The Travel Thread

[Lofty]

I did three weeks in California back in 2010, using San Diego as a base. We went to LA, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park and Vegas. A lot of driving but was fun as a group of 4. Could be hell solo, mind.

[Shindig]

Yeah, I was toying with getting the CalTrain out further afield but the traveling would probably do me in.

[Pepe]

Can’t recommend DC highly enough. So underrated.

+1 DC and Chicago are probably my favorite of the big cities. Both shit all over NY.

[Lofty]

Wife has revealed to me she booked a trip for us both to Amsterdam in March that was going to be a joint christmas/birthday present but she is wobbling about it with all the latest covid stuff so has told me about it because she doesn't know whether to postpone or cancel. I reckon summer is the safest bet in terms of the least restriction and covid waves?

[Shindig]

The BA sale I've looked at is running for another month so I'm hoping to hold off until then. Hopefully the yanks don't pull the drawbridge up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

March will be fine.

[phonics]

Just convinced an American bloke to take his wife to Naples instead of Venice. The city need to start paying me commission for how much I put the place over.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Well, I guess that's a less hands-on way of becoming a home wrecker.

[Giggles]

Naples? What did he do to you to deserve that?

[Spikey M]

And what did Naples do to deserve a yank family turning up?

[Kikó]

Naples instead of Venice. Great trolling.

[Shindig]

Alright, San Francisco booked for March. Turns out way cheaper than 2019 prices and I get free breakfast at the hotel.

[-james-]

I've been looking at LA for April or May but I'm not sure I can abide those hotel prices. How long are you going for?

[Shindig]

8 nights. BA's sale price knocks about £100 off so the majority of the savings is probably down to them wanting people flying. The same trip cost me something close to two grand before the pandemic.

[Offshore Toon]

Why is booking direct through skyscanner over BA £20 cheaper (about 20%)? It feels a tad suspect.

[Clunge]

It's not, is it? Skyscanner is just an aggregator – once you click through, don't you get whatever the latest BA fare is?

[Shindig]

I assume he means he's booking through them as a travel agent.

[Spikey M]

Some companies give comparison websites preferential deals, so it could just be that. Although 20% seems like alot.

[Bernanke]

https://jacksflightclub.com/travel-hub/is-it-safe-to-book-with-smaller-otas-on-momondo

This has some info on why OTAs can be cheaper than booking directly with the airline. Be aware that you might give up some cancellation flexibility for it.

[Shindig]

Verifly's a bit shite. :moop:

[Waffdon]

All this rain better piss off in Spain in the next two weeks for my cheeky Med cruise. Booking it for April over the summer may have been a little stupid :D

[randomlegend]

Should be ok provided you're not staying on the plain.

[Shindig]

I definitely could have cut this short by a couple of days.

[randomlegend]

Having a bit of trouble getting the girls passport renewal through before we go on the first honeymoon so she emailed our local MP as a few people were saying online they can get them sped up. I had zero expectation of even getting a response but Liz Truss('s secretary) dutifully pinged an email back within 10 minutes to say she was on it.

I presume nothing will actually be done but I'm amazed they even replied.

[Boydy]

Tell them you're a HARD-WORKING NHS DOCTOR.

Don't tell them about the sitting off eating Easter eggs and the stupidly paid locum shifts.

[Shindig]

Tell them she's going to Ukraine.

[Kikó]

We're trying to get the little one her first British passport but no idea if or where the paperwork we sent is. I've got my passport renewal due but might just be worth waiting until I go to the UK and getting it in person in the passport office in Liverpool.

[Luca]

My Italian passport expires in two months and the bastards at the Consulate have not responded to multiple email requests. They probably work about 35 minutes a week (down from the pre-covid 1h per day).

You also can’t show up or make an appointment like you used to. Your entire ability to receive consular support depends on one person taking a liking to your tone over email. Shambles.

[randomlegend]

Tell them you're a HARD-WORKING NHS DOCTOR.

Don't tell them about the sitting off eating Easter eggs and the stupidly paid locum shifts.

I won't be doing that. If it doesn't come it doesn't come; annoying but we'll just go somewhere in this country and then we've got the big trip to the Maldives in the summer anyway.

[Luca]

Wait, what? Your chances of a positive outcome would double instantly.

[randomlegend]

Maybe, but me being a doctor doesn't mean I deserve special treatment from the passport office.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Clearly put it in the email subject.

[Luca]

You know, I respect the mature and principled approach to this. I may have still floated it by them in your shoes, though. :D

[randomlegend]

Clearly put it in the email subject.

I suppose I can't categorically deny this given she sent the email and I haven't seen it.

[niko_cee]

Some staggering misunderstanding of the psyche and working practice of the British civil service here.

Can't you just pay to get it done quicker anyway?

[randomlegend]

Some staggering misunderstanding of the psyche and working practice of the British civil service here.

Can't you just pay to get it done quicker anyway?

You can pay for a fast-track when you first submit the application, but if you submit a standard application you can't then pay to fast-track it.

