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Baden-Baden is so gut they named it twice

27th June 202627th June 2026 funtime65

Now where better to get away from the heat stifling the continent of Europe than a spa, right, and Baden-Baden is so gut they named it twice.

And if that name sounds familiar then you probably recall it from the England WAGs, Victoria, Cheryl, Coleen, Abbey and Co.

All pampering themselves here 20 years ago.

And earning themselves the mantle of Baden-Baden Girls… OK, we just made that up but still.

The girls, of course, availed themselves of the Brenners Park hospitality.

A £1,000-a-night 1800s spa hotel on the outskirts of town, and the Italian restaurant Garibaldi.

While they naturally went in for some retail therapy with the wags (that’s funny people) declaring the Wags had renamed the town Shopping-Shopping.

Spending £57,000 an hour on one party excursion.

Ja dancer

Now we can’t say we know if the Equipage dance, music and cocktail bar were around back then.

The WAGs and their families made do instead with Garibaldi.

Where Elen Rives, Frank Lampard’s then partner climbing on a table and singing I Will Survive.

And Neville Neville, the dad of Gary and Phil, and that really is his name, got renched in beer and brandished a replica World Cup (they never did get their hands on the real one).

To be fair, when England football wives aren’t in the small town of just 30,000 then there is a more sedate feel.

Much like we’d say an Oberammergau, although without Der Passion, more say Der Passsion Fruit cocktails when the WAGs are there.

And prides itself on its motto of the good-good life.

The good-good life

Baden-Baden, of course, is nothing to do with a negative outcome…

I mean, who would call themselves that?

But rather bad means bath, although Bath-Bath sounds more of an order.

For those denonymophiles, and yes, we made that up to… there is a very good reason why Baden-Baden was named twice.

It is to differentiate it from other Badens in Germany, theirs starting off life as Baden in Baden, the Baden region, before getting abreviated.

You’ve been Tangoed

And why apart from nostalgia are we honing in on Baden-Baden?

Well because we and the Unesco-listed Great Spa Towns of Europe are celebrating.

Five years of collaboration this year.

With Baden-Baden running a full weekend, with its popular annual tango event.

In the collonades of the Trinkhalle, or pump room

Alongside a film screening of the silent film Der Skandal in Baden-Baden.

Guided tourse addressed Baden-Baden’s significant role in the development of music in Europe.

And the Kurgarten was transformed into a scene from the heyday of th Great Spa Towns of Europe.

Now, you don’t have to be a WAG or their appendage to stay at Brenners Park.

So maybe we’ll see you there because you know how much we, and she, love a spa.

And you might very well see my very own shopaholic will be there around the shoes.

Countries, Cruising, South America

Plain sailing for Brazil

26th June 2026 funtime65

Of course it was plain sailing for Brazil with the Samba Boys all but eliminating Scotland from the World Cup… but the plain sailing we’re more interested in is around their coast.

Particularly as Scottish fans will have money in their pockets still which we’d saved for another month in the USA, Mexico or Canada.

It’s many years now since my first cruise on the high seas, well, the Med, when the Brazilian hospitality manager told us of his homeland’s many charms and how it was always nuts on that cruise.

That cruise company has long sailed off into history but we’ve met new friends along the way and are always delighted when Swan Hellenic come visiting.

Particularly when they’re teasing us with packages such as their Soul Samba and Sea: A Luxury Cultural Cruise through Coastal Brazil –and with a £1,900 saving too.

The Joys from Brazil

You’ll embark on your luxury cruise in Salvador de Bahia, a city rich in Afro-Brazilian culture and finish off in the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

The itinerary takes you through Brazil’s mix of lively cities and relaxed beach towns, each offering unique experiences along the way.

Explore the historic Pelourinho in Salvador, renowned for its lively atmosphere and colonial architecture.

In Itacaré, enjoy the rhythms of local capoeira dancers.

Relax in Trancoso’s boho-chic setting, with its quadrado surrounded by rainforest.

Venture to the Abrolhos Archipelago, where guests can witness the marine life and biodiversity.

And as you travel, you’ll engage with local cultures and partake in diverse activities.

Dive into the clear waters of natural pools in Abrolhos while snorkelling, or simply enjoy the ship’s observation decks.

Absorb expert insights during onboard lectures or refine photography skills.

With guidance from professional snappers.

Delight in the nightlife in Buzios and Rio, savouring caipirinha cocktails and the carnival vibe.

