Harters

Generally about six weeks. But the actual dates can vary. In my borough, most schools are in the first week of the holidays and return on 2/9. But "voluntary aided" schools (basically those with links to organised religions) and those which have Trust/Academy (independent from local council control) status can set their own dates.

Interesting. Although we've stayed in Cyprus on holiday several times since, it's years since we've been to Nicosia and, then, it wasnt possible to cross into the Turkish controlled part. A pity really, as my wife lived in the north for several years of her childhood so hasnt been able to go back to see if there's anything she remembers. Maybe one day.

When you went to Nicosia, did you get to see the No Mans Land in the centre of the city? There's a viewing platform at the end of at least one street. Spooky, looking out to the deserted street and buildings that havent been touched since the invasion in the 70s. .

I agree. We tried it several times on our recent transatlantic. Loved the French bistro classics and the "taste of the world" set menu each day. It's a pity that on the shorter cruises there will only be one or two sea days so little opportunity for lunch there.

All things equal, I would prefer to do the transfer before the stresses and time lags of a transatlantic flight.

The island has three, not one, vintage railways (four if you count the horse drawn tramway in Douglas). There's the Isle of Man Railway which connects Douglas with Port Erin. The Manx Electric Railway connects Douglas with Laxey and Ramsey. And the Snaefell Mountain Railway which, erm, goes up the mountain. All three are good experiences in their own right but, if I only had one day, I would ignore the IoM Railway. But the other two would be very doable. Take the Electric Railway from its Douglas station to Laxey and there transfer to the Mountain Railway. Hope the weather at the top of Snaefell is better than when we did it - journey was fine but there was so much cloud distant views were impossible. On your return to Douglas, you could pick up the horse drawn tram along the promenade. Timetables, fares, etc on the website:- https://manxelectricrailway.co.uk/

It's a lovely island which we've visited several times over the years and will be back for two weeks in the autumn. My wife spent several years of her childhood there. They lived in the north of the island which can now be visited again from the south (albeit not entirely straightforward due to the continued Turkish occupation).

This is not worth you losing any more sleep over. Just change your plans. It doesnt really matter what it was that has caused you to be concerned (and I didnt watch the ceremony so have no idea what it might have been). The important thing is that something has caused you to be concerned. Just act on that concern

That's it. I knew it was some bloke's name.

I used to use Frommers for holidays in the States. There used to be a really good port guide website. Something like "Steve's port guides" or some such but it's disappeared. It wasnt a commercial website so possibly "Steve" (or whoever) is no longer around.

Only in so far as they are both large cities. But, other than that, they are very different in so many aspects.

For me, it popped up on a Google on "port guide for ......". I think it was Bordeaux which was also a port on the cancelled cruise I mentioned (and will be on next year's Oceania cruise, so I need to resurrect it). I've now used it for three places we've been to on cruises. I use the website to find the "attractions" and put them into route order. But I then use Google Maps to plot an actual route to each point, that I can print out. A bit fiddly but it works for me. Like you we prefer the independent mooch round a town, at our own pace, rather than an organised walking tour that is at the guide's pace.

I'm also a fan of GPSmycity and St Malo is listed. Although, IMO, it's not really that helpful on this occasion, as only a handful of places are listed. But all is not lost as it's a small "old town". I had researched it for a cruise that we had cancelled on us due to catching Covid. We planned a walk round the city walls, leaving them to see the occasional church or whatever, and then getting back up to continue the stroll. Easy to download a map of the old town and mark up the places off the walls. We visit it on a cruise next year and will re-research to do pretty much the same thing. Not forgetting lunch at a creperie (I had a number of recommendations from a food forum I play on). As I recall the town's tourism website is in English as well as French but, if not, there's always Google Translate if your French isnt up to it.

An interesting question might be, did Joel have insurance that covered commercial use of his vehicle? If not it would raise the ugly question about whether that would have voided your own travel insurance had there been an accident. The story sort of reminds me of a nightmare taxi journey between Newark Airport and JFK. I am convinced that driver was high on something.

I think it's fair to say that some Spaniards do not want some tourists in their locality. That's different from it being all Spaniards want rid of all tourists. I'll be happily travelling to Tenerife for three weeks in January, as we do every year. And, probably, be visiting Mallorca for a fortnight again autumn of next year, as autumn last year.

It's what I would do if I was visiting the States and was thinking of buying shoes (although I now know from posts upthread that I would need to). I can't recall ever seeing a shoe shop in the UK with a conversion chart to other than UK sizes. Or a shop in other European countries that had a conversion from Euro sizes.

But why would you expect them to know the sizes of shoes in a country on the other side of the world? Beats me.

We also stayed at the Beach for a couple of nights pre-cruise, earlier this year. Plymouth Hotel on 21st Street. Hotel was recommended by our cruise TA and was absolutely fine . About 5 minutes stroll to the beach, so a generally good location for a day chilling after a transatlantic flight, with several decent restaurants within a few minutes walk of the hotel Our only issue with it was that the hotel adds a "resort fee" to its charges - we've come across this rip-off before in American hotels so know it's just a marketing ploy to make their advertised prices look cheaper than they actually are. It's unlikely we'll pass that way again but would definitely stay there if we do.

Seems to me most unlikely that every hotel room in a major city such as Southampton would be booked up. Theoretically possible but all but inconceivable.

Very doable, not least as trains go from Waterloo.

Thanks, all. That's been really helpful. I can file this away to check out prices, etc nearer the time. John

As often as someone politely asks the question. Preferably without getting snide responses. I have absolutely no idea how the company's founder pronounces it. I've heard several pronunciations whilst onboard - including babysteps' interpretation at #3 which is how I've always said it. You say tom-ay-to, I say tom-ah-to

The flowering time for bulbs at Keukenhof follow the cycle for bulbs in domestic gardens in Northern Europe. They obviously try to have a good display throughout their open period (in 2025 that's from 20/3 to 11/5). So, expect daffodils in the early part and tulips in the later period. There'll be overlaps of course and there will be other bulbs. Nothing is certain because of weather conditions

Both HOHO companies have similar routes that stop nearby and, I think, have identical pricing. Last autumn, we picked up our bus from the Plaza Catalunya - can't recall which bus it was (the blue bus company or the red one). Bear in mind, that each company operates at least two routes round the city so you need to check with the ticket seller that you're getting on the right bus for where you want to see. Both companies have websites with routes, pricing and offers, so it's easy to work out what suits best.

If you do to Bovington, I think they have an exhibition about the eight members of the Tank Regiment who were awarded the Victoria Cross - our highest military honour. One is Lieutenant Richard Wain who was killed in action in 1917. Prior to his transfer to the Regiment, he served with the 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment and was one of the four officers of its "A" Company which attacked German positions on 1 July 1916 - the disastrous first day of the Battle of the Somme. My grandfather and great uncle also served in A Company so would have known him well. Grandad Tom survived the war (his brother was killed in 1918. https://tankmuseum.org/article/wain-victoria-cross It's personal stories like his that can put into context any visit to a military museum.