They were saying 3-5 weeks when we submitted it and that was about 9 weeks before we are due to go so decided against fast-tracking since it looked like it would be fine.

[Pepe]

Maybe, but me being a doctor doesn't mean I deserve special treatment from the passport office.

Just from everyone else.

[randomlegend]

I don't expect special treatment from anyone.

I never even used my NHS card to jump the queues at the supermarket during covid

[Lewis]

You used to be able to go to the office in Peterborough and get it done there and then, but maybe kung flu sunk that.

[Spikey M]

I don't expect special treatment from anyone.

I never even used my NHS card to jump the queues at the supermarket during covid

Never hesitated at the Easter Egg table though. Lucky people weren't donating Whey Protein. :baz:

[Kikó]

My Italian passport expires in two months and the bastards at the Consulate have not responded to multiple email requests. They probably work about 35 minutes a week (down from the pre-covid 1h per day).

You also can’t show up or make an appointment like you used to. Your entire ability to receive consular support depends on one person taking a liking to your tone over email. Shambles.

Get over to Frankfurt. After 4 years of not having a chance to get into the London embassy, I was able to get two appointments in Frankfurt in no time.

[Lewis]

'We-a, 'ow-a you say, saw you-a "Chef Luca" and...'
*pulls a sort of face*

[Pepe]

:lol:

[Pepe]

Reminds me that I need to go get my daughter her very important Mexican passport.

[Lewis]

French-Mexican-American. Jesus.

[Pepe]

:cool:

[Boydy]

Never hesitated at the Easter Egg table though. Lucky people weren't donating Whey Protein. :baz:

:D

Lol

[randomlegend]

Look at these insecure, noodle-armed little manlets, Lewis.

[randomlegend]

Don't think the passport is going to come in time. Liz Truss is a useless cunt.

[Shindig]

Almost wound up missing my flight home because of those passport kiosks at Heathrow. There was one open and it was rejecting everyone. :D

[randomlegend]

Passport has been approved and gone for printing.

This riveting tale is going down to the wire lads.

[Giggles]

In my thoughts and players to the angles.

[Shindig]

"Your passport is here." <develops a new, continuous cough>

[randomlegend]

-james-

San Sebastian is amazing. Absolutely beautiful city, bar-hopping for Pintxos is such a great way to eat, the local wine (Txakoli) is like €2 a glass and is delicious. Never would've gone here without your recommendation so thank you.

We did do one of the Pintxo tours because we speak no Spanish and were feeling a bit clueless and it was really good and helpful.

Martin Berasategui tonight :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Pintxo bars are the highest form of civilisation I have yet encountered. I could spend days in a good one.

[niko_cee]

Saw Joe Lycett and James Acaster there on that travelman show the other day. It did look very good.

[Giggles]

There's one of those here that's in Temple Bar which I expect is some shit show.

[Clunge]

Off to Thessaloniki next week – anyone been?

[John Arne]

I'm in Ninh Binh, home of Kong King (Skull Island).

https://gyazo.com/8e8036f8f0aa202a9bc051698615cba3.jpeg

[Ian]

What is a pintxo bar?

[Yevrah]

Is Vietnam open to tourists without having to PCR when you get there yet JA?

[John Arne]

Is Vietnam open to tourists without having to PCR when you get there yet JA?

Opened up last week after over 2 years, but a 72hr PCR still required.

[Yevrah]

God damn it. Would love to head there this year, but buggered if I'm risking a PCR test on arrival. "Thank you Sir, your holiday will be....in a hotel room".

[Giggles]

What is a pintxo bar?

A "loike don't you know I travel loads" tapas bar.

[randomlegend]

What is a pintxo bar?

Small bars that serve mini portions of (generally amazing) food (called Pintxos) and small glasses of wine etc. The idea is you have one or two Pintxos + a drink in a bar and then move onto another one. They mostly cost about €3-5 and the local wine is like €2 for the small glasses they pour you.

Many of them will have a particular Pintxo they are known for or specialise in which is where a bit of local knowledge is handy.

The streets in San Sebastian's old town are just lined with them. It's amazing.

[Yevrah]

That sounds incredible. Fuck I need a holiday.

[randomlegend]

A "loike don't you know I travel loads" tapas bar.

Idk if they are different to tapas bars in other parts of Spain as this is the only time I've been to Spain, but it's just what they're called here (presumably it's a Basque word).

[Ian]

Yeah that does sound great.

[Manc sean]

Pintxo bars are the highest form of civilisation I have yet encountered. I could spend days in a good one.

Shite tapas. I nailed it all over San Sebastian after a mate wouldn't shut up about it. At first I thought I'd found the few duff ones that must exist, but after a bit i realised no, this was it.

It's just tapas hyped up by people who like to project some kind of sophisticated image, because it's not as widely available as tapas, ergo not as many have tried/heard of it.

[Manc sean]

God damn it. Would love to head there this year, but buggered if I'm risking a PCR test on arrival. "Thank you Sir, your holiday will be....in a hotel room".

Do you like rain?

[randomlegend]

Idk where you've got the impression people think it's some high form of sophistication, but if you couldn't find really good food in the Pintxo bars is San Sebastian then you were definitely doing something wrong.

