Ep 36 The Mad Hatter and the Protection Dog.

GOOD MORNING VAL DISERE

Yesterday was cool….Below freezing ....Snow had fallen overnight
And we had a weird covering of tiny frozen snow balls when out in the afternoon.

Today should be sunny and the three degrees will feel almost tropical

So, what are we celebrating TODAY ?
From a list of 7…In the us of a….

National Noodles day……….they have been around for 4000 years….
Mad Hatters…………..yes after the Alice in Wonderland character
Suggesting we all go for it and wear fun top hats.

Sounds as though it was pretty windy In the UK….
Storm Amy had a real go at Glencoe…….Damaging their Tubing slope……….
Have you tried tubing ?
I hadn’t even HEARD of it …
You sit in something that, to me, looks like a child's paddling pool.
Helmet on and down the hard slope you go…
Rain mustn’t put you off - apparently Rainy runs are faster and more exciting.
ANYWAY the slope will probably be closed all week….

If you fancy starting the ski season with a BARGAIN.
Some resorts are selling day tickets for around $20
Two catches……
You have to buy them soon and the 20 DOLLARS
Was a clue…The lifts are in Arizona……
The flight probably cancels out the savings….

If you are looking at a multi-resort pass.
Full pass …… no problem
Be aware that the cheaper option, is cheaper for a reason
There are some days you can’t use it.
These are the busy times, like Christmas
When if you don’t have children at school
You probably wouldn’t want to go anyway.

The French fireman were busy again.
This time with a Fire - in chalet in Megève
Nobody was injured and the five workers living there were rehoused.
Years ago a chalet high in Petit Alaska caught fire……….
Until that morning the chalet was packed with party animals
The alcohol had flowed…
Luckily the fire was just after they had left.
The next year the Fireman presented the chalet company owner
With a calendar………..one of the photos……their chalet a blaze
Not sure he needed a reminder….of such a scary stressful scenario
Hanging on his wall…….

Also near Megève
A runner was badly bitten by a Patou -The Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog.
A Protection Dog……They are BIG........Do not think "Pet".

These dogs are necessary to protect our sheep
From wild and hungry wolves.

However avoid these dogs if you can.
They ‘protect’ rather than attack. Usually…

They certainly bark.
Their eyesight isn’t great so they may approach to get a good look at you.

Stay calm
Speak gently to the dog
Don’t look him in the eye
Don’t wave your sticks
If you are cycling, walk.
If  you have a dog, VERY SHORT LEAD

Move along, a good distance from the sheep.
If in doubt, turn around…….Go another route…

There is an interactive map
Which shows you where these dogs are.
For instance there is an area between le Fornet and la Daille

Avoiding them is infinitely better
Than trying to stay calm
When your heart is racing
And your own dog is barking……

I will put the link to MapPatou

in the description of this episode

The chalet company VIP SKI have an offer
£100 off per person per week in January
EXCEPT the week from the 4^th.
Book before the end of October.

VIP also offer  some COMPLIMENTARY Ski guiding
with an instructor from Oxygene.
Places are limited, so please check if your chalet is covered
And book in advance

Are you heading to Sunderland soon ?
Friday 24th of October Silksworth Ski Centre
Is hosting an epic Après ski party.
Radio One’s Dance Anthem icon DJ Charlie Hedges
Food
Drinks
Skiing
TUBING …. We all know what THAT is now
Only £10.
BOUND to be popular
Book online NOW
www.everyoneactive.com/apresski

More work on website…Have added a Val d’Isère weather widget to the home page.
Had a bit of a panic - One of the links to website on the phone
Was still going to the old website.
Deleted that website, but that link still not fixed 
And the techie team were having a Sunday Stop ….
they should be on the case this morning…

The links at the top of the episode description DO WORK.
I am trying to make it as easy as possible
So I don’t have to slowly dictate contact details
As you probably don’t have a pen to hand ANYWAY.
Much easier just to scroll and click, from page to page…
when you are on a bus, bubble or chairlift.

So Happy Mad Hatters Monday !
I will don my cap and see you tomorrow.