It's just a step to the left...

Rocky comes to Zurich. :0) :0) :0)

44 is my lucky number.

The world is watching. What an amazing day. Raising my glass to the USA and to the memory of Martin Luther King.

Hoovering the crockery.

For some of you this may be further evidence, as if it were needed, that I have been licking the aluminium again* ;0)

The reality is a bit more mundane. I have an 'official' allergy to house dust mites (and some fruit moulds). That is to say, I have been tested and diagnosed. Usually it isn't too bad, but it has been driving me mad lately. I noticed lately that when I sit at the PC, or at my dining table I would immediately start sneezing/itching.

Now, some of you may be amazed to know that I don't like housework. Yes, really, hard to believe, isn't it? I manage the usual stuff, but dusting the shelves where I keep the 'good' crockery is above and beyond the call of duty. But not-too-close inspection revealed a whole warren, not just the odd (dust)bunny. So now I am feeling all virtuous, having been up close and personal with the Dyson ;0)

Apart from the housework, what else have I been up to? While my darling boy was here, we did some sight-seeing. Amongst other places, we went to Davos and watched in amazement as some complete nutters adventurous types tried their hands at this:


Now I don't fancy skiing,but I can understand the appeal,particularly in such beautiful places as the Swiss Alps, but why anyone would want to throw themselves off a mountain when there is a perfectly good cable car is beyond me!

The weather in general has been cold and snowy, leading to some fantastic scenery.

When we weren't out and about, I was busy fulfilling a request - my son told me that his girlfriend would love to learn to knit. Well, I couldn't let a chance like that go by. I duly purchased an Addi circular and some gorgeous Rowan Wool and Silk. Sadly, the poor girl is allergic to both wool and alpaca. I had to teach her with some man-made fibers,shock horror! To be fair, I got what turned out to be beautiful red nylon and acrylic, plus some black bamboo and soya. She is now well on her way to her first feather and fan scarf. And she wasn't the only young 'un with pins in their hands:



And with that comforting sight, I shall leave you just now.

* I also do Wasgij jigsaws. I know. But we all have our foibles ;0)

Nearly that time again

The time when my heart gets all bent out of shape.

This time last year we were in Edinburgh,getting ready to emigrate on the Sunday, so I had lots on my mind. This year, all I can think of is how much I love my boy and how great it has been having him here.

Time for an update.

As it is now just over a year since I was diagnosed with
oesophageal dismotility I thought I should have a follow-up. I asked around and got a few recommendations and tried to make an appointment today.

Not unreasonably the receptionist said that the doctor would need to see my previous notes. The previous consultant's secretary said there would need to be a written request from new doctor. All good so far. You should have 'heard' the stunned silence when I had to tell the Swiss secretary that the Scottish hospital didn't have access to a reliable fax machine and the letter would have to be sent through the mail...

Brrrrrr

Today iGoogle is telling me that the temperature is -4 outside. Tuesday is forecast to be -8 during the day and -18 during the night. Bloomin' eck.

2009

Wishing you all health, wealth and happiness for 2009

ETA - if you cliok on the pictures, you will be able to see them properly!