[Yevrah]

Do you like rain?

Did you pick the wrong time of the year to go?

[John Arne]

Do you like rain?

Tell me you didn't go during the monsoon season.....

[Manc sean]

You'd do well to go outside of the monsoon season.

[randomlegend]

Starting to suspect he was eating the napkins in San Sebastian.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Shite tapas. I nailed it all over San Sebastian after a mate wouldn't shut up about it. At first I thought I'd found the few duff ones that must exist, but after a bit i realised no, this was it.

It's just tapas hyped up by people who like to project some kind of sophisticated image, because it's not as widely available as tapas, ergo not as many have tried/heard of it.

It's the same as tapas, but with a slightly different method of delivery. Neither term refers to what the food tastes like. Not sure that's a difficult concept to grasp unless you're one of these yuppie tourists who 'does' places instead of visits them.

But the food is so great.

[Spikey M]

I'm in Ninh Binh, home of Kong King (Skull Island).

https://gyazo.com/8e8036f8f0aa202a9bc051698615cba3.jpeg

As if they're still wearing those hats. :D

[Ben]

Vietnam need to fuck off the PCR thing ASAP.

[Giggles]

For the tourists they'll wear anything.

Even if Baz visited.

[John Arne]

You'd do well to go outside of the monsoon season.

If my memory serves, it has rained here (HCMC) 2 days during the previous 5 months. There is, somewhat predictably, a dry and wet season.

Hanoi is slightly different, but then that is a shit hole full of commies that deserve the rain (though it still has about 4 months of zero rain).

[Kikó]

TAP (the cunts) have just bumped my flight to Lisbon to go Frankfurt > Munich > Paris > Lisbon and think that's okay. The help lines and web pages are predictably shite to help actually change it as well.

[Shindig]

Going through security every step of the way, I bet. :D

[Kikó]

I've got through 5 times. First 3 times they (or my phone?) ends the call after 15 minutes 11 seconds. The other time, it's a portugese speaker who hangs up, then an English speaker who can't hears me and hangs up. It's superb.

[Yevrah]

One of my major bugbears of this frankly dreadful (but obviously still privileged) World we now live in is the inability to speak to actual humans when you need to. Even live chat seems to have gone to shit.

[Kikó]

Trying through Skype now as my phone auto disconnects after 15m 11s and it takes you about 14m to get through to a human. And of course they can't call you back.

[Pen]

Basque Country is great for food. Googled the restaurant RL went yesterday and would be cool to see some pics of the portions.

The tapas culture and it’s different varieties all over Spain are definitely the best part of Spanish cuisine. It was either in Seville or Granada where every drink came with a tapas and given that you paid like a few euros for each the quality was really good almost all the time.

[Ben]

Spain introduced me to chilled red wine (specifically rioja) and that was game changing.

[randomlegend]

Basque Country is great for food. Googled the restaurant RL went yesterday and would be cool to see some pics of the portions.

The tapas culture and it’s different varieties all over Spain are definitely the best part of Spanish cuisine. It was either in Seville or Granada where every drink came with a tapas and given that you paid like a few euros for each the quality was really good almost all the time.

Martin Berasategui? Will upload pictures of it all once we're home; can't face uploading 15+ pictures on mobile.

It was incredible.

[randomlegend]

We day tripped it to Bilbao yesterday. Appreciate Sunday was not the best day to go but definitely prefer San Sebastian.

Also I guess it marks me out as the pleb I am but the Guggenheim was absolute wank.

[Pen]

I think you’re in the majority with that view. I really loved Bilbao, but it is very different. Guggenhaim is class if that’s the soyof art you’re into and the building itself is magnificent.

Best part for me though was running around on the pitch of old San Mames as they were just started to redo the grass.

[Pepe]

What's not to love?

https://cms.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/uploads/2012/05/Rothko-1024x698.jpg

[Ian]

Wow, really makes you think.

[randomlegend]

That was the best thing in the whole place

[Kikó]

Flight one done. Next up Paris.

[Shindig]

Wow, really makes you think.

Not as much as this.

https://d7hftxdivxxvm.cloudfront.net/?resize_to=fit&width=640&height=441&quality=80&src=https%3A%2F%2Fd32dm0rphc51dk.cloudfront.net%2F EeMc7W0MTjhiGSrh4krWVg%2Flarge.jpg

[Jimmy Floyd]

That's the French flag after Marine gets in

[Ian]

:D

[Waffdon]

Just back from a week cruising in the Med. Hadn’t realised it was the ships first outing since Covid so the first few days were an absolute shambles service wise. Tipping a few of them seemed to sort it out though. Weather was mostly a shambles so porting in Livorno for Florence and Pisa was cancelled so only managed to get to Pisa and then when we got back on the ship later that day we were informed we had to cancel St Tropez and head straight to Barcelona instead.

3ft waves on the 1st night was a nice appetiser for what was to come. I’ll be booking a room on the bottom deck next time as fuck dealing with your room literally being on the waltzers after a day of drinking.

