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Dupe your foot into Northern Ireland

27th February 202427th February 2024 funtime65

And because perception is everything yir pals in Ulster are only getting you to dupe your foot into Northern Ireland with their alternative bucket list attractions.

Catching the trend for fashion that is #dupe on TikTok with over 5.9 billion views.

Our ever-original NI buddies have come up with their own take, TakeTok if you like, on affordable travel destinations.

Tourism Northern Ireland has found counterparts that allow you to enjoy similar exciting experiences much closer to home, at a fraction of the cost.

And we’re indebted to the Wild Irish Wanderer Kevin Penrose for his pics here and hope to catch up with him on our travels.

Belfast food market

St George’s Market, Belfast, County Antrim (dupe for Time Out Market, Lisbon, Portugal)

While Time Out Market in Lisbon champions the best of the city’s traders and we’re thinking fish wriggling everywhere, St George’s Market in Belfast does exactly the same.

Thanks to its fresh, local produce, live music and electric atmosphere, St George’s Market was named the UK’s Best Large Indoor Market at the NABMA Great British Market Awards last year.

Open Friday through Sunday, this market is one of Belfast’s oldest attractions and is an essential destination for visitors of all ages.

Rope a dope

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Ballintoy, County Antrim (dupe for Dachstein Skywalk, Austria)

Now we’ve all been marched out on one of those skywalks to marvel at the drop below.

But for a real highwire experience then you need look no further than the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge on the Causeway Coast.

Much like the Dachstein Sky Walk in Austria traverse this narrow rope bridge, hanging high above the Atlantic Ocean.

First erected by salmon fishermen more than 350 years ago, thousands of people now cross the bridge each year… and deffo not with a toddler daughter on your shoulders.

Dome rule

Finn Lough Forest Domes, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh (dupe for Ridgeback Lodge, Canada)

People travel far and wide to experience spectacular night-time stargazing in bubble domes, like those on offer at Ridgeback Lodge in Canada.

But why go so far when the same experience and spectacular views is just up the road?

Finn Lough in County Fermanagh serves up uninterrupted views of the starry skies from a luxury bubble dome.

While its hot and cold therapy treatment cabins will leave you feeling renewed.

Cave dwellers

Marble Arch Caves, County Fermanagh (dupe for Hida Cave, Japan)

And the only part of Ireland where there is no border… under the ground.

At Northern Ireland’s answer to the natural beauty of the limestone Hida Cave in Japan.

Marvel at the labyrinth of waterfalls and lofty chambers that make up the Marble Arch Caves.

Take a guided tour and try the first-of-its kind VR experience for an understanding of the cave system’s 340-million-year history.

The Mourne legacy

Mourne Wall, Mourne Mountains, County Down (dupe for the Great Wall of China)

While the Great Wall of China can be seen from space, adventurers need not travel that far to walk alongside a feat of human engineering that traverses valleys and mountains.

The Mourne Mountains in County Down boasts a wall passing over 14 of the 15 mountains it scales.

And, if you’re lucky, you might bump into one of the fifth-generation stone masons repairing it.

Food & Wine, UK

Chocs away with 200 years of Cadbury

23rd February 2024 funtime65

And there I’m saying it, it’s the best sweet attraction bar none so chocs away with 200 years of Cadbury.

You probably think little of what’s gone into your favourite Dairy Milk, Flake, Crunchie, Fudge or of course Bourneville when you munch ’em.

But, of course, as well as magical chocolate there is 200 hundred years of love with a story which would give Wonka a run for its money.

Which was how it was with Roald Dahl inspired by the great Birmingham chocolate maker to work as a chocolate taster as a young boy.

Where Dahl tasted many have gone before and since with my own brown-eyed chocoholic daughter going back for repeats.

After Cadbury had given her her four bars of chocolate at the end of our tour.

The real Dahl

Now, for those who have never been to Cadbury in Bourneville (yes, it is the name of the village) then why not?

