General Chat

Hmm, that was supposed to be facilities

we are safely back home despite shambolic transfers.Our travel agent books the flights, transfers and hotels as separate parts. When we arrive at the destination airport, if we have a private transfer, their is usually a man holding our name up on a piece of paper, this time there was nothing. Thankfully a helpful rep put us on one of their minibuses which was going in our direction, although we were 15 kms further out that they were intending to go. Anyway we got to the hotel with minimal delay.

When I contacted our travel agent, it turned out she had forgotten to book the transfers.We were incredibly lucky that we managed to get to the hotel with little fuss and as no one took our name, it would seem for no charge. My travel agent sent us a cheque to refund that transfer. she then did book the return to the airport for us and emailed the details to me. I rang the local office on Friday and confirmed the details with them, 10.30 pick up for the 1.30 flight.

So this morning we waited and no car turned up. When I rang the office, they had no transfer booked for us. The hotel were very helpful and eventually it turned out that the office had told the taxi firm to pick us up at 1.30pm which was the flight time :-( Luckily the hotel had its own car so once they had an agreement from the transfer company that they would be paid, they took us to the airport and we made the check in with about fifteen minutes to spare. Apart from that everything went smoothly :-D

Linda is probably in flight at the moment so we wont know more about the bedside realities until she comes back to us :-D

Those jumpers are family heirlooms :-) I don't possess anything that old that I could wear. I do however have a silver spoon given to me by the mayor of the town of my birth, that is over 50 years old, just :-D

~~~~~ to everyone :-)

Carole

I should also like to know why anyone would want bedside realities at an airport. I know some flights are delayed - but they supply beds? :-D

Persie - I can top your OHs 45 yr old jumper :-D
When the Duchess was expecting our daughter she knitted me a jumper - a thick one - it has been washed and washed, and has shrunk considerably. I can still get in it. The fact that I can't breathe in it is neither here or there :-D.
My daughter celebrated her 50th birthday this year.

What bedside realities are you hoping for at an airport Linda?

We have been looking at houses at a few open homes in Cambridge today.. it was a wild stormy night last night.. lots of lightning and absolutely hosed down, but today was quite brilliant apart from a bit of a shower when we got out of the car for the first open home. Had breakfast out, lunch out and tea out.. thought if Linda can do that so can I.

You go careful on that mobility scooter Tec, Fans ended up in amongst the floral display outside the florists when on hers..

I know what you mean about the old shorts and other clothes Sue.. I shrunk an old jumper that had not been worn for years.. it had already had most of the sleeves chopped off and made into short sleeves. Did not go down well at all, but he had not worn it for yonks.. The thing is we still have it..aargh and It is 45years old... He is not going to wear it...

Pxx

We are just about to check out and,start our journey back. I hate all the waiting around airports before the flights,especially in the Greek and Croatian airports,where the realities,bedside,are zero.

Goodnight Tec - try to rest <3

Well I am off to bed, it is so late, but doesn't matter as I won't stay there long :-(

Enjoy your day Sue, hope the weather holds so you can sit out.

Goodnight,
Tec. :-)

That would have been a wonderful experience for your son in East Timor, if dangerous at times. Also good for the grand children to experience how other cultures live, work, and play.
Having travelled around a bit, I feel that basically everyone is the same. All most people want in this world is to have a roof over their heads, earn a living, feed and educate their children. Sadly that is more difficult for some, and nigh on impossible for others.
I get so annoyed when I hear our Governments referring to asylum seekers as some kind of lesser species, or vermin. They are merely seeking to improve their lives from poverty and starvation. Who among us would not do the same?

When my son went to East Timor he really enjoyed mixing with the people in outlying areas. He often accompanied midwives and doctors to some of the villages and he was always made very welcome despite being in full uniform. He particularly enjoyed playing football with the children. He has a number of photos of himself holding new born babies and enjoying the hospitality of the elders of the villages. The Balinese are also very friendly people. My daughter and SIL have made friends with a number of Balinese people and it is so good for the children to visit their homes.

It is so interesting when you travel around, to compare the characteristics of the various races. I found everyone interesting for different reasons.
I liked most nationalities, but never felt comfortable in the Middle East, or Japan for some strange reason.
Americans on the whole are alright, with a pinch of salt :-)

In Barcelona we went into a tapas bar - mainly to get out of the heat :-) We sat for ages watching people talk to each other. They were so animated with hand gestures and much laughter. Same in Italy. We loved it :-D

It is great fun to "people watch". I have met some great Aussie characters, mostly older ones. I liked their dry sense of humour, and plain speaking - often abrasive, but rarely offensive.
The greatest places to people watch is in bars or cafe's the world over, especially the Latin American countries where everyone is so excitable :-D.

When we are on our road trips we make a point of having a meal in the local sports clubs or little cafes. They usually have wonderful meals at cheap prices but you also see the locals playing darts or catching up with a cup of coffee. In Broken Hill we found it great to sit and 'people watch'. We saw some real Aussie characters.

I've got .several of his books - always a good read. "Down Under" is worth reading.
His description of the Aussie character is so funny, especially the people he meets in the more remote areas.
I see my own sense of humour in his observations.

Bill Bryson is hilarious. I read his book about his first trip to Europe when he was very young. His descriptions of the places he went and the people he met were very good. I'm glad the Duchess is enjoying the book. Strangely I don't think I've read that one. I'll have to get it from the library.

It is nice when two people can just sit and relax without feeling the need to chatter all the time - sometimes silence is golden. :-)

The Duchess is reading Bill Bryson's book "Down Under" it is very funny, about his trek around Australia. She obviously finds it funny as she keeps giggling.

Well I suppose I also have some old clothes for gardening :-) I do love the old battered straw hat that OH wears.

It being Sunday I think I will spend some of the day relaxing on the verandah. My daughter will be coming over for lunch but she doesn't need entertaining and we have sat on the verandah together before and hardly spoken - just enjoyed each other's company.

Us guys have to stick together Sue - we can't go messing about in the garden in suits, shirts, collars and ties :-D.
Some shirts are comfortable as we live in them, others are tidy, but we suffer them.
:-D

Since living here beyond the fringe I've become quite rustic, but can be tidy if I need to be :-)

OH always says that they are good for gardening in. He does a lot of gardening but does he really need so many old shirts? Should have known you would take his side :-|

Yes Linda's holiday has flown by. I can hardly believe they have been away two weeks.

Drew will get used to being away from his mum as he gets older - it's all part of growing up.

They may be horrible old shirts and shorts to you - but they are treasured comfortable items to OH. I have certain clothes that I won't part with, though nobody else would be seen dead in them.
I have threadbare shirts, and jumpers with holes in them, but won't part with them :-D