Mum and Dad developed a great love of the Alps in the 70s & 80s, in particular Austria & Switzerland, and continued to return throughout their lives, with Interlaken becoming almost like a 2nd home. They would drive down through Europe in the Summer to explore the many towns and villages, sometimes staying in beautiful rustic hotels,then later on when retired taking the caravan down and parking up beside Lake Interlaken for at least a month. They would always be there on the Swiss National Day and share in the cultural celebrations and the mountain life. It is no coincidence that Betty's favourite all time film was the Sound of Music, as we know a story of family life set in the most stunning mountain scenery and involving a miraculous escape from the Nazi invasion, across the mountains to the safety of Switzerland. Mum was keenly interested in the Von Trapp story and how the family continued their life once they arrived in America. As children we may have all groaned when mum said 'let's watch the Sound of Music'..Again.. but really I believe a part of Betty's heart is in that film.

After Dad passed away in 2010, Mum still made every effort to go back to the Alps on various trips. In 2012 Betty along with myself and Carol went back to Interlaken and Grindelwald and travelled to the top of the mountain to remember Ernie and all the adventures they had shared. Mum was 77. She then went on to have several trips out with friends, into her early 80s! Often at Xmas with her long term friend Jean and they would visit the Xmas markets in Austria or stay at a lovely lake-side Swiss hotel. This would involve a long coach journey and various tours and events. There was no stopping Betty! (and Jean!). 

Back in the 1970s mum taught us the basics of ski-ing and we would follow her down the slope like ducklings. As we got older we all agreed that Betty had the best style on the slopes, with her brightly coloured ski suit and the most elegant parallel turns that made the rest of us look like we had 5 limbs! She was clearly in her element. With Heidi being one of her favourite childhood stories, you could even think that mum was secretly Swiss! 

When Andy was stationed up in Avemore, Scotland with the Royal Air Force, mum even got the train up to see him and went skiing with him there! 

We are all grateful for having the opportunity to learn to ski and all the joyful times we had as kids and then into our adult lives, and the love of the mountains and the great outdoors. We were not spoilt. We went without at Xmas in order to have the special holidays, although we were allowed one or two pressies, the main one being a fantastic pair of moon boots for the snow, which we would undoubtedly wear on any possible occasion! 

Thank you mum (and dad) for those years..