Horizondave

Well, my good friend at BA was right with the jungle drum noise. I did think it would be this coming winter start for the schedule. Pity it is out of Gatwick, but I have recently found out that there are direct Swansea to Gatwick National Express coaches so that is a bonus. It will definitely have an affect on prices, even though it will start 3 times a week and does go out of Gatwick on a Boeing 777. The additional return to Kuala Lumpur (out of Heathrow), will also increase inventory to SE Asia. The good thing for me is that I have access to great airline discounts, so now the ability to go non stop to Bangkok is a boon. Great news, it can only be a positive for the traveler regardless of what you think of BA.

Never had a problem with the food on all the flights I have ever taken. I am sure some weren't as filling as others but I don't remember any poor offerings. I have traveled all classes and many different airlines across nearly all continents. Ironically the only times I have had a nervous stomach after eating was on a few business class flights, I think the quality of the food isn't something I am used to and maybe I ate too much cheese and biscuits or had too many glasses of port. I actually prefer my fine food on the ground and economy food in the air. I won't buy food on a short flight, I will sneak a sandwich onboard if I need sustenance.

Their tequila lime chicken with fettuccini pasta is sublime. Love eating there before heading across the road to Monsoon.

Now I note you are talking about Rama 2, I concur. Thought you were referring to Hua Hin itself.

Concorde was indeed small, I have been on that bird 3 times when it was operating.

There is also an Imperial War Museum in Manchester and at Duxford Aerodrome in Cambridgeshire (a branch mainly committed to air power).

Ha Ha, are you sure you posted on the right thread....... lol

Pity I can't share my Hua Hin thread that I created on PattayaLive a few years back, that had so much in it, even if some of the items aren't all relevant now. Can't remember how old your child is but a trip to Vana Nava Waterpark is a must. In fact if you stayed at the Holiday Inn you will have free unlimited entry to the park. https://www.vananavahuahin.com/ A trip to Pala U Waterfalls with a car is a worthwhile trip, various levels can be ascended although some are tougher than others. It's on the road out of Hua Hin that would pass by the road off to Wat Mongkol, so could do both in the day. The link below highlights the National Park of Kaeng Krachan of which Palu U is part of. There is a map if moving down through the link. https://www.thainationalparks.com/kaeng-krachan-national-park The guys have mentioned quite a few other side trips, but there are a few others including Swiss Farm north of Cha Am which is worth a short visit if with smaller children. Afternoon tea at the Centara and drinks on the 27th floor rooftop bar of the Holiday Inn, while looking straight down through the glass are both enjoyable. The following link is TripAdvisor's view on 10 best things for kids but, for me, the list applies to adults as well. If you like good atmosphere, good food and music then a trip down to Cicada Market (near Khao Takiab) is a must. The Tamarind market is directly next door and easily accessible, actually it is my favourite place as that is where the best food is. When I was there in September last, the food was so good; I had a massive plate of the large prawns for 300 baht and a good size plate of scallops for 150. There are pizza stations and other great food options. The stalls in the Cicada Market sell some interesting wares, I am sure the wife would love it. I would suggest getting a Grab or taxi as parking can be a nightmare. It is open only on weekends. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g297922-Activities-zft11306-Hua_Hin_Prachuap_Khiri_Khan_Province.html Love Hua Hin, even when just talking about it lol

Just signed in to my Hotmail account to be advised my storage limit has been reached. Seems I am only allowed 5GB of storage on OneDrive which includes Hotmail. I have 19.1Gb across OneDrive and they are now not allowing me access unless I pay. OK, I can delete a lot of email attachments etc., and transfer a lot of photos to another storage capability but after doing a lot of checking, it appears I can have 50 GB storage including 15 GB on Hotmail so for just £1.99 a month, I have just signed up, and now every thing is syncing and I can now receive emails. My Hotmail has always been my account for everything, so moving to Gmail or another service is just not practical. I am expecting some very important emails relating to financial benefits so the payment was a no brainer, it was quick and easy to do. I am only paying for the Microsoft 365 ability to have email and OneDrive storage, I am not interested in the Office part.

Good bar years ago but lacked the stunners on my last trip. One of my very good friends met his wife there, living happily in Davao now.

I don't know anyone who likes the man. Even my cousin's in Merthyr can't stand the man, yet Wales will still vote Labour in at the next election, although not with the overwhelming majority they have held previously. The farmers rebellion and the 20 mph speed limit will see votes go elsewhere. Don't need to put this post in the politics thread, we are a small nation and it couldn't possibly create a long thread of replies unless the sheep get a chance to have their say.

That is really sad, loved those guys and their program. Actually thought the guy was getting better as he had been on tele, shocked at the news. Very sad.

Edit, now in the Neath Wetherspoon, having another Brains SA, waiting for the wife and child. Can't take much more, need a sleep.

Been drinking Brains SA, Rhymney Export and Spitfire at the Great Western Pub in Cardiff. Had a lovely afternoon drinking with Gazza (@Binlid). Needed the steak and kidney pudding to soak it all up.

