Too tired to write

If the weather was odd yesterday, it was even odder today. We got to Gornergrat and thought the sun was coming through the cloud, but a couple of runs later we noticed that the Matterhorn had disappeared from view. It was never wholly clear, but it was there as a shadowy presence. Looked around and saw the cloud coming up the valley as if someone had laid a grey blanket over our heads. Time to head down the mountain.

We fetched up in one of the hotel’s two Jacuzzi, both brand new, and fabulous. The whole of the pool complex has been re-done in the two years since we’ve been guests.

Then tea and cake and a brisk walk around Zermatt. All this exercise is good for me, but it leaves me with little interest in writing, either longhand or directly to my mini laptop. I’ve noticed this before, and conclude that writing requires physical energy. You’d think that using your legs would not stop the brain working, but it seems that it does, in my case at least.

It's just a pity that sitting writing doesn't suppress the appetite because then it would be easy to stay svelte and slim. Seems that doesn't work either.

Makes me want to say a rude word, but I won't give in to such temptation.

Christmas, anyone?

Shopping seems to be the order of the
day at the moment. The Christmas
frenzy where people go into debt in order to have "a good Christmas."
I think I must have some Scrooge genes in me, because I've never liked the retail side of the festival. Home made decorations will do for me, a wreath I've made myself to hang on the door with a big red bow or two
for cheeriness. (Yes, I actually bought the bows!)
I think people have lost sight of the real Christmas. Like being able to see Prudhoe Castle more clearly in winter because the trees have shed their leaves, we need to go back and look again at what it is about. It is not about buying the biggest most expensive presents, nor draping the house in coloured lights.
The government and tv talks incessantly about how we can save energy, and what happens? Nothing. We compete, it seems, to see who can display the most lights. Strings of Christmas lights are slung across towns and switched on by celebrities, shop windows display their wares long after the shops have closed. Floodlit Cathedrals and castles light up the night sky. Do we need such things? Are they necessary? Will we one day rue the day we wasted all this energy? I think we might. And if we don't, then our children and grandchildren might.
There, I've had my say. Enjoy your Christmas, and take a moment to consider the real meaning of the celebration.