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Sitting in Sheldon’s spot

13th April 202313th April 2023 funtime65

Good job he’s not there to see you sitting in Sheldon’s spot… just one of the fantasies you can live out on a Warner Bros Studio Tour.

Warner Bros celebrates 100 years of film and TV show making this year and we’re all invited along.

To channel our inner Batman in his cave.

Or to sloth out on the Central Perk couch with your friends.

All of which made Daddy’s Little Girl green with envy.

With a tour of Warner Bros Studios in Hollywood scheduled for my trip there.

Making a Big Bang

Only for me to end up green around the gills, think an olive shade of the Hulk, who is of course a Warner client.

When I picked up a 24-hour sickness bug.

Albeit saved from a worse fate by Aer Lingus and the La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood.

Not that I was to be put off my mission to sit in Sheldon’s spot.

And with the kind services of my friends at Visit California.

High five: And you can sit on the Friends couch

I did get to place my derriere on the sacred corner of the sofa.

When the American Travel Fair assembled in Anaheim.

And Warner Bros put out the sofa and a recreation of the set.

On the forecourt of the Hilton Anaheim, a 15-minute walk from Disneyland Resort.

Tour de force

Sit where you are: Or there will be a riot

Warner Bros runs a range of experiences from their Studio, Classics, Studio Plus or Deluxe Tours.

At $69 the Studio is the most popular with a buggy scoot around the backlots.

A selfie op in front of the Friends fountain.

And those Central Perk and Big Bang sets.

You like your DC Super Heroes and Super Villains.

And channel your inner boy wizard at the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts experience.

But for sheer devilment sitting in Sheldon’s spot takes some beating… and remember it all started with a big bang.

America, Countries

175 years in Smithsonian

11th April 202311th April 2023 funtime65

It just felt like 175 years in Smithsonian in the labyrinthian Museum of African American History but I wasn’t complaining.

The 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and zoo make up what is affectionately known as ‘America’s Attic.’

James Smithson was a strange cove, a confirmed British bachelor scientist, but it was America’s fortune that he amounted his.

And bequeathed it to the amassment of a collection of museums in America.

A country he had never visited but clearly held in awe.

Washington fixture

Smithson is a fixture now mostly in Washington DC where they’re on every block.

And Maryland, New York and Virginia.

In fact for someone who never actually set foot in the US capital his name is up there in mentions with The Great Man.

I am, of course, looking forward to hearing which of the Smithsonians The Son and Heir takes in this week on his first visit there.

I’ve pointed him in the direction of the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall which was reserved for our American Travel Fair (IPW).

Alas the Newseum, a testimony to the Third Amendment, was a casualty of Donald Trump,

A strong Constitution

First Nation: The American Indian Museum

There are some holy scrolls that are untouchable, the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

And you’ll know the Constitution’s authenticity with the misspelling of Pennsylvania.

One of the great Smithlothian gems is near the Capitol, the American-Indian Museum.

Where Robert Redford, no less, will narrate you through the history of the First Nation.

And you can browse through indigenous crafts and clothes.

And so with these treasures and much more you could easily spend 175 years in Smithsonians.

Aerican dream

The 47th President of America: In Washington DC

With The Son and Heir and me before him flying out of Dublin with Aer Lingus there’s never been a better time to visit DC.

We can only think the absence of Aer Lingus and pre-clearance back in Smithson’s day is the main reason he didn’t visit.

America, Countries, Flying

Flyday Friday… the City of Angels

31st March 2023 funtime65

The stars come out tonight as they say in Tinseltown which is why for us we’re reviving an old classic, Flyday Friday… the City of Angels.

All on the back of news from our friends in La La Land that even more than ever before we’re flocking back to California.

Weekly flights and seat capacity are both set to eclipse pre=pandemic records this year.

Thanks to new services from Delta and Norse and increased flights from Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, United Airlines…

And Ireland’s national airline carrier Aer Lingus.

Who are there for the good times and the bad.

Fair Lingus

As in when my friendliness got the better of me on board my flight from Dublin to LA.

And I agreed to hold my fellow passenger’s half-full sick bag.

When unbeknownst to me the fuels from it got into my lungs and put me out of action for a whole day.

The good folk at Aer Lingus, of course, got me moved to another seat.

And also looked after my fellow passenger throughout the flight and organised for a wheelchair for at LAX.

Of course as they say in ad world other airlines are available.

LA Story

And on June 30, Norse will launch their first-ever London to Los Angeles service, the first LGW-LAX flight since pre-pandemic, offering seven flights per week with 2,366 seats.

