High Tea

Friday, 1st January 2016

The view

Bubbly!!!

High Tea

Decisions, decisions

Walking down the hill

Jack and toboggans

Aidan and Dave

Big push

Bow River freezing over

Jack in his snow cave

Happy New Year!

Today was positively balmy with our maximum temperature reaching -10 degrees.  Two of us stayed at home this morning (not hard to guess who) while the others headed for the outdoor hot springs and a spot of necessary shopping.  Shan and the younger set assured us that it wasn’t the least bit cold getting out of the hot water into the extremely cold air (at least -15 this morning).  We have yet to be convinced.

Today, Les and I returned to the Fairmont Banff Springs for High Tea, which was really a late lunch for us.  We were given a table in a window corner, with magnificent views of Tunnel, Castle and Rundle Mountains.  Our very attentive waitress was from the Barossa Valley and was excellent at explaining the various options available and then describing the food as it arrived.  Cat was most excited to have a glass of bubbly but we decided to give the twelve choices of tea a miss and have filtered coffee instead.  We started with a small glass of fresh seasonal fruit (strawberries are in season somewhere!), followed by a tower of scones, savouries and sandwiches before the sweet selection arrived – seven cakes each!  No dinner required tonight

Following our feast, we walked down the hill to the toboggan field and met the remainder of the family.  Tobogganing was enjoyed by all (except the official photographer) until Jack attempted a jump and had to have a little “rest” in the snow.  As we returned to the car, we noticed a group of tourists standing on the edge of the river ice taking turns for photographs, even jumping on the ice.  Disaster waiting to happen.

We had a short stop on the way home to visit Rachael, who had a brand new coffee maker for sale.  (Someone, who shall remain nameless, last night managed to break the glass jug belonging to the unit’s coffee maker.)  Unfortunately, the brand new coffee maker was complete except for the vital jug.  More shopping will be necessary tomorrow.