[neo_hippy]

Just back from a week cruising in the Med. Hadn’t realised it was the ships first outing since Covid so the first few days were an absolute shambles service wise. Tipping a few of them seemed to sort it out though. Weather was mostly a shambles so porting in Livorno for Florence and Pisa was cancelled so only managed to get to Pisa and then when we got back on the ship later that day we were informed we had to cancel St Tropez and head straight to Barcelona instead.

3ft waves on the 1st night was a nice appetiser for what was to come. I’ll be booking a room on the bottom deck next time as fuck dealing with your room literally being on the waltzers after a day of drinking.

I'm on P&O's Ventura on Saturday. Going for an overnight in Lisburn, Vigo and somewhere in France and Spain.

[Ben]

Just back from a week cruising in the Med. Hadn’t realised it was the ships first outing since Covid so the first few days were an absolute shambles service wise. Tipping a few of them seemed to sort it out though. Weather was mostly a shambles so porting in Livorno for Florence and Pisa was cancelled so only managed to get to Pisa and then when we got back on the ship later that day we were informed we had to cancel St Tropez and head straight to Barcelona instead.

3ft waves on the 1st night was a nice appetiser for what was to come. I’ll be booking a room on the bottom deck next time as fuck dealing with your room literally being on the waltzers after a day of drinking.

What cruise liner were you on? I've done a Med one before and the fucker was so big you didn't even know you were on water.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm on P&O's Ventura on Saturday. Going for an overnight in Lisburn, Vigo and somewhere in France and Spain.

For your sake I hope you mean Lisbon.

[Boydy]

For your sake I hope you mean Lisbon.

:D

Was gonna say exactly the same thing.

[Boydy]

And why are all you old bastards going on cruises?

[Spikey M]

Cruises are amazing you slag.

[Boydy]

Alright, grandad.

[Waffdon]

What cruise liner were you on? I've done a Med one before and the fucker was so big you didn't even know you were on water.

Marella Discovery. It was only £800pp or something, I thought it was massive but then the Germans came floating by and dwarfed us. I’ll do it again but won’t cheap out next time and definitely not in April

[-james-]

What does an £800 cruise consist of?

[-james-]

Off to Thessaloniki next week – anyone been?

I grew up quite near Thessaloniki and have probably driven through it about fifty times to get to the airport, but never spent the night there. Actually been planning a couple of nights there next time I'm in Greece, so interested to hear how you find it.

[Waffdon]

What does an £800 cruise consist of?

100s of Red Peroni and Grey Goose and Cranberry

[Giggles]

What does an £800 cruise consist of?

Ham and cheese sandwiches and Aldi cola.

[randomlegend]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/R7ZiEcpblVE/maxresdefault.jpg

[Waffdon]

Glasgow Airport was an absolute shambles for getting back in. Brexit mongs

[Boydy]

I really don't get the appeal of cruises.

[Pepe]

Same as resorts, no? Doing nothing but lay about, drink, and eat all day.

[Ian]

I guess with a cruise you've got Pepe said but also seeing a new place to go and do your tourist shit in for a day. I dunno if I'd do one or not, it's not an option for me just now anyway, but I get the appeal.

[neo_hippy]

Indeed Lisbon not Lisburn!

My parents are well into cruises so if we want to go anywhere with them for child minding reasons more then anything, then a cruise is usually a good option.

This one is a week for 2 adults, 2 kids and all our food for £1600. And a big plus of no flights with two 1 year olds in the whole family group.

If you haven't done a cruise before I recommend you go for a weekend to brugge or Amsterdam as you'd get a good idea of how they are

[Spikey M]

Same as resorts, no? Doing nothing but lay about, drink, and eat all day.

The opposite. You get a new place to explore every day (or atleast most days).

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I went on a Caribbean Cruise, it was fun going to a new country pretty much everyday.

The bits on the ship were a bit shit though.

[Pepe]

You can get a new place to explore everyday by car/train (not in the Caribbean, obvs.)

I've never been on one, so I do not know if they are worth it or not. I don't see myself getting on one any time soon either.

[Boydy]

I don't think I'd like only getting one day in whatever city. If I want relaxing I'd rather just go and stay in one place. If I want touristy city stuff, I'd rather just go on a city break for a long weekend.

A cruise seems like the worst of both worlds to me for way more money than either of the above options.

:sorry:

[Giggles]

The opposite. You get a new place to explore every day (or atleast most days).

But you get to do the good stuff Pepe mentioned all day if you want too.

[Waffdon]

I don't think I'd like only getting one day in whatever city. If I want relaxing I'd rather just go and stay in one place. If I want touristy city stuff, I'd rather just go on a city break for a long weekend.

A cruise seems like the worst of both worlds to me for way more money than either of the above options.

:sorry:

Nobody’s forcing you to like or go on a cruise mate :lol:

[Spikey M]

But you get to do the good stuff Pepe mentioned all day if you want too.

There is that. Ours was 15 nights and I think of that there was 4 sea days and we spent those chilling. Other than that it was exploring. Showers under a waterfall in Dominica, had my sun glasses stolen by a Vervet Monkey on St Kitts, and swam with Turtles in Barbados. It was amazing.

