Finished! Or near enough to it that I might as well be there! I can't even remember when I last put something up, possibly Hungary? Let's just go from there anyway.
WOOHOOOOO we're back in London!!!! Got back yesterday about 1630 (4.30pm)-- I was Trip Leader of the day for that one, and it seemed easier than it should have so I expect I forgot something along the way. Anyway tomorrow we have final evaluations and find out where and what we're doing-- I think I'm getting a walla, which is when you head out on a trip as an observer to see how the TL (trip leader) does things, should be good. No idea when or where yet, should find out tomorrow-- am hoping I leave soon as London and saving money is not fun (though accom is only 10 pound a night, sweet!).
From Hungary we went to many other places, can't remember the order but: Netherlands, Germany, Austria, uhm and heaps of others, ending in Paris for the last two nights (go the driving tours!). Big drama of the whole trip happened on our last night- driving into the louvre we had to pull over to adjust the side mirror which was wonky, and one of the guys sliced his fingers with a pocketknife- he'd needed it to cut one of the ties... and it was my knife. Should hopefully, fingers crossed, be ok and good luck tomorrow Mr K!!
So, back in London and checked in by5pm, most of us asleep by about 6, then met for drinks down at the bar at 7.30. Just after midnight I was in bed and had the luxury of waking up at 7 and GOING BACK TO SLEEP!!!! Didn't wake up properly or get out of bed until 10.30, it was incredible! So after afew hours of shopping- notebook (the paper sort, not the computer), pens, shirt and jersey- it is the UK after all- I headed back home to the Clink. Had a snooze then headed downstairs where the very talented Michele (from Italy) was busy making us dinner--so yum!
Overall the training has been incredibly difficult- for the 41 days of TT (training trip) most of us got to bed around 1 or 2 am, up before 6 and on the go the entire rest of the time. It's been one of the toughest things I've ever done- certainly the most intense for such a long period of time. I have to say the only time I cried was on the Sea Palace dinner when we found out Stace, Shae and Laura were heading out and leaving us in Paris; and on the bus (not coach) Dover to London when Dave/Sox 'accidently' thwacked me one in the nose- no blood but crikey it hurt. All in fun and remind me to not play 'Left side vs Right side' with my pax. In saying all that though, I have had such an incredible time. I am going to be mushy for a moment and say I've met some genuinely amazing people who hopefully know that I'm proud to be friends with them. I've learned so much-- about history, cities, countries, service stop hours and facilities, the price to get into Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam, and so much more. It's been some of the best times in my life, some of the hardest, and definitely a lot of the most memorable. To anyone thinking of trying out to be a trip leader for Top Deck- do it, if the training doesn't kill you it will probably be the best job in the world!

Ok, delicious. Good chat.