Because it is without doubt a tale worthy of a big-screen movie… a land of sweet imagination.

For Willie Wonka here read George Cadbury and for the oompah-loompahs substitute the honest men, women and children of Birmingham.

Who all availed of George’s socially-conscious Quaker ideology.

Because the Cadburys got into the cocoa and chocolate field because of their opposition to alchohol… and here we differ.

An interesting Boering story

Eat up: And you’ll get a chocolate dessert

And here a tale from the history of Cadbury when they stood up to Queen Victoria.

Vic had wanted Cadbury to send a morale-boosting New Year’s tin of chocolates to each soldier fighting in the Boer War in South Africa in 1900.

Only as Quakers they were confirmed pacifists.

The companies did not want to put their logos onto the chocolate tins but the Queen wanted to show that she was purchasing quality chocolate for her soldiers.

So they stamped their names on the chocolate bars.

Best bar none

Now back to Bourneville and the forward-thinking Cadburys wanted to ensure that his employees’ lives in and out of work were as comfortable as they could possibly be.

Which meant that he built them cottages.

And a playground for children, country outings and summer camps.

While the men played football, hockey and cricket while tennis and squash courts were also added.

Along with a bowling green and swimming pools with heated changing rooms.

And Cadbury too were all for holidays with Saturday half-days for its workers.

So chocs away with 200 years of Cadbury.

Here’s to the next 200 of the best chocolate bar none.

Countries, UK

Why Belfast Fitz the bill for Rashford

5th February 20245th February 2024 funtime65

Now as the world of football continues to have its say over a footballer’s day off we take a deeper dive into why Belfast Fitz the bill for Rashford.

Of course, Manchester United and England star chose well when he picked the Fitzwilliam as his billet.

Although by the sounds of it he only seems to have dumped his overnight bag there.

And he’d have saved himself a lot of trouble and £0.25m in club fines if he’d had an early night and availed of the 5* hotel’s facilities.

As the Clintons and their delegation did around their visit around the Good Friday Agreement.

All of which has been back in focus with the renewal of power sharing at Stormont.

Where the first Sinn Fein nationalist First Minister has been sworn in.

Rash behaviour

All of which Marcus could have taken in and the background to it at the Ulster Museum.

Only he had set his mind on a night of clubbing.

Probably having been told all about what great craic Belfast is by his team-mate Jonny Evans, previously of this parish.

Marcus we’re told wended his way around the Dirty Onion which bills live entertainment every night.

And Lavery’s pub, noted as Belfast’s foremost pool venue.

Belfast and furious

Here it comes: Van Morrison at the Europa

Of course no visit to Ulster’s biggest city would be complete without a visit to The ornate Crown with its carved-mahogany booths.

Just opposite another Belfast institution The Europa where if you time it right you could catch a Van Morrison cabaret.

Of course, we’re told that Marcus missed out on all of that.

And didn’t even visit Titanic Belfast.

Mind you in his own cack-handed way he hit the iceberg too on his tequila trash.

Whistlestop tour

Game of Thrones: In Belfast with the Mother of All Dragons

It had all started out as so many situations do with best laid-plans.

With Marcus innocently and sweetly popping over to see Ro-Shaun Williams, another former Manchester United youth academy player.

With Ro now playing for NIFL Premiership club Larne whose ground and staff he visited that day.

Of course, the North of Ireland being a village word of Marcus’s extracurricular activities quickly got around.

And now we’ve taken you on our own whistlestop tour of Belfast and its environs.

You can see why Belfast Fitz the bill for Rashford… and would for you too.

Countries, UK

Every Scot is a frustrated Rabbie Burns

25th January 202425th January 2024 funtime65

And because every Scot is a frustrated Rabbie Burns and Irn-Bru drinker we’ve combined our two great passions on this the anniversary of the Bard’s birth.

Just at the same time as Irn-Bru brings Burns to life again through AI.

