Friday 13th April
It was the last day of skiing today. Everyone took the public bus up to the moutain as the coach drivers had to rest for the long journey home. It was a bit of a squash and a squeeze - some slept all the way and one was sick!!
They managed to get the four hours skiing in though. The teenage group went all the way down the black run, number 1. The rest were also skiing around the tops of the mountains. So it's nearly tea time as they all frantically pack wet, smelly clothes into cases that seem too small all of a sudden!
Anyway we now sign off as we embark on the journey home at 6.30pm
Many thanks for reading
Love from us all
Friday, 13 April 2012
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Glory Day
Today was the day everyone reached their goal at the start of the week. For the 'teenage' group they did the black run which was described as "terrifying", "like stepping off a ledge thousands of feet up" and "the most scary but amazing experience of my life". The group under the support of Erik came down the mountain the direct way! Straight from top to bottom.
The 'Kinder plus' group went up to the top of the mountain and like ducklings followed Eveline, their instructor, tacking their way down some awesome drops. Run after run followed by a brief rest on the chair lift or cable car, before more runs. The Anthony Gormley statues looked across at the group as they made their way across stunning scenery under clear blue skies.
The most amazing progress was made by the 'adult' group who had improved so much this week, that they too took the 'bubble chair lift' to the top of the mountain. They came straight back down the hard way - Blue Run 4. The look of exhaustion and elation at the bottom told the story of an incredible experience for all, but especially for Patrick, who was celebrating his 17th Birthday.
Th afternoon was spent up at the top (Teenage and Kinder plus) or on the scary Blue 10 ( mainly adults). The weather was perfect, the snow was perfect and the day was perfect.
The evening finished with Gary (yes that was his name) performing Tyrolean songs and entertaining us for nearly two hours in the comfort of our own chalet (all dressed up). The Scouts yodelled their way through songs, clapped, danced and even performed (Calum on guitar, Gillian on bin bag bass, Jack on spoons and me on Alpine beer mug spoon shaker). The 'band' performed to the delight of everyone. After a presentation of badges and awards, the Scouts went to bed but probably not to sleep....
This will be our last blog for a while as we set off back on our journey tomorrow but thanks for reading. Their are far too many photos and videos o show you on here but I promise to put them onto a CD and DVD when I get Back. The forecast for tomorrow is yet more snow! Look forward to seeing you all soon.
The 'Kinder plus' group went up to the top of the mountain and like ducklings followed Eveline, their instructor, tacking their way down some awesome drops. Run after run followed by a brief rest on the chair lift or cable car, before more runs. The Anthony Gormley statues looked across at the group as they made their way across stunning scenery under clear blue skies.
The most amazing progress was made by the 'adult' group who had improved so much this week, that they too took the 'bubble chair lift' to the top of the mountain. They came straight back down the hard way - Blue Run 4. The look of exhaustion and elation at the bottom told the story of an incredible experience for all, but especially for Patrick, who was celebrating his 17th Birthday.
Th afternoon was spent up at the top (Teenage and Kinder plus) or on the scary Blue 10 ( mainly adults). The weather was perfect, the snow was perfect and the day was perfect.
The evening finished with Gary (yes that was his name) performing Tyrolean songs and entertaining us for nearly two hours in the comfort of our own chalet (all dressed up). The Scouts yodelled their way through songs, clapped, danced and even performed (Calum on guitar, Gillian on bin bag bass, Jack on spoons and me on Alpine beer mug spoon shaker). The 'band' performed to the delight of everyone. After a presentation of badges and awards, the Scouts went to bed but probably not to sleep....
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Blizzard Day
Today the 'hard core' of Explorers braved blizzard conditions to once
again go to the top of the mountain. Here are their stories:-
Whiteout. It was really grim, cold and snowy. Yet still our nutcase of an instructor Eric took us to the summit of the mountain. The visibility was poor all day but it was so AWESOME! We all know about gravity, which unlucky for us kept making us fall face first into the snow. On the bright side it didn't hurt because of the whiteout. In all honesty it'd be best if we explained the stories in person, but here's a brief summary: angry German overtaking, severe faceplants, "parallel skiis!" "shoosht to the lieft", spoons and creme eggs, chins and oranges, seven year olds owning the slopes, "churdy murdy". We hate home now. We are Austrian...
The Explorers & Colin
They are quite mad - but they would have to be to go skiing at the top of the mountain today. However, their stories told on the coach are fantastic to hear and relive. The rest of the group enjoyed their skiing on blue runs and we built a ramp on the side of the green run to show off their ski jumping skills, or ability to fall gracefully.
