In the Bleak Midwinter

They say the best way to get through an Alaska winter is to keep busy and get out of the house whenever possible. Our weekend consisted of:

Saturday morning: Skiing lesson at Hilltop, Anchorage's ski resort. We learned how to push along a flat trail on skis, how to stop, and how to take gentle slopes. Next week, we learn how to do turns, so it was been straight lines only so far.

Then tennis at the local indoor courts for Alan. He is hoping to get some regular games with players who are not going to wipe the floor with him.

Then the works Christmas Party (has to be called the 'Winter Wonderland Party' so as not to offend the jews and moslems and other quirky religions who object to USA celebrating one faith's holy day but not theirs). See us below in our finest going-out gear.

Then the annual cookie bake with a couple we have got to know. We all turned up and made various cookies, using baking, deep frying, and toasting techniques to cook them. Great way to get to know some nice people and have something to do with the hands while you natter. The lady on the right in the picture is Dana, the hostess. She made 20lbs of cookie dough the day before and everyone lent a hand to create and cook them, we then took home as many cookies as we could carry. We had one each for tea with a dollop of American Ice Cream. Very nice.

We have had some amazing frosts this month, and the trees are coated in a way you normally only see on Christmas cards.

This is a local evergreen tree that is coated with hoar frost. The cause of the weather is a centre of high pressure which was kept the winds down and the snow away, but retained a layer of fog which refuses to shift. This is Anchorage last week from the air:


More next week.

Alan