Blogs from Maidstone, Kent, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 2

This year World Cup tourists were warned that travelling in South Africa was going to be extremely challenging. It was essential to book accommodation and transport in advance and, according to the locals, if you got a local minibus taxi then you'd lose your clothes and probably your life. When you spend many months travelling, however, you develop a trust in people and become a reasonable judge of the risks offered by your surroundings. And so there I was, on 9th June, in a well-driven minibus heading towards Rustenburg without any accommodation or transport booked for my entire stay in South Africa. Just me and my Chinese army-issue rucksack. Despite having planned the next month for years, I had changed my plans at the last minute, persuaded by friends to sell my tickets to games involving ... read more

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Sitting in the departure lounge at Barcelona airport I carefully and patiently unravelled the skin of my clementine. I have become quite the master of the single peel/combined twirl pirouette technique - Fruit in one hand, thumb making it’s away around it anti-clockwise as the turning fruit spins in my hand in a clockwise direction. If clementine peeling was a sport, I would be high up in its rankings! It had just been announced that the flight to London would be delayed for 90 minutes; this gave me an additional hour to sit and twiddle my thumbs (or peel and eat the supply of fruit in my bag). It also has given me a chance to reflect on my time here in Spain. I really did enjoy the challenge of speaking Spanish again for the two ... read more

I have landed in London after an energy-sapping flight with Etihad Airways. I'm not sure I would fly with this airline again having endured 25 hours of poor quality food, a malfunctioning entertainment system and a general lack of service. There is a massive difference in quality between Etihad and Emirates (the airline I flew with last year). I get the impression that Etihad do things on the cheap (one flight attendant wheeling the trolley and serving) as opposed to two on Emirates (and most other airlines). The entertainment system became a focal point of my frustration. Constant 'reboots' during movies meant that I have to regularly re-load the selected film. After two films I just gave up. The satellite maps (that constant travelling companion showing us where we are) never worked (404 object not found ... read more

Well, only a few days left at work, and already its cost me a small fortune in cakes. I have to say good bye to everyone in person where practicle, it feels better that way, and there may be 2 persons who I will not see on our return, Avtar is one of them. Good luck in your retirement. My bag is packed and repacked, still trying to find that elusive 12 kilos. Although we can carry 46 kilos each in 2 bags, I am not that inclined to want to be a cripple so early into the trip. Luv ya.... read more