DamianG

I do remember that conversation, feels like another lifetime ago! I’ve been annoyed about supermarket prices for ages, they did nothing to stop panic buying in the early days of COVID and my local Sainsburys blatantly exploited it with displays of toilet rolls under a banner stating “When they’re gone, they’re gone.” Needless to say they made record profits but now things are tighter for so many people they’ve hiked the prices to protect their profits. Inflation is a complicated calculation but on a very simple level how can the soap I used to buy for £1 a pack now be £2.50, or the coffee that was £3 now be £6.50? Let’s Rock Leeds is a one day retro festival and we’ve been lucky with the weather over the last few years so I’ve not experienced any mud sliding (yet). Lucky for us Temple Newsam estate is in the park where we take Teddy every day so it’s just a (wobbly) 1 mile walk home (though maybe we clock up more than a mile if we can’t walk in a straight line).

Last year it was £6 for a pint of Carling & £27 for a bottle of Prosecco. This year it was £6.50 for a can of Madri, £8 for a pint of Carling & £8.50 for a tiny can of Prosecco. Even allowing for logistical costs the prices were extortionate.

Looks lovely, thanks for the review, menus and photos. Also thanks for pointing out the dirty windows, I was just about to give my laptop screen a good wipe. 😃

I don't mind a day out in Halifax myself, especially if it includes a call in at The Three Pigeons 😉

I really enjoy watching transits such as this, so much to see! Great photo, bringing me happy memories of our transit out of Rotterdam last year. Have a great cruise.

This sounds fantastic, have a great time!

We're still recovering from Let's Rock Leeds at the weekend. I went early to get us a good spot, Michelle waited in for the sitters for Kyle and Teddy then arrived at 11:30am but didn't actually gain entry until 1pm so completely missed the first act (Tony Hadley, scheduled at 12pm). The whole entry system was a shambles, paying extra for "posh loos" didn't prevent the ladies still having to queue every time and the bar prices were eye watering (4 cans of Madri lager and 4 small cans of Prosecco cost £60!). For all that we had a great time with only Blancmange and Soft Cell disappointing. It's great when you're not particularly excited for any specific artist but then they convert you to becoming a fan with an outstanding performance, especially The Farm and OMD on this occasion.

I’m on the 7am Leeds to London train for a day in the office. We didn’t set off until 7:13am (no reason given) and the number of folk who got on the train well after the scheduled departure time beggared belief. You don’t get that when cruising out of Southampton. 😀

Now my mind is racing ahead with the qualifying possibilities, boiler suit, trouser suit, birthday…..😀

Glad to hear that it went as well as it can and fingers crossed for the results down the line. I would have the same craving for a glass of vino but hang in there and just think how lovely it’s going to be when the time comes!

Great, balanced review, overall it sounds like certain things were a bit lacklustre (e.g., food, daytime entertainment etc.). Good to see some positives as well though. I’m hoping for some revamped menus in 2025 but won’t be holding my breath!

Opal was by far our favourite MDR on our Iona cruise last year for exactly the same reasons you’ve stated.

I carry a few "essentials" with me every trip to the office. I've had some extra long rides home on occasions but never an emergency stopover (yet!).

I've worked with many people in London over the years who have long commutes including a couple from Southampton. I recall a lady who commuted from Banbury every day and another from Grantham, as well as a few who had accommodation in the city Monday - Thursday before returning to their families in Torquay, Coalville, Eaglescliffe etc. for the weekend. The better salary makes it worthwhile but it's still tough going. Fortunately I only have to be in the office once or twice a month. I will be having a stayover in July and the Travelodge and Premier Inns were quoting around £180 per night. Thank goodness the company has stepped in and booked a hotel for me at their expense.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and diagnosis.

Blimey, what an experience! Hope you're not too sore. On the plus side that will be a great story to share next time anyone mentions Flåm!

Does the upgrade option just state "Superior Deluxe" or specific cabin grades? For example, if it is Ventura I think that the grades would be DA, DB, DD, DE. For an extra £100 a superior deluxe cabin would be worth the extra in my opinion just for that extra space for 3 occupants. However, some of the DE cabins on Ventura are situated on deck 8 aft directly above the Havana lounge where the late night noise certainly wouldn't suit us as a family seeing as we typically go to bed when onboard anytime between 10pm-11:30pm. That's the gamble you'll have to weigh up for yourself. I hope that this helps.

Congrats Brian, really pleased for you & @AndyMichelle Sounds like you had a memorable evening!

Michelle and I once sat with both of them at a Leeds Rhinos club dinner years ago, Rob joined us for the first course and Kevin for the main and dessert. Both fantastic, humble and down to earth regular chaps. Kevin insisted on staying at the table until the last guest left (long after a lot of the other players had already said their goodbyes). Fans were asking Michelle if it was okay if they could interrupt and have a photo with Kevin! I also met Kevin at a shirt signing a few years later and he had time for a chat with everyone (including me). Friends of ours went to Rob's testimonial dinner and were met at the door by him. He stood there meeting and greeting every single guest before dinner was served. Both just great people.

I’ll second that & same goes to @AndyMichelle & any other Hammers on here. Crazy that the final is in a stadium that holds just over 19k fans. It feels to me that UEFA & final hosts are happier pushing thousands of supporters into fan zones to watch on a screen rather than in the flesh. West Ham only got 5k tickets, apparently even Ray Winstone didn’t get one!

My wife says that Iona and Arvia both have a maximum of 1000 children onboard for any cruise. We know from experience that places go fast for the main school holidays hence we are already booked for 2025. There is still plenty of availability for adults on our forthcoming Arvia cruise this August but when I tried a dummy booking including our son recently (just to compare prices) no cabins were bookable.

Lots to do in Lisbon depending on your tastes. Oceanarium (aquarium), zoo, sightseeing tram ride, cable car, shopping, restaurants, bars etc. Make sure you try some Pastel de Nata, either the originals at Pasteis de Belem or similar from market stalls or food outlets.

Vigo is disliked by many but we love it. There are bars, restaurants and a shopping mall adjacent to the port and the old town is a short walk away. Parque Monte de Castro is also nearby and though we’ve not tried it many recommend a ferry ride to Barco Islas Cies. We usually catch a bus or get at a taxi from the port to the beach and promenade at Playa Samil. Then on our return we have a meal somewhere on “Oyster Alley” in the old town.

Sky Princess