Happy Christmas 2016
Well, I vowed I would never do this standard letter thing to all friends. Back in the day it was deemed just too American. I remember we always got photocopied letters from various distant relatives in the US. But now that no-one has time or knows how to wield pen and paper, here goes:
Well, it might have been a terrible year politically but it's been a good one for us mostly. We moved into our new apartment in May after 5 months of renovation. It was much more work than we imagined and we had to replace all the electrics, gas & heating system.
We are the bay window just under the small balcony (called a Klopfbalkon since that is where they used to beat their carpets). It's pretty central, just off one of the main shopping streets which is now a pedestrian zone. There's an underground station right next door so no need for a car during the week. It's a 20 minute walk to the opera.
Unfortunately we can't invite anyone round for dinner yet as the money ran out before the kitchen was ordered. That's next years' project.
So the flat took up most of our time this year, though I did manage a lads trip to Rome to see Scotland thrash Italy in the 6 Nations championship:
and a week cycling in the Pyrenees in June with other lads:
Pascale and I had a week or so in France, mostly looking after Pascale's mother, but also a few days hiking in Vorarlberg in the heat and Tyrol in the snow.
Nenzingerhimmel:
Tyrol:
I also had a week sailing in Croatia with the sailing club from work and friends from the pipe band:
Leo started her masters in Digital Media Technologies at the technical college in St. Pölten and is working at a local television station part time too. This year was our first Christmas not together - Leo was in Süd Tirol, Pascale in France and me in Scotland hiking with the usual Hogmanay crowd:
So, looks like it was quite a busy year of holidays (for me at least) after all. Greetings from us both from cold, snowy Vienna.
I hope you've also had a great year and wish yous all the best for 2017!
P.S. New address for those who still can write:
Schottenfeldgasse 3/19
1070 Vienna
Austria