This was a most unusual trip for the W.A.N.K.E.R.S.

Firstly, Adrian's absence in 2005 had resulted in Ian also dropping by the wayside, (probably because more numbers were needed to dilute his presence in the group!)

Then just prior to the trip to the holy land of Verbier, Dave decided to break his arm. He claims it was ice skating, but we prefer to believe it was free fall parachuting from the top of his wardrobe.....

Anyway, original W.A.N.K.E.R. member, Motty, decided to rejoin the group so it was down to John, Hans and the Mottster to bring the Swiss alive from their 100 year slumber.

The trip got off to a good start with the assistance of the fart machine which made a brief appearance in 2005.

Helping to make the outward journey pass, the device was called into use on numerous occasions, beginning with the check in girl at Cardiff airport. Commentating on the small size of Motty's blades, she uttered the immortal line, "It's not the size of the ship, it's the motion of the ocean'. This phrase was naturally repeated throughout the rest of the holiday.

Having established themsleves in the Chalet Pleiades, courtesy of 'Snowlife', the team quickly realised this was not going to be a week of raucous merry making - well not within the confines of the chalet anyway.

A group of middle class, albeit likeable, families, coupled with four Northern blokes who spent the whole week texting their supposed girlfriends, (probably text chat lines really) definitely stifled the atmosphere. Thankfully, 3 lads from Norwich with a sense of humour, raised the expectations somewhat.

The discovery of Mardi Gras on the Tuesday, with compulsory fancy dress to gain bar entry, moved things into a different dimension. As usual, John's luggage consisted exclusively of dressing up gear, so there was no shortage of stuff to choose from.

In an effort to give some consistency to the evening, Teddy Boy gear was selected, the trio parading up the main street of Verbier in a coordinated but slightly drunken 'swagger' line astern, much to the amusement of the locals.

The bouncers at Mont Fort, determined to allow only the most authentically dressed inside, almost laid down the red carpet as the 'Teddys' arrived. For once however, the W.A.N.K.E.R.S. faced some opposition in the best dressed category, though no-one was as coordinated (or indeed cool in our opinion!)

Inevitably, the W.A.N.K.E.R.S. soon began their highly practised dance routines, ending up standing on a wooden seat opposite the bar, demonstrating their choreographed moves to the delight of the inebriated masses.

It was at this point that the whole future of the W.A.N.K.E.R.S. came perilously close to jeopardy. Leaning to steady himself against the back rest, John toppled backwards, just managing to catch the back of his knees on the top of the seat, with Motty and then Hans grabbing his arms and pulling him back upright. The scary part was that the seat was actually also the bannister for the stairs down below, with a 15' drop onto the stairs, which John would have fallen onto, on his head (which actually would probably have caused him no damage whatsoever....).

Thereafter, the team eventually moved onto the Icebox club at about 03-45 am, only to find the Northern Text Maniacs, standing around eyeing up the women, with as much popularity as a group of arsonists in an orphanage.....

The W.A.N.K.E.R.S. performed a quick set on the dance floor and returned home at stupid o'clock. Needless to say, Hans and Motty could not find the energy to ski the next day, John only managing an hour from 16-45 onwards....

The rest of the week was relatively modest in W.A.N.K.E.R. terms, (apart from some brilliant new silly hats - see piccys on this page) though the journey home was hilarious thanks to the fart machine. Tears of laughter were created on the bus from the terminal out to the plane at Geneva, when a young lady proceeded to sit next to John. As she was in the process of sitting, a timely rasp was let out, creating one of the funniest moments in W.A.N.K.E.R. history. Poor girl....the look on the other passenger's faces.....

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