Coffee with a view

I’m blogging at the restaurant at the top of the Ortisei telecabine. Despite not skiing, life feels pretty damn good. It’s warm and sunny, so warm that I’m sitting here in my t shirt, having shed my jacket and fleece. You would almost think that it is spring, not the end of January. The views of snow-capped mountains all around are stunning. I can’t even begin to describe the beauty. After the snowy day yesterday, which cut their skiing short, James, Heather and Ewan were absolutely thrilled to wake up to sunshine this morning and are making the most of this amazing weather. I have wandered through the village, and after my “coffee with a view” I will go for my swim, deliberately timing it so that I will be there when the outdoors pool opens at 2 p.m.

I must mention one of the dishes at dinner last night. The four of us congregate in the cosy bar for drinks before dinner, then wander up to the dining room for some really excellent food. It’s all great but it was my primo piatti which really stood out for me. I chose spinach dumplings in a creamy sauce. Sounds good doesn’t it? But for the second time in this post my adjectives fail me; it was just absolutely one of the best things I have ever tasted. The dumplings were cooked to perfection and it tasted so good that I savoured every mouthful. I did however assure Ewan truthfully that it did not surpass his Tuscan beef stew which is also right up there in my best ever culinary experiences (of course it’s sadly now off my personal menu due to my vegetarianism!)