Summer Holidays

[Montreal Wanderer]

I just googled my old classmate, Janet Showering, in a fit of nostalgia after writing the above post. I won't do that again.

[CrazyHorse]

I once did something similar with my old school mate Johnny Tornbum. It wasn't pretty.

[clapton is god]

Can heartily recommend the isle of Arran for a short break Clappers or Hay on Wye. If it's got to be a city, I enjoyed Norwich believe it or not. Q

Hay on Wye is a good shout, thanks Bob. We were at Ross on Wye a couple of years ago and loved the area. Hay is the place with all the book stores, I believe? Sounds a good place for a couple of bibliophiles like us. A contender!

[Bruce Rioja]

Can heartily recommend the isle of Arran for a short break Clappers or Hay on Wye. If it's got to be a city, I enjoyed Norwich believe it or not. Q

Hay on Wye is a good shout, thanks Bob. We were at Ross on Wye a couple of years ago and loved the area. Hay is the place with all the book stores, I believe? Sounds a good place for a couple of bibliophiles like us. A contender!

Close to Ludlow too, Clapton. A microcosm of top, top nosebaggeries.

[Bijou Bob]

We stopped at a little b and b at Symonds Yat, incredibly peaceful. Have a look at http://www.saracensheadinn.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; great food, real ales and basic but lovely rooms.

[bobo the clown]

Hay gives you Hereford, Abergaveny, Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth and Ludlow, Stokesay Castle. You can even chuck a bit of Shrewsbury in en-route. Nice option.

[Little Green Man]

We stopped at a little b and b at Symonds Yat, incredibly peaceful. Have a look at http://www.saracensheadinn.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; great food, real ales and basic but lovely rooms.

And the valley it's in should be looking at its most picturesque at the end of October.

[Harry Genshaw]

Got back from Namibia today. Awesome holiday and worth everyone of the umpteen pennies it cost us to get there. Amazing wildlife and beautiful landscapes but by God it's remote. Spent the last 8 days camping which was great, but for some reason I never sleep well under canvas so after a long drive back from Heathrow this afternoon I'm pretty much fooked.

Our connecting flights were aboard the huge new Airbus thing (A380?) which seemed to matter to some folk who like that kind of thing. Nice leg room and flying but it felt, to me at any rate, that at take off the thing was struggling to get off the ground.

[Gooner Girl]

Got back from Namibia today. Awesome holiday and worth everyone of the umpteen pennies it cost us to get there. Amazing wildlife and beautiful landscapes but by God it's remote. Spent the last 8 days camping which was great, but for some reason I never sleep well under canvas so after a long drive back from Heathrow this afternoon I'm pretty much fooked.

Our connecting flights were aboard the huge new Airbus thing (A380?) which seemed to matter to some folk who like that kind of thing. Nice leg room and flying but it felt, to me at any rate, that at take off the thing was struggling to get off the ground.

Welcome home! Glad you had a lovely time! Hope you are going to pop some photos on fb!

[jimbo]

Can heartily recommend the isle of Arran for a short break Clappers or Hay on Wye. If it's got to be a city, I enjoyed Norwich believe it or not. Q

Hay on Wye is a good shout, thanks Bob. We were at Ross on Wye a couple of years ago and loved the area. Hay is the place with all the book stores, I believe? Sounds a good place for a couple of bibliophiles like us. A contender!

Close to Ludlow too, Clapton. A microcosm of top, top nosebaggeries.

It really is. Ross, Hay and Ludlow all lovely places!

[Athers]

Just booked my appointment with the travel nurse for Columbia. £55 for Yellow Fever vaccine! I didn't know this when I booked, what has she got me into.

[Harry Genshaw]

Just booked my appointment with the travel nurse for Columbia. £55 for Yellow Fever vaccine! I didn't know this when I booked, what has she got me into.

Wait til you see the price of malaria tablets

[Montreal Wanderer]

Just booked my appointment with the travel nurse for Columbia. £55 for Yellow Fever vaccine! I didn't know this when I booked, what has she got me into.

Wait til you see the price of malaria tablets

You have to start taking those malaria tablets six weeks before you leave! I assume you are going to Colombia, Athers. In Canada we are warned against going to a lot of places there (see below for our advisory). Are you going to an all-inclusive and staying there or are you traveling around?

COLOMBIA - Exercise a high degree of caution
There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Colombia. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to the unpredictable security situation.


Regional Advisory
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada advises against all travel to:

- Most rural areas of Colombia due to the presence of illegal armed groups, to the constantly changing security situation and to the fact that securing the entire extent of Colombia’s national territory remains a challenge.