Samba time

Get your feet wet: And soak in the atmosphere

A six-night Soul, Samba and-Sea Journey to the Heart of Brazil, departs on October 25, on board the SH Vega costing £2,750pp.

With an added bonus of Gold wi-fi package and $300 on board ship credit (was £4,675pp, saving £1,925pp).

On a cruise only price which includes an ocean-view stateroom, all meals onboard, plus selected drinks.

A 24-hour room service, self-service laundry, lecture programmes by experienced expedition team and guest speakers.

One selected shore excursion per port of call, standard wi-fi, and onboard gratuities and port taxes.

So now that the World Cup has lost its interest with Scotland out.

Then maybe it’s time to Swan off somewhere exotic and my Brazilian hospitality manager of old would point us.

To his homeland where they open their arms to visitors.

Countries, South America, Sport, UK

How Scotland brought goals to Brazil

24th June 202624th June 2026 funtime65

And for the World Cup day that’s in it… how Scotland brought goals to Brazil.

And the story of a true pioneer of the Beautiful Game, who you would probably have never heard of here in Scotland.

Unless, of course, you live in the village of Busby, south of Glasgow, where there is a small bust to the great man.

Sprouting Thomas

We are, of course, name checking dye maker Thomas Donohoe here.

For it was he who organised the first informal football match in Brazil near Rio in 1894.

And is as is so often the way is celebrated more here than in his own homeland.

With the five-time world champion Brazilians erecting a 5m statue of Thomas outside the Bangu Shopping Centre.

In the Bangu neighborhood, home to the textile mill where Donohoe worked.

Miller’s tale

Proper Charlie: Father of Brazilian football

Where Thomas led other Scots followed with Charles Miller, the son of a Scottish engineer and Brazilian mother credited.

As the Father of Brazilian Football.

Who established the Paulista League, the country’s first organised football competition.

Of course just introducing a ball, boots and posts to a country doesn’t guarantee that they can turn that into a fine art.

Our Beautiful Game

And this is where Archie McLean emerges next in the story of Brazilian football.

The Paisley mechanic arriving in São Paulo in 1912 and founding the Scottish Wanderers.

And introducing the Scottish short-passing style known in Brazil as A Tabelhinha (the rhythm).

Which in the passing, as it were, we gave to our English neighbours decades before.

And you’re welcome, even if you don’t give us the credit.

Brazilians had until then played a kick-and-rush style.

A nod here too to Ayr footballer Jock Hamilton who the Scottish Football Museum credit as the first professional football coach in Brazil.

And we gave them Pele, Ronaldo and Vini

A sliding doors moment which meant that Brazil would cultivate.

The Garrinchas, Peles, Zicos, Romarios, Ronaldos, Ronaldinhos, Neymars and Vini Jnrs.

Rather than, well, the workmanlike types who will try to shake up the world tonight when Scotland face Brazil in Miami.

Hoping to make history by progressing past the group stages of the World Cup finals at the eighth time of asking.

Where do you want your statue?

Of course, all of this adulation and worship of false idols will escalate to a whole new level.

Should Scotland do the unthinkable and get the right result to qualify for the last 32.

And Super John McGinn do the business off the back of his moon-sized backside.

When we will gladly tear down the statue of slave apologist James Dundas, atop the 150ft Melville Monument in Edinburgh.

And replace him with Bravearse.

Countries, Culture, Music

The Daddy of all Songdays

21st June 202621st June 2026 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it we mark our fathers with the Daddy of all Songdays.

I can still hear James G (Jimmy G) in my head singing through the old house in Glasgow, 18 years after his voice faded.

Life is just a bowl of cherries, That old black magic has got me in its spell, Thank you very much for the Aintree Island.

So much so that I’ve a ceramic bowl of cherries by his headstone with my Dear Old Mum in the family plot in Donegal.

For him to nibble at when nobody’s around.

Daddy playlist

Now every one of us will have our own shared songs that conjure up our own fathers.

And while we belt out our own favourites and Daughterie turns on my playlist.

And twists my arm to belt out my karaoke favourite.

Here are five Father’s Day bangers…

Marilyn’s model

My Heart Belongs to Daddy (Marilyn Monroe): And of all the men in Marilyn Monroe’s life, she reminded us all that her heart belongs to Daddy.

Which is probably why the two men whose counsel she returned to were father-figures in Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller.

Although we would never have imagined the loathsome Hugh Hefner would slime his way into buying a burial plot next to him in Los Angeles.

No heirs and graces

Father and Son (Cat Stevens): And putting aside Ronan Keating wedging himself into a duet with the now renamed Yusuf Islam.

