Low blow to high spirits

Twenty years ago my hubby and I bought a postage stamp-sized chalet in Chamonix in the French Alps.

It was before we had kids but, even so, we were still up against it when it came to paying both mortgages at home and abroad. But I’m so glad we stuck with it because this little chalet has been our second home.

Our kids have grown up loving the spectacular natural environment here.

We let friends and family, who otherwise would not be able to get away on holiday, stay here too. We’re here on a skiing holiday

for the first time in two years. It’s been so nice to see other families like us having fun together.

So when I asked on my social media if anyone else had enjoyed getting back to the mountains after two years away, I was really annoyed at one response: “We can’t afford it.”

When people make comments like that, they don’t see the hard work that’s gone into it. They don’t take into account that my kids have secondhand ski wear, we cook our own food and my husband and I still work while we’re here as we’re self-employed.

I know life is tough for many, but trying to make others feel guilty is just not nice.

We know we are very lucky and we’re incredibly grateful.