Heathrow 9pm

No one wants to say goodbye. This was at 9pm, all cases collected, long journey over, but they just can't bear to break up the team.

Betsy has had an amazing time, I know. The team are so tight, it's a shame that they will not play as a team again because several of them (Betsy included) will go up to U16's when Winter Training begins. I've enjoyed my time with the parents too - I have got to know more people than usual and made more friends. It's been really good fun.

As on our journey out here, the team stayed together, and we just saw glimpses of them around Bologna airport. Though they still had to wear their Team GB Tracksuits the coaches were a bit less strict so they mostly had their own individual take on it, shorts or whatever. Betsy, rather than carry it, chose to wear her helmet the entire time. She looked very cool, like Poly Styrene (a huge compliment in my eyes) and I found it very endearing.

I thought they would sleep on the plane but they were all still on a high, talking and laughing all the time. Again, the pilot announced they were on board and they got a round of applause. He also asked them to stay back after everyone had got off and let them into look at the cockpit, a few at a time. They've really been made a fuss of; everywhere they go they get whisked into fast lanes, to the front of queues, or get special treatment. It's very sweet.

When the girls finally managed to break up the group it was sad for all of us. We shared a cab back with Claire and Michelle and the only good news was that I would see Al after six days apart. I burst into tears when I did. He has had an amazing time with his Uncles but I've missed him dreadfully.