Category: UK

America, Countries, Europe, Ireland, UK

St Stephen’s Day v Boxing Day which is better?

funtime65

Straddling Britain and Ireland means switching Christmas hats… so St Stephen’s Day v Boxing Day which is better?

Just one of the many cultural differences between the two islands is in what we call the Day After Christmas.

Being the first Christian martyr, St Stephen, of course, came before the consumerist Boxing Day.

And he has the jump on the alternative by dint of being by appointment to the Almighty.

With the Church decreeing early that the first martyr should bank the day after the day of Jesus’s birthday.

While Boxing Day had to wait until 1833, with Queen Victoria’s seat still warm on the throne.

When the aristocracy handed down some crumbs from their table.

From Melbourne to Massachussetts

Get into costume: Boston, Massachusetts

The upper classes would box up gifts and give them to their servants, the poor or tradespeople the day after Christmas Day.

Now as you’d expect Boxing Day took root in the countries of Empire, now Commonwealth, and are still celebrated today.

With Boxing Day in Melbourne, Australia, noted for its Test Match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, or MCG.

Although England, on the end of an Ashes humiliation, aren’t doing much partying.

Randomly, there is a corner of America where Boxing Day is a thing and that is in the least likely, Patriots’ Massachusetts.

Where since 1996 it’s been celebrated, in response to the efforts of a coalition of British citizens to ‘transport the English tradition to the United States’.

Long to wren over us

Czech it out: On the King Charles Bridge in Prague

Stephen’s Day, on the other hand, is where the rest of the Christian world outside of the King’s hails the first Christian martyr.

And where the Good King Wenceslas first looked out in Prague, with his pizza deep pan, crisp and even.

The best tradition though, and we are biased here, is in Ireland.

Where Stephen’s Day is also called Wren Day… well, they would have two names for it.

It goes back to the legend that a wren’s cooing gave away Stephen.

Dress the part: Mummer’s Festival

 

And where Wrenboys, dressed in masks and costumes sang songs and played music for money,.

And used to hunt for wrens although now they’re carried around as stuffed or fake wren.

Then there’s the Mummer’s Festival, held every year in the village of New Inn, County Galway, and Dingle in County Kerry.

From Magyars to Murtys

Folklore: Budapest

While there’s also a Magyar Festival, a fertility ritual, which we discovered on our travels this year.

Where Hungarians wear sheepskin furs and use a bagpipe and a chained stick to make music. 

Our household of all nations, for our part is called ‘You do the Christmas clean-up Day’.

 

Countries, Deals, Music, UK

Mamma Mia in London

funtime65

And if you don’t want to leave your kids with a ‘free house’ then take them with you… to Mamma Mia in London.

Take one precious neighbour back home in Ireland.

And a much-earned weekend away in the West End.

And your peace will be broken.

With endless texts about how she’s had to get the Gardaí out to break up the Son and Daughterie’s party.

Just as you are dancing away to the show-stopping finale to Beautiful: The Carole King Story.

Take a chance on Mamma Mia!

Spell it out: Mamma MIa!

Alas, it’s too late baby to see the brilliant which packed up and moved on.

But Mamma Mia! Here we go again with the magical musical on at Novello Theatre (Holborn).

And you can dig in the dancing scene with Cassidy Travel who are offering a two-nights package in March.

With two nights’ accommodation, March 11 and 12.

You’ll get a seated show ticket in the Dress Circle with return flights (optional). Prices from €289pp.

Super troupers

Singalong: The movie

Now if you’re looking for a Christmas gift for Herself.

And aren’t women always harder to buy for than men.

Then why not take your Dancing Queen to London’s bright lights for the big Abba musical.

Only make sure that you don’t leave a free house behind.

And seeing you’re asking then all My Own Little Spirit of Christmas wants is…

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy… a man after midnight.

 

Countries, Culture, UK

The updated Story of Scotland’s Flag

funtime65

And here’s one Big Bang’s Sheldon Cooper missed so we’ll fill in the gaps… it’s the updated story of Scotland’s flag.

Because the history of our Saltire is being brought up to date.

Sixty years after we started telling people about it in the region where it was spawned, the village of Athelstaneford in East Lothian, 22 miles west of Edinburgh.

Raise the flag: But Sheldon missed our Saltire

And nearly 1,200 years after King Angus mac Fergus designed the drape.