Delta restarted their LHR-LAX route on March 26 after an eight-year break.

They now operate a daily nonstop service, offering Delta’s full range of cabin offerings with 1,967 weekly seats available.

Existing carriers are set to increase their number of weekly LA flights between now and July with forecasts showing that American Airlines will add nine new weekly flights.

Virgin Atlantic adding seven, United Airlines doubling their weekly offering from seven to 14 and Aer Lingus adding two additional weekly flights.

This will take the total number of direct, non-stop weekly flights from the UK and Ireland to LA in July to 98 with 28,119 seats, compared to 83 flights and 23,963 seats in 2019.

So there’s no excuse for not getting yourself taking the advice of Flyday Friday… the City of Angels.

And write a new chapter in your LA Story.

And do get out as close as you can to the Hollywood sign which will be 100 years old this year.

I know next time back I will, having missed out last time. And this time I’ll sit in a row on the plane on my own

America, Countries

Inner Rocky and Philly fit

8th March 20238th March 2023 funtime65

You gotta do it when you’re in the City of Brotherly Love… channel your inner Rocky and prove you’re Philly fit.

That’s running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and waving your arms around.

We wouldn’t put it past Mr Balboa to be able to sprint up those steps even now at 73.

Although maybe he’s off with the other Seventysomething Snowbirds down in Florida now.

As Creed 3 is the first of the 47-year-old Rocky franchise where he doesn’t appear.

It’s no accident that Rocky was set in Philly, with its history in the fight game with Sonny Liston and Smokin’ Joe Frazier both fighting out of Pennsylvania’s biggest city.

Philly’s Big Four

Philly is in truth one of America’s great sporting cities.

Boasting as it does champions in the US’s Big Four team sports, the Eagles (American Football), the Phillies (baseball), the Flyers (ice hockey) and the 76ers (basketball).

And a great historical city and arts hub which they all roll in together with tourists obliged to run up the 72 Rocky steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Our friends in Philly package it all up with a nice bow for us as they bring us up to date with what’s going on in the city.

Keep on running

And point us in the right direction to See PhillyRun‘s tours.

Tour groups follow the guide on all-levels running trails throughout the city.

Stopping along the way to learn more about Philly’s historical sites, cultural institutions and public art.

Of course for more serious runners you probably want to step up to the Philadelphia Marathon.

It includes a full marathon, half marathon, 8K and kids’ fun run. This year’s events are between November 17 and 19.

And all of that will help you channel your inner Rocky and stay Philly fit.

All major airlines fly out to Philly but as ever we like the look of the pre-clearance from Dublin Airport with our old friends Aer Lingus.

Skiing

A little Soll Music

25th October 20221st November 2022 funtime65

When I took off my dancing ski boots earlier this year it was only for a rest to pick up again next year for a little Soll Music.

Skiers with more snow on their boots than this Bambi on Ice will tell you the Austrian resort is right up there for apres-ski.

And at the centre of that when I put down skis on the Austrian Alps is Alex Johnson.

Alex would outpace the Duracell Bunny with his stamina, eating up the powder by day and belting out the tunes at night.

Your moolah at the Muhle

All at the place to be seen and sing in Soll, the Whiskey Muhle.

The Whiskey Muhle, as you’ll probably have figured by its spelling is an Irish hangout.

And it’ll be bouncing for Soll Ski and Rock over two split weeks next year, January 7-14 and March 11-18.

Soll is at the heart of the Ski Welt, one of Austria’s largest interconnected ski areas.

As well as winter hiking trails, tobogann runs, sleigh rides, cross country skiing, night skiing, and many other winter activities.

The Kaiser of the slopes

The SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental has been running for 45 years.

With nine valley resorts including Soll, 83 modern lifts, 270km of pistes and more than 80 mountain huts.

Soll prides itself too with its proximity to another musical Austria.

An Austria of Mozart and the Von Trapps in Salzburg.

Gigs will take place in Soll, on and off the mountain with international and local bands.

Some of whom who perform in Soll all season long.

You’re having a giraffe

We’re intrigued too here by the Ski Safari in both January and March.

So we’ll expect plenty of giraffes and monkeys on the slopes!

And leprechauns on St.Patrick’s Day Parade, of course, like we saw when we visited in March!

Greene for go

Irish radio station 2FM will be there to keep the party going.

With DJ Jenny Greene doing an Apres Ski on the slopes on January 9.

Fly to Munich daily with Aer Lingus, with easy access to Soll, by shared transfer, private transfer,train/bus/taxi or car hire.

