I'm back from a relaxing few days away with my family in the Italian Alps - where they skied and snowboarded and I didn't. We stayed in a cute chalet apartment that you reached by climbing up two flights of wobbly, wooden stairs. It was so cosy and the views of the snow covered mountains were stunning.
While my three were out on the slopes all day being daring, I walked into town with a sheer drop to my left hand side fringed with pine trees. I looked the odd one out in Courmayeur, as most visitors wore either salopettes or fur coats with designer sunglasses. I, meanwhile, looked like 'Where's Wally?' in my orange bobble hat and hiking boots. It was very friendly in the shops but very expensive, so I looked but didn't buy. I did treat myself to lunch where I sat outside and took in the vista and ate a delicious salad and drank espresso. An Italian couple passed me and asked if I was cold, as my jacket was off but I explained I was from England and so, therefore, it felt like summer to me.
As my crew were not due back until the late afternoon and I had left my book at the chalet, I decided there was nothing else for it but to book in for a back massage. My right shoulder had been hurting for months and Aurora, the masseuse I saw melted away all my knots during my relaxing massage at Alessandro Hair and Beauty.
I received a text asking to please get my daughters some handwarmers as their hands were freezing. The shops were closed for lunch until 4pm so there was nothing for it but to go and sit outside and indulge in a hot chocolate at Mont Blanc Bakery - which was blessed with a glorious sunspot. I closed my eyes towards the sun as I tasted the pure ecstasy which was Italian hot chocolate. It was nothing like I have ever tasted before...instead of a milky watered down attempt at hot chocolate, this was real deal - dark chocolate melted down into a goo of absolute luxury.
After my welcome diversion, I mooched around the shops once they were open and managed to find some handwarmers in the fifth shop I tried. Mission completed, I wound my way back along the roadside path back to the chalet where I crashed in bed for an afternoon nap. It was all go...
In the evening, we met up with two couples we have known for years at a Trattoria where we feasted on local cuisine - which I didn't like the look of but it was absolutely delicious - polenta with melted cheese. It was good fun to catch up and we arranged to meet up again the next night at the local thermal spa to unwind our muscles after skiing - or walking in my case.
The next day was a case of rinse and repeat, although, this time the shops were closed as a Monday and so I just had lunch and hot chocolate along with another lovely walk with bright blue skies above and sun on my skin. I enjoyed some headspace away from my family but by each evening, I was bored and missing them so it was the right amount of time to go on a non-skiing holiday for me.