Here I am channeling my inner Burns with my Address to Scotland’s other national drink, in the style of The Ploughman Poet’s own Address to the Haggis.

And yes, I do both, with all the style and drama played out at every Burns Supper, big and small, across the globe.

With the odd Address to the Lassies from your kilted blogger thrown in at the St Andrew’s Society in Dun Laoghaire, back in the day in my 13 years living in Ireland.

Now, if you really want to give homage to the poet who inspired everyone from Wordsworth to Bob Dylan and beyond then, of course, visit his home village.

Alloway, in Ayrshire, which is a National Trust for Scotland jewel.

I imagine, having trod the boards with the Forth Stanza at the Edinburgh Fringe, that Rabbie would have approved.

Address to the Irn-Bru

On a pedestal: Burns on every Scot’s podium

Fair fa yir honest juicy taste
Great chieftain o’ the saft drinks race
Aboon them a’ ye tak yer place
Coke, Fanta or Sprite
Weel are ye worthy
O a’ grace
Fir ma drinkin’ armThe sparkling tumbler there ye fill
And ne’er a drap ye want tae spill
Cause when yer feelin unco ill
Wi nippin’ heid
Frae every pore whisky distilled
Last nicht ye were half-deidMa mooth begins tae salivate
At what awaits fir ma pallate
Yir bubbles explode at sic a rate
Ah take tae ma lips
And then what a glorious taste,
Ah start tae sip.

A stop for a sip

Then can for can the admen drive
The real thing maks ye feel alive
The sated thirst for which they strive
Illusionary
But here’s a drink tae refresh you
Barr’s Irn-Bru

But how tae get yir tongue roon you
So you can order Irn-Bru
An soond like a Scotsman true
It’s nae the urn ye keep for ashes
Bit cold steel iron fae bloody clashes
Wi you ken who

Gie us an Irn-Bru

Aw roon the wirld they a’ ken you
They ken yir orange an’ blue hue
As Jocks aw ask Nae Irn-Bru?
It’s made frae girders
Gawd help the man wha offers coke
There hae been murders

Or him wha says he kens the taste
And the ingredient he kens the maist
Is bubble gum, well he’s a waste o’ space
Cause men hae gaun tae their grave
Wi the secret o’ the Bru kept safe

Ye bars that mak drinking your care
And serves us up fizzy Tennents beer
That jist maks us want tae go tae the pee-er
Sae If ye wish tae grant Scots’ prayers
Gie us an Irn-Bru

Aye, enjoy your Burns supper and remember every Scot is a frustrated Rabbie Burns.

Countries, UK

Three proper Charlies for the price of one in London

17th January 202417th January 2024 funtime65

One lost his head, one would not let poor Nellie starve and the other would not let the planet die (no lack of self-confidence there)… and we can check out the stories of three proper Charlies for the price of one in London.

Our old friends, high-end travel providers Adams & Butler have a right royal treat for fans of the British monarchy.

London calling: With a Beefeater and Herself

With a VIP private tour through UK history linking the current Chuck to his 17th century namesakes.

Charles I was the last British king to have been born in Scotland, a cold chilly country linked with fiery types who struggle to keep their heid.

Heads up on Chas, his lad and our Chuck

But A&B will take you to the rest of headless Charles at the Tower of London… well, his armour anyway.

And walk you through the British capital guiding you through the key points around the Great Fire of London.

And Pudding Lane, where it was sparked into life at Thomas Farriner’s bakery.

Of course, the flames never got near the grand houses and palaces of the upper crust of society,

Of which London boasts more than a few. You can view St James’s Palace and Buck House.

And Clarence House, current residence (well, one of them at any rate) of King Charles III.

And a Hooray Henry too

While if you want to step further back in royal history to the days of Henry VIII A&B will be happy to oblige.

They’ll help you channel life at court and discover of the secrets of the palace.

And what it was like to live at the Tudor of Chunky Hank.

And even embark on a romantic carriage ride with the Shire Horses – descendants of the beheading Henry.