The weight in this father-song relationship rests with the son.

‘From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen/

‘Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.’

Reminding us too that it is the natural way of things for a father, however hard, to let his son go to make his own way in life.

Isn’t she wonderful

Isn’t she lovely (Stevie Wonder): And Stevie’s paean to his daughter Aisha.

Isn’t she precious, less than one minute old is Stevie’s glorious capture of the moment you discover you’ve been blessed with a girl.

Which is, of course, what you’re robbing yourself of going down the Big Reveal route.

The Living Years

The Living Years (Mike & the Mechanics): And I wasn’t there the morning my father passed away either.

An anthem to missed moments and reflections on regrets.

But with the lift of the orator telling us that his father passes on his spirit to his own baby.

And that is a fact.

My Old Man

The Old Man (Phil Coulter): Now few people do pluck-at-your-heartstrings nostalgia as well as the Irish.

And Phil Coulter puts this song ahead of My Boy which he wrote for Elvis, Ireland’s Call or The Town I Loved So Well about Derry.

Now, I can’t say he showed me the colours of the pheasant as he rises in the dawn (not much cause for that in Glasgow).

Or how to fish and make a wish beside the Fairy Tree (or that either in Scotland).

But there were scores of others between us.

And I never will forget him/
For he made me ‘what I am’/

Though he may be gone/
Memories linger on/
And I miss him, the old man/

So here’s to us, the fathers

Now, of course, there are a plethora of songs about deadbeat or dads in denial.

Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Cat’s in the Cradle, Papa Don’t Preach or maudling music (Don’t Cry Daddy) (Daddy’s Eyes).

But we’re dwelling on the joys of being a father today (and every day).

And who knows, I might even channel my own James Brown Dancing Dad later because Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag.

America, Countries, Sport, UK

Jock Tamson’s bairns on tour in America

20th June 2026 funtime65

And here’s a fun game for Jock Tamson’s bairns on tour in America… mark off all the Robert Burns statues in the States.

Scotland’s Tartan Army have been taking in the sights and sounds and bars of Boston.

And paying homage to Scotland’s Second Most Famous Scot.

Come down the road: Bandanaman and his Mum

Who they stumbled upon on their way to the iconic Fenway Park for the Red Sox’ Scottish Day.

And naturally put a traffic cone on his head.

On a podium

Not that they, or you, should be surprised.

As the Ploughman Poet pops up all round the world.

Bettered only as a dedicated non-religious icon only by Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus.

Burns popularity derives, of course, from his poetry and his songs.

But also his rags to riches story, his everyman message and his rock’n’roll life.

And his legend and suppers which the Scots diaspora brought with them all around the world.

Miami nice

Bostonians will say a sad farewell to the Scots who are moving on to Miami for their final group game with Brazil.

Alas, the Miamians are yet to honour Rabbie although they could still.

Particularly with a certain half-Scots Commander in Chief living just up the road in Mar a Lago.

Now to my shame and I’ll no doubt have my Scottish citizenship reexamined on the back of this big reveal.

Of Yanks and Men

But I missed the Burns statue in my summer working in Beantown after university or return 35 years later.

While I was also too busy at the John Lennon Memorial in visits to New York to notice Burns’s place in Central Park.

Or the bronze figure in Garfield Park in Da Pope town, Chicago, commissioned and cast in Edinburgh in 1906.

And the bronze Burns in City Park, Denver, gifted by the city’s Scots Caledonian Club in 1904.

Burns Cottage industry

Drink up: With Tam and Johnnie in Alloway

Now Burns’s popularity is shared by all stripes of American, North, South, East and West.

And across the globe with Rabbie popping up in more than 60 guises.

And to see just where they all are a bronze plate of the world with mini-Rabbies then go back to where it all began.

In the little village of Alloway on the west coast of Scotland.

America, Countries, Music

Pour another cup of ambition in Dolly’s Tennessee

19th June 202619th June 2026 funtime65

And because we never restrict ourselves to 9 to 5 on our travels… we invite you to pour another cup of ambition in Dolly’s Tennessee.

And tell us that you’re surprised that Dolly Parton has dotted new song references all around the Volunteer State.

We are namechecking, of course, the brand-new travel stop opening in Cornersville on Wednesday.

Stretch and try to come to life

Located off Interstate 65, the flagship destination offers weary travellers a chance to refuel and recharge.

And sup a Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee and barbecue.

To the backdrop of live music and a genuine Southern welcome.