America, Countries, Flying

Aer Lingus in a golden state

23rd August 202223rd August 2022 funtime65

Not that it’ll silence the flygskammers but airlines are addressing clean skies, and Ireland’s national carrier are leading the way with Aer Lingus in a golden state.

Renewables Aemetis, Inc and International Airlines Group are supplying sustainable aviation fuel.

To power Aer Lingus and British Airways flights from San Francisco Airport from 2025.

Over to Aer Lingus Chief Exec Lynne Embleton.

“As we work towards our commitment of powering 10% of flights using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030…

“This agreement with Aemetis will see aircraft on our San Francisco route using low carbon biofuels from sustainable wastes.”

Now, I’ll leave the science to the engineers (best).

And Aer Lingus report that this summer they have signed two SAF deals.

And a lease agreement for two new Airbus A320neo aircraft.

Now for the science bit

And Lynne says: “These are all key steps in achieving our lower-carbon future and net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

IAG, parent company of Aer Lingus and British Airways will purchase a total of 78,400 tonnes of SAF over seven years.

And that is enough to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 248,000 tonnes (the equivalent of taking over 16,000 cars off the road) across the same time period.

While in July, Aer Lingus signed another SAF agreement with Gevo, Inc., a US-based renewable fuels producer.

The agreement will see the purchase of 19,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel per year for five years, powering flights from Los Angeles.

Aer Lingus is also investing in new generation and more fuel-efficient aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo and A32l neo LR.

In June, Aer Lingus signed a lease agreement for two new Airbus A320neo aircraft.

And that will see this new generation aircraft joining Aer Lingus’ fleet for the first time.

The Airbus A320neo delivers up to 20% reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions.

Shamrocks in my hair

And close to 50% reduction in noise footprint.

When compared to the previous generation aircraft, A320ceo.

Of course we don’t have to wait until 2025 to get to Frisco.

And it is an itch waiting to be scratched with Covid putting paid to my plans to get to Dublin in the Tri-Valley region.

When I was, of course, going to channel my inner hippy by going to San Francisco wearing shamrocks in my hair.

Fare play

Greetin’ Greta: Thumberg, queen of the flight shamers

Now with my Irish history, Aer Lingus was naturally my go-to airline.

When I returned Stateside this year for my rail trip around New England.

And when, not if, I go to San Francisco I’ll be hopping on their deals from Scotland.

So that’ll be either Glasgow through Dublin to San Fran from £249.25, each way fare as part of a return trip including taxes and charges.

Or £252.52 from Edinburgh.

So, yes, despite what Grouchy Greta and her flygskammers will have you believe the airlines are fighting back.

With Aer Lingus in a golden state.

America, Asia, Countries, Europe

Jet lag cures

2nd May 20222nd May 2022 funtime65

I was spooked at the movement in my en-suite, I was home with The Scary One… I should have checked my own Holidos and Don’ts. Jet lag cures.

And then I could have orientated myself on my return from my mini-odyssey to New England.

Earth to Jimmy

Granted your fellow passengers or hosts might look at you funny but..

You might want to take off your shoes and socks and jump about on the earth.

Bare feet and earth: Who says so… only biohacker and Bulletproof founder Dave Asprey who discovered the trick when doing yoga in California.

Of course he did.

Turn on, switch off

In flight entertainment: And you can always catch up on your sleep on the plane.

There’s the more relaxing last film which you can nod off through.

Or classical music or easy listening. And it’ll make you forget you’re up during the sleeping hours.

Water cooler

Hydrate: And yes that means staying off the booze… so resist the temptations of airport drinks.

On board now you will have to pay for your alcohol anyway.

And rehydrate so stay off the coffee, tea and sugary drinks.

That’s the business

Lounge back: And take in a Turkish Airlines movie in their airport business lounge

Business class: Of course if you’ve been saving your pennies, you’ll be able to treat yourself to business class.

I’ve been fortunate enough to avail of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Turkish Airlines (there are other flyers).

And the reclining seat-beds will make you feel like you’re at home in bed.

Until you turn around for a cuddle on your trip to the Maldives and Island Marketing’s stubbly boss Brian is looking up at you.

Homing in

The home run: And when you get home after you’re through the all-nighter then you need to get home.

If you’re disorganised like me then it’s better not to have bought a return public transport (tram, bus, train) ticket.

Maybe leave the keys too with the neighbours.

All because these things can get lost in transit.

Get in, get a glass of water and get to bed. Will you sleep later? You bet.