Now, the beauty of all of this is that A&B will give you personalised quotes to go in style.

And they will treat you like royalty while giving you three proper Charlies for the price of one in London.

Asia, Countries, Deals, Europe, UK

Reach for Sky Travel on Blue Monday

15th January 202415th January 2024 funtime65

How does it feel..? Well, today, we’re told, is the most depressing day of the year, and invented by a tour operator to get us to go and book a holiday.. so let’s reach for Sky Travel on Blue Monday.

Blue Monday originators Sky Travel, we must admit, have flown somewhat under our radar.

But we’re glad to jump on board now with their bumper deals to lift your blues.

They bill themselves under Infinite Horizon Travel as a full-service travel agency.

And they offer customers (both budget-friendly and luxury) the best and most cost efficient travel options.

From flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, land arrangements, tour packages (ready made and customised) to suit their travel needs.

En route

Everything in the garden: And the wall too in Berlin

Now if you’re a fan of Berlin, Bordeaux and Malaga (and who isn’t?) then you’ll be happy to know that they’re Sky Travel’s most popular routes as is indeed, Belfast.

With flights to those destinations starting from £17-26.

Now we all of us are guided by the flash offers that sites put up and Sky Travel give us a wide range.

Hotel service

With an old favourite, Prague, flagged up… and the Hotel Paris.

With three sample weekend nights for the beginning of February.

All of which will set you back £456 for an adult and child, through booking.com.

A bit closer to home, if home is Britain is Bath (yes, of course you’ll find London hotels aplenty).

Go-to chain Hilton, and the Hampton by Hilton Bath City is packaged up.

As an adult and child for three nights from £453.

So you can binge on the baths and if you’ve got any sense and sensibility Jane Austen.

China mate

While to remind us that there’s not a corner of the globe that they’re not on, Sky Travel introduce us to Suzhou in China… it’s near Shanghai.

And three nights again for an adult and a child comes in at £169.

Now all that’s left is to get to the airport… see, it’s as well to Reach for Sky Travel on Blue Monday.

Countries, Oceania, UK

Talkin’ the talk on Tolkein Day

3rd January 20244th January 2024 funtime65

And we’ll go full Hobbit and take a second breakfast and elevenses today and get talkin’ the talk on Tolkein Day.

Much like The Son and Heir when we decked him in felt cloak and feet and curly wig to watch The Lord of the Rings when he was but a hobbit.

The Great JRR was born on this day 132 years ago in Bloemfontein, South Africa, but reared in Birmingham before professoring at Oxford.

And ever since 1969, and the foundation of the Tolkein Society, Tolkeinites (or Ringites) have been raising a tankard to JRR.

John Ronald Raoul (and who isn’t intrigued to know what an author’s initials stand for?) moved with his family to Edgbaston when he was 4.

Brummie Bilbo

So that’s where we’ll start.

With the words of Bilbo Baggins… ‘step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.’

And that’s Secret Birmingham who point us to Hall Green, Moseley, plus Edgbaston and Ladywood.

You’ll visit his childhood at 264 Wake Green Road, no hole in the ground this and with many careful owners since, so don’t go in.

And Sarehole Mill which inspired The Old Mill in The Hobbit.

And Moseley Bog where Tom Bombadil lived, nay lives if you’re a Ringite, and the trees talk.

Edgbaston Waterworks tower will be recognisable as Minas Morgul, the home of The Witch King.

And Perrott’s Folly which Ringites will know as Orthanc, home of Saruman.

A tankard of Hobbiter

All thirsty work so you’ll want a Middle-Earth inn.

At the Plough & Harrow where Tolkein stayed a night before going to France to fight in the First World War.

And a blue plaque proudly adorns the outside.

Now, we know that there was a long, long unexpected journey there and back for Bilbo, and Frodo.

And so it is with our odyssey.

Hobbit Haka

It takes us next Down Under to New Zealand, or what we’ll call Peter Jackson’s New Zealand for our purposes.

