22nd July

A very lazy and relaxed morning as we were in no rush to get out of the campsite. Had a lovely warm shower and my last proper wash for a few days…

Everyone was eventually ready just after 12 although it was definitely difficult for some people to squeeze everything into their bags. (We had to leave the campsite before 12, another rule broken!!) 

Most of the clouds had cleared from the mountain tops so we had our first view of what we had in front of us and how amazing the two weeks will be.

We all hopped on a train after our group meeting in the station and arrived in down town Cham for 1ish.

All the bags were put down and we had our group photo in front of the statue which pointed up to Mont Blanc and we all did the same.

Dave, Chris and Ben waited with the bags and the rest of the group went off to get lunch and a few other bits.

For lunch we had a bit of French stick, brie, pate and tomato- lovely! Oh, and an apple each.

Then we had 40 minutes free time to et food, snacks and postcards and then we met back around 3.45. We rushed to get a bus to La Tour which was free. The bus was busy and everyone spread out between the three doors. Some found seats straight away and some stood up for a bit. The bus journey was about 15mins long but it was very squished!

So we started our trek around 1400m up and just after 4 o’clock. We all walked up the hill at our own pace and had a break half way up our 800m ascent at a ski lift station with an amazing view of the whole valley. Everyone walked on up hill for the final 400m.

Camp was set up with a brilliant view of the mountains and the valley with Chamonix in.

We all cooked together and had pasta, veg, chicken and tomato for tea. Over time the cloud was slowly crawling down the till towards us. Everyone had eaten and hot chocolate was served up with a cookie. Within this short time we were all eaten up by the cloud and visibility was nothing.

All the bits were cleaned and packed away. Two awards were given. One for bravery to Jack and one to Ashley for team work, the lion and the sheep.

It was finally night time at half tem and we all made it to our tents before the rain started to come down. A shocking 6 and a half hours activity since la tour we were in our tents ready for sleep which makes it sound like a short day but we had ended at 2162m. Tomorrow our alarm is set for just before 7. Nice!

Ben

Diary take 2

Day 2 started by Jack waking me up in the middle of the night as he had felt the need to roll onto my thermarest for an early morning cuddle! But I didn’t mind as we had a lengthy lie in and a leisurely pack up to start our day.

Bread and pain au chocolat for breakfast which filled me up for the day ahead. And we had sunshine!!! No rain like yesterday but a lovely hot day instead.

After we had packed up we took the ‘Mont Blanc express’ into Chamonix and stocked up with food for the next few days. We also took some entertaining pictures of ourselves which attracted some local attention.

Next, onto a ram packed chaotic bus for the journey to La Tour for the start of our walking. We only walked 3km to stat the trek but I think it was the hardest 3km I’ve ever done! It was definitely worth it just for the view back down into the valley however, plus the fact that it was considerably easier trying to guess Jack’s middle name all the way up which we found to be Barnaby and Palmer!

Then an excellent pasta dish for dinner followed by a cookie and hot chocolate to finish. Meanwhile a cloud seemed to envelop us which brought with it a huge drop in temperature! And then finally off to bed…

Adam

21st July

DISCLAIMER: The forewritten work of art was completed whilst on a certain Alypbus on route to down town Cham and the author cannot be held accountable for poor handwriting. FACT.

Once upon a time, as all good stories must start…. A long day of packing and admin and routes and internet research and laminating was finally finished with nothing else to do before our summer, hopefully sunny, holiday began but sleep!!! With an early morning (middle of the night) rise looming over us Ben and Chris decided at 8pm that it was time to sleep! OK, so technically it is actually the 20^th at this point but there is no way Faye is getting away unscathed from this one…!!

I persuaded the boys to stay awake for a few more minutes to wait for Faye so we searched hard on google for some last minute refuge and camp site information (Laura!!!!) 9pm came…. 10pm came… This called for some serious blog abuse to Faye who had apparently decided to pack her bag approximately 6 hours after she was due at mine! 10.30pm came and Dave and I headed out to try and find them lost in downtown Verwood! Just after 11pm we finally managed to escort Faye back to my house to find Chris and Ben in their boredom had started a game of Frisbee with my coasters!!! Finally sleep could be upon us, but one look at Faye’s bulging bag and the four carrier bags she had stuffed in her arms, made us realise that that was a far away dream as we fought for the next hour to contain her kit demons before ruthlessly evicting half her kit! Finally got to bed after 12…

Holidays soon… too soon! Under 3 hours was not enough sleep! Chris, Dave, Faye, Ben and I squeezed into the car at 4am, smug with the knowledge that the others had met at 2.30am! Not so happy though about the fact Jess would still be asleep! After only one false start (Dave!!!) we were on our way yeah!

