Jochen *Heart* Ovifat

Jochen loves a lot of things...in no particular order: Microsoft Excel, chocolates, coffee, cake, windpower, public transport, we 3, etc. Last week as Monchichi and I were making cookies he said to me, what about going to Ovifat this Saturday.

Where's Ovifat, I asked, and why do you want to go?? It was stupid of me to ask the second question.

Ovifat is apparently the highest point in Belgium (Belgium being part of the Low Countries, you can imagine how impressive this is) - in other words ca 610m. There, you find I think the only alpine ski area in Belgium with FOUR ski lifts. This Saturday a perfect combination of snow and sunshine made it irresistible even to our ecologically minded friend NOT to drive the 1.5hrs to go skiing.

Wow, and skiing we did. Or rather, we two took turns looking after Monch and playing plough horse to Felix's skiing in the parking lot. And yet, it was really really fun. For someone who loves the sport Jochen is surprisingly patient with beginners. I think the proximity to snow (and mountains) is enough for him. All in all he was really pleased Piggy showed incredible promise that we won't be flushing our money down the toilet for his week of ski lessons in end March. Piggy to his credit is now getting the hang of the plow stop and having fun in the snow - a good PR jaunt after all.

Advantages to skiing in Belgium - Belgian beer and cuisine.

Above are views from the only red run - rather short at 400m.

I would say - the next time we're in Chicago during the winter I ain't bothering with heading out to Colorado anymore. I think Alpine Valley will be plenty to keep Jochen the Ski Slut happy!!