The guests were almost all from the South of England and it showed. One person, when told we were from Leicester and had travelled to Luton for a flight said "What a terrible overland journey". When I pointed out that both Leicester and Luton were on the M1 motorway he stated that he had "lived in Cambridge too long and had forgotten his geography"
Another young lady asked where we came from and after my answer, asked if it was "near to Liverpool". She then asked where Liverpool was. When advised that it was "on the coast", she was surprised. When I drew a rough map and placed Liverpool on it she stated that "I wouldn't put it there" I opined that I was sorry but that's where the builders of Liverpool had put it.
Although there was significant snowfalls and the avalanche warning was 3 out of 5, several guests went off piste, stated that they didn't know where they were and seemed oblivious of the dangers.
The interesting guest was Rob, who unfortunately I really only got to talk to on the last day. He had talked very briefly about Rugby (the sport) and did know where Leicester was. Indeed he had been to Leicester several times, to play at Welford Road against the Tigers.
It transpired that he was Rob Kitchen, who had played for Bristol, the Harlequins and England "A". Indeed he had been the third choice England scrum half, behind Matt Dawson, Kieron Bracken in the pecking order. Indeed he had been told by Les Cusworth, then the England coach, that he was not to be picked for England, despite Dawson being in a then second division side, Northampton.
Rob Kitchen's story was fascinating; he was an amateur just when the game became professional. He had to choose between becoming a full time professional, or to continue a career, in the City. He was about 31 years old then so probably had only 3 or 4 years remaining at he top level. He was offered £20,000 per annum plus £250 for each game he played plus £1,000 for a win. (England players were offered £40,000).
He declined the opportunity and remained with his job in the City. It's interesting that both Dawson & Bracken became celebrities after their England careers, notably as Captains in the quiz, a "Question of Sport" (Dawson) and probably more lucratively as contestants in the "Strictly Come Dancing" programme and subsequent tours.
I stayed on for 4 days after the week at the Couchire chalet and that's the subject of my next chapter of this blog.