Tonight we have played competitive games - all will be revealed on the DVD I will put together for everyone. I can tell you it is hilariously funny and I am already raking in the Euros to stop most of it appearing on facebook or Youtube. After the blizzards today (for the whole day!!) we are promised clearer but much colder weather for our last two days here.
Watch these video clips to see how far all of the Scouts have come in just four days!
Whiteout. It was really grim, cold and snowy. Yet still our nutcase of an instructor Eric took us to the summit of the mountain. The visibility was poor all day but it was so AWESOME! We all know about gravity, which unlucky for us kept making us fall face first into the snow. On the bright side it didn't hurt because of the whiteout. In all honesty it'd be best if we explained the stories in person, but here's a brief summary: angry German overtaking, severe faceplants, "parallel skiis!" "shoosht to the lieft", spoons and creme eggs, chins and oranges, seven year olds owning the slopes, "churdy murdy". We hate home now. We are Austrian...
The Explorers & Colin
They are quite mad - but they would have to be to go skiing at the top of the mountain today. However, their stories told on the coach are fantastic to hear and relive. The rest of the group enjoyed their skiing on blue runs and we built a ramp on the side of the green run to show off their ski jumping skills, or ability to fall gracefully.
Tonight we have played competitive games - all will be revealed on the DVD I will put together for everyone. I can tell you it is hilariously funny and I am already raking in the Euros to stop most of it appearing on facebook or Youtube. After the blizzards today (for the whole day!!) we are promised clearer but much colder weather for our last two days here.
Watch these video clips to see how far all of the Scouts have come in just four days!
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Going Higher Than Ever Before!!
Evening everyone,
Here are a few magical memories of today from your lovely Scouts:-
..........ARGHH!The snow was so cold I thought I was going to freeze. I got to go on the button lift and we also got to go on the cablecars! During the free time I went on the cable cars and ... I, well let me just put me this in one word ... Fell (But I got back up and got along. 3 out of six days of skiing. Going to get tired later.
Tom
It was so hot today you would not believe we were skiing in the mountains.I had to put lots of suncream on. Also I did not fall over once.
Patrick
Today we went skiing again and I only fell over once. We started on the draglift and then after lunch we went on the seat lift. Mum and Dad I miss you so much and love you lots, love from Maisy xxxxxxx
We went on a chair lift today for the first time today, it was awsome!!! Then we went down a steep blue run traversing then we went plumiting down.I'm missing you lots mum and dad.
Archie.
Well we thought that Day 2 was a great step forward, Day 3 was a leap and a bound for everyone. The 'Kinder' Group moved rapidly through green runs to blue runs and got to go on the button/drag lift and the chair lift. Half way up the mountain they came down, without sticks, doing the parallel turns they had been taught so well by Eveline. Later in the day they came down the mountain with sticks but ignoring the parallel turns and just flying down as fast as possible. I have the video to prove it, if you can make them out as they move so fast. An incredible day of progress for the 'Kinder' Group.
The 'Adult/Junior' group under the instruction of Vernon (Donna swoons at this point - keep close to me Donna, follow my track, keep close) moved also quickly from green to blue. A triumph of skill over fear. By the end of the day (and it was a gloriously sunny, hot and blue sky day), everyone in the group was skiing freestyle down half a mountain. Nobody could quite believe how far they had come.
And finally the 'Teenage' Group (and yes I am somehow still clinging on in this group) took the next big step by taking the full cable car (6 abreast - all fun and games 'skiing off' at the top) to the very top of the mountain at 2044 metres. From here the black, red and blue runs stretch off in all directions. Erik, our instructor, lulled us all into a false sense of security by taking us on Blue 18, a lovely meandering run through spectacular mountain scenery. I was in awe!! It was stunning. Two runs and then he took us back to the top and Blue 4.
I have never been more terrified in my life as Blue 4 wound its way down the mountain side, with a narrow width, mountain on one side, drop on the other. Erik knew our skills were good enough to parallel turn our way down, but at one particularly narrow spot, most brought out their snow plough skills to slow themselves right down. It is not just the physical exhaustion but mental exhaustion too (full concentration needed at all times) and the relief when I got to the bottom was visible. Those who know me recognise my fear of heights so this was a real triumph personally.
When everyone returned from games in the park, the stories of today continued to flow. Everyone has had their fears and challenges but also their triumphs like me. This is what Scouting is all about - pushing, challenging but ultimately something they will never forget and with everyone climbing their own mountains and succeeding. The look of sheer exhaustion coupled with vistory is a wonderful sight.
Some photos to share. The two group photos are our favourites and show what fun we had today in the sun and snow. The heat was incredible, yet we sat in snow! Unreal.
