Cabometyx (the medicine that prevents growth of cancers) for a while. The months and weeks before that, I couldn't eat very well (was satisfied after a few bites), my feet hurt like hell and I had to take painkillers all the time, I was nauseous every week, ...) All these side-effects stopped as soon as I started the new treatment. 

After the radiology sessions I started with Cabometyx once more (guess I have to take it until I die) but up to now the side-effects haven't returned.

You can't imagine how that feels! Now I can have a glass of wine when dining out - and eat the full menu. The first time we did that was in Manchester. We both had a cocktail, then had wine with our dinner. And we ate a lot! Last Sunday we lunched in Mirage (one of our favorite restaurants here in Dendermonde) and I managed to enjoy the entire Easter menu as well. We finished a bottle of champagne (a present to my sister, from one of the people she works for) and I never got nauseous. My feet still don't hurt and I haven't had to take a paracetamol (the only painkiller I can have) for 7 weeks already!

I feel stronger as well.

I don't dare to hope that the metastasis on my pancreas will have gone. But perhaps my pancreas is working better now. I'm not a doctor, I don't know the reason, but I just hope this can continue for a while (and hopefull for ever). Be assured that I treasure each day I'm feeling great and enjoy every morsel I put between my teeth.

Trip to Dresden

Because of my having a course of radiology to treat the metastases of my cancer, my sister thought it better to cancel a two week trip to Egypt during the Easter holidays. When I did not seem to suffer any ill effects of the treatment, we replaced this long trip by a shorter and more relaxing one.

Our destination was the town of Dresden in former East Germany. Dresden was bombed during World War II and most of the city was destroyed, but the people there were quick to start rebuilding. As a matter of fact, the renovation is still going on. I suppose that withing 10 years or so, the city will be restored to its full glory.

Dresden is a beautiful town, with lots of baroque buildings. We were lucky to have our hotel practically next to the Frauenkirche. Beautiful church , from the outside and inside. And best of all, the ringing of the bells didn't disturb our sleep!

We were also lucky with the weather. Up to now the weather here in Europe hasn't been great. Last year, the month of March was sunny and warm. Now it rained practically every day and the temperatures were below normal. In Dresden it was sunny, but still a little cold. Of course, you can dress up to the cold. A warm sjawl and bonnet help a lot! 

Besides the churches, monuments worth seeing are the Semper Oper (the opera building), the Residenz palace (where the kings of Saxony used to throw their parties) and the Zwinger.

We had a good time there. I'll be posting something on my travel blog, as soon as the pictures are all uploaded.

Weekend Manchester

Friday morning we took a plane to Manchester (yes, flying is cheaper than going by train!). We arrived there around 10.15 local time and so we still had a great part of the day left to enjoy our stay. The hotel we booked is quite near the center. This town center in Manchester is not too big to walk around. There are enough restaurants, café's, theatre, clubs and shops to thoroughly enjoy oneself. 

Our main goal for this visit was to see the musical My Fair Lady. When it was running in London, years ago, my sister wasn't interested but now she made no objections (mainly because an actor/singer she's following on Instagram took the main role, that of professor Higgins). And the show was super! Michael Xavier was great, as was the actress who played Eliza Doolittle. Even famous opera singer Lesley Garrett was in the show.

And for the rest we did some walking, having great lunches (and I could fully appreciate them, since I'm on a pauze with my pills - prescribed after my course of radiation) and do some good shopping. I don't know what it is, but whenever I'm in the UK I come home with some new items for my wardrobe!

Making an old friend happy

Since I was 16 (which is already 50 years ago!) I've been in contact with Rajeev. At school, during our English lessons, we were given list of addresses of people who wanted to correspond (in English, of course) with youngsters from Belgium. I wrote to several people on that list. Some responded, among which Rajeev from India. He had the same age as I did, and ever since that time we shared news of what we were doing and were feeling. A beautiful friendship that goes on and on.

Together we finished school and started university. I became a high school teacher, he a judge. He married and had two daughters. When the eldest of them was to marry, we were invited to the wedding. Unfortunately, it was in the middle of a school period and both I and Chris couldn't take leave from our job. Another time, years later, Rajeev and his wife wanted to visit Europe, but there was a problem with their visa and they had to say in India.

