Day Eight

Our departure was set for 04:30 with breakfast at 04:00!  It was off to pack suitcases and bags and tidy rooms for an early departure. Despite an early start it took some time for every to settle a grab a few hours sleep. The 03:45 wake up call went down well and when a student refused to get up for the second time it's amazing how refreshing a bottle of water can be at this time of day! Cases on the waiting coach and everyone into breakfast apart from the only student who had yesterday afternoon to pack prepare and be ready!

The only down as we left was the contrast in the rooms we left. While in some students had sorted dirty linen and towels and done their best to reduce the amount of work for staff a couple of others were disgraceful. Oh yes, the tidiest room on leaving was a boys room of 6 and the messiest a girls room of four! At any other time of the day they would have been cleaning before we left. Staff swept the rooms and collected and returned a range of items left behind from ski gloves and helmets to charger and a phone! In one room I picked up just under 10 euro's in coin spread throughout the room that was left as a tip.

As we set off from the resort we passed the hospital that held fond memories for Mrs Spence and myself and moved from France into Italy as the snow started to fall. Most people fell to sleep quickly although a reminder to one should they wake me up again  "I'll get angry and you won't like me when I'm angry". We made good progress through the Italian ski resort of Montgenevre to arrive back at the Frejus tunnel 10 minutes before it opened. A short delay and then on through the 13 km of tunnel to move back into France.

I awoke at the border with Switzerland and about 15 minutes from the airport. We arrived 30 minutes before we were expected but went immediately through to check in, passport and customs control. Despite reminders a few students had items confiscated, mainly liquids and sprays that should not have been in hand luggage. A minor hiccup when one student realised he had walked off without collecting his hand luggage from security but this was quickly retrieved. After a bus transfer to the main terminal building students were allowed to wander in groups for an hour prior to departure.... Quite quickly the group gathered back at our meeting point most people realising that the airport was quite expensive and few bargains were to be had.

I was surprised although grateful to receive a thank you gift from the group for organising the trip and was genuinely caught out by this.

We managed to get some distance to the gate without losing anyone and were quickly on board. Departure was prompt and soon we were cruising at 38,000 feet and the only visible reminder of the week were the snowlike clouds below.

Back at Manchester ahead of schedule - lets just hope that all the bags arrive this time!

Although some members of the group who will remain nameless wanted to hide Tom's suitcase before he could collect it he was too quick. The last leg down the M6 and we arrived ahead of schedule, safe, sound and in one piece.

29 students returned to their owners!

A great week, I'll sleep until Monday!