Après Ski…

While I waited for Claude to return from a morning on the slopes (snowboarding with the other gorgeous Europeans I'd noticed around the resort), I decided to give myself a few minutes to brag about my fantastic first day on a snow-capped Swiss mountain.

As I mentioned yesterday, our chalet is five-star, gorgeously decorated with wood panelling, fur rugs, and a real log fire—desperately needed at -18 degrees Celsius outside. When we went to dinner, Claude complained bitterly of aching thighs, so I promised him a deep massage with essential oils, which seemed to cheer him up. He knew he had chosen the right agency escort when he picked me.

I did manage to get out and have a swish-swish on the baby slopes to ease myself back into the swing of skiing. It has been a year since my last adventure on a mountain. I also fancied the instructor and took myself back to a beginner so he'd have to show me "once more". The only thing was, once I had mastered the basics and my confidence returned, my charade fell away sharply. He looked at me doubtfully as I went from a mess of skis and boots to ploughing a straight and graceful line from top to bottom. Never mind.

My favourite part of this skiing experience is the après skiing with the other residents, from afternoon to evening. We thought we would look at Horner as the bar is open till 12.30 am with dancing till 2.30 am. Claude is an excellent dancer, although he said he would stay off the alcohol as a hangover at high altitude made him feel like death warmed up. On the other hand, I couldn't wait to taste the local brew and spent much of my time being chatted up by cheeky Germans. Lauterbrunnen is very German, as it happens. The locally brewed beer and food (read: egg-topped rosti and bratwurst), down to cows grazing and picture-box buildings, looks like something out of a Christmas card - very appropriate when skiing over the festive period. I love it. "Claude," says mountain air must agree with me because I was all ruddy-cheeked and sparkling eyes. He knows how to flatter a girl, not to mention a London escort!

And now I am patiently waiting for my favourite international client to come with me down the mountain a little further to gorge ourselves on Swiss melted cheese and hot chocolate for lunch. I hope he returns soon because I'm so warm and comfortable here (it's snowing again!) that I may not move for the rest of the day. And that would be a shame when there's a whole afternoon ahead of me!