While you can channel your inner Country star by hopping on a tour bus inspired by Dolly’s own years on the road.

Check out her Life of Many Colors

We will always love you: A younger Dolly

The opening is just one chapter in what’s shaping up to be the Year of Dolly.

In Nashville, the new SongTeller Hotel and Life of Many Colors Museum will soon welcome guests.

For an immersive celebration of her music, stories and career.

There’s nowhere though that is celebrating Dolly’s 80th year more or louder than Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.

As it should be.

Making a splash

And visitors can look forward to the park’s biggest-ever ride investment at NightFlight Expedition.

The groundbreaking attraction invites us to soar, splash and travel from here to the moon and back in true Dolly style.

So for all that she’s given us we should give back by marking her eight decades with a visit.

And fly out with Aer Lingus from your pre-clearance European airport in Dublin with Aer Lingus.

For a sample week in July from €947.35.

Indulge the song-dropping

And indulge the song-dropping.

And this pitch.

From Jolene to journeying down every open road, from her Coat of Many Colors to a whole state stitched together with new attractions.

Dolly is once again proving she’s the one calling the tune and making all the right moves.

Africa, Countries

St Helena’s favourite son Jonathan an ICON

18th June 202618th June 2026 funtime65

And not because it’s a slow news day but because Guinness have deemed St Helena’s favourite son Jonathan an ICON.

Regular visitors to these musings will know that we keep a close eye on Jonathan’s movements, which being a tortoise, are naturally very slow.

Go on then, you see how far you can walk when you get to 194.

There are some superhumans, of course, who will probably be plying their craft then, such as fellow inductee Cristiano Ronaldo.

As well as living legends Usain Bolt and LeBron James, the latter who has been holding court on Scotland’s golf courses and clubhouses these past few days.

And female powerhouses, serial gymnastic gold medallist Simone Biles, Paralympic swimming champion and Strictly dancer Ellie Simmonds and Brazilian legend Marta.

And those who will for ever be immortal such as Don Bradman.

A tortoise for the ages

Great men and women all, but not godlike status on St Helena, like Jonathan.

And what’s more Jonathan is happy to mingle with visitors and will gladly agree to a selfie.

Particularly if you bring along some cabbage, lettuce, apples, bananas, guavas and maybe the secret of eternal life, monkey’s ears herbs.

Outside his home at Plantation House, the official residence of the island’s Governor.

Jonathan has seen it all

Sign of times: Nothing much changes though

Of course, nothing very much fazes Jonathan.

As he has witnessed the evolution of modern society, including the arrival of cars, electricity, television, and digital connectivity.

More broadly, Guinness World Records recognises him as the oldest living land animal.

Now this tiny British outcrop lies 3,329 miles west of South Africa from where you’ll come in which, of course, we were set to do before Covid intervened.

Jonathan, of course, survived that, and seeing he shows no sign of leaving us any time soon, I dare say, and hope he will hang on until we do get there.

America, Countries, Europe, Food & Wine, UK

Irish bar flagging up Ivorian green, white and gold

17th June 202617th June 2026 funtime65

And as Scotland basks in World Cup glory let’s include our Celtic cousins too and the Irish bar flagging up Ivorian Green, white and gold.

Now we’ve been here ourselves, and too often, with the world champions in waiting (that’s us) outside looking in for 28 years.

And in that decade and a half trying to immerse ourselves in the tourney through clever tie-ins.

Like adopting whichever team is playing England with some smart word play in the marketing merch.

Although worryingly one in ten Scots want England to do well, including Royalist Roy next door.

The Green, White and Verde

It is the birthright, of course, of all Celts that you get to support Ireland or Wales too if your own country miss out.

And in Ireland’s case anybody with any tangental connection.

Such as Cape Verde’s Roberto “Pico” Lopes, a Shamrock Rovers defender the Africans tapped up on LinkedIn.

After discovering he qualified through his father.

Now Ireland and the diaspora have lent their support to Cape Verde.

With the Honey Fitz bar in Astoria, New York adopting the archipelago as their team for the tourney.

And we dare say that the old family bar, the iconic Irish Cottage, in Queens too would have done the same was it still here now.

Men in the mirror

For us living in the country of the world champion heir apparents there is another Irish link, for when Scotland aren’t playing.

In the shape of Cote D’Ivoire, or the Ivory Coast, because their flag is the mirror image of Ireland’s.

Ireland’s green, white and orange represented green Irish catholicism, orange Northern protestantism and white for peace.