The exceptions are some parts of the coffee-growing area southwest of Bogotá (Risaralda, Quindío and Caldas) and resort areas with established tourist industries, such as the islands of San Andrés and Providencia, the Rosario Islands off of the Atlantic Coast and the Amazon resorts near Leticia.

- The Departments of Antioquia (excluding Medellín), Arauca, Cauca, Caquetá, Chocó, Cordoba (excluding Monteria), Guaviare, Huila, Meta, Nariño (excluding Pasto), Norte de Santander (excluding Cúcuta), Putumayo, Santander (excluding Bucaramanga), Tolima, Valle del Cauca (excluding Cali), Vichada and southern parts of La Guajira due to the presence of illegal armed groups.

- The city of Buenaventura due to the presence of illegal armed groups.

[Athers]

We are aiming for Cartagena which looks brilliant, and with a fascinating history too.

I've read similar advice on the UK foreign office's website, but having read more about the political situation and kidnapping stats, there is a calming trend. It's probably less dangerous on the street than touristy Rio de Janiero for example. I'm a cautious bloke and unfortunately I look obviously Western, so will be doing all the usual moves: having nothing on show, taking an old Nokia phone or none at all, carrying a few dollars ready to hand over in case of mugging etc. I speak some Spanish too so will be essential in asking the good-natured locals what to do, where not to go etc. Also the not-Mrs Athers is a medic so that will be useful to say the least if either of us show any early signs of getting ill.

Will involve some travel around but only on main routes - the tastiest moment might be if the long distance bus is stopped by armed thieves, that'd be a bugger because would have the bags with us.

[Montreal Wanderer]

We are aiming for Cartagena which looks brilliant, and with a fascinating history too.

I've read similar advice on the UK foreign office's website, but having read more about the political situation and kidnapping stats, there is a calming trend. It's probably less dangerous on the street than touristy Rio de Janiero for example. I'm a cautious bloke and unfortunately I look obviously Western, so will be doing all the usual moves: having nothing on show, taking an old Nokia phone or none at all, carrying a few dollars ready to hand over in case of mugging etc. I speak some Spanish too so will be essential in asking the good-natured locals what to do, where not to go etc. Also the not-Mrs Athers is a medic so that will be useful to say the least if either of us show any early signs of getting ill.

Will involve some travel around but only on main routes - the tastiest moment might be if the long distance bus is stopped by armed thieves, that'd be a bugger because would have the bags with us.

Good luck - it will be interesting. I have never been to Cartegena but it has a lot of history. I think it was yellow fever that stopped us conquering it in some C18th war. Take those shots!

[clapton is god]

The pressure is getting to both myself and Mrs C. A city break is called for (we'll leave the lad tied up in the coal cellar but don't tell anyone) and Oxford has been suggested for a three day break towards the end of October. Just looking at Trivago for prices and it looks to be a good resource but has anyone got any recommendations down there, or any other city for that matter. We've done York, Chester and that there London lots so fancy somewhere a little different. Any suggestions?

After much thought and deliberation, we've booked..... Whitby!

North sea, late October. What could possibly go wrong?

We looked at lots of alternatives but have ended up here for three nights at The Waverley, which has the best rating I have ever seen for any hotel on Trip Adviser with a 98% 5* rating. Previously we've only spent one afternoon in this town whilst on holiday in nearby Staithes so really looking forward to this.

Before then though, next week I am walking from Ulverston in the south Lakes up to Caldbeck in the north Lakes. Doing it the easy (or easier) way, with hotels booked every night and someone else carrying my baggage. I did this last year in June and it rained like stair rods for four full days. i suspect I am in for something similar this year!

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Leaving for Thailand in the morning for a much needed holiday by a pool.

[Salford Trotter]

Leaving for Thailand in the morning for a much needed holiday by a pool.

that's looks fab AT...I'd love to travel to South East Asia

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

that's looks fab AT...I'd love to travel to South East Asia

First time that far east for me. Trying to take advantage of being closer to these places and squeeze as many trips as I can in. The place we're staying in is in the middle of nowhere. We plan to make use of the spa and just chill next to the pool all day. looking forward to the rain a bit as well

[Montreal Wanderer]

that's looks fab AT...I'd love to travel to South East Asia

First time that far east for me. Trying to take advantage of being closer to these places and squeeze as many trips as I can in. The place we're staying in is in the middle of nowhere. We plan to make use of the spa and just chill next to the pool all day. looking forward to the rain a bit as well

Just don't let anyone slip something into your luggage...