Or rather somebody far higher than even a Picts and Scots monarch did.

Fearing defeat to a much larger Northumbrian army, Angus prayed for help.

And took solace in the vision of a white cross against the blue sky, which spurred his army to victory.

God’s own country

Fighting Scots: They can never take our flag

Now cynics would prosaically say that Angus was suffering from pareidolia.

Countries, Sustainable Tourism, UK

At 60 it’s nae sweat sitting it out in a sauna

funtime65

And we’ve our Finnish friends to thank for our favourite pastime with our clothes (almost) off… and naturally at 60 it’s nae sweat sitting it out in a sauna.

Or any age really depending on where you live in the world.

Where our guide in the Austrian Tirol regaled us of his childhood memories when he would go with his grandparents… and they all shed their clothes!

Not that British or Irish people are ready for that kind of open living.

Although I have noticed over the years that we have got more confident in actually talking to each other.

Which is how we, the Daughterie, Mr Daughterie and myself found ourselves getting to know Pippa’s Crew.

Sauna etiquette

Hut stuff: All the action is inside

A set (if that’s the collective noun for saunaphiles) of Edinburgh and East Lothian yummy mummies.

At Hot & Bothy Community Sauna on the Archerfield Estate in Dirleton 23 miles east of the Scottish capital.

Some subjects are, of course, off limits with Hot & Bothy reminding us not to pass comment on people’s body image or tattoos.

Although not having seen Mr Daughterie with most of his clothes off, as no father-in-law ever should, I did break that to ask him about his inkings.

And whether it was safe for him to wear his piercings, which as a sauna expert from his time in Finland he assured us that it was.

Too damned hot

Pour it on: The Hot & Bothy experience

What might not be unless you’re one of those roughie-toughie Finns is competitive saunaing is the World Sauna Championships.

Which were held in Saonola from 1999 to 2010.

And whose competitors were asked to sign a waiver.

Which was a get out of jail card when the beaten finalist in the last championships, a Russian expired.

And we’re not reading anything into the fact that the winner was a Finn, Illka Poyjoa.

Hot & Bothy rules

O Shower of Scotland: With Mr Daughterie

Hot & Bothy operate a hut and a yurt from behind the Archerfield Walled Garden.

And two plunge pools, a cold shower.

And a firepit where you can sit and drink their tea and ginger and sing Kumbaya, although that’s not compulsory.

Before you dress back into your clothes in the changing rooms.

And all for the price of a night’s drinking at £17.50 and you’ll feel a lot better for it.

 

Countries, Cruising, Music, Ships, UK

Inflatable in the Eighties

funtime65

It’s inflatable in the Eighties as we go cruising again around Britain, as we did back then, so Relax and read on.

Ambassador Ambition are only offering a Sixty-something’s dream trip, a Back to the 80s Mini Cruise.

Southern comforts

Purple reigns: Ambassador

Billed as a nostalgic two-night voyage for less than £10/monthpp or £259pp.

And departing next November 11, you’ll sail from Bristol to London Tilbury.

With the options of £170pp full board or £295pp all-inclusive.

Booze cruise: Your route

Of course, this being the Eighties you’ll wanna dance (in your Air Jordans) with somebody who loves you.

And Ambassador Ambition’s DJs have all the anthems we rocked the floor to back then.

Dress to thrill

Lie back: And think of the party

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Eighties-themed party without the opportunity to stick on those leg warmers and leotards.

And there will be plenty of that either on the dance floor.

Or through those energetic on-board workout classes.

Ambassador promise engaging quizzes for you.

And just a tip, just say Jacko, Madonna or Tom Cruise if you’re not sure.

Vogue like Madonna

Material girl: Madonna

Or dress like them if you want to win the fancy dress competition.

Although you’re bound to bump into those icons so maybe a Boy George or Cyndi Lauper instead then.

Now, this wouldn’t be our first rodeo off the south coast, having rocked it in the English Channel.

Fashion Victims: Boy George

So we’d be looking out for.

And would know what to expect from Ambassador’s spectacular themed cabaret shows and lunches.

While we’re always open to new experiences and would obviously be front of the queue.

For the Captain’s Gala Dinner and Baked Alaska Parade and Captain’s Cocktail Party.

And at the end of it all, you’ll be sent home with a ‘Back to the ‘80s’ cruise badge & decade-themed booklet.

