DECEMBER’S service was
placed early in the month. This is a harsh part of the year for us, as while it
is the peak of the chalet-furnishing season the birthday of a certain Mr J
Christ cuts it really rather short. In our household, the birthday of Daughter
a few days before puts another sizeable hole in the diary. Furthermore, rumours
that winter would hit hard encouraged us to get a move on. A large white van is
no place to be when it starts snowing, even with a full complement of winter
gear aboard.
Our Mystic Meg skills
were deployed well this year. This five-day expedition to the Alps and back
involved only one morning of brushing snow from the windscreen and only one
short run with chains on the rear tyres. On the other hand, it involved three
evenings of pleasure in Chamonix. We had a lovely evening with friends at the
MBC (http://www.mbchx.com/eng%20mbc%20home.htm), where the inevitable classic beer ‘n burger
combination provided the perfect balance of carbohydrates and protein. Once
Sunday’s labours (sorry, God) were despatched, a late sitting at the upcoming
classic experience of the Hotel Vert (www.verthotel.com)
Sunday lunch proved one of the best 24 Euros I’ve ever spent on a meal, ever.
Sublime.
One of the great
pleasures of being Philip White Freight is the numerous opportunities it
affords, to stand in kitchens drinking tea or coffee, gossiping with enjoyable
people. This time, among the multitude were the affable proprietors of Les
Houches’ latest high-end chalet experience (www.ten74chalets.com), the equally excellent
owner of Les Houches’ well-established high-altitude, ski-in, ski-out chalet
experience (www.maison-jaune.com),
the creator of what will be – by Christmas – one very beautiful chalet in
Morzine (http://www.thewhitevalleycompany.com),
and a man who commands a stunning view of Morzine from one of his rather tasty properties
(www.themountainlodgecompany.com). Oh. And John Norris,
genius long-term Argentiere resident and photographic chronicler of the valley’s many marvels (
www.chamonixart.com).
Back home in the fair
county of Dorset, our warehouse receives goods on behalf of clients. Many
suppliers are brilliant, while a few are less so. Any mentioned here are in the
former capacity. I’m judging them on their ability to communicate well, deliver
on time and produce goods of quality that are wrapped appropriately for
transport. If you’re organising trans-continental shiftage of goods, you need
assurances that your original supplier will literally come up with the goods
before they enter our tender care. This month’s crop of the great and good
include, in no particular order:
www.garycox.co.uk (excellent Weston
Supermare-based window and architectural glass supplier)
All of this
SEO-boosting activity aside, like a great big, tinsel-adorned elephant in the
room, Christmas looms. May we all enjoy it. I’m going to take a little break
with family and friends. Most of the guys I met in December deserve to do the
same – although admittedly those of you running chalets and hotels will be
pushing on through. But may we all enjoy some measure of yuletide pleasure…
we’ve earned it. Merry Christmas one and all. I look forward to drinking tea
and coffee in your kitchen, in the glorious wonder that will be 2015. Bon Noël!