I have had many girls give me photos, even would have been happy to have photos taken. The issue for me wasn't whether they gave agreement, that wasn't the issue. The issue was whether anybody would use those photos against me. I made the error of embellishing a story of my time in Angeles and some forum member gave my wife a log in to see what I had written, damage done and I am no longer married to that girl. Even keeping photos in a safe place is not safe where women are concerned. They usually find the photos, especially a while later when you are not being so thorough at concealing them. Very early on I realised it was not a good thing to keep photos around the house. Thing is, even a conversation advising your partner that these photos were taken years before tends to fall on deaf ears, you are just a rat. Luckily I am no longer in situations where compromising photos are taken.

The wind can affect take offs as well. I was in Hong Kong many years back and a typhoon had recently gone through. I was on a BA Tristar and we were told that the crosswinds were bordering a constant 20 knots which was the aircraft's max. We attempted to take off but aborted as the crosswind was preventing the aircraft from staying on the centre line. We had just seen a Virgin A330 take off before us, but we were told the Virgin plane had an authorised take off crosswind component of 25 knots. I believe Hong Kong Airport, itself, can restrict take offs when the crosswind component is over 20 knots. When we did take off it was like being on a big dipper up and down, pretty scary. We also had to head straight north for a couple of hours and turned west just south of Beijing.

Just to add a kind of disclaimer, as my post probably sounds a bit lame but is relevant only to the last 8 years or so, and probably connected to having a young daughter who has put a different slant on things. I first hit the bars in 1987 and I had loads of money as I was working in SE Asia. I remember my first bar fine, I was staying in the Tawana Ramada near Patpong. I tried to leave my room 2 times but returned as my knees were trembling, I was scared at what I was told was the deal. Once out the door, I did arrive at my first bar, went through the heavy blue velvet curtain of Superstar bar and I was smitten. Just took the first girl I saw as I walked into the place. Bar fining and the girly scene has probably taken a heavy toll on my finances, I would be far richer now than I actually am. Think a lot of younger guys think the older generation are that fat balder bunch of oldies they like to laugh at. Truth is, most of us have the t-shirt and will probably have had more girl liaisons than those who laugh at us, the quality would have been better too mostly. In 1988 I went to live in Sabang, Puerta Galera, Philippines. I arrived on 01 October and by the end of the month I had had 31 different girls. I can no longer maintain that ability but my history of companions isn't really anything I have many photos of and is mainly in the memory cells. Unlike @Yessongs, I have never taken a photo of a girl in my bedroom, I have had photos of girls outside the boudoir, but most have been destroyed by me or past companions. I just won't take the risk of having photos posted on a forum (or stories of liaisons) as they may be used by 'white knights' to ruin what I have going presently. That happened once on another Pattaya based forum and my marriage suffered because of it. I am kind of happy I am not bar fining anymore, I just don't think there is real value in it. Back in the day, it was worth bar fining in most bars or go gos, we were spoilt for choice. I am 68, and you would think that I might aim a little bit lower if considering a bar fine. Thing is, I am usually disappointed at what is on offer and the prices seem too high for what would be offered to me. Still enjoy the scene, both in Thailand and the Philippines but it looks to me that most of those considered a top shelf girl are on social media rather than shaking their booties in a club. From what some say here there are a few clubs on WS that do have a fair share of top shelf girls but it isn't like it used to be. I will stick to my cup of tea and Oreos with maybe a massage thrown in for good measure.

That looks like an establishment I have used a few times on my way back to my hotel off Fields in Angeles?

Similar to a few guys here, can't remember the last time I paid a bar fine in Pattaya. In fact don't travel to Pattaya as much now although, if there, more likely to find me dark side meeting up with my mates. Even if I don't bar fine, I will still buy drinks and do enjoy the companionship of a lady sitting close. I actually like bar hopping, moving around and, maybe, it's just the same bullshit I have heard over the many years I have been in Thailand and visiting that sees my money getting more value outside of the girly scene. I still like the atmosphere of being immersed in the bar area and clocking girls (mainly in Hua Hin) but, as I have said a few times before, my bed partners now are a cup of tea and a packet of Oreos.

Edit Been stacking over Surrey but heading to join finals now. He's down in one piece.

For info https://www.finnair.com/gb-en/service-break-in-finnair-plus-program For anybody who might be booking Finnair soon.

Unfortunately he was in the air when I saw this thread. He should be landing in about 15 mins.

I know a former member who is flying in at 5 pm from Barcelona, be interesting to hear if his flight lands ok.

If with family, a pool is a must, even if by the sea, as my daughter will walk the beach but doesn't like to swim in it. She is in the pool everyday on holidays. If alone, I really don't care as it is unlikely I will use it. I have often thought I would use the pool if there is one, but my history of experience has shown me that I rarely use a pool. I did stay at the Mercure Soi 15 Pattaya once, and I hated the fact it had a pool. I checked in to the hotel early afternoon after arriving from UK and wanted to sleep. There was a conference of workers from India who decided to play water polo in the pool, the noise was worse than a school full of kids. I was on the 13th floor but the noise was terrible, luckily reception moved me. Not on my top list but, if there is one, I always ask to be housed on the opposite side of the hotel to the pool.