 

Countries, Deals, Ships, UK

Irish Ferries are in with the bricks for Halloween

funtime65

And as we build for Halloween… let’s go Lego and Irish Ferries are in with the bricks for Halloween.

Bringing visitors across the Irish Sea.

With the culture and mores which we’ve all adopted in Britain in our calendar of festivities and celebrations.

Such as Samhain which the Brits and Yanks have repackaged as Halloween and claimed as their own.

Scaring up a treat

Sail on: Irish Ferries

Now, of course, we’re all for cross-fertilisation especially when it adds to the enjoyment.

Which our friends at Lego have always done.

And where Irish Ferries are giving us a fresh incentive this Autumn to join in.

As part of their 10% savings on your theme park package break if you book before October 13.

Now we all have our favourites with some parks feeling like they’ve been around since the first Halloween.

Although they never feel old and are always freshening things up.

Particularly around Halloween, one of the biggest dates in the calendar.

On a theme

Smashing pumpkins: Alton Towers

Thrill seekers can look forward to the return of award-winning Scarefest at Alton Towers,

While we’ve also been alerted to a fang-tastic Halloween at Chessington World of Adventures, HOWL’O’WEEN!

Both of which look frighteningly good and we’d encourage you to check out.

Gruff break: Gruffalo trail in Chessington

Still, we know that those of us who live in the earthly world are a little more limited in our mobility.

So we’re focusing on one theme park from our old stomping ground.

Brick or treat party

Rail thing: Legoland

My own Scary One’s back yard of Berkshire in the south of England.

And Legoland Windsor which back in our time was a Safari Park.

But which is now the realm of our favourite blockheads.

And which will naturally be throwing a Brick or Treat party.

Cut us in

Best seat in the house: Legoland attractions

And so you can get your Legoland Windsor package at a cut-price €636, down from €706.

You’ll be treated to a return cruise ferry journey.

Stay for two nights at the Novotel Reading Centre

And enjoy a day at the theme park.

All for two adults and two children up to the age of 11.

Countries, UK

Everyone’s gone roadsurfin’… roadsurfin’ UK

funtime65

And with apologies to the Beach Boys our take is everyone’s gone roadsurfin’, roadsurfin’ UK.

Roadsurfer, who bill themselves as the global leader in campervan travel, have highlighted the most scenic parts of the UK, for Autumn.

And all with the freedom of the road now those summer tailbacks have dissipated.

Now, we’ll park our own gripes about camper vans taking spots up near our golf course in North Berwick when we go for our buffet.

And maybe gently nudge them down the road to Pentland Hills Regional Park, near Edinburgh.

The Pentlands provide a dramatic backdrop of heather-covered hills and vibrant woodlands.. and ideal for intrepid trekkers… and hoofers.

The Highland laddies and lassies

Dramatic: Glenfinnan Viaduct in Glen Coe

While the North Coast 500 is the most trodden of Scotland’s road trips the West Coast surely matches it for scenery.

There is something unique too about Glen Coe & Loch Leven and the Massacre of the MacDonalds here.

All of which makes you feel that you are being guided by the spirits of the past… maybe think Outlander.

England’s green and pleasant land

Heart of England: Cotswolds

If it’s England’s green and pleasant land you want to explore, and you will, then you can celeb-spot in the Cotswolds.

Golden stone houses glow even brighter against autumn foliage through villages such as Bibury, Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold.

Ramble through the Cotswold Way National Trail and stop at farm shops for seasonal produce like apples, cider and cheeses.  

While if it’s family fun you want you’ll want to head for Thetford Forest in Norfolk and the Gruffalo Trail or adventure at Go Ape.

Wizard time in Wales

Picturesque: Wye Valley

And the more adventurous may want to venture into mystical Wales and visit the haunting ruins of Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley.

Or take a canoe along the river’s mirror-like surface.

Or climb to Symonds Yat Rock for a panoramic view of the valley’s patchwork canopy.

Carry on campers

Have wheels: Will travel

Roadsurfer offers compact models perfect for couples to spacious family-friendly campers with extra room and comfort.

Each booking includes unlimited mileage, fully comprehensive insurance, and includes a kitchen, comfortable beds and outdoor seating.

Roadsurfer has rental stations in London, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh.

The Surfer Suite measures 4.9m in length, and includes a pop-up roof, integrated kitchenette, outdoor cold shower and plenty of storage.

