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25th September 2013

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Yes, Bangor University...
He should be there attending orientation week, but the British Consulate in Bangkok denied his student visa (wanted original college diploma, not a copy, and a TB test, but rather than asking for them they just denied the visa). So he flew here last Saturday to apply again for another 300 pounds. Maybe that's how they will afford to pay for his health care! Anyway, the university said he could miss up to two weeks of classes and still continue the semester. So there is hope.
From Blog: Britain’s health service observed
25th September 2013

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

Oh dear...
The British authorities are getting really tough on student entry to the country - we've had a big problem with illegal immigrants posing as students in recent years. There are so many applications that they seem to have adopted the stance of 'read the requirements, fill the form properly and send what's asked for - or be denied entry!' Not good PR, but I know from working at a big uni here that students don't take much notice if you handle them gently! Anyhow, I do hope all ends well. His biggest problem will probably be missing introductions to female students during fresher's week!
From Blog: Britain’s health service observed
23rd September 2013

Angie
non-member comment

only you could make a hospital visit so amusing!!
Absolutely brilliant Mike.I was in splendid isolation in my private room(courtesy of the NHS) but I think you had more fun people watching on your visit.
From Blog: Britain’s health service observed
24th September 2013

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

...people watching, with a laptop
I was in pole position facing the entrance to the ward and couldn't avoid observing every to-ing and fro-ing - which was then noted on the laptop! Time moves slowly in hospital doesn't it?!
From Blog: Britain’s health service observed
23rd September 2013

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

A trip to the hospital is a trip...
and I'm glad to hear that it was a round trip. That "morass of thick yellow custard" must have been Byrd's custard, which I became familiar with when going to school in Malaysia. We have a can in our pantry for old times sake. My son is going to school in Bangor, Wales, and as he will be there more than 6 months is eligible for free health at the NHS. I'm pleased to hear that he will be treated well, if necessary!
From Blog: Britain’s health service observed
24th September 2013

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

...and a blog is a blog!
Bob, I don't think our NHS could afford Bird's Custard these days! Interesting to hear that your son is in Bangor (Wales) - Bangor University? One of my two granddaughters was born there. My son and his family have only recently moved back from Snowdonia to Hertfordshire.
From Blog: Britain’s health service observed
23rd September 2013

David
non-member comment

Get well soon!
Hi little brother, We know you're out now, back home, into the caring hands of Pat, your lovely wife. Thinking of you. Keep smiling and get well soon. David and Janice - The Grey haired nomads.
From Blog: Britain’s health service observed
23rd September 2013

The Travel Camel
Shane Dallas

Travel to a hospital
Sorry to hear that you had to stay in hospital, hope that you are fully recovered. A very interesting read even though it is not directly about travel. FYI, Australian citizens have reciprocal healthcare arrangements in the UK (due to an arrangement between the NHS and Medicare). Thus if UK nationals are in Australia, they can obtain free treatment from Medicare.
From Blog: Britain’s health service observed
23rd September 2013

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

The blog was tongue-in-cheek
Thanks for the info about the reciprocal arrangements, Shane. Perhaps I should continue treatment in sunny Oz! Yes, you're right: the blog wasn't really about travel, but I had time on my hands and thought a few others here (on my only blog site) might like cheering up too!
From Blog: Britain’s health service observed
23rd September 2013

Janet Blay
non-member comment

Hospital
Hi Mike, hope you are well and that your hospital stay wasn't too long. Another great blog, maybe you should send this to the PM. Take care hope everyone is well. Love Janet x
From Blog: Britain’s health service observed
4th June 2013

Ilse
non-member comment

Very relaxing stay
Me and my friend did a one day/ night trip in the backwaters. Both of us were very pleased with the boat and crew, they really did their upper best to give us a pleasant stay. Food was outstanding and the views amazing. The peace and quiet was great, very nice people, we can defenitely recommend a stay with southern backwaters houseboat.
From Blog: Backwaters boating
4th June 2013

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

Southern Backwaters
Only very relaxing? 'Horizontal' is what I would call the backwaters. I'd love to go back - right now!
From Blog: Backwaters boating
22nd May 2013
The Golden Temple

auspicious
Michelle Duer

I love both photos (plus many more in this blog). It would be so interesting to see him take out one of the weapons . . . would the turban stay on? One could say it's intimidating, but there's really an aesthetic element to it as well! Great shot~~ :D
From Blog: A City of Silly Walks and Sikhs
23rd May 2013
The Golden Temple

