Phew! Some time off for all of us at Christmas

Phew! Some time off for all of us at Christmas

So Christmas time, I (Simon) spent it down in South Wales staying very grandly at the St Pierre at Chepstow and being ferried to my brother’s in Portskewett. Christmas day was a leisurely job, swim and steam and sauna, Boxing day was a round of golf at St Pierre with my brother Nick, a while since he’d played, so we had fun and didn’t loose too many balls. I would certainly recommend St Pierre Golf and Country Club and as somewhere to go for a treat if you play golf and just want to relax. No incriminating photos available.

Jane stayed in this area and had the In-laws up to visit. It was relaxing and great not to have to do the round. Everyone just came to her. New year was spent chilling out at some friends down the road. A new dishwasher made life much easier and the spare room has been decorated with a new carpet to make the visitors Christmas a little better. So all in all, not much to report.

Andy, Alison and family took another easy jet flight to Geneva a few days before Christmas for a week in the mountains skiing. It seemed easier to get to Switzerland on www.easyjet.com than driving to London - Yes, we just love easyjet! After a night in Geneva youth hostel the car, aeroplane and train journey continued by tram, another train and finally a minibus to Thollen les Memises which is "just up the hill" from Evian where the popular mineral water comes from. The first 30 cm snow of the season was falling and the ski runs were open for business.

We woke up eager to get active on the first morning even though the chalet water supply was not working and the heating seemed to have broken too.

There were 5 in the bed and the little one said......We're not to well off for bed space either. But we were soon togged up and ready for the piste.

I'm not saying we we're excited but judge the photos!

Getting some big air was what we were into!

and come the end of everyday we were happy that we had skied ourselves out!

Even though early evening "Jack Ass" antics (below) had to follow - stair sledging and snow ball fights ensued.

Then off back to our apartment for traditional Christmas dinner. Our Christmas tree is in the corner, sweet!

Then, feeling the pace it was time for bed. Yes that clock really does say 8.15!

We didn't really do the après ski bit properly.

This was more or less the daily routine for the next 6 days and we left feeling worn out but sad to be leaving. Going home was made easier to take as we left in pouring rain and melting snow we realised how lucky we had been to get such decent skiing conditions.

We landed in Liverpool to more snow and it was an added bonus to go out in the hills back at home on New Years Eve.

The walk up Y Lethyr in the sunshine and snow on New Years Eve afternoon was marvelous.We wished we could have kept our skiis!

We arrived on the summit of Diffwys as evening approached. There couldn't have been a more beautiful place to see the sunset on 2001 and reflect on mixed thoughts of what contrasting events had taken place during such a notable start to the millennium.

And no we didn't have a torch! Lucky for us there was a bright moon shining and we all made it home for a hearty meal and New Year Celebrations

Well Christmas has come and gone, The carefully chosen wrapping paper has been discarded with the fancy bows and ribbons. Thank you letters have been sent, and we are all back at work.

Already things have started in a busy vein. Delighted to say that after an incredible end to the year sales wise, we are now replenishing stocks of properties available with some really good looking homes. Andy has been out most of the week with "take ons", so we have peace and quiet to get on with customers enquiries and phone calls. So watch this space and do not delay if you see something you like.......... people lost out last year being slow, waiting, then reacting and being pipped at the post. What do they say in sales - be proactive not reactive?! Those people may be now looking at prices 10% or higher than last year.

News. We have a new member of staff Lucy and we look forward to seeing her development. We will get her to sort out her "profile" for the Office Profile of this web site in due course.