Thank goodness our prayers have been answered and the latest volcanic ash cloud has moved away. I know that this a grey area (no pun intended), but I sincerely hope that the regulatory authorities in UK and Europe, together with our new government (HOPEFULLY!) and the airlines and travel trade can work out a more proactive way of dealing with this situation in the future. None of us are able to predict the direction that future volcanic ash will take. At least the authorities seem to be listening to recommendations from the manufacturers of aircraft engines rather than simply the burbling of bureaucrats! We have been talking to other AITO operators and travel insurers, and are trying to incorporate events such as disruption caused by volcanic ash flows into insurance cover, but Rome was not built in a day, so for the present it be a wing and a prayer and a seat of your pants job.
Talking of Italy, I am off to Turin tomorrow with our Catholic Parish group from Baldock. As well as viewing the Holy Shroud of Turin, we will also be visiting place associated with St John Bosco, as well as the shrine of Our Lady of Consolation. More about that when I return.
Bookings are now coming in for the packages we are offering in Birmingham and Oxford for the Papal visit and the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman on September 19th. If you are thinking of bring a group, and would also like tickets for The Dream of Gerontius on Saturday 18th, then do not hesitate to get in contact with us.
We also have space on our pilgrimages to Mexico, Syria, The Holy Land, Turkey, Rome & Assisi, and the Franciscan Sanctuaries of the Rieti Valley this Autumn.
Philip Dean