Perfect for couples, prices from £77 per night based on October/November travel.

Everyone out: For cliffside vistas

For families there is the Family Finca measuring 5.9m in length, and includes a complete kitchenette, a bathroom with warm water and a toilet and plenty of storage.

Prices from £77 per night based on October/November travel.

Customers can receive 10% off trips taking place before 31.12.2025 when using Late Summer code SUNSET25.

 

 

Countries, UK

Ice in your drink on the Titanic

funtime65

Well, what else would you do than put ice in your drink on the Titanic?

Which is not us delving the depths but our merch mates l selling Titanic-shaped ice for your glass.

Lest it be forgotten, of course, Titanic was, first and foremost a pleasure cruise, where passengers wined and dine in fine style.

Cruise drinks: Titanic touch

And Titanic Belfast, which tells and retells the story of the world’s most famous cruise liner every day, is showcasing the foods and beverages on board.

With Flavours of Titanic: A Journey Through Taste, Seasoned with Stories.

And a calendar of festivities in Belfast every weekend from October 4-November 2. 

Flavours of Titanic

The cruise crew: Titanic Belfast

It features the best fare from Belfast, the city where the great ship was built from the early 20th century.

From free talks and tastings to family trails and themed food specials, Flavours of Titanic will link food culture to the ship’s story.

Local suppliers stepping up include Irish Black Butter, Maine Soft Drinks and Burren Balsamics.

Every week will have a different theme including First Class Flavours, Clangers and Craft and Port to Plate.

Wine and dine

Ship-shape: Model of the Great Ship

Bespoke dishes will also be available to enjoy in The Pantry and Galley cafe, as well as retail exclusives in the Titanic Store. 

While Titanicphiles will welcome the return of Titanic by the Glass on Saturday, October 11 and Friday, October 17.

With cocktails crafted by The Spirit Circle.

Titanic by the Glass will take guests on a guided immersive journey through part of the Titanic Experience.

Where they will hear about stories of Belfast, its people, its past and its drinks.

All served with four accompanying alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktails.

Crews on the cruise

Best seat in house: Game of Thrones too

Crew Talks will take place across the weekends.

Exploring Titanic’s food stories from provisioning and cargo to dining across the ship’s classes.

And there will also be a dedicated pop-up exhibition highlighting the ship’s menus, cargo and culinary contrasts.

Offering visitors to Northern Ireland a fresh perspective on Titanic’s history through the lens of food. 

Families can take part in a specially designed trail over the half-term break from October 25-31.

Leading younger visitors through food-themed touchpoints across the experience in a fun, engaging way.

 

Countries, UK

Old tossers and stone skimming cheats

funtime65

The tiny island of Easdale has been propelled into world consciousness by a bunch of old tossers and stone skimming cheats.

Who have been disqualified for flattening out their slates so that they are more circular.

Tossers have been playing with their slates at the World Stone Skimming Championships for 42 years now.

With the regulations smoothed down over the years.

With the now 400 tossers expected to use only Inner Hebridean Easdale slates.

Bend it like: Skimming in Tobago

 

And less than three inches in diameter.

Only opportunistic competitors have been caught out using machines.

To smooth down their stones and been thrown out.

Watch out for the stones

Bank on it: Meeting of the Waters

Now, of course, people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

And I stand guilty too of stone throwing shenanigans.

When skimming with Son and Heir at the Meeting of the Waters in Avoca.

In my old stomping ground of County Wicklow in Ireland.

And in my competitiveness put some welly into one throw, a doubler, or double figures.

Show us your stone: Keeping everyone right

My pride at my pebble reaching the other side of the bank 39ft away was alas dulled.

By the fact that it jumped at the last minute.

And luckily enough the lad who was about to get said stone in the eye.

Well, he ducked at just the right time, to save me Wicklow Gaol time.

A lifetime of tossing

Child’s play: It brings out the competitor in you

Now living on big islands, in Britain and Ireland, I have grown up skimming stones.

When cousins would come visiting from Ireland and America.

And my New Yorker peer Eddie who would compete over anything would claim dozens of skims.m

And delight in beating my efforts, all off the iconic Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, near Glasgow.

It is little surprise then that Scotland’s shorelines have become home to the World Skimming Championships.

With the event the brainchild of Bertie Baker following a conversation in the island pub.

The Stone Age

Your turn: And keep it flat

Our friends at the Scottish tourism board Visit Scotland naturally are happy.

