Our chalet was like a headquarters for meet-ups

Singer and national treasure Petula Clark on Christmases spent in the French Alps

- ZOE WEST.

It was just before the London production of The Sound of Music in 1980, in which I was to star as Maria, that this photo was taken. We were in Megève, in the French Alps: my now recently departed husband, Claude, our daughter Kate, our son Patrick (Paddy) and me - with my short hair - standing in front of the chalet we owned. My eldest daughter, Barbara, is the only one missing.

We lived in Geneva but escaped to the French Alps whenever possible. In Megève - a favourite destination for ski holidays - we built a lovely retreat. We went nearly every weekend. The Alps are beautiful in summer, but in winter they become something else entirely. At Christmas, it’s all log fires, deep snow and the jingle of sleigh bells.