Wahoo, well done Top Deck trainees 2011, part the first! (there are actually 2 lots of trainees, the next lot are starting in May I think it is...) Today's Friday, it's 9.45pm and if they weren't in the wash I would be in my pjs already. It's been an awesome week, completely full on-- mostly thinking and learning but the late nights and early-ish starts (well, up just after 7am anyway) are always fun on the body. We've been told to expect more or less 6am starts and midnight finishes for the next 6 weeks, god knows how that will go-- it has to, is the only thing! Most of us already have had a wee cough, though as it seems to be us Kiwis and Aussies, I'm guessing it's probably the season change and London's pollution more than anything. We're all on multi-vitamins though- except for a stupid few (inc me) who are going the 'well, fresh fruit and veges are plentiful, we'll try that route first...). Famous last words.

The Clink is different to how I pictured it- most of the trainees are in 2 rooms, 10 per room (though the hostel does have 16 bed rooms, thank god we're not in those!). It's quite fun, we already know far too much about each other, the lads included ;) I think the thing I dislike most about it- which is nothing to do with the clink- is that it's very popular with school groups, mainly teenagers from France, Spain and I'm sure I heard a few other accents in there. I think it"s just that age though as I'm sure when I was 15ish I was probably as rude and obnoxious as some of these kids! Although I'm sure mum taught me better and I respected my elders (says me from the old age of 29).

Without giving too much away- Top Deck ROCKS!!!! The training is incredibly full on, Carl and Martina are very good trainers, they are so full of info, have been trip leaders for a few years now each of them though this is the first training trip they've done-- so far so good! (And tough).

So the plan for the next few days- tonight is laundry night as my clothes are about to start spawning. (No mum, not that bad, it's 'dramatic effect'..). Tomorrow a few of us are off to Greenwich- the place time is measured. That's actually why I'm on the computer- it was my idea, and I'm going anyway, so I'm meant to be finding out train schedules and prices. Meh, this is just as fun. Sunday is probably going to be a mix of Camden Markets for 'damn, i'm sure I can fit this in my pack if I try' shopping, studying (lots of that) and as much relaxation and rest as possible. Monday we need to be here by 6am otherwise goneskies. 7am depart for Calais, then 2 nights (I think.. they blur) in Paris, city of Lights (nothing to do with actual lights ironically, more along the lines of creative enlightenment etc). I think Switzerland is after that, and Barcelona is also in there somewher- am definitely looking forward to getting back to Spain, though BCN isn't my favourite place in that country.

Anyway on that happy note I'm off to swap clothes from washer to dryer- wish me luck!