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Galway Advertiser 2002/2002_10_10/GA_10102002_E1_032.pdf
WEATHER
SATURDAY
Clifden
Showers with some brighter spells.
GL A AW Y
R O U G H
SUNDAY
Ballinasloe
Showers in the morning, dry later. Monday Heavy rain moving in from the south-west. Tuesday Heavy rain in places and strong winds. Wednesday Scattered showers and blus tery winds.
IF
Noon Thursday
Thursday
A M A I N L Y DRY D A Y WITH PLENTY OF CLOUD B U T S U N N Y SPELLS IN T H E AFTERNOON. C L O U D I N G OVER A G A I N TOWARDS EVENING. MODERATE SOUTH-EASTERLY WINDS. MAX TEMP 14-16C 61F).
I N F O R M A T I O N
FRIDAY
H E A V Y RAIN IN T H E M O R N I N G WILL CLEAR B Y MID-AFTERNOON ALLOWING BRIGHTER SPELLS T O W A R D S EVENING. LIGHT WESTERLY W I N D S AFTER T H E RAIN. M A X TEMP
A weekly travel column with Julie Jierney
(57-
13-15C(55-59F).
S U P P L I E D BY
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Don't wait for snowstorms to book your ski holiday
WHETHER YOU'RE itching for the pure adren aline of bombing down the slopes or you prefer t h e r e l a x e d c o m f o r t of a bearskin rug in front of a glowing f i r e p l a c e , i t ' s n e v e r too e a r l y to p l a n your winter skiing holiday. Smart travellers know the earlier you book the better prices you'll get on pack ages which usually include air fare, accommodation, meals, lift passes, and ski equipment. There was a time when Austria was the only direct ski destination on offer. Now travel agents have a range of destinations avail able. For instance Fahy Travel Worldchoice at 3 Bridge St has direct flights servicing France, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Andorra. There is also demand for Vermont, Colorado, and Canada serviced through the UK or via New York. Andorra is still the best seller at this Galway travel agent though, and is one of the best value ski destina tions. Because it is a duty free principality, the living costs and ski costs are quite reasonable. "It is particularly good for beginners and has a wide range of skiing for interme diates," says Maura Fahy of Fahy Travel Worldchoice. "But serious enthusiasts tend to head for the higher and more expansive resorts of France and Italy," A one week holiday this Christmas starts at 5 2 9 for self catering, 7 0 9 for a 3star hotel on half board. There are no special offers on skiing at this time, but there are reduced rates for beginners, free lift pass offers, and free group places
O c t o b e r 14 -- Holy day of Callistus, aka Pope Callistius I. As a youth and slave he worked in a sort of bank and lost the money deposited with him; after many adventures he returned to Rome and was elected Pope; whereupon he was attacked by St Hippolytus for among other things believing that commission of mortal sin was not in itself sufficient reason for deposing a bishop. According to some, he died after being thrown down a well during a popular uprising. In Norway, where his day marked the beginning of winter, he is represented by a leafless tree, a papal staff, or a mitten. This last symbol though derived from the papal glove, also symbolises winter. O c t o b e r 15 -- Holy day of St Teresa of Avila, foundress of the discalced Carmelites. She joined a rather relaxed Carmelite house in 1S3S, and only in 1555 was converted to stricter observance while praying before a statue of Christ being scourged. From that point, she began to experience ecstasies, vividly por trayed by Bernini in his sculpture group of St Teresa and the spear-bearing angel in San Maria della Vittoria in Rome. Her desire to found a stricter Carmelite house met with great opposition, but she succeeded in 1562; the Discalced Carmelites (who wear sandals instead of shoes), for both men and women, result ed. In her convent of St Joseph in Avila, she wrote her spiritual autobiography, a manual for her nuns. The Way of Perfection, and numerous other works, includ ing poetry. Forceful and capable as an administrator, she was also a mystic writer of the first importance. She was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970 and Pope Paul VI named her
Thursday October 10 Friday October 11 Saturday October 12 Sunday October 13 Monday October 14 Tuesday October 15 Wednesday October 1
09.09 10.01 11.04 00.02 01.57 03.09
22.37 **** 12.30 14.04 15 09
(Information courtesy of Galway Harbour Office)
hursday: The AUurity oil tanker from MOford Haven and the Stella Lyra ith bitumen from Petitcouroone. Friday: The Fort* Fisher tanker from lilford Haven and the (Mway Fisher tanker from Whitegate.; Saturday: ctivity tanker from Whitegate. Tuesday: Activity tanker from Milford Haven.
throughout the season in all resorts. According to Maura the most popular skiing times are Christmas and February. "The former because of the holiday and the latter because the days are longer and the lifts stay open later, it is a liule warmer and less likely to be snowing." The most reasonable time to ski is the month of January - mostly because it is the dead of winter, lifts close at 4pm, it is colder, and poorer weather condi tions are more likely.
FIRST C O M E S E R V E D FIRST
Everybody wants to book that special room with a fireplace, balcony, or gor geous mountain view. But it's first come first served. So don't wait until the last minute to make reservations
or you may find yourself so far from the slopes you'll have to take a shuttle or a long cold trudge through the snow with your skis over your shoulder. Key areas to watch out for when choosing a resort are height; variety of runs to suit ski ability, ie, there is no p o i n t in a c o m p l e t e beginner paying the high prices charged by top ski resorts with vast ski areas; and remember, north fac ing slopes tend to hold the snow till later in the sea son. M a u r a has p l e n t y of good advice for the begin ner to save time, money, and pain. By including a passport-sized photograph in your packing for the lift pass you'll pay a fraction of the cost and avoid long queues for machines on the
resort. To skip queues for equipment, pre-book ski packs in advance. There is little saving to be made by booking your equipment on the resort, says Maura, plus you have to wait in line while the tour company clients get first preference. Finally, we've all heard the agonising stories from first-timers who ached all over two days into the trip. It's no harm to get some what fit beforehand, it will greatly enhance the enjoy ment of the holiday and the progress made in a week. Remember, ski holidays are highly recommended for the inactive as well as the active. The scenery, fresh air, and choice of non-ski activities such as tours, walks, snow walking, and cross county skiing, makes it an ideal holiday for all.