It won't be for everyone, but they're top-notch as far as I'm concerned.

[Spikey M]

I've just realised that an important Caveat is needed there. I'm talking exclusively about British - and maybe European - Cruise ships. We were along side a few Yank ships in some ports and they were expectedly grim affairs. Whooping as they left the port. Waving their little flags. :sick:

[Ian]

Maybe you just don't love freedom enough, Spikey.

[Spikey M]

I had Freedom Fries with my Privilege Pie last night tyvm.

[Ben]

They talk about the Russians and Chinese being brainwashed but over there you're the weirdo for not having a 10ft flag in your front garden.

[Ian]

They talk about the Russians and Chinese being brainwashed but over there you're the weirdo for not having a 10ft flag in your front garden.

Whether you're a poor brainwashed mug or a proud patriot is just a matter of geography.

[Boydy]

Reciting the pledge of allegiance in schools. :sick:

[Lewis]

The opposite. You get a new place to explore every day (or atleast most days).

My mother spent years slagging cruises off, and then her friend duped her into one and she said it was great. I think it suits the Organised Fun people (or bastard kids people). She isn't the sort of person to want to just mooch about exploring somewhere, so the boat spitting you out in Rome or Malta or wherever with a day to do the main things is ideal.

[Pepe]

We used to sing the anthem every Monday morning in school in Mexico. The top students would get to walk the flag around as we sang.

[Spikey M]

The closest we get in Britain is the annoying sing-songy "Good Morning Mrs X, Good Morning Everyone!" At the start of every assembly.

[Ian]

I don't think I was ever made to sing the national anthem in school.

We did sing all sorts of songs for different cultures / religious festivals etc. (other than the Jehovah's Witness kid who used to sit in the classroom with a teacher and do whatever) which I could imagine people kicking off about now.

[Lewis]

We briefly had a Palestinian at primary school, and he used to bail on the school assembly when the songs/prayers started. He was nicknamed 'Paki David', and the headmaster had to do a special assembly about how he wasn't from Pakistan. Wherever he was from, his family apparently stripped their council house down to the wiring before they left.

[Shindig]

The closest we get in Britain is the annoying sing-songy "Good Morning Mrs X, Good Morning Everyone!" At the start of every assembly.

I got the Lord's prayer through primary school. :moop:

[Giggles]

We only had the national anthem in 5th class but that was the individual teachers preference.

[Giggles]

:drool:

1514137308605296641

[Jimmy Floyd]

I reckon I've sung GSTQ fewer than five times in my life, in a public capacity at least (i.e. not counting the shower, where I sing it daily).

[Don]

Anyone know what happens if you turn up at borders without acceptable recovery certificate for these maggot countries who still have measures in place? Belgium and Turkey are currently requiring proof of negative test or recovery certificate. My NHS app has my positive LFT recorded but since it wasn't a PCR it doesn't give the full COVID pass. I'm thinking to just try it instead of lining Randox's pockets. Worst comes to worst will they have facilities to do testing at the borders if they're still being that anal. Pretty sure Turkey don't give a fuck so it's just those Benelux cunts.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You won't be able to board the plane. Saw it happen with a couple of unvaccinated LADS when I went to Portugal.

[Don]

Sensational.

[Kikó]

Just get the vaccine you complete dickhead.

[Spikey M]

The rules are the dickhead here. It’s abundantly clear that the vaccines do very little - if anything - to stop transmission, so it should make no difference to travel in the slightest.

[Kikó]

Wrong.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2116597

[randomlegend]

To play devil's advocate, being vaccinated might make you more likely to be asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic, not realise you are infected and continue to socialise. If you were unvaccinated, you might be more likely to realise you're infected and avoid others due to having more significant symptoms. From that perspective, vaccination might increase transmission.

These things are not straightforward.

[Spikey M]

Wrong.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2116597

There's a 0% chance of me reading that, but if I'm wrong then I guess our majority vaccinated country having the highest caseload of the whole pandemic in the winter just gone must be a lie. And all the people I know that have caught Covid whilst being vaccinated. Myself included.

[Don]

Not sure Kiko himself reads his links to medical papers so don't let that be a factor, lad.

[Kikó]

I just trust medical professionals who know their shit rather than shit bags like you Taz.

[Don]

That's pretty mean, bro.

The Randox travel centre working out of some primetime Westfields Stratford unit is running an 'Unlock travel this summer...' advertising campaign, as if to rub it in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I went to the airport yesterday and there was still a massive TESTING CENTRE up, if that eases your pain.

[Yevrah]

There's a 0% chance of me reading that, but if I'm wrong then I guess our majority vaccinated country having the highest caseload of the whole pandemic in the winter just gone must be a lie. And all the people I know that have caught Covid whilst being vaccinated. Myself included.

Indeed. It's yet another example in this pandemic of what's actually happening not correlating fully with THE SCIENCE, but the latter is that which cannot be disputed.

[Ben]

What did all these crazy people obsess about before COVID?