Makes sense really as New Zealand, outside of the cities, is often compared to Olde England.

Matamata, or Hobbiton as it surely means in Maori, is a two-hour drive north of Auckland on NZ’s South Island.

With the Hobbiton Movie Set 15 miles from Matamata.

Or you can sign up to one of the many coach trips from Auckland or Hamilton or Rotorua or Tauranga.

We’re advised that it can take eight hours to get around Hobbiton.

Around the time it will take you to get through the trilogy.

Hole lotta fun

Of course, every Ringite will want to channel their inner Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry or Pippin.

And be that hobbit in a hole in the ground… and you can with a quarter of an hour in Bagshot Row.

Now knowing that hobbits are by instinct lazy, who like a second breakfast, a pipe smoke and a tankard then you’ll want to too.

And you’ll get the opportunity at a Second Breakfast Tour or Evening Banquet Tour.

While for those of you who like a drink you’ll be glad to know your tour finishes up at the Green Dragon Inn.

Where you can imbibe in a complimentary drunk from the Hobbit Southfarthing range.

It encompasses two traditional ales, or an apple cider or non-alcoholic ginger beer.

Second breakfast of champions

Now reading Tolkein as we all know is hobbit-forming.

And as a mere Bandanaboy I gorged myself on The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and for real nerds, the pre-prequel, The Silmarillion.

And Farmer Giles of Ham and the Adventures of Tom Bombadil.

Which gives me the authority to be talkin’ the talk on Tolkein Day.

And you’re welcome.

MEET YOU IN HOBBITON

Caribbean, Countries, Food & Wine, Ireland, UK

The ultimate New Year hangover cure

1st January 20241st January 2024 funtime65

It makes sense when you discover its magical contents, and for the day that’s in it we’re recommending the ultimate New Year hangover.

Coconut water, and who knew that the ubiquitous Caribbean drink (other countries are available) will put you back on your feet.

It’s all to do with the potassium, electrolytes, fibre and natural sugars.

All in those coconut shells you see traders carving out by the side of the roads that cost pennies.

Of course it might be that all that dancing you did the night before.

And the fruit from your rum punch and water to rehydrate protected you from the ravages of the hangover.

Or the fact that you’re in Barbados for carnival that makes you blank out the lethargy in your head.

Fry and high

Of course, there are those, ourselves among them, who swear by…

The Ulster/Scottish/English fry of bacon, sausage, eggs, puddings, mushrooms, beans… it’s replacing the lost salt, you know.

And I will forever be indebted to Donna for putting Jevan and myself back together after our all-nighter at Foreday Morning.

And giving us the cold splash of reality that is a hosing down.

To remove the mud and purple paint and wake us up… never a thing for those trudging back from Edinburgh this morning.

Bru knew?

The Scottish hangover cure they say is to just carry on (behave!)

But what is true is that the Jocks do swear by the elements in the bubble-gum tasting Irn-Bru soft drink.

Yes, it’s a rush of sugar but also that iron, although there’s only 0.002 ammonium ferric citrate.

But according to an expert in this field, Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall, who spent 10 years drinking in 30 cities across 14 countries it deffo works.

Now if coconut water, big fry-ups or Irn-Bru aren’t your thing (and why not?) then caffeine is a favourite fall-back.

Cup of coffee for the road

One more cup of coffee: With my Dear Old Mum

I developed my taste for coffee from 15/16 and having it thrust into my hand the morning after a school house party.

How you take it is your own beeswax but I’ve been a black only drinker since my days at uni in frozen Aberdeen.

When leaving the flat to go down into the bracing wind to the shop for milk became too much effort.

Particularly after the first al-nighters with Jevan when he introduced me to real Bajan rum, Mount Gay.

Now where is that streetside coconut water seller in Aberdeen when you need one?

Now I am nothing if not a service-provider and of course the ultimate New Year hangover cure is the sunshine you get.

