Six countries in one day

Who sang the song?  Actually it was ‘Four seasons in one day’ (Crowded House 1992) but it seemed a fitting tribute to our epic journey here to Courmayeur.  Saudi, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Geneva, France and finally Italy.  As the last pupils fall off to sleep (and one or two of the adults are already gone…) it has been a long two days to get here.  Excitement began to mount as we began our approach into Geneva and caught first sight of snow capped mountains from above.

From a surprisingly organised and extremely quick immigration procedure (oh how we would wish for that on the Causeway or at Dammam airport) we were whisked through and met on the other side by our rep Jen. Out to the bus, and away we went – Switzerland first, then into France, with the border not being noticed by most after our usual experiences of the border between Saudi and Bahrain.  Through the famous Mont Blanc tunnel (11,161metres long) and then along and into Courmayeur.

It was still relatively early in the evening, and so it was decided in order to save time in the morning we should go up to the slopes in the gondola and undertake our boot fittings.  When Mr. Whitaker had indicated that it would be cold in Courmayeur, he wasn’t joking – it was -3⁰C at the fitting centre, but with a blustery wind coming straight down off the mountain wind chill factor cooled it down to approximately -7⁰C (in fact, tomorrow is promised for the same, with 2cms of snow also).  Thank heavens for thermal underwear.

The fitting of outfits and boots this evening has taken longer than first thought, but despite the length of travel the children have undertaken and how exhausted they have been, they have been a credit to themselves - already the comments are coming in regarding their behaviour.  We’re sure that will continue through the week.  Bring on the snow tomorrow!

Quote of the day: Hala, on the gondola where, quite obviously (to most, you would think) with a solid concrete wall behind us, and metal safety barriers on either side, looked up at the looming mountain in front of us and asked, “Which way are we going?”

(Apologies for the delay in posting this blog - internet service in the hotel is terrible, and not much better on the slopes.  Be assurred, we are all fit and well!)