[niko_cee]

Just returned from 4 nights in Gay Paris. First time in ten years I think. Not much seems to have changed. Someone I was with was instarobbed at the Gare du Nord, plus ca change etc, although the thieves only nabbed his passport which was quickly jettisoned, collected and somehow returned to him by a heroic Frenchie living near the Place Voltaire [who knew filling in that bit at the back of your passport would pay off one day?] who commented that it would have been a waste of time giving it to the Gendarmes.

I suppose what has changed, as with everywhere in the world, is that there are just loads of people trying to do everything, even in post covid land. You need to plan and book everything. They've somewhat ruined the Eiffel tower by putting all the secutiry fences around it, although the last time you could probably casually stroll under it was in the previous millennium.

Les Ateliers des Lumieres was surprisingly good I thought, as was the fuck off big fairground they have out in the park by Port Dorée.

Covid only really evident on the metro where mask observance was both fairly total, whilst simultaneously half-arsed.

[Waffdon]

I’m struggling to think of where to book to go on in the summer. First time experiencing going in July during the summer holidays and the price difference makes me want to vomit.

I like the look of Montenegro or Dubrovnik but he’s shes been to both and would rather Tenerife or something. At least if we go there I won’t be back there a few days/weeks later for the football whereas we could potentially draw a Balkan team

[Clunge]

I’m currently in Madeira and it’s very nice indeed.

[Manc]

Siuuuuuu.

[Pen]

I’m currently in Madeira and it’s very nice indeed.

If you have the possibility I’d recommend getting around the whole island. Lots of cool places there. Funchal wasn’t bad either. Quite a few nice restaurants there too. I also hope you’ve gotten your hands on those mental pinecone bananas that taste like four different fruit at once.

[Clunge]

We’ve got a car so we’re getting about. I had a bit of one of those crazy pineapple bananas y’day. In fact, we went to the Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal and just tried a bit of everything - eating a passionfruit with a spoon is quite satisfying.

Going to aim to do a levada or two, maybe Caldeirao Verde, and a coastal walk and go to the beach at Porto Moniz.

[Don]

How else would one eat a passion fruit?

[Spikey M]

From your mum's gash.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That would make it far too sour.

[Don]

Speaking of sour, was in Belgium for the weekend (Ghent is particularly lovely) and discovered Kriek (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriek_lambic). Sensational.

[niko_cee]

Is that the one that comes in a funny glass [with a wooden frame] that you used to have to pay a deposit on in Bierodrome/Belgo [as so many people nicked them]? Or was that Kwak?

[Don]

That's Kwak which a work colleague was raving about but I didn't try.

[Raoul Duke]

I have one of those Kwak glasses at home. Not sure I've ever used it.

[Boydy]

I'm going hiking for three days over the weekend. I'm trying to be open-minded and positive but I'm probably going to hate every minute of it.

[Spikey M]

Weekends are 2 days dickhead.

[Boydy]

I'm off for 10 days. :rasta:

The majority of the hike's on the weekend though.

[Boydy]

Anyway, if I'm not posting again next Sunday, I've died in the Scottish Highlands and it was nice knowing you all.

[Ian]

RIP in pieces.

[-james-]

Anyway, if I'm not posting again next Sunday, I've died in the Scottish Highlands and it was nice knowing you all.

Whereabouts are you off to?

[Giggles]

Anyway, if I'm not posting again next Sunday, I've died in the Scottish Highlands and it was nice knowing you all.

You're basically living in Scotland already. Go to Albefuera or Iceland or something.

[Boydy]

Whereabouts are you off to?

Knoydart. Hiking from Glenfinnan to Inverie.

[Spikey M]

You're basically living in Scotland already. Go to Albefuera or Iceland or something.

That's not fair, some of Scotland is nice.

[Giggles]

Fuck that, I'm going in tomorrow and the first thing I'm doing is cancelling this Munich trip.


1530894151075651586

[Spikey M]

I don't understand all these staff shortages. Where have all the working people gone? Over here they try to explain it away with Brexit (which I don't really buy), but it makes no sense at all when it's happening at Dublin Airport too.

[Ben]

They all got binned off when COVID hit then realised there’s much better job options out there so it’s proving hard to staff up.

[Spikey M]

They all got binned off when COVID hit then realised there’s much better job options out there so it’s proving hard to staff up.

I get that when it comes to shortages of Engineers and Doctors, but we're talking blokes to chuck shit on planes and women to stick labels on cases. Just employ any old cunt.

[niko_cee]

There's probably a decades long wait for security clearance as all of the people doing that were probably binned off as well (or have long covid).

[Giggles]

They're trying to get away with offering fuck all money for zero hour contracts.

[Shindig]

And then there's the queues at the passport office. It's been great walking in and seeing that stretch right out the door every morning. I don't think that's staff shortages but more Joe Public putting off their renewals for a couple of years.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, there's definitely an element of maybe we can do without a lot of these people a la certain sectors in the aftermath of the 2008 stuff.

There will be EY consultants telling them they can run the whole show on the shoulders of one Australian man.