The airport went very smoothly, we met the others who had been there an hour earlier, checked in and boarded without loosing anyone! How boring! (ps that was not to tempt fate; maybe discount that last statement!!

The first flight for Chris and Callum… Chris obviously distracting himself with all the giggling and dodgy photo taking from the gaggle of five behind us on the flight while we tried to catch some sleep.

Landing in France we strolled off the plane into the sunny heat… ok maybe not… RAIN!! Who ordered that!?! I’d definitely found a better forecast the day before! The challenges started with Ash completing a somersault on the ring of the shuttle bus, risked assessed by myself as Jess ran away! This got me thinking about the next challenge… Mr Transport Shelton, on finding the man holding up our sign at the arrivals gate had to embrace our welcomer with a friendly hug! The sense of relief on his blushing face was evident as he scored a hug with a petite young blonde instead of an old hairy Swiss man as anticipated! Point 1 to Adam! And then the Alpy Bus to Chamonix brings me to here and my surprisingly neat writing despite the disclaimer. Good roads in Switzerland and France! I thought it might stop raining if I wrote this diary and didn’t look out the window but it would appear the rain obviously thought I was neglecting it as it is now torrential… booo! It didn’t stop half the passengers in the bus snapping away though as the other half tried to sleep, of the rocky steep cliffs lining the roads, their peaks mysteriously hidden in cloud. The odd waterfall bellowing out the cliff face as hanging valleys that would make any geography teacher happy! Mmmm 27km still to Chamonix. Time for a snoozzzzzeeee…..

The scenery got more spectacular as we drove on, the road crossing steep gorges. Some did try and sleep but Chris was continually wolf whistling at everyone was we passed….! Bring on the marmots! Soon we spotted the Christ Roi statue on the hillside so we knew we were approaching our destination. The campsite was quite small but had a games room which was an advantage as it was raining still. We has the smallest pitch ever but managed to cram 4 tents on before banishing Jess to a different pitch next door on her own!

Scoping out the area next: Jack and Callum went to locate the train station while Adam the transport manager scoped out the table football! Everyone was impressed with Chamonix’s cuteness! We explored the town for a few hours sussing things out for tomorrow before a long awaited dinner at Midnight express! Mmm…. The dinner of choice was ‘steak frite fromage’ baguettes. Dave missed out though as he was feeling ill. We trained back and taught the concept of planking to Jack before trying to re-enact ‘Harry potter’s puppet pals with the awesome new fingers puppets I purchased!

Next came diaries, coffee, pick up sticks, duplo crowns and cards… I can’t believe we’re all still awake! Or most of us anyway! Day one done!

Mel

Diary take 2

Very early start, with Ashleigh’s lift leaving at 2.30am. We arrived at Gatwick at 5.15am with an hour to wait for Mel and her lift. To be honest at first I was terrified of the prospect of flying and became more nervous the nearer I got to the plane but it was actually okay as was a very smooth flight apart from ears popping when descending. After a perfect landing at Geneva, the group voted in favour for Adam to hug the Alpy bus greeter which he completed. After about an hour and a halves drive we were dropped off at the campsite, les ‘French for squirrel’. After setting up the tent in the rain we caught the train to Chamonix for a scouting trip to check out food prices and enjoyed a nomable baguette which was yummy! (Apart from Jack’s overdose of mayo). At 6pm we got the train back to the campsite for a long evening. Bring on the trek!

Callum

Photo diary coming soon...

Your brave youngsters are due home !

Well after finishing their awesome trek, your youngsters are ready to come home.
After a showe and a celebratory meal, the team went off to the aguille du midi and mer du glace.
Wow did they do it, yes 3842m up to the very top of the aguille du midi ! All just for fun as well !

Im sure they are going to arrive home a little tired to start with, but then with stories that they will never forget, experiences that they may never get again and photographs that they will be so proud of  that you will have be shown over and over again !!


WELCOME HOME TEAM !

FINISHED !

WOOH WOOH ! We have finished at 1.10pm !



CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM FROM ALL OF US HERE , WE ARE SO SO PROUD OF YOU ALL .

Enjoy the last couple of days relaxing and come home safely to us at the end of the week.

!st August

Counting down now !
Had the most awesome campsite last night, with amazing views of mont blanc.We did our first ladder crossing today!
Now looking for a campsite above chamonix.
Finish tomorrow, wooh,wooh !

2 days left !

Les houches.
Having luncg under the Christ roi statue.We've got 1600m to climb so we'r trying to split into two days !
We are hoping to find somewhere flat to sleep tonight.
Not long to go now!!