Last Few Days

Sorry about the sudden drop out from the blogosphere, but the wireless network went kaput at the hotel. Also as the week went on I was getting more and more shattered from the exercise and even went to bed at an unheard of 9.00pm.

Up until the very last afternoon, the weather continued to be great, and literally within half an hour of us having to go, it suddenly started raining, turning all the snow to mush. Very lucky indeed with the weather.

Evenings consisted of more shopping - obviously a Dubai disease, they just couldn't get enough of it. The last evening however was a chance for everyone to show more of those hidden skills with the traditional Talent contest.. Ok so it wasnt exactly Pop Idol, but there were one or two aspiring musicians/ dancers. James Doo sang Elton, and the snowboard boys did Lahme (I think thats how its spelt). There was the normal attempt to make teachers look silly, with Leanne walking around on her knees (can't think who she was pretending to be), and Nikki being bossy (as herself). Then at the end of the evening everyone was entertained by the special guests, the two top Dj's in Kitzbuhl - DJ Hans and DJ Andreas. The less said about them the better.

Flight back was no problem, unless of course you mean the traffic jam that made us late, which didnt really matter because the airport closed down due to high winds and snowstorm, and then eventually getting back to school about 1.30am. Just heard today that a plane in Germany over the weekend had to abandon its landing after its wing hit the tarmac due to gusts of over 200kmh. Hmmm.

Oh well thats all for this year. Looking forward to going again next year, when I plan to hit the big jumps and really hurt myself.

One last thing. If you want to see a few photos from the trip, I have put some on a file sharing site at http://picasaweb.google.com/pierstainsh/EnglishCollegeTrips

Bad visibility and then super day

Last couple of days - bad day, good day
Yesterday the clouds came down, visibility was very poor and skiing in general was not that great. On top of that Alice fell down and ruptured ligaments in her knee. This meant her having to be transported off the mountain and taken to hospital with Mrs Kendry and her trusty visa card rushing along to make sure it was all paid for.
Luckily today, the sun came out again and it was glorious once again. Progress is being made really rapidly by all groups and everyone is completely shattered now. oh well, one more day of fun to go then its back to Dubai. I will write more tomorrow and upload lots of photos.
Off to bed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Another terrible day on the slopes

Sun shining again today. Woke up with sore legs, messy bedrooms, and some boys who think that a quick spray under the armpit is a shower. Mrs Kendry was quick to inform them that water was provided at no extra cost and should be used liberally. Green fumes hopefully will start to disperse now.

Groups split up today with top groups going to a mountain beginning with H - Mr Thompson thought it might be called Heinekin mountain. Mr Tainsh and Miss Daley went off with the other groups and took lots of photos and video. The top snowboarding group were being filmed for their GCSE Pe exams, which allowed for lots of showing off. However the best shot that Mr Tainsh managed to get of a snowboarder jumping was of Kieran .... see above. Top styling photo again was of Danielle in the big glasses.

Evening entertainment was going to Kitzbuhel to see the semi finals of the ice hockey cup final. Great game, lots of punch ups and blood on the ice. Home team won 3-0 and then back to the hotel for boys to spray more deodorant on and wait to shower another day.

More updates tomorrow .......

Hitting the Slopes

Glorious sunshine up on the mountains, and the girls were competing for who had the largest most bling sunglasses out. Paris won, hands down. On the style front, EC students were looking pretty good, but then again it is Austria and the locals aren't known for their style.

The many hours on the slopes of Ski Dubai seemed to have paid off, with the students looking pretty good, and impressing the instructors. The top snowboarding group in particular were going at pace and jumping off anything they could find.

Top wipe out of the day goes to Mr Tainsh for face planting and eating snow right in front of a large group of boarders - very cool indeed.

The evening was spent at the local ice rink, where there was a further chance for many to impress by their skills - Kiera looking very flash going backwards, and others to show a high level of unco-ordination, but still able to fall down with style.

The afternoons were getting a bit slushy on the slopes due to the sunshine, however the forecast is for more snow to occur tomorrow and the next day. Lets see what happens - come back to this blog tomorrow where more will be posted.

Mrs Kendry, Mr Tainsh,. Miss Watson, Mr Thompson, Miss Daley and all the students on the 2008 ski trip to Kitzbuhel.

Ski Trip to Kitzbuhel - First Few days

Welcome to the EC Blog of College trips

We have a fair few coming up so I thought this would be a good way for parents and anyone who is interested to keep up with what is happening during any trips out.

Day 1 of the trip.

Everyone got to EC on time, except for Mr Thompson who had a slight passport mishap. However this did mean that all the rest of the staff could pick on him for the rest of the trip.

When we arrived at Abu Dhabi airport Mrs Kendry was informed that unfortunately because the flight had been overbooked, three of the staff would have to be upgraded to business class. Mr Thompson was of course designated as being one of the staff to remain behind and keep control in rear. Of course, being a 1.55am flight, this meant listening to the snoring of 49 students. Mrs Kendry spent most of the time, practicing to be an air stewardess by walking up and down the isles making sure everyone was happy. Leigh Linsale decided this was the time to have an allergic reaction to something making her very blotchy and causing the captain to have to venture out of his cockpit and investigate and administer anti-histamine from his own supply.

While Mrs Kendry and Mr Thompson had a difficult night, Mr Tainsh and Miss Watson were sleeping comfortably on the fully reclining chairs of business class.

Arrival at Kitzbuhl

Bus from Munich to Kitzbuhel - double decker luxury transport. Very quiet apart from the refreshed Mr Tainsh playing his PSP all the way.

Arrived at the hotel which is in a pretty little village. Weather stunning with lots of sun and great views of the snowy mountains. After putting everyone into their rooms we went off to the ski shop next door and got kitted out with kit. Lunch and immediately off to the nursury slopes in the afternoon to get everyone in groups and then head back to the hotel for an early night.

Most people were asleep by 8.30pm - including Mr Tainsh