Holidays 2025

Flying to Helsinki today. Bloody strikes so our flight might be cancelled or we might arrive but not get luggage. We then fly on 2 days later, with or without luggage, but guess what, the 2nd day of strikes is that day and if they cancel that flight it’s a case (no pun intended) of waiting 2 days for the next flight or driving 10 hours if we can change our car rental. So bloody stressful.

 

Uff a journey that might never finish

 

Yes, and all due to this bloody sunshine I’m sure.

 

If you like a beer you could try the Halve Maan brewery tour. One of my favourite Belgian beers is their Brugse Zot. IIRC they sell a special version, obtainable only at the brewery.

 

Climb up the bell tower, it's worth it for the views over the city.

This place does good all day breakfast but gets quite busy:

https://www.thatstoast.com/

 

Thanks. So far so good. We got to Helsinki, with our cases, just hoping Monday’s flight goes ahead, ……with our cases. Just to add to our stress on Friday we were stuck in a jam on M25 which was briefly closed after an accident!
Have fun in Bruges. I’ve never been.

 

That’s unacceptable, EU or not. Brussels is supposed to be a big European hub. Very poor.

 

Yes but you don’t have HH24’s murky past and criminal record.

 

Lucky we’re swapping fish for easier access.

 

You can jest but the easier access will be welcomed by far more people than any concerns about who fishes off our shores. Although of course it’s now up to each individual country to implement the e-gates ruling.

A reminder too that even pre-Brexit, we’d had to have gone through a different area of the airport at Brussels, as we were non Schengen. When Ms Malteser (a German citizen) and I used to fly home separately from Malta, it was from different areas of the departure lounge.

PS it’s cruel to catch and eat fish anyway imo.

 

Yeah but if HH24 forgot her haddock it's no wonder passport control were miffed.

 

Don't shoot any ******* kids!

 

Serves him right for flying to Bruge for a meeting. Hasn't he heard of Teams, Zoom etc

 

The ball and chain and I have just spent a few days irritating each other while exploring Italy's Marches region. It's like Tuscany but with less risk of meeting a holidaying fund manager in a restaurant. The locals are obsessed with balsamic vinegar which they make in the area and sell at huge prices to gullible tourists (ie, me). Lots of interesting stuff to see (castles, churches, pretty villages... that sort of thing. Recommended

 

you mean "the management" ?

 

Depends on what the meeting’s for. I used to do all I could to ensure any meetings I had with purchasing departments were held face-to-face. The only way to really pick up on body language, involuntary responses etc. Zoom meetings make it too easy for them to cover up any discomfort which is plain to see in person.

 

Just back from a few days on the Llyn Peninsular in North Wales. Been many times before but it as incredibly beautiful part of the world. Weather was damp but not horrific. Some lovely walks with the dog and excellent food in various establishments. If you haven't been then I highly recommend. There used to be a chap on this forum from that neck of the woods (Anglesey I think) who I'm sure could vouch for the area. If you're a golfer try Nefyn golf course. Stunning but very difficult if windy as right by the Irish Sea

 

I went there last year in May, the weather was glorious. We stayed in Tremadog which is a mile north of Porthmadog. We drove along the peninsula but we mainly went to Portmeirion. The scenery of the area is stunning as you said.

 

If you go again I highly recommend Aberdaron which is the farthest point you can go and also to go to the Ty Coch pub on the beach below Nefyn golf course

 

I'm off to the Isle of Wight next week. I've never been but I turned 60 recently and suddenly developed an overwhelming urge to go there. Looking forward to sitting in a bus shelter eating an ice cream and smelling of pi55

 

Thinking about seeing the Fjords and flying in to Stavanger. Any recommendations

 

@HappyHornet24

 

Two places I'll recommend...

Donkey Sanctuary near God's hill
The Hideaway restaurant in Shanklin, (go there at twilight)

Apart from a few cliff walks the rest of it is pretty sh*t.

 

We went last week and, I agree it's pretty grim in places (Sandown was particularly miserable). We rented a (very) small cottage in the grounds of Appuldurcombe house - a big old pile which is falling down and is now managed by English heritage. Apparently it's haunted - it's certainly a little spooky - so if you have children of your own or any nieces or nephews you fancy terrifying for a few days I would thoroughly recommend it