Swiss Trip 1968/69

We arrived at Sargans Station, Switzerland, and waited, in the freezing cold, for the coach to drive us up to the Hotel Waldheim. After a typical Continental breakfast of coffee and rolls, we took a look round the Hotel and then went to collect our ski equipment. We spent an enjoyable afternoon ski-ing, and returned to an excellent dinner. On the Sunday, Fr. Louis said Mass in the Hotel. In the mornings and afternoons we went ski-ing, and in the evenings we played cards or went down to the cafe 'for a bit of a rave-up'. We all found ski-ing easy as long as we went in a straight line, but we found it difficult to turn. Among the many places we visited were Feldkirk, Lindau and Voding the capital of Lichtenstein.

We returned to the hotel for a New Year's party where we were entertained by Mr. H--y with his unique cabaret act. It was a very enjoyable evening and few were in bed before the early hours of the morning. The following days were spent mostly in ski-ing at Weistannen and the nursery slopes in front of the hotel. Then came the day when we went to the 'Pizol' which is the main ski-ing centre of the area. We went up the 'Pizol' by cable car from Wangs. When we reached the 2/3 stage I can tell you it was quite terrifying looking down at the slope, which was 7 miles long. Some of the best skiers in the world have completed this distance in 10 minutes. Three of the boys - the best - were allowed to ski down under the expert guidance of Danny, Carl and Joe, the ski-ing instructors.

The last days of the holiday were spent ski-ing and buying souvenirs and gifts from the village. On the eve of our departure some boys took the ski-ing test and the majority passed. Then the time to leave came, the holiday having flown past.

John Bell 4.2

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