On the road with the Further Adventures of Bandanaman.

Countries, Culture, UK

Happy Hoginane

31st December 202331st December 2023 funtime65

It’ll pass almost every Scot here or around the world by, but what we’ll be celebrating today is a Happy Hoginane.

No, not auto correct gone wrong but the French name of our New Year’s Eve celebration Hogmanay.

Meaning ‘gala day’ in Gaul lingo.

The French having played a key role in Scottish history through their Auld Alliance with us Jocks.

And that nickname Jocks for Scots is a French buy-in too from the Stuart dynasty.

You know, those hairy-arsed Scots who went on to rule Britain.

Mary New Year

It all started with Mary Queen of Scots, who was married to the Dauphin, the heir to the French throne.

And returned widowed to Edinburgh with her French ways, language, courtiers and servants.

And bore the last of the Scottish King Jameses (there were seven in total).

Or Jacques, or Jocks, when the Scots have mangled it to their tongue.

Well, we all know about the showcase Edinburgh Hogmanay Party on Princes Street.

Where this year it will be Pulp’s turn to wow the common people.

Bonne annee

But in the land which spawned Hogmanay they still celebrate Hoginane under the radar of the fireworks over L’Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.

The French celebrate with le Réveillon de
Saint-Sylvestre with a feast including pancakes and champagne.

Another version and one that makes more sense to us is that it derives from ‘homme est ne’ or ‘man is born’.

From Normandy where they exchange hoguignetes, presents given at this time of year.

It’s a gift

Gift giving is an enduring theme of the Hogmanay in Scotland where for 400 years the New Year took precedence over Christmas Day.

With marking 25th December considered by the Protestant ascendancy then as a Catholic construct.

And pupils, my Dear Old Dad among them, attending school that day.

Among the pressies given out around Hogmanay through into the New Year with black bun fruit cake, coal, shortbread and whisky.

And all carried in across your door soon after midnight by a tall, dark stranger.

The thought process being that a fair stranger would be a Viking and bad luck… all that pillaging you’d think.

Now should you be oot and aboot in Scotland enjoy and maybe impress your pals with a Bonne Année, or Happy New Year.

And a Happy Hoginane.

Countries, Culture, Music, UK

England, a land of pure imagination

13th December 202313th December 2023 funtime65

Calling all chocoholics, don’t be a Wonka, follow us to England, a land of pure imagination.

The most anticipated film this Christmas sees Timothée Chalamet reprise Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonka.

And the good news for Anglophiles is that Wonka was shot around England.

And you won’t need a golden ticket to get to follow in Willy’s footsteps to the locations in the movie.

Wonka magic

As if by magic Warner Bros Studios London in Leavesden was transformed from Harry Potter’s world into Wonkaland.

Where you can transport yourself to Scrubitt & Bleacher’s enterprise, the cathedral vault and Wonka’s chocolate shop.

The beauty of Roald Dahl’s world is, of course, that it is universal.

But he was informed by his English surroundings (yes, we know he was Welsh born)!

The Golden Ticket

And Wonka celebrates iconic English destinations.

The action begins in picturesque Lyme Regis in Dorset on the south coast.

Where Willy’s cargo ship docks in the town’s harbour

While Oxford makes a cameo with the Bridge of Sighs as a backdrop.

Or our old stomping ground in neighbouring Royal Berkshire.

And Mapledurham with its scenes of Willy and his mum and the willow tree and Thames canals.

Go west and you’ll hit historic and literary favourite Bath.

Where the Bath Colonnade is prominent.

St Albans in leafy Hertfordshire, north of London.

Where Verulamium Park doubles as the zoo where Willy and his sidekick Noodle visit.

Chocs away

London, of course, is the jewel in any English odyssey.

And St Paul’s is as iconic a building as any in the English capital (you’ll have to watch to see the reference).

All in the green and pleasant land is a perfect filling for Wonka’s world.

Ah yes. England, a land of pure imagination.