Day Three And All Is Well

After their regular 6:15 wakeup call, our courageous travellers made their way to their breakfast tables. Always impressive are our Key Stage 3 boys - the lure of Sugar Puffs and hot chocolate always sees them arriving early:

Once we had breakfasted, we loaded onto our trusty steed, ably manned by Roddie and Phil. They are currently a little emotional, as their motorised companion is on its final journey, to be replaced when we return. In honour of its loyal service,  we present the drivers and the Silver Lady.

Our knights in shining armour, and their silver steed.

Out come the skis and boots, we get into our designated groups and then it is up the 10 minute gondola till we reach 1,700 metres above sea level. Today it was misty all the way up, but the top of the mountain was gorgeous and sunny - after an hour or two, the whole resort was once again shining and crisp. Here is a sample of some of the action seen en piste today...

Today everybody got to ride the 8-man chair lift up to the top of the resort. Comfortable and relaxing, the scenery is a joy to behold. An added benefit is that the seats are heated, but this does give the momentary sensation that one has peed in one's pants.

Carly, off up the piste again. Of all the students on the slopes today, she is among those who have made the most progress - rock on, Carly!

Bernie and the Crazy Gang. Look behind you....

Joe cutting his way down. Here he is seconds later:

The Beginners group, who have made huge progress today, and written their own song to accompany their adventures...

Cameron - while he seemed very non-plussed yesterday, the Helmet Cover of Shame grew on him as the day wore on...

The new owner of the Helmet Cover of Shame was given their award on the coach tonight on our way to the evening entertainment - photos will follow tomorrow.

A shot that gives a great impression of just how monolithic the scenery is. Not a bad view while we take a quick break!

Neve, Lucy and Carly, set against the soaring peaks.

Barbara and her crew. Dizzying heights and soaring descents await!

When not looking after everyone and coordinating the whole shebang, Mr. F likes to kick back and relax with his newly crowned Ski Spouse, A.K.A. Mrs. Townson.

We got back to the hotel and ate our meal in double quick time tonight, because we were due at the Kegelbahn! The game is most like Pub Skittles. Tall glasses of Sprite and Fanta and some healthy competition later produces action shots like these:

Leah - bowling in extremis!

Jack showing both focus and panache, although in the final game he was vanquished by Olivia.

Carly sending one looping towards nine unlucky pins....

Chloe sends one reeling towards the pack.

Back onto the coach, out and up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire - we have another full day tomorrow to make our own, and then a trip to the pizzeria for a civilised night out. I don't know about anyone else, but I suspect we are all looking forward to hot slab of deliciousness of our very own. Pepperoni for me, I think.

All the best,

Mr. N.

The Sun Has Got His Hat On...

Hip hip hip hooray!

Gorgeous weather today - sun blazing onto shining pistes, not a cloud in the sky and whole day to attack the slopes! After a day of poor visibility yesterday, today lifted our hearts and everyone had an awesome time. Sunblock out, glasses on and let the skis run out, people...

We have an avalanche of photos to post today, from the slopes and from the evening's entertainment - "Mr. and Mrs." There are so many, I will let them speak for themselves, on the whole. The majority of the credit goes to Olivia Bythell, who was kind enough to lend me her memory card. As it turns out, she is a far better photographer than the rest of us - thanks, Olivia!

A sample of the conditions en piste that we were treated to today. Beautiful. Alana said, "It doesn't seem real!". I am sure you can see what she means...

The weather closed in a little in the afternoon, mainly due to winds. The ice crystals blown into the sky produced a rare effect - a nimbus or 'icebow'  - an effect similar to a rainbow, but perfectly circular and around the sun itself. Jawdropping, and a touch otherworldly.

Miss B., showing off her Helmet Cover of Shame.Who did she pass it on to today? Read on...

Olivia naturally takes a fantastic photo!

Taking a short view, with a view to die for into the bargain.

Mawgan -on top of the world!

Mr.Hird encouraging silly behaviour - tut tut.

Chillin' en piste.

Best buds.

This is the slope the Beginner groups have been skiing this afternoon - it gives you an idea of just how fast they are progressing. Truly impressive, and a joy to watch.

Friends, skis and scenery - is there anything better?

Alana carving it up 1,700 metres above sea level.

Leah showing her technique is not to be sniffed at.

The Beginners practicing skills that will see them tackling the other side of the mountain tomorrow...

Miss Bolton passes on the Helmet Cover of Shame to Cameron. Her smile is because Cameron was the one who nominated her for the Cover the previous day. Revenge is sweet.

Jessica and Joel showing how Mr. and Mrs. should be done - they were joint winners.

Tia and Paul obviously enjoying their time in the limelight.

#

Our other winners, Mawgan and Brad. They stayed in character throughout, with Mawgan as a fictional football hooligan. Her answer to the question 'What is your favourite meal?' "A Blackburn lad's ear."

Declan and Carly. Ladies cross their legs, Dec! I think Carly suits the moustache - I am not sure she would agree with me...

So, there was plenty to see and plenty to do, and more to come tomorrow! After the competition, the suggestion of an early bed was met with sighs of relief - we really have been skiing a lot. And so with a host of new memories and bellies full of frankfurters, we will bid you adieu.

Night night,

Mr.N.

First day en piste...

Hello to everyone at home!

We have all returned from a great day's skiing - the cold weather has provided excellent conditions, and all groups spent the maximum time on the slopes, both morning and afternoon. Visibility suffered a little later in the day, but the forecast bodes well for sunshine in the coming days.

In our minds, the day seems a little uneventful, but this is simply because there were no accidents or incidents and the students spent all their time skiing and making progress. Some more days like this, please!

The foggy conditions didn't make photography too easy, but here is a snapshot of our day:

(Mostly) Bradley D, lookin' all cool, and happy as always.

Abbie H-D, being simply fabulous.

A posed shot with Bernie, our head instructor. Mr. Hird looks both rugged and sensitive.

The girls of the Beginners group. Abbie hogging the limelight. Again.

The visibility wasn't great, but the snow certainly was.

After the day's skiing, we poured back onto the bus, in and out of the showers and down for our evening meal, followed by KARAOKE. Oh my....

Head Boy and Head Girl - You're The One That I Want

Joel and Theo, rockin' the One Direction. Watch out, ladies!

Charlotte and Devon - Valerie.

Year 8 and 9 kicking it, old school. And Eduard.

The ladies of Fisher More - Teenage Dirtbag.

Bradley and Connor - Wonderwall. A masterful rendition.

Year 11 step up to the plate - Summer of '69...

Miss B and Cameron - Don't Go Breaking My Heart. A duet to live forever in the hearts of men.

The Year 8 Quintet - Taking Olly Murs into the future.

Some strange men wandered in and had a go at a Queen song. It was OK, I guess.

The Helmet Cover of Shame has passed on to Miss Bolton. Skiing up behind Henry and a friend, she decided to give them a little shock, thrust her head between them and yelled at the top of her voice. The only fly in the ointment was that the 'friend' was a nice Italian gentlemen, who looked like he expected to be mugged, beaten, or both. Henry compounded the embarrassment by acting as if he had never seen her before in his life. For this outstanding contribution to diplomatic relations:

Good night, and sweet dreams!

Mr. N.