Here are a few magical memories of today from your lovely Scouts:-
..........ARGHH!The snow was so cold I thought I was going to freeze. I got to go on the button lift and we also got to go on the cablecars! During the free time I went on the cable cars and ... I, well let me just put me this in one word ... Fell (But I got back up and got along. 3 out of six days of skiing. Going to get tired later.
Tom
It was so hot today you would not believe we were skiing in the mountains.I had to put lots of suncream on. Also I did not fall over once.
Patrick
Today we went skiing again and I only fell over once. We started on the draglift and then after lunch we went on the seat lift. Mum and Dad I miss you so much and love you lots, love from Maisy xxxxxxx
We went on a chair lift today for the first time today, it was awsome!!! Then we went down a steep blue run traversing then we went plumiting down.I'm missing you lots mum and dad.
Archie.
Well we thought that Day 2 was a great step forward, Day 3 was a leap and a bound for everyone. The 'Kinder' Group moved rapidly through green runs to blue runs and got to go on the button/drag lift and the chair lift. Half way up the mountain they came down, without sticks, doing the parallel turns they had been taught so well by Eveline. Later in the day they came down the mountain with sticks but ignoring the parallel turns and just flying down as fast as possible. I have the video to prove it, if you can make them out as they move so fast. An incredible day of progress for the 'Kinder' Group.
The 'Adult/Junior' group under the instruction of Vernon (Donna swoons at this point - keep close to me Donna, follow my track, keep close) moved also quickly from green to blue. A triumph of skill over fear. By the end of the day (and it was a gloriously sunny, hot and blue sky day), everyone in the group was skiing freestyle down half a mountain. Nobody could quite believe how far they had come.
And finally the 'Teenage' Group (and yes I am somehow still clinging on in this group) took the next big step by taking the full cable car (6 abreast - all fun and games 'skiing off' at the top) to the very top of the mountain at 2044 metres. From here the black, red and blue runs stretch off in all directions. Erik, our instructor, lulled us all into a false sense of security by taking us on Blue 18, a lovely meandering run through spectacular mountain scenery. I was in awe!! It was stunning. Two runs and then he took us back to the top and Blue 4.
I have never been more terrified in my life as Blue 4 wound its way down the mountain side, with a narrow width, mountain on one side, drop on the other. Erik knew our skills were good enough to parallel turn our way down, but at one particularly narrow spot, most brought out their snow plough skills to slow themselves right down. It is not just the physical exhaustion but mental exhaustion too (full concentration needed at all times) and the relief when I got to the bottom was visible. Those who know me recognise my fear of heights so this was a real triumph personally.
When everyone returned from games in the park, the stories of today continued to flow. Everyone has had their fears and challenges but also their triumphs like me. This is what Scouting is all about - pushing, challenging but ultimately something they will never forget and with everyone climbing their own mountains and succeeding. The look of sheer exhaustion coupled with vistory is a wonderful sight.
Some photos to share. The two group photos are our favourites and show what fun we had today in the sun and snow. The heat was incredible, yet we sat in snow! Unreal.
Monday, 9 April 2012
Today was our second day at ski school. When we got there we sorted out our boots and ski's. The junior group went off and was going up the pull lift and they were practising how to snow plough and turn and at the end they had a race and Archie won. The teenagers were practising snow plough down the bigger mountain. Then they went to the big seat lift and practiced turning. Then at the end they had an hour free time and some of the older teenagers went down the red hills and somke fell.
Love from Maisy and Becky xx
Today in our second day at ski school. I learnt how to turn and snow plough, it was a bit wobbly at the start after hard work we all managed to achieve the targets and at the end of the day we had a race with junior group and Archie won and for the last hour of our day we had free time to go on what we have been on. It was fun all day but if we have a look at everyones faces they have a little sun burn despite all the cream. We all ignored that but really it was fun.
From Ryan xx
Had a good day skiing up and down the hills cant wait for the bigger hills and the only bad thing I got sun burn on my nose :( from Luke.
Good Evening and Happy Easter Monday!
Today we had our second lesson at the ski school and progress would be an understatement- you wouldn't believe that within eight hours, some of us who have never been skiing before were able to successfully ski down some of the advanced slopes. Even the people who weren't able to achieve the advanced slopes had made progress and we are all now well on our way to be Olympic standard skiers by the end of this fantastic holiday!
Nevertheless, there has of course been the (many) tumbles, and after laughing (un)sympathetically we helped them on their feet again. You wouldn't believe how much strength and energy it takes to help someone back up again when they have three foot planks of fibre glass tied to their feet!
