Netti loves strawberries

It’s Sunday. Sundays are always sooooo boring. It’s the day off at our riding stables in Serfaus. Okay, the big horses have to work all week long, that’s fair enough … but what am I supposed to do all day long…???

So I rather half-heartedly pull my four little stubby legs together and stroll through the village of Serfaus, making a little detour to the Darrehof. Maybe there’s a bit more going on at the hotel – the children must be somewhere, right? No, nobody there, not even reception is staffed. So I go looking around and find Christa outside at the playground. She’s looking for something there!

“Christa, have you lost something? Shall I help you look?” – “Oh, that’s sweet of you, Netti, you really can help me. I’m looking for nice ripe strawberries. But you’re only allowed to pick the really red ones, that’s when they’re properly ripe.” … Strawberries here at the playground??? I’ve never noticed that before! Of course I help her – okay, I admit, one or two sweet strawberries also end up in my little mouth. “So, Christa, what are you going to do with them?” – “I’ll make a delicious strawberry spritzer for our guests when they come back from hiking and playing in the mountains. On holiday you like to treat yourself to something special in the evening.” – “Wow, you’re making something special… may I help you?”

Of course I’m allowed to help. So off we go to the hotel bar. Christa gets everything ready … oh, so much … strawberries, fresh mint, lemon, lingonberry juice, elderflower syrup, sugar … and what’s that … rum?!?!?! “Christa, what do you need rum for?” – “We’re a BIO hotel and we only use 100% organic food and drinks. And of course we have rum in organic quality too. It tastes just as good.” – “Yes, I know about the organic bit, but rum… that’s alcohol!!!” Ha, ha, now Christa is even laughing at me. I really don’t feel taken seriously right now.

“Netti, that’s just how it is on holiday. Like I said, people enjoy treating themselves to something special.” – “Yes, but that’s for adults! Always only for the grown-ups. And what about the children and little plush horses with short stubby legs? We want tasty strawberries too!” Oh, now she really does look a bit guilty, our good Christa. “You’re right, Netti, let me think … you know what? You go out onto the terrace, tell the other children on the playground that of course they’re allowed to nibble on the sweet strawberries as well, and I’ll mix a children’s strawberry spritzer for you to try. But you have to tell me honestly if you like it before I make it for the other kids.”

Oh yes, that sounds great … so I trot outside and sure enough, I find the children on the playground. And it doesn’t take long before Christa appears with a beautiful big decorated glass, just like the ones only the grown-ups usually get. “Here you go, try this … and I promise, it’s 100% organic and alcohol-free, you can drink it without any worries.” … gulp, gulp, gulp … “Wow, Christa, that’s delicious!” Christa is grinning from ear to ear: “Thank you, Netti, I’m so glad. That was a brilliant idea of yours … it looks just like the grown-ups’ drink, but it’s a drink for the kids!”