[Giggles]

The passport queue on the way back in through the airport is an absolute joke too. They put in all these automatic machines years ago but none of them can read a passport and instead it's just one person checking them all.

[Shindig]

The ones at Heathrow are hit and miss. They expect you to queue again for a person to double check but it's easier just to try another machine.

[Kikó]

Speaking of passport renewals, mine looks like it's going to be on the way back soon. I was pretty worried it was going to be lost in the deluge of renewals but it's taken about 4 weeks.

[Yevrah]

I’ve just walked two miles through an airport to get on exactly the same plane, with exactly the same crew as I just got off for the connecting flight.

[Kikó]

Did they at least wear disguises?

[Yevrah]

:D They even said welcome back.

Although that has now been topped by the taxi driver picking me up from Gatwick seemingly forgetting where he’s parked his car. 10 minutes “we’ve” been looking for it now.

[Spikey M]

:D Has he left the meter running?

[John Arne]

Speaking of passport renewals, mine looks like it's going to be on the way back soon. I was pretty worried it was going to be lost in the deluge of renewals but it's taken about 4 weeks.

That's not too bad. 16 weeks I waited for mine last year.

[Kikó]

Reading Twitter, there seems to have been some fuck up in Feb and March which has caused the biggest noise.

[Spikey M]

Yeah, someone was on tele yesterday saying they sent off for theirs in February and they're now shitting themselves as they're meant to be flying in 2 weeks. Nothing you can do either. Can't even reapply if you have an active application. I'd be fuming.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's because those sorts of agencies are managed by monstrously overpaid fucks with zero accountability to anyone except staying within budget.

[Kikó]

I was worrying I'd need to travel to Dusseldorf for an emergency passport for my trip in July. That's an option if it doesn't come back in time.

[Kikó]

h1531280289019924481?t=Oo4ffOeKlrGuPHGpNvW3FQ&s=19

Actual shambles

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

30 hours?

[Kikó]

My mate had a 22 hour delay coming back from Gran Canaria.

[Shindig]

I left work at 5pm and there was still a queue winding out of the passport office. Scenes.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Back in England and stuck on the M25, it's good to be back...

[Spikey M]

Is absolutely everything shit at the moment? I think it might be.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's the first of the long term payoff from the fact that heads have gone (they are still gone).

[Shindig]

Yeah, this is the backlash from the Covid years.

[Magic]

Going to Dublin at the end of June. Was the only place my unvaxx ass could go without testing.

[Ben]

I believe a lot of countries are scrapping requirements from tomorrow. I go to Cyprus a few times a year and I know that they are, and some of my work colleagues have mentioned Germany doing the same too.

[Magic]

When we booked it was. They can fuck off now as if they're getting my money ever again.

[Boydy]

I'm going hiking for three days over the weekend. I'm trying to be open-minded and positive but I'm probably going to hate every minute of it.


Anyway, if I'm not posting again next Sunday, I've died in the Scottish Highlands and it was nice knowing you all.

I survived. Just about.

Was class though. Might do it again next year.

[Shindig]

There's few things in life I enjoy more than looking out into a big, green expanse.

[Boydy]

The Highlands are absolutely stunning. I'm a changed man. I'm gonna become one of those outdoor wankers now.

[Giggles]

When you buy a bike you know you'll have went too far.

[Shindig]

Kiko can probably point you in the direction of some walking boots.

[Kikó]

My time to shine has arrived.

[Lewis]

There was a Guardian article a few weeks ago about a woman who did the Northern coast-to-coast trail, and it sounds amazing other than the logistical problems. She got around it by paying some company to book out hotels and shuffle her suitcase around for her, but what's about two grand and booked up years in advance, so I wonder how feasible it would be to just carry a one man tent and accept you won't be washing much.

[Don]

Be the naked hiker she encountered.

[hfswjyr]

Good on you Boydy. Hiking is brilliant, and I'm surprised it's not more popular with people on this forum.

I find the night before a big hike I always get worried I've forgotten to pack something important, so I use this as a list for key things to check through every time.
https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingandHiking/comments/3mndel/gear_list_my_suggestions_for_beginners/

[Spikey M]

"Going for a walk, hope I don't forget my keys :("

[Manc sean]

I went up snowdon early doors on Thursday. Went up rhyd-ddu and came down the snowdon ranger trail. Took around 4 hours. The path up is one of the least favoured and it's hard on the thighs, the path down was hard on the knees due to loose gravel on the trail.

A gentle bit on the way down:

https://i.ibb.co/5sDTLCt/20220602-091544.jpg (https://ibb.co/5sDTLCt)

[randomlegend]

The Highlands really are beautiful. We stayed at Fort William in this amazing house when we were kids and spent most of the days just walking about the countryside.

Walked up Ben Nevis with my step-Dad as well, which was pretty good going looking back as I'd only have been about 9.

[Giggles]

Hadn't seen this nugget til now. Fucking hell, no wonder the airport is packed.


1529381723133313026

[Spikey M]

Anyone been away in October? Where has decent weather then? Assuming Turkey, Egypt and The Canaries? Am I missing anywhere?

