Day 20 The End

I couldn't sleep a wink last night. It means i have been up +24hrs - give or take a couple of hours. I suspect it is the antibiotics which have been working really well so far. I feel much better already.

I was able to go supper in the restaurant yesterday!!! (Thursday night) It happened to be Gron's, (head of our Working Group) birthday too! Happy Birthday!!

I decided to get up and go to the Presentations of the working group regardless of how tired i felt as i knew it would be good to see everyone again and also to see the work that everyone has done.

I was not disappointed.

The volume of info and resources people have come up with was amazing!! We all did good presentations - including me as at the last minute i asked if i could play a small part in our group's presentation by doing the intro. The guys kindly let me do so so thank you!!!

It was really nerve wracking even though i was doing this in front of a group of people whom i knew really well and vice-versa. I was not alone however, as everyone was in the same situation.

My most memorable presentation Rolf's Working Group who did, '50 Mysteries of the Universe'. I will not be forgetting Bosons for a long time!!

Afterwards, we got to meet the two oldest couple who have retired from CERN but are still working there in a voluntary capacity. It was amazing to hear them talk about CERN and the experiments they did as they were both there from the very beginning to the present point. They have seen all the accelerators, big or small being built, tested and put through their paces.

This was then followed by a meeting with the Director General of CERN. It was quite humbling to see how enthusiastic and supportive this gentleman is of the HST programme and i was reminded again, how lucky i am to have to had this opportunity. It is amazing as well, for a guy with so much responsibility to still be so enthusiastic about Science and encouraging young people to take up Science. It is something which i will incorporate into my own ethos.

Later that evening, we had our farewell barbecue and it was lovely. Rolf did all the cooking and whilst he was eating.... i was able to get a spoiler on 'Angels and Demons' movie. I'm keeping quiet for the time being though!!!

It was a lovely way to end the programme and my only regret was that i had to leave early as i knew i had stillto pack and to get-up at 7am the following day.

I was able to say farewells to almost everyone, (apart from those who were having too good a time!!!)and at that point, i think i realised how well we all got along and how i would miss the times i had at CERN. But i left feeling that i would have loads of happy memories and photos to look back upon!!!!