Day 3

Day Three

A little cooler this morning and still no sign of Tom's case. An expedition to the village for toiletries although no luck with any clothing.... Another great breakfast and a small amount of down time before lessons that gave the lads an opportunity for a pool tournament and the girls the chance to go back to the shops!

Early hiccup was Scarlett, Charlie and Kelsey appearing fully dressed for the slopes an hour and 15 minutes early.

A sense of frustration is setting with Tom's missing case and the lack of information that is coming through. Mrs Heydon has done more than Skibound currently to track things! Stern words to the rep and a strongly worded request for an update!

By 10:00 the clouds have covered the sky and so conditions will be very different as we hit the slopes this morning!

Morning session done... Although a little wet as the condition deteriorated and turned to rain on the lower slopes although snow higher up. The raw recruits worked around a series of drags on the lower slopes while the intermediate group ventured up the four man chair to the mid station and the long green back to the resort. The advanced group continue with a variety of techniques including backward skiing and jump turns.

Our frustration with the lack of wifi continues and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better so the blog will have to wait. A similar frustration exists with the lack of information with regard to the case of the case!

It looks like the afternoon will be a little damp to say the least but hopefully everyone will be back out on the slopes.

Newsflash... 14:26

Tom's case is in Geneva and should be here by this evening!

The afternoon proved to be very wet with some quite sodden skiers returning from the afternoon session.

Evening meal was  a great curry and at 18:40 a rousing cheer went through the restaurant as Tom's case arrived...

The evening was spent at the bowling alley where everyone had a great time and took the opportunity to use the free wifi! Hence the blog....

Not sure when the next up dates will be...

Day 2

Day two

Ski lessons each day are from  11:00-13:00 & 15:00-17:00 and so we are afforded the privilege of a lie in in the morning with breakfast at 8:30. Day two proved that 8:30 was the first deadline difficult to hit!
Breakfast was plentiful with a variety of cereal, ham, cheese, bread, pain au chocolate and croissant, along with boiled eggs and a variety of jams and spreads.

A positive start to the morning with everyone ready for the 200 metre walk to the slopes. All three groups stepped up to the challenge of the morning although we warm a little unprepared  for how warm the morning session was with the sun on the slopes. By lunch everyone was ready for a break and a well deserved rest.

The afternoon session by contrasted as the sun went behind the mountain and the temperature dropped considerably. Although one was freezing it was a reminder of how changeable the weather can be in the mountains.

Evening was a chilled session and a sports quiz won by Doyle & Co.

Too many not wanting to go to sleep at night will take its toll later in the week!

Day 1

The Journey

After a prompt start from the school pulling out of the gate spot on 02:00 roadworks started to hamper out journey. Initially the closure of the A5 in the early hours meant a detour through Heath Hayes and Cannock to the M6. The motorway was not without its normal scattering of roadworks but we arrived in plenty of time at Manchester airport.
As with most people's experience there was a delay in take off which meant we sat on the plane for 25 minutes awaiting a take off slot. Everyone was in good spirits and the time went quickly as did the short flight to Geneva.
We were met at the airport by the SkiBound rep hold proudly a sign for "Northern Canes".
Baggage came through, well most of it... Unfortunately Tom's case failed to arrive and so a lost luggage report filed and eventually we were on the coach for the 21/2 to 3 hours transfer. Not long into the journey we found out that this was the busiest weekend in French travel and there could be delays! After this came the news that because of a major land slip on the normal route and no vehicles over 1 1/2 tons could go through on the temporary road we were being diverted... Our journey would take us from Switzerland into France through the 13 kilometres of the Frejus tunnel into Italy, through several ski resorts, back into France and finally up to Serre Chevalier. We had one stop en route when in true British fashion a football was produced on the car park and all the girls refused to use the continental toilets!

Despite the traffic we made good time arriving in the resort at about 15:15... To be welcomed with hot soup and a roll. Ski fit sorted and a great evening meal.
Despite the early start and tired bodies some did not want to go to sleep!

Arrived safe

Arrived safe after a long journey. Everyone is tired. Wifi is very poor. Will try and keep this updated.

Early Start

Nice early start this morning but the coach pulled through the gates promptly at 02:30. We arrived safely at Manchester airport the only delay being every third student setting off alarms! Jack's hat went into the X-ray machine and never came out... It turned up later. Still trying to track down who the hair straighteners belonged to. I was slightly amused at the couple who pushed passed to end up in the middle of our group, I'm sure they regretted it!

Ready for an early start

I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow morning for an 02:30 departure from the school.

Flight Information

Coach & Flight information Depart Manchester TOM2634 06:50 to Geneva Depart NCHS 02:30