Right now we are planning a trip to India for early next year. So there'll be finally a chance to meet in person! We are going to visit Delhi, which will be the starting point for our trip. I've send in a contact booking form for a rail journey in a luxury train, but have to wait for confirmation. When we get our tickets, we'll do an 8 day journey throught parts of India, visiting different places like the Taj Mahal in Agra and the place where you can view tigers in the wild. Will be certainly an experience!

Course of radio therapy

 During the past days, I've been getting a course of radio therapy. This took place in the hospital in Aalst. In Belgium, not every hospital offers all the existing therapies. Our hospital got the newest type of ct-scanner, while in Aalst (13 km from Dendermonde) they have the equipment for radiation.   

I didn't have to worry about transport. The hospital arranged it. Each morning, I was picked up by a volunteer driver, and of course brought back home.

To my good fortune, I didn't feel any negative effects from the radiation. I wasn't tired, not nauseous, not having to sprint to the bathroom. In fact, I feel great. Now we have to hope that this therapy has the desired effect. We'll only know this in several weeks, even months. 

As of the end of this month, I'll resume my normal course of taking my daily pills, which are a kind of chemical chemo.

Back from Iceland

Chris and I have been taking a trip to Iceland during the schools' crocus break. We flew directly to Kevlavik airport from Schiphol (Amsterdam). By train, Schiphol is easy to reach. We take a train in Dendermonde to  Mechelen and there we can board the ICE train to Amsterdam, with a stop at the airport. Because we had to leave on a morning flight, however, we went to Schiphol on Friday afternoon and spent the rest of the evening and night at the Hilton airport hotel. It was brandnew and you couldn't hear anything of the planes. We had an undisturbed sleep and could enjoy a great breakfast before walking through a covered connection to the airport.

The stay in Reykjavik was interesting. The only minor point was that there was a general strike going on in Iceland, and so we had to make up our beds and fetch new towels and other necessities ourselves. I'm curious to see if Hilton will compensate in some way for this (little) discomfort?

We made several tours from Reykjavik to other parts of the country. Saw geisers, glaciers, black beaches, lava rocks, old Viking houses, etc. Even learnt how to pronunciate Eyafjallajokül (!) But more about that in my travel blog.

And yes, I know, I'm running behing there, but as an excuse I must state that I have been very busy with other things (the renovation of our house, my medical treatment). Tomorrow I'll start my course of radiation for the methastase on my pancreas. Got a few phonecalls about this when in Iceland. Luckily, the same prices as in Belgium are being reckoned (Iceland is part of the EU). 

A little scare

I haven't been around for a while. This has plural reasons.

First of all, the period between my last post and now has been very hectic. We're in the middle of renovating and isolating our house, and every week people are here to make estimates, make measurements, do a job ordered already. Our kitchen has been succesfully updated. We have new aplliances and had the tops of the work tables (which were in a sort of synthetic material) replaced by pure stone. Looks so much better and won't lose its splendour by extensive use. So that's already one job finished. 

For the replacing of all windows and doors of the house, there has been reached an agreement with the company KwaDRO, for a very reasonable price. The new doors and windows will be in PVC and the glass will be high resolution, giving an excellent isolation value. The company estimates that the placement will take place somewhere in May-June.

Another company, Ivoco, has been contacted for the work inside the house (isolation, making of dressings in the bedrooms and other furniture downstairs, ceilings, etc.) We haven't got a price for that yet. Also the bathroom needs renovation. We still have a bathtub now, and we want to replace it by a walk-in shower. 

That about the renovations. At the end of January I had my four-monthly scan and the result was not so positive. The growth on my pancreas is increasing in size once more. This happened already two years ago, but then I had to change the pills I take (my daily poison) and it helped for a while. Apparently, now not anymore. The oncologist had a meeting with her colleagues the day after the scan, and their conclusion was that I'd best be helped with a 5-day course of radiation, which can be pointed directly at the area of interest. This will give me the opportunity of continuing with my current medication (Cabometyx) and then they'll still have immune therapy if things would go wrong in the future. Must also say that this won't cost me a dime, as our social security is very good and moreover, I have a medical insurance which covers all the costs that social security won't pay back.