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

I think he's harmless - his arms aren't long enough to reach the weapons!
From Blog: A City of Silly Walks and Sikhs
21st May 2013
The Golden Temple

auspicious
Michelle Duer

Truly impressive! I wonder if he needed help putting it on?
From Blog: A City of Silly Walks and Sikhs
21st May 2013
The Golden Temple

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

The turban is armed!
Yes, it was an amazing turban. I've just added another picture to the blog showing that it was also very high as well as very wide. I have no idea how he managed to put it on (or take it off), but he must have very strong neck muscles as it clearly weighed a ton. I've also now learnt that he is a Nihang, a famous and prestigious armed Sikh order. The metal bits on his turban are weapons!
From Blog: A City of Silly Walks and Sikhs
21st May 2013

David
non-member comment

Silly Walks
We couldn't have put it better! David and Janice The Grey-haired-nomads
From Blog: A City of Silly Walks and Sikhs
16th May 2013

roamingfox
Alma van As

Lunch reincarnated
Lovely blog Mike and just shows one can always write about something! Love your description of dinner!
From Blog: Pong stinks!
16th May 2013

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

Dinner was the last straw - almost...
...we still had breakfast to contend with! It was unlike me to write such a whinge but it was a story that was waiting to be told. Sadly, this hotel hasn't got its act together - great location, great view, a pity about everything else.
From Blog: Pong stinks!
13th May 2013

David
non-member comment

Pong pongs!
Come on Mike. Don't be hard on yourself. One duff moment amongst so many great delights in our 35 days is a pretty good record, I'd say. Fond memories of the other 34! David - the rear half of the grey-haired-nomads
From Blog: Pong stinks!
13th May 2013

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

Thanks David. Fortunately, that old birders' saying: 'one Hirundo rustica does not a summer make' proved more or less true!
From Blog: Pong stinks!
13th May 2013

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

The wisdom of hindsight
You may owe Janice and David a nice dinner for this one although it is not your fault the web site lied. This is one of those times when you are thrilled you only planned to stay for one night.
From Blog: Pong stinks!
13th May 2013

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

One night was one night too many!
Fortunately, the nomads forgave me - and, the day after we returned, I compensated them with the full English breakfast they'd been missing for five weeks!
From Blog: Pong stinks!
13th May 2013

littlewing
Cindy

LOL
I loved this blog..i could almost smell the ''I came all this way for that!'' look you must have had. Thanks for the heads up on Pong :)
From Blog: Pong stinks!
13th May 2013

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

Perhaps we should have got back into the car!
I spent most of my working life in the travel industry and can honestly say there's only a handful of hotels that I'd never stay at again. This one tops the list! It's a pity because, with refurbishment and the right investment in people and facilities, this could be a worthwhile stopover.
From Blog: Pong stinks!

CommentMessage
Mike Fossey
Keep Smiling
Keep Smiling
Once upon a time, I was something important in the UK travel industry, where I spent more than 35 years of my working life roaming the globe at someone else's expense. So, if you dream of living overseas on less than 10 Dollars a day, be warned: I'm an experienced, mature traveller - not a backpacker. You won't find stories here about me thumbing my way across the Sahara, slumming it in cockroach-infested hostels, or sharing a room with giant mosquitoes! Oh, and I'm British - so you can expect a stiff upper lip in times of adversity and a sense of humour that's often not understood by other... full info
JoinedDecember 15th 2005Trips16
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Trips
Pintu's Firsts - India 2006
December 15th 2005 -» January 15th 2006
A Welsh garden lost in time
April 14th 2007 -» April 21st 2007
A wonderful Indian wedding
April 22nd 2007 -» April 30th 2007
Dental Tourism in Budapest
November 14th 2007 -» December 17th 2007
France and Spain 2009
May 26th 2009 -» June 11th 2009
The very north of Scotland
September 12th 2009 -» September 23rd 2009
Our South India Adventure
October 31st 2009 -» November 23rd 2009
Devon and Cornwall - 2010
June 7th 2010 -» June 17th 2010
Welsh Wales
May 23rd 2011 -» June 8th 2011
Canada 2011 - West and East
June 24th 2011 -» July 22nd 2011
Pintu's Magnificent Marriage
March 2nd 2012 -» March 16th 2012
Three bloggers go to Bhārata for five weeks!
February 10th 2013 -» March 15th 2013
Devon - June 2014
June 14th 2014 -» June 21st 2014
Rajasthan (again!) - Jan/Feb 2016
January 18th 2016 -» February 8th 2016
Rajasthan yet again!
February 17th 2017 -» March 16th 2017
A spiritual journey - India 2018
January 10th 2018 -» February 9th 2018

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