Home and signing off

Well that's me done... Ben dropped off and just walked in home, a shower, takeaway and perhaps a cold glass of something is in order methinks :-)

I'm sure everyone is resting up and I am passing my best wishes on to the HPS New York Trip who should be there by now.. I hope they have a great time too.

My thanks again to all the pupils, staff and parents for an outstanding time, great people in a great place and one hell of an unforgettable trip. Enjoy the rest of the easter holidays and I will see you all back at school in just over a week.

Kris Cross Signing Off :-)

Sleath, by coach, by chopper, by plane

Finally leaving Austria :-)

Coach back safe and sound

I hear the coach had landed back at HPS... Safe journey home all and parents enjoy the washing ;-) 

Ben and I are due to take off in the next 30 mins so not too far behind you 

Coach update

Mr T just text to say they had a quick stop at Cambridge services so likely closer to 1pm

Thabks all also for your well wishes to Ben, he really appreciates it :-)... He's never flown before so gets a helicopter and plane ride in two days!!! 

Coach update

The coach party are doing well, caught an early ferry and have just passed Cambridge, ETA early in approx 1 1/2 Hours so around 12:30pm uk time!!! Will keep you posted as they get closer

On the Austrian side, Ben has been discharged and we are waiting for a taxi to take us to the airport so should be travelling later this afternoon again back to Gatwick and then homewards :-)

Mr C

Coach Back in the UK

Update from Mr Buck... They are all back in old Blighty, drivers changed and heading north.. He will give us an ETA once they hit Luton.

KC

Blog from Mrs Hanford

Mrs H had a bit of time to kill over the last 20 hours on the coach so has also added a blog to complete the staff set :-)

Sad to say the ski trip did not end in quite the way we all hoped as two  members of our party are not with us on the journey home. Everything had gone so well but for one young man a trip to hospital and for our group leader an extra night means we are slightly subdued. 

On the bright side they get to fly home. For the remainder a long journey home on the coach and a chance for Mr Buck to practice his leadership skills in time for next year!! (Ben and I are not too subdued for a one hour flight though teehee - KC)

Mr Cross has planned with his usual military precision so there was no problem adapting to the change. We wish them both well and a speedy return.

The last day is always a challenge but the students have shown again great sense and maturity as well as genuine care and concern. 

Having been on a few trips I can honestly say they have been  a pleasure and  a joy to accompany. Everyone has been supportive, appreciative and polite. They've done us proud.

Remembering back to the first morning on the nursery slope and watching the first timers struggling to not go backwards and seeing them progress to red slopes by the end of the week has been incredible. If only I could have kept up with them!

The banter has been most entertaining but in the best possible taste and the positive support and feedback from everyone including the wonderfully patient instructors meant no one felt left out or as in my case a bit useless. Then again even I got better and managed a blue run or two without crashing . As for the scenery, views and Austrian culture what can be said that's not been said already other than it's been incredible and we are all glad we came. Fantastic. 

Mrs H aka dr Val aka Hammy (pupil humour!!)

Journey update

Good news, I've just heard from th coach and the have safely arrived at Calais and are scheduled on the 0745 ferry (0645 uk time) so the target time of 2pm at HPS is still good.  I will keep you updated and The staff will start making calls to confirm drop off time as they approach the Midlands.

Ben and I are due to fly back later this afternoon if the docs are happy

Mr Cross 

Final day and heading home.... Mostly!

A great final days skiing and the kids looked fantastic with nearly everyone making on the red slopes... Such different people to when they began this adventure with some mean skiing skills!!!

We did have a little bit more drama than i usually like today...

Unfortunately Ben Sleath had a fall today and dislocated his shoulder and had to be evacuated by helicopter to the hospital! The good news is that is fine and in good spirits and has had a good chat to his mum too :-)

The bad news is that he cannot travel back on the coach and has to stay overnight in hospital but luckily he has me to keep him company!!! 

I have just waved off the main party who left on time to begin their journey across Europe under the direction of Mr Buck and the team who have a few spare seats to take up now! If all goes well they should hit Calais for a 7am ish crossing and expect to be back at HPS around 2pm tomrrow.

The team will keep me up to date with their progress and I will do the same for you by the blog.

Ben and I will be fine and will enjoy a night in comfy hospital beds and once the insurance folk get it all sorted we should fly back in the next day hopefully .

It is never nice to have an accident but they can happen when you are skiing and Ben like the rest of the gang has had a great week... the instructors, medical people and hospital were and are fantastic so Ben has been in safe and efficient hands... Plus he got to go in a helicopter!!! 

In collecting my thoughts as I head to Innsbruck all I can say is what a fantastic week and what a fantastic group... It has been a real pleasure to take the pupils on this trip which has been without doubt one of the best I have ever run and I'd take them all again given the chance.. They have been well behaved and worked really hard at their new skill.. They are a credit to each of their families and also the school.  I also cannot forgot the staff, Mr Buck, Miss Ball, Mrs Hanford and Mr Thompson... A fantastic team and we have had a real laugh at each other and with the kids this week.

Thanks also to the parents for allowing us to take your children away to a foreign country to experience the fantastic sport of skiing.. I am sure your children will have plenty to talk about and will be tapping you up for the trip next year!! Watch this space!!

That's all for now, I'll keep you posted on the main party progression as i hear from them.

Kris Cross

Taxi for Mr Sleath!

Off he goes 

Still smiling and munching away :-)

Fairwell to the bus

HPS SKI AUSTRIA 2016