So I enjoy driving. Get me behind the wheel of my car with a playlist picked, a drink – ideally caffeinated – to hand and I am good to go for hours, a regular Duracell bunny.
However get me up at four in the morning and put me behind the wheel of a minivan and you better have a jolly big caffeinated drink for me. Unfortunately neither Starbucks or Costa have made the move to provide me with gallon sized coffees at service stations on the continent yet. And yes, I was aware that I was driving through Italy, as many of my friends later pointed out, a country famed for delicious coffee. But also, I pointed out, crazy drivers, Mussolini and Kappa (R.I.P), they haven't got everything right and I prefer my coffee long and hot, not thimble sized and lukewarm.
Sorry, I digress. So at five in the morning last Saturday I found myself on my first transfer job for Alpine Transfer Company (ATC) to Milan’s Malpensa airport, roughly a three-hour journey with 248km covered. I should point out that this isn’t how I usually spend my Saturday mornings; whilst during the week you will usually find me sat behind a computer working for an SEO company in France on the weekends i'm up the mountain with a snowboard perfecting my switch-back 1080 double cork (honest).
However on this particular Saturday Alpine Transfer Company were a man down and I thought it might be good for me to experience a transfer day for myself. Did I mention it was the busiest day of the season? First weekend of the February half-term and I was on route to Milan to pick up some American clients looking forward to their first European ski experience.
Two teas, four espressos, and a red bull later and I was home in time for lunch having safely deposited our American friends in their chosen Serre Chevalier chalet.
The afternoon saw me accompanying a large group of Scandinavians on their coach on a Grenoble airport transfer. No I wasn’t driving, merely making sure that no one was left behind at various pick up points along the valley and assisting them, if needed, at the airport.
Having made good time and after seeing everyone checked in and waiting for their flights I had 2 hours free time before the return Grenoble transfer took me home again. I used this time, unsurprisingly, to sleep and to grab a few cups of coffee.
Once we had everyone on board for the return journey we set off. The drive back was largely uneventful with only the one ‘near sick’ emergency pullover and the one drop-off in La Grave, the most un-coach friendly village in the Alps. Arriving back in the Serre Chevalier valley for 10.30pm we dropped all passengers off at their respective hotels with Alpine Transfer Company’s door-to-door service. Our last passenger was dropped off in Briancon by midnight, opposite the ski lifts and I hopped off here too, straight into one of my favourite bars and a welcome demi (half pint).
My day as an Alpine Transfer Company representative was a long one but an experience I wouldn’t change for the world. I really enjoyed chatting to homeward-bound clients on where they had been up the mountain and helping those coming out plan their week.
So for those planning their next Serre Chevalier holiday and are considering a Grenoble airport transfer with Alpine Transfer Company, who knows you may find me…But then again I may leave it to the professionals, I am rather attached to my Saturday lie-ins.
A tout à l'heure,
Polly
For further details on scheduled and un-scheduled Grenoble transfers please visit the main website or contact ATC on +33 685 687 131.