The first moment I heard the news was not great. It's as if the ground sinks under your feet. But having talked with dr. Bambust the day after, I'm positive again. Also the other doctor, who's going to do the radiotherapy, gives me a good feeling. Next week Thursday I have to go to hospital to have an example scan taken. This is to see where exactly they have to aim their beams. The actual course of radiation will take place after the Crocus break in school, starting of February 27th (the doctor takes a trip to Lapland during that week) and will end of the Friday of that week. Dr. Bral expects that there will be not a lot of side effects. Besides, I'm used to them - have been experiencing side effects for nearly 6 years now (diarhea, vomitting, sore feet).

In the meantime, I can enjoy this coming weekend and the coming schoolbreak when my sister is also at home.

First weekend away this year

Chris and I spent the past weekend in Antwerp. This was the first time this year we're away from home - which, in itself, is great because then we don't have to hear the loud noise of our neighbors of nr. 16 (they have moved in last year in January, and they especially make a lot of noise in the weekend, we can only hope they'll split up and have to sell the house). We have been asking them (politely) to try and be somewhat quieter, but gave up when they once gave us the anwer 'Then you just have to buy earplugs!'

The weekend was great. We had a nice suite at the hotel and we warmly welcomed. January is the month for sales, so we did some shopping as well. On Saturday night we went to see a show in a smaller theater (Elckerlyc). It was a revue, full of great music and stand-up comedy. It was well worth it's money, because it lasted until 11.30 pm and our ticket gave us a good seat, plus drinks before, during the break, and after the show. The artists joined the foyer after the show and you could have a chat with them.

We were glad to have such a relaxing weekend, because we have a busy week ahead. Chris is still working full time (until June 30th). I have to run the errands, do the washing and ironing and some cleaning. On Wednesday, a representative of an interior design company is coming in for measurements and making up a price estimate for some changes we want to make inside the house. By the way, I received the estimate for the new doors and windows and I really was surprised at the price. By far lower than I had expected! On Thursday Dylanco is coming to work in the kitchen. Also there are going to be some changes. That same day, another company is coming to fix my heating system (I have to add water every day, and that's not normal). Also on Friday there'll be workers over the floor.

The week after, we are going to finalise the project for the new doors and windows. This means front of the house, and back, downstairs and first level. 

Strenghtening mountain air

We spent our Christmas holidays travelling. First to Milan, then to Switzerland. We stayed in a small village in Unterengadin (region Graubunden) named Scuol. The weather was rather fine (most of the days, we had some sunshine, and the temperature circled around the zero degrees Celsius). Each day, we made a walk to either another village or came down the Motta Naluns, which is the mountain on which the village is built. 

Mountain air became me. Each night, at the hotel, we had a 5-course dinner ... and I could finish every course! At home, for the last two years or so, I haven't been able to eat bigger portions and certainly not more than one course. 

Even now, when back home, I still eat better than before and have already gained some weight. For me that's important. Before the holidays I weighed less that 47 kilo. My sister says I'm a walking skeleton. But yesterday I weighed already 49 kilo, so that's good. I hope to reach 50 soon. 

I suppose I should spent some time in Switzerland every year! Unfortunately, it's quite an expensive country. Our euro is worth less than their Swiss frank. It used to be the way around, one euro worth about 1,50 Swiss frank. 

Switzerland is well-known to be good for people who need to build up strenght. My mother was sent to Switzerland during World War II. That was a program from the Red Cross for children of prisoners of war (granddad was taken prisoner after the Battle for Britain, but he escaped the prisoner camp in Germany and went into hiding in France). As my mother was the only girl, with three brothers, grandma decided to avoid problems between the boys and chose my mother. She would originally go for three weeks or such, but ended up spending 4, 5 months in Switzerland as the Germans blew up railway bridges and the trains could not run. She was there in a nunnery, who also had an old people's home. She had the time of her life there. She was pampered by all the inhabitants, learned to ski and even did her Holy Communion when she became 12 years old. When she finally returned home, she could not close her coat anymore, so much weight she had gained!

It's thanks to mum that Chris and I also love the mountains. We went every winter when we were kids and teenagers. We also learned to ski and Scuol became the place to which we always returned. 

Nowadays it's become a question of making choices. We want to see something of the world, and then you can't go every winter skiing. But perhaps we can return to Scuol next year in summer. That would be great.