And the Cote D’Ivoire’s green for its grasslands, orange for its forests and white, er, for peace again.

Edinburgh and Ivory

Your best Biddy: Channeling the Ivorians

Biddy Mulligan’s in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket has gone full Ivorian.

With all Irish flags, which feature the same tricolour as the Ivory Coast in a different order, will be flipped to represent the African nation.

While Ivory Coast tunes will be played before and after matches.

And Biddy’s has also partnered with an Ivory Coast snacks company to bring food to customers ‘straight from the source’.

And have even bought in hundreds of bottle of African Guinness. with the stout selling more in Africa than any other continent.

Caribbean, Countries, Europe, Sport

Wunderbear… here’s Germany and Curacao

14th June 202614th June 2026 funtime65

Only a World Cup could bring Old Europe and the Caribbean like this together but Wunderbear… here’s Germany and Curacao.

Courtesy of Derself, who was born on a British military base.

And circumnavigated the world when her family returned from a posting in Australia.

Bringing back mementoes, as we all do, which have taken on another life as the years have rolled on.

A word from the advertisers

So meet Yorkie, here modelling a Curacao t-shirt which once adorned Derself and Der Daughterie of Derself.

And Barney Bear who despite his very Bavarian lederhosen hails from the home of German beardom, Swabia.

Now whisper it around Barney who doesn’t have the iconic button in his ear which all Steiff bears have.

He’s actually bear ein Berliner but the German capital too has a bear tradition going back 600 years.

All of which he told me at one of those hydration breaks they have brought in during halfs to sell advertising.

New alliances

World in my hands: At the German Football Museum in Dortmund

Now such is the bonhomie of a World Cup that new alliances are forged regardless of the scoreline.

Such as German football fans and Curacao supporters.

Although, in truth, the 150,000 party people of Curaçao’s connection is with the Netherlands.

Of which they are a constituent island nation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

While old alliances are renewed such as that between the Tartan Army and the samba-dancing Brazilians.

And yes, senor, we can boogie.

With the two sets of famously partying fans renewing acquaintances for a fifth time at World Cups in 50 years.

Another reason to see Amsterdam

Ride on: Can I be trusted on a bike? In Amsterdam

Now we obviously know our way around Germany but Curacao clearly takes more prep.

So if you’re not on a round-the-world boat journey, and you should, you deserve it.

Then it makes sense that you’ll fly out of Amsterdam with KLM.

Which we priced up at from £1,177pp from Edinburgh going through Tuliptown.

America, Countries, Sport

Coming down the road in our football tops

13th June 2026 funtime65

We’ll be coming down the road in our football tops in the early hours for the World Cup.

Alas, at the Law bar lock-in in North Berwickety, here east of Edinburgh, rather than our old stomping ground of Boston.

The World Cup, of course, is prime time for the sale of football tops with outlets greedy to inflate prices.

For shirts with the distributors often changing just the date on the shirt and change every 18 months.

Cry for us Argentina

One solution is replica shirts with this Scotland Tartan Army foot soldier donning his iconic retro top.

From Scotland’s ill-fated (aren’t they all?) Argentina 1978 misadventure.

With the No.15 on it in a nod to Scotland’s only shining light then, Archie Gemmill.

Back then, whisper it, the England Admiral football top was considered the height of football fashion.

So much so that some Scottish schoolboys put aside their loyalties and followed each other on their choice of shirts.

Gift that keeps on giving

Quite what red-blooded Scottish parents thought of that we can only imagine.

Of course football tops were always a safe bet to get your football-mad child for Christmas.

Even if it was the Argentina jersey instead of the vibrant orange shirt of the Netherlands team he’d adopted.

Which might explain the grumpy look in that Christmas’s photographs.

Moroccans on a roll

When it came time to make up our own decisions in life and we had the money.

We’d pick up tops on our travels… Fenerbahce and Besiktas for dad and lad in Turkey.

And the Morocco national top from a chaotic trip to Marrakech which has come out of the drawer.

Now that the African champions are in Scotland’s group along with Haiti and Brazil.

Although, naturally, it won’t be getting an outing when Scotland play Morocco in their second game in Beantown.

It’s just that sticking it back on takes me back to haggling with a Moroccan trader in Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

The Tartan Army Boys

Before everything went Pete Tong… a bit like Scotland’s World Cup story.

It’s true what they say, it’s the hope that kills you.

Still we’ll keep the faith.

So when you hear the noise of the Tartan Army Boys we’ll be coming down the road.