In January, Joe Biden was inaugurated alongside Kamala Harris and the world sighed with relief as the orange man passed into history. We live in hope that the world becomes a calmer place under President Biden’s steady hand at the rudder.

The month was also tinged with sadness as we lost two dear family friends. My Auntie Pauline and Papa Spielman. Pauline was in her 90s and a great character, with a wonderful sense of humour and so much energy. Until not long ago, she was still cycling, and helping with our local church. She loved to bake and made a wonderful coffee and walnut cake (my favourite) for me, every time I visited. She was an important member of our local church and along with my mother and several other ladies in the Catholic Women’s Institute, would regularly clean the church. Afterwards, the ladies would have tea and cake in the presbytery, putting the world to rights and enjoying a gossip. I remember her dancing at Abi’s christening with my brother and enjoying a few drinks. We will miss her.

Papa Spielman (Hansjorg) was also in his 90s and walked and skied the mountains he loved in Ehrwald, Austria until very recently. In 1924, Christian and Josefine (Hansjorg’s parents – first generation) built the hotel which had its first customer in 1926. In 1950 Papa Spielman and his first wife Marga, took over the hotel (second generation). We first visited in the late 70s and were greeted with Hansjorg at the reception who proudly showed us around his hotel. We fell in love with it and from that day, have gone back many times for both winter and summer holidays.

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Christian (Hansjorg’s son – third generation) and his wife Margaret took over the hotel in 1991 and we celebrated our 25th wedding there and retook our vows in the local church, with friends attending.

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Since 2017 Christina (Christian’s daughter – fourth generation) and her husband Martin, have run the hotel. They now have a daughter Laura who is the 5th generation of Spielman in this lovely hotel.

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We have enjoyed so many summer and winter holidays with friends and family over the years. A magical place and we can’t wait to return.

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