Got kids so 5 hours on the plane is probably the limit.

[Boydy]

Cyprus? I'm not actually sure but assuming the westher in Turkey is okay then, I imagine Cyprus would be too.

[Spikey M]

Good shout, yeah. Kos too then.

[niko_cee]

I went to Portugal once in October [half term] and the weather was pretty shit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Seen Portugal both good and shit at that time. If you want scorchio you're best going nearer the equator. Not too near, obviously, Malabo's a bit frightening.

[Spikey M]

Yeah, I think Spain and Co. are out at that time of year.

[Ben]

Cyprus is tremendous all the way up to early November, you'll be absolutely grand if you can deal with the flight time.

[Kikó]

If you're going to Portugal your want to be in the Algarve at that time of year. Not sure it'll be great but it'll be better than Lisbon/Porto.

[Waffdon]

Is Tenerife not 25c+ literally all year round? Just go there, especially if you’ve got kids

[niko_cee]

Was reading about some poor sap who went there for half term, had their flight back cancelled and were told the airline could book them on another in 6 weeks or something.

Obviously all overblown rubbish for a news story, but it sounded funny.

[Spikey M]

Is Tenerife not 25c+ literally all year round? Just go there, especially if you’ve got kids

We went in February 2018, just as THE BEAST FROM THE EAST set in. We were well smug taking off in -2c with snow flurries. Only problem was, it turns out THE BEAST made it there too. Only it was 18c and thick cloud for 4 of the 7 days. :moop:

On the whole though - yeah, I think you're right. It's in the list of possibilities.

[Ben]

Canaries will be guaranteed warm/hot but you’re risking rain and wind. Unless I’ve been unlucky both times I’ve been to Tenerife in the winter.

[niko_cee]

Anywhere near the Atlantic is a risk.

Safer in Israel, well, from a weather perspective. Eastern Med.

[Giggles]

Would Malta be good then?

[Waffdon]

Bit boring for a family holiday init

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've just booked ten days in France. Train to Lille, train back from Lille, hire car.

Now to plan the rest :drool:

[niko_cee]

I found Lille a surprisingly charming city. Was expecting industrial hellhole, got something completely different [even if the bit around the main train station does lull you towards modern industrial hellhole].

How many tractor clients do you have who own/run vineyards?

[Kikó]

Superb. What kind of things do you want to do?

I'm going to Italy on Sunday as my gran is doing a family visit for the first time in years. I haven't been there for about 5 years and is seems like the last time until a few of them croak it. Blasting through coffee break Italian to give me a refresh as well.

Got Duke and NHS murderer Lee visiting on Friday as well. 😎

[Jimmy Floyd]

Voi prenotare due camere per favore.

I'll probably do some kind of massive loop road trip and see as much as possible in the time available. Probably dodge Paris. Haven't been to Europe on my own time for what feels like forever.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I found Lille a surprisingly charming city. Was expecting industrial hellhole, got something completely different [even if the bit around the main train station does lull you towards modern industrial hellhole].

How many tractor clients do you have who own/run vineyards?

'The boss' is currently in France and I had to convince him over about a 20 minute phone call that Brest, where he's going today, isn't in Normandy. He then asked me if they serve Normandy cider in Brest notwithstanding that, because he'd been gagging for a Normandy cider from his trip to Normandy which is actually to Brittany. I said I don't know, I'm not the fucking barman.

[Spikey M]

Did he atleast make a joke about being a Brest man?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Weirdly enough he waxed lyrical on the previous customer he'd visited ('she had big tits with a tattoo of a swallow on one of them, that kept me fucking occupied I can fucking tell ya') and then went seamlessly into Brest chat without doing that joke.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Phwoar.

[Bernanke]

Caught covid at Primavera in Barcelona so now I'm quarantined on a beach an hour outside the city. :cool:

[Spikey M]

Finally booking tonight. Decided on Bodrum in the end as the Mrs used to live there and is desperate to go back. There's places I'd prefer, but it has a beach, pools and bars so fuck it. Happy wife, happy life and all that.

The exchange rate is fucking mental though. You got 4 Lira to the pound last time we went. 21 Lira to the pound now. Makes our inflation look pedestrian in comparison.

[Don]

Largely why you have 6 gammons per return flight with literally blood pouring from their scalp.

[Pepe]

Just came back from Florida. Too many mosquitos.

[Spikey M]

I've never had the pleasure, but I have been to Cuba (which is basically their Isle of Wight, right?) and the humidity just ruins everything. I don't understand why it's so popular. Who wants perma-sweat and 8 thunderstorms a day?

[Pepe]

The humidity is rough, yes, but where I live in PA it is as humid, much uglier and boring as fuck, so Florida is definitely an upgrade.

[randomlegend]

Just paid off the balance on the Maldives trip so I am flat broke until I get paid. Looking forward to it.

[Kikó]

Italy is predictably boiling. The apartment I'm in has no air con so it's sleeping in 25 degrees again tonight.

[Giggles]

Getting the army on standby for the airport :drool: