Horizondave

Checked my bank account just now, something I do everyday like others here. Pretty annoyed as British Airways have paid my pension early. Usually gets paid on the last Thursday of the month but they have paid me today. They believe I need it before Christmas to assist me in paying all those extra payments prior to the bank holiday. Well I don't need it today, although I know, when working for them, they always paid your wages early in December. It really doesn't offer me a benefit, as I budget accordingly, and just bugs me because, for some, it might just mean they spend more at Christmas and then have issues in holding out till the end of January when they pay the pension again.

Good stuff. There is a possibility I might do a night in Helsinki as some of Finnair's flights are pretty cheap on a return economy basis. I have been through Helsinki twice but not been in to town. If I use it, I will mention it on this thread but presently it is available and probably still will be in February.

In Neath looking for a few presents so popped into the 'Spoon' to sample a Christmas ale. This one is Glamorgan Brewery's 'Santa's Little Belter'. Very nice. If the Gower Good Elf is on tomorrow, I may pop back in. Just one today, as I will be driving later.

Now, I won't be having a look. Probably tell me I died in 2022 lol

You must have missed my post about my unused Finnair gift card, value 90 Euro, going for about £40, maybe posted while you were on one of your siestas from the forum. I am likely to not use the gift voucher before April when it runs out, If you need to upgrade or change flights at cost the gift voucher (just a numbered gift usable by anybody) can be used so if you are changing things, let me know, probably let it go for about £20 now.

Yes, it is confusing. Tuborg is Danish but this beer is brewed by Tuborg at their brewery in Turkey. From Google: Tuborg Fıçı is a European Pale Lager style beer brewed by Turk Tuborg Brewing and Malting in Izmir, Turkey.

I was going to join the Neath Leisure Centre gym on Monday (part of the Celtic leisure group) but realised that, with Kataleya having 2 weeks off for Christmas and New Year, it would be foolish to join now. Children are just not allowed into the gym area (for obvious reasons), so will join in the new year. The membership was only £27.50 a month, and allows usage of their large swimming pool, classes and sauna area. The whole place only opened in February and is worth the money, but I mainly joined to get fit in the warmth and security of an indoors location, it bloody rains here everyday. I have to commit to 3 months only, then it is a rolling deal. Come the summer I will do most of my exercise while walking and cycling in the outdoors.

I felt crap 2 days before I finally tested positive. In fact I felt better the day I tested positive. Maybe another test over the next two days. Hopefully still negative.

I learned today to bide my time and not jump. I was in JD Sports and looking for a pair of white Converse Allstar trainers for Kataleya. They had size 3 at £55 but was looking for size 2.5. They had kids sizes at size 2 for £48 but thought, no, I really should get the size she needed. Didn't think that Sports Direct (next door) would have them but tried anyway. On looking I could not see them, but on asking, I was told they were at the front of the store. They had red on show (couldn't see white) so thought that was it but they were too small. Asked what they had in 2.5, and on checking they said the only 2.5 they had was the last pair of white. In luck, and not only that, but as they were the last pair they had been reduced to £28. It pays to be patient, so happy I didn't take a lessor option. Kataleya will be pleased. In fact at that cost she will get some more presents now.

I remember traveling on a standby ticket with Porn and Kataleya, back in 2019, when I brought them both to live in the UK. We had traveled to Bahrain from Bangkok for the connection and we were at the BA desk where we were informed that we were getting on, but with 2 in business class and 1 in economy. Well you know who had business class, the wife and Kataleya, with me in the back row of economy. I was just being a gentleman, may be that won't happen again. I do remember Kataleya crying and being brought back to see me as she didn't believe I was on the plane. Thing is, I had been diagnosed with a need for an Aortic Valve Replacement with prognosis as imminent death or death anyhow within 18 months and I am in economy, what was I thinking. I had my operation 4 weeks later. Not the first time I have been a gentleman and then royally screwed.

Probably true about how unusual it is. I used to deliver to all those buildings between 0230 and 0530 most mornings, when I worked for Adelie a few years ago. I had two deliveries to different floors at the Walkie Talkie building.

Found this in B & M. Turkish malt beer.

I would agree with you as a single man, but when taking the family on holiday (wife, daughter in my case), cattle class will have to do. I did do business last trip on Finnair and would do again but will be a while yet. When I worked for BA I travelled business or first all the time, especially when I was the BA Manager in Brunei and Malaysia, but there is also something satisfying when traveling in economy with family when actually paying for the ticket as opposed to getting it gratis.

Tis the season, hence a bottle of Bateman's Rosey Nosey, a nice drop at £1.50 from Morrisons. Most of their beers are £2.50 - £2.75, but the Rosey Nosey was on offer. Cheaper in Wetherspoon.

If in Hua Hin, the 'Ham, Bacon and Meat Company' on Soi 41 is the place to get your Christmas goodies. I visited often through the year for their pies, sausages and imported UK supplies but at Christmas you need to order ahead for your needs. Had some good turkey crowns from them. They have a Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/huahinhamandbacon/

Very envious, that is a great hotel. The rooms are large and have good facilities. The buffet breakfast was lovely and the pool/beach area great to relax. Go for the 3 beers for the price of 2 early evening before going out. Lovely hotel, I need to get back there.

That was my thought, looks like the walk up from beach road to PBG.

I would love to think it was Frank Spencer but it was quoted a little before his character hit the screens. “Don't be a show-off. Never be too proud to turn back. There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots.” ― E. Hamilton Lee 1949 I remember learning to fly in Fort Worth, Meacham Airfield, in Texas back in 1980; it was a phrase that was recited to me numerous times by my instructor. It was also a phrase, my good friend Captain Fitzroy, told me from the cockpit of his Royal Brunei 737 as we were flying into Hong Kong and when he decided to have another go after aborting the landing.

They asked me but I said no. I normally would if I had been at home, but I was out for a while and sometimes mustard disagrees with me,

Tells you I know nothing, it doesn't have a clock but it does use a timer.

Also bought a few items for Christmas, took me ages to find my cheese footballs. Got a bit more to buy, including ales and wine. However, will only buy what I am likely to eat over the Xmas/New Year period. Have always bought too much in the past

Amazon just delivered my new Air Fryer. Wanted one for a while so treated myself. Probably pay for itself in a year. Tower dual 9L. Need to set the clock.

If I was living in Thailand, I would be at your door now. That is a good deal. Hope it goes to a good home.

Just waiting to have 2 tyres fitted, so popped into Jenkins Bakery. Don't normally eat a sausage and bacon roll, but as it was £3.60, including a cup of tea, I thought, 'why not'.

The one on the right comes up on my Facebook reels every so often. Cute. The one on the left doesn't come up on my Facebook feed, but no doubt does come up on the demolition specific groups.