We are currently all in the dining room, some of us have just finished doing our evening revision (we are honestly revising and not just talking while having the text book open in front of us!) and the rest of us are playing table games, or trying to, at least!
Fingers crossed for nice weather tomorrow and as little sun burn as possible! (Yes - There is an unlucky handful of us who have burnt our faces, despite being covered in suncream and skiing through temperates of minus six!)
Goodnight from me, Alice, and everyone else in Cantaclaer! x
Some pictures to give a taste of the day. We looked through all of the piccies and chose our favourites. We will try to get pictures of everyone on here during the week. We will be putting together a disk with all the pictures and videos for everyone when we get home.
Love from Maisy and Becky xx
Today in our second day at ski school. I learnt how to turn and snow plough, it was a bit wobbly at the start after hard work we all managed to achieve the targets and at the end of the day we had a race with junior group and Archie won and for the last hour of our day we had free time to go on what we have been on. It was fun all day but if we have a look at everyones faces they have a little sun burn despite all the cream. We all ignored that but really it was fun.
From Ryan xx
Had a good day skiing up and down the hills cant wait for the bigger hills and the only bad thing I got sun burn on my nose :( from Luke.
Good Evening and Happy Easter Monday!
Today we had our second lesson at the ski school and progress would be an understatement- you wouldn't believe that within eight hours, some of us who have never been skiing before were able to successfully ski down some of the advanced slopes. Even the people who weren't able to achieve the advanced slopes had made progress and we are all now well on our way to be Olympic standard skiers by the end of this fantastic holiday!
Nevertheless, there has of course been the (many) tumbles, and after laughing (un)sympathetically we helped them on their feet again. You wouldn't believe how much strength and energy it takes to help someone back up again when they have three foot planks of fibre glass tied to their feet!
We are currently all in the dining room, some of us have just finished doing our evening revision (we are honestly revising and not just talking while having the text book open in front of us!) and the rest of us are playing table games, or trying to, at least!
Fingers crossed for nice weather tomorrow and as little sun burn as possible! (Yes - There is an unlucky handful of us who have burnt our faces, despite being covered in suncream and skiing through temperates of minus six!)
Goodnight from me, Alice, and everyone else in Cantaclaer! x
Some pictures to give a taste of the day. We looked through all of the piccies and chose our favourites. We will try to get pictures of everyone on here during the week. We will be putting together a disk with all the pictures and videos for everyone when we get home.
My favourite is this one of Patrick.....we are very proud of Patrick, he is doing so well. The theme of today was the incredible progress they have made and Patrick made it onto the green slope........
Have a good day in 'rainy' England. (ha ha). The forecast is for another great skiing day tomorrow but then Wednesday is looking like more snow and more chains on the bus! The Scouts are being a real credit to the Group and Units and it is once again a pleasure to spend such quality time with your sons and daughters. They are having a ball....but skiing is so tiring, and they are tiring fast. More tomorrow.
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Well what a day of drama and excitement. As you read earlier we woke up to overnight snow but undeterred we set off for our first day skiing after a boiled egg, ham and cheese breakfast. After the excitement of getting changed into our ski gear and the 'fun' of loading all our gear onto the coach we set off up a snowy road. Conditions soon deteriorated and passing a car that had slid into the side we got a little nervous. We didn't need to be because Glynn and Bill our expert drivers guided us slowly and carefully towards the tops.
Once our ski school guides got started they made up for lost time and before long everyone was slipping, sliding, skiing and falling.
The day has finished with spam sausages, cadbury's creme eggs (thanks Gillian and Phil), an Easter Egg hunt and a lot of tired, aching legs. What a day!! The forecast for the next few days is much sunnier so out comes the sun tan cream and hopefully no more drama getting to ski school.
Saturday, 7 April 2012
Evening England,
Well we arrived safely at about 2pm local time and spent a good hour or so setting up rooms and getting to know our new home - Canteclaer in Holzgau.
The view from the windows is of snow capped Austrian Alps and it has been snowing on and off all afternoon, although the real snow is due tomorrow.
We spent the rest of the afternoon in the ski shop getting fitted with skis, boots, poles and helmets. We were looked after by an Austrian World Champion Downhill Skier called Pepi Strobl !! Everyone is now fully kitted up and ready to go.
Spaghetti Bolognese for tea and biscuits before some have gone to play ball in the field (they said that, but most just want to jump in great big piles of snow) and everyone else is in bed!!! Yes in bed. Just the start of things to come I suspect.
The view from the windows is of snow capped Austrian Alps and it has been snowing on and off all afternoon, although the real snow is due tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)