The Journey...

Monday, 3 December 2007 - I arrive at the meeting point at 4.15 a.m. A queue has already formed. About twenty students, armed with suitcases and a variety of colourful bags of every size and description, await the arrival of Wrigley's 71 seater, keen to grab the best seats for the journey north to Loch Eil.

The coach arrives on time. Students rush forwards, abandoning their luggage close to the storage area before climbing aboard. So much for teamwork! The driver climbs into the storage area. A small number of conscientious, female students help to transfer 'baggage mountain' from pavement and road to the bowels of the coach, lifting and handing each piece to the driver who must be wondering whether the rear axle will support the combined weight of whatever has been packed inside the bags. Several hernia inducing bags later, the driver emerges to fill his lungs with the fresh morning air, rejoicing that the last bag has been stowed. But no; a late arrival with a large case provides a last-minute challenge to the TARDIS-like interior of the luggage store.

Meanwhile, a head-count takes place. Forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty, fifty-one. There should be fifty-two. We must have missed one. A recount is demanded. Forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty, fifty-one. Someone hasn't made it. Out with the registers - a roll-call reveals the identity of the missing student. A telephone call to the mobile number provided on the OB 'Enrolment Form' and EC 'Consent Form' doesn't help - the mobile is switched off. A second call - to the emergency contact number this time - proves fruitless. A home visit is required. I drive to the address. A press on the doorbell and a rattling of the letterbox provokes a response from inside. A curtain twitches on the first floor. Just when he thought it was safe to snuggle beneath the duvet, his worst nightmare is stood outside on the driveway, waving in his direction. Minutes later, after a short conversation, a packed bag is loaded into the boot of the car and we set off to meet up with the coach and fifty-one.

The coach makes two stops on the way to Loch Eil - at Gretna and Stirling Services. Students take on supplies - chocolate, sweets, fizzy-pop and anything else they consider edible. Although we will only be staying at OB for the week, after the Stirling stop, we have sufficient food and drink on board to last two months - possibly three, if we ration it out and eat sensibly!

Our driver, a veteran of the long haul, advises anyone that may experience travel sickness to sit downstairs. One we're off the motorway the coach tends to sway a little on the bends as we head towards Callander on the A84.

As our journey continues, we join the A82. This provides a photo-opportunity. The weather is fine, but clouds to the north threaten rain as we get closer to Glen Coe. By the time we pass the road to the Glencoe Ski Centre, it is raining heavily. This is not the last time that we will see our good friend the rain this week...