Harters

As stated above, I've never stayed in a HUB so was only commenting on places I actually know about. I'm sure your observation was only intended to be helpful. 😀

Yes, my apologies for my post at #2. The website I'd looked at didnt make clear (at least to me) that the Caernarfon to Bangor segment was by bus.

I've never stayed in a PI that didnt have window or felt other than "normal sized". I had not previously heard of YOTEL till this thread so don't have a view as to similarities. Don't discount Travelodge which often come in cheaper than a PI but can be more basic. Clean, comfy but no frills. I'll happily stay in them - although I can think of a couple I'd prefer not to go back to (Brentford & Llandudno, FWIW). On the other side of that coin, their "new design" hotels (such as the one I stayed at in Hexham) are probably superior to a Premier Inn (except for catering which is always poor in my experience)

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I've stayed at the Premier Inn County Hall (not City Hall) a couple of times, although several years back. Good central location, IMO. Both times I've had a window. Both times, it's been looking out at the inner courtyard - so basically a view of a brick wall with windows of rooms looking out in the direction of my room. I kept the curtains closed.

Not very much, I'm afraid. Although it is Anglesey's largest town, it primarily exists as a ferry port. The walk to the South Stack lighthouse is often recommended (although take note there are 450 steps to it down a steep cliff). There's also a small maritime museum which has a number of exhibits. It includes the story of the USAAF plane which crashed into the sea off Holyhead, killing all crew members, in 1944. The story of a much greater loss of life comes from 1918, recounting the sinking by enemy action of the RMS Leinster on its way from Dublin to Holyhead, with the loss of nearly 600 men. They were mainly soldiers, including a man from my town - 18 year old James Birch

Is it possible that others had done exactly what you'd done, changing their original time, so some 8pm slots were now freed up? Other than that - a computer glitch? We know that O's system isnt the most robust you'll come across

I use "town" in the generic sense, rather than it's legal sense. When I visit Manchester, as I do every couple of weeks, I'm still catching the tram into town. It's why I , and my local council, still refer to where I live as a "village", even though it ceased to be that in any meaningful sense during the building boom of the 1930s and, now, it's just another Greater Manchester suburb. Village sounds much nicer than "urban sprawl". 😀

It is possible but not easy. Train takes about 90 minutes, involving a change at Bangor. You'd need to check actual times for the trip and they don't appear to be that regular throughout the day. Taxi would, of course, be possible. It's about a 30 mile trip so expect to pay around £75. I have to ask if there's a particular reason for wanting to spend more time in this small town. I'd take the view that, whilst it's a good base for spending a few days visiting the wider area (something I'm planning to do maybe next year), once you've visited the castle, you've pretty much exhausted what Caernarfon itself has to offer.

I've not stayed in a HUB, although a family member who has done has told me just how small they are. She was fine for an overnight stay but, from her description, I'm not sure I'd want to do even that and, certainly, not a longer stay. I'm sure there will be several "full size" Premier Inns in the central area that would suit better. FWIW, I usually stay at their Euston hotel when visiting the capital. It's is a short walk from the British Museum and, with an Underground station, served by the Northern & Victoria lines, just across the road, is well located to get about anywhere.

And, if so, and visiting the cathedral, it may be worth popping in to the military museum which is on the same site. It tells the history of the Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiments, as well as the regiments that now make up The Rifles Regiment. When I was last there, a few years back, they had a major exhibition about the Rifles involvement n the Afghan wars of the 19th century and, in particular, the disastrous defeat of the British in 1880 at Kandahar. My visit was at the time that British troops were once again in Kandahar and, once again, not winning. It made it a particularly moving visit, not least as the guy on duty in the museum was an army veteran. My recollection is that the museum tells its story well, putting the army involvement into the wider context of empire so not just a visit for military history geeks (like me). Salisbury is also a nice town just to wander round.

I can't recall such an event being mentioned in Currents during our transatlantic earlier this year. Of course, that may say more about my memory than anything else

I'd had been struggling to find something to interest me in Le Havre but the Museum of Modern Art may be the solution. Roughly, how long was the walk, please?

Part of me is very unsurprised. I've visited the States many times over the years and have met very insular Americans whose cultural imperialism seems to have no limits. Of course, they are in a minority, with the majority understanding full well how inappropriate it is to offer a foreign currency in a country they are visiting. I would not travel the 22 miles between the UK and France and expect to be able to pay in sterling.

On our first O cruise, on Marina in 2017, there was a large group of cosmetic surgeons who were a complete pain in the arse, particularly the night we were in Polo. They were spread over a goodly number of tables in the restaurant so their conversation between each was, to be polite, rowdy.

You'll find many discussions about Southampton to Heathrow journeys on the British Isles ports of call sub-forum. According to Google Maps, "on the road" travel time is about 80/90 minutes but that doesnt take into account any traffic delays on the M3/M4 motorways, which could well occur at that time of the morning, heading towards London Whilst I think this is doable, it could well be very tight and I'd second Mauibabes suggestion of arranging your own private transfer, etc. You'll find plenty of transfer suggestions on the sub-forum. Sorry not to be able to offer further advice but my route home from Southampton is a different direction from Heathrow, so no experience of that route.

It may be that the demographics on our Vista cruise were skewed because it was a longer, transatlantic cruise. The vast majority of us were much older than the OP's daughter. We are in our early 70s and I'd guess most passengers were of similar age - say, 65 - 75. I'd reckon the next largest group were 75+

Thanks for the reminder, JB. The site also has a large military cemetery, with nearly 800 burials from the Great War - men who were being treated at the hospital but didnt make it. If memory serves, there's a couple of men commemorated on one of my local war memorials who are buried there. Maybe next time I'm in the area, I'll go and pay my respects.

BiL's experiences go back over several years of tips declining. His favourite story is driving footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, home during the time he was playing for Manchester United (2003 - 2009). Multi-millionaire Ronaldo paid in cash - and waited for his 10p change.

The airline is bound to have restrictions and that may be the defining factor for you.

Were you intending to ask a question or make a comment?

Tips will always be accepted but are never required or expected. My brother in law used to drive a private hire taxi (near Manchester). When he first started it was fairly common to be tipped - not everyone but several tips during a shift. It declined over the years and by the time he finished, he would go for whole shifts without one, not even of the "keep the change" variety.

The cafe at al garden centre I went to recently only takes cash if the order is less than £5. Fortunately, I wanted a slice of cake with my coffee, otherwise it would have been no coffee.

Is that in Baristas? I have a vague recollection of bottles & bowls of fruit being near the snacks in the evening but didnt pay much attention (as I don't drink alcohol). If so, I'll remember to point it out to my partner who does enjoy alcohol and, in particular, a glass of fizz pre-dinner.

I'm a big fan of the Bakery. The quiche are always well flavoured. The beignet light as a feather and generously filled with the day's flavour. Actually I'm a big fan of Baristas generally. Including (and perhaps especially) when it morphs into Baristas Aperitivo in the evening. Nice snacks to go with your pre-dinner aperitif (and a particularly good location if dinner is in Polo or Toscana.