To share what a dividend the championships are to Easdale, all showcased here by photographer Kirsty Mclellan.

The Argyll and Bute island, populated by just 60 outside of the skimming worlds, boasts a museum.

Where visitors can stock up on souvenir stones.

While, of course, island boozer The Puffer does a roaring trade.

And the Oyster Bar and Restaurant also sees a big spike in business.

An islands stay

Still of the day: On Easdale

Last year’s survey showed most visitors stayed for two-three nights.

With more than 50 per cent staying in hotels or B&Bs.

Some 40 per cent stayed in Oban on the mainland.

And another 40 per cent bedded down on the Isle of Easdale, Luing and Seil.

So pencil in Easdale to your Scottish trip in September particularly if, like me. you’re an old tosser.

 

 

Countries, Culture, Europe, UK

This season of Keats and mellow fruitfulness

funtime65

Nobody has captured Autumn better and, as we kick through the leaves and conkers, take a tour with us celebrating the season of Keats and mellow fruitfulness.

Much is owed, or ode if you like to the Romantic poet.

For his 25 prolific poetic years on this Earth.

Not least for inspiring this Edinburgh Fringe poet who found beauty in his words, despite the mechanical teaching of school educators.

This year marks the 230th since the Great Man’s birth and centenary of the opening of Keats House in Hampstead, London.

A Regency house this splendid property is where Keats lived for two years in 1818 before he left for Italy.

And you get a true sense of time and place in the home where he wrote La Belle Dame Sans Merci, The Eve of St Agnes and Ode to a Nightingale.

Keats House at 100

Time capsule: Keats House, Hampsted, in 1925

The Hampstead House is key to the Keats story.

As his neighbours during these years were only the family of his muse and great love Fanny Brawne. 

The new Keats House 100 exhibition and special displays will immerse you in how the house looked when it opened to the public in May 1925.

Entry to the exhibition is included in the £10 adults admission.

As are the 30-minute accessibility-friendly volunteer-led tours, which take place most Thursday, Friday and Sunday afternoons at 2.30pm.

The holy of holies. At the end of the Francigena in Rome

In the spirit of poetry too the curators offer an introduction into Keats’s life and work.

In a ten-minute film here and give an airing to the beautiful Ode to a Nightingale, written in 1819 in the garden at Keats House.

Now it would be all horses in Keats’ day but for those coming by train, the nearest stations are Hampstead Heath (Overground), and Hampstead and Belsize Park on the Northern Line.

While buses 1, 24, 46 and C11 all stop nearby and there is a car park on East Heath Road.

Keats’ Autumn town

Leave it to me: We all love Autumn

All very helpful to plan ahead as is the excellent Keats Locations blog.

Which takes us further afield and even to the exact spot in Winchester, Hampshire, on the south coast of England.

Where Keats had repaired to for his health and wrote that it was ‘the pleasantest town’.

And we’ll forgive him for the arcane superlative we wouldn’t entertain today.

And again ‘on one side of the city there is a dry chalky down where the air is worth six pence a pint.’

Keats, we are told, took a regular walk through the Itchen’s water meadows.

To the Hospital of St Cross and then back up over the downs.

And that it was on one September walk, looking down from St Giles Hill that he wrote ‘To Autumn’.

Classic Keats in Rome

Steps back into time: Keats’ last home across the years

The beauty of our tour, preened from these expert sources, is that we visit La Citta Eterna, Rome too, where Keats spent his final days.

 And 26 Piazza di Spagna, at the foot of the Spanish Steps.

This was, of course, the final dwelling place of John Keats, who died here in 1821.

And the patrons have preserved his bedroom in pristine fashion.

The Keats-Shelley attraction features a chain of beautiful rooms.

And a great many treasures and curiosities associated with the lives and works of the Romantic poets.

A simple life: Keats’ bedroom

As well as one of the finest libraries of Romantic literature in the world, now numbering more than 8,000 volumes.

There are also two spacious terraces boasting stunning views, a book and gift shop.

And a small cinema room where visitors can watch an exclusive introductory film about the Romantics.

Immortal: Keats’ gravestone in Rome

And for those really serious Keatsophiles they should take a trip to the city’s cemetery for non-Catholics, the Cimitero Acattolico in Testaccio.

So wherever you celebrate him make this the  season of Keats and mellow fruitfulness.