And I think I’ll copywright this… Holidos and Don’ts jet lag cures.

America, Countries, Ireland, UK

High, fly, this American sky

24th April 2022 funtime65

And with apologies to Don McLean (and Tyson Fury) but my head is in the clouds… and high, fly, this American sky.

Because I’m trying to get all my (Donald) ducks in a row and get over to the States tomorrow.

And what was once a breeze through the gate 40 years ago the first time I visited is now akin to a military operation.

Of course there is always the danger of jinxing any forthcoming trip but I think I’ve most of my prep done.

In truth it all started last November with a Thanksgiving get-together with Visit USA in Dublin.

When I reacquainted myself with my friends from Boston,

Rhode Island and New England and made new ones in Connecticut.

Now if you’re thinking of travelling Stateside then the rules may seem quackers but here goes.

Esta visa

A lot to do: But finish it and you’ll be purring

Yes, it’s an ESTA visa which is an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation.

It will last for two years, take 72 hours for you to get back.

And it will be the best $14, or equivalent, you’ll spend.

Double vaccinate

And you’ll be doubly protected with a double vaccination and a booster.

So get your health board to send you documented evidence.

You can scan too through an app, although if this trips you up and your daughterie isn’t around then a print will be your fallback.

Pass the supervised test

And while we wait for Joe to lift this requirement we’ll all need to take a supervised antigen test.

Now you need to take this no longer than 24 hours from your flight time.

And you’ll need to book a Zoom test to go through the nose swab test.

Before you then photograph it and go through the step by step digital endorsements.

And wait up to three hours for hopefully the confirmation of your negative result.

And I’d recommend Prenetics who walked me through it all.

While the Scary One held my hand, the one that wasn’t squeezing my swab into the tube.

And they had my results back in half the three-hour timespan they promised.

Almost ready to go

And if you’re flying Aer Lingus, and why wouldn’t you, you’ll want to check out their Verifly app.

They will give you a four-point checklist.

With an attestation check, a vaccination review which you can tender manually or digitally.

Then there’s the Covid-19 Test review, or Proof of Recovery.

Both of which they’ll contact you with the results of within a couple of hours.

Now for a tea party

There’s no guarantee, of course, that that’s the last of it.

We’ve twice missed our flight before to Dublin, our through passage to an America with pre-clearance.

Now not pointing the finger particularly after she helped me today.

But she was involved in both… going back to check the heating was off, and banjaxing the car en route to the airport.

So, it’s a good night’s sleep, set two alarms.

And see you on the other side in Beantown (God, Jehovah, Allah and Buddha be praised).

America, Countries, Deals, Europe, Flying

Goodbye to pre-departure tests

8th January 20228th January 2022 funtime65

If a week’s a long time in politics then a day’s an absolute lifetime as we say a tentative goodbye to pre-departure tests.

The UK and Ireland are not exactly throwing their doors open… we still have to put those little sticks up our nose.

But it’s enough to see punters bombarding their travel agents for summer holiday ideas.

Special agents

Our holiday providers have reported business up 150%.

With operators at the likes of Jet2Holidays (flash sale) and Barrhead Travel here in Scotland glued to their phones.

A kinda Christmas come late.

For us Caribbean converts in Scotland (I’ve always been a believer) there has been a rush.

To get on the new Virgin Atlantic Edinburgh to Bridgetown, Barbados route.

While old favourite Tenerife (and why not take in the north and west of the island too) is also seeing brisk business.

State of redemption

Acting Goofy: And a big dog in Disney World In Orlando

The Oo Es of A is always a dream destination with Orlando warming up nicely with a whole raft of attractions.

See you there in June (although I’ve jinxed that on so many occasions I’m loath to name it in case I can’t claim it).

While start spreading the news, New York is among the dream destinations we are lining up as our big comeback holiday.

Now if you’re a UK/Ireland hopper like me then you’ll always favour going through Dublin for your transatlantic trip.

You skip pre-clearance you see.

Aer of optimism

Stairway to US heaven: Brohna Tinnelly and Sean Ryan at the steps of an Aer Lingus plane in Dublin

Our old pals at Aer Lingus are always front and centre with their deals.

Ireland’s national airline carrier has a January Seat Sale.

They have two million seats on sale including up to 20% off European and UK* travel.

As well as flights to North America from just €169 each way as part of a return trip.

And as they reminded us when I was over in Dublin for our American Thanksgiving catch-up their VeriFLY app takes all the work out of it for us.

That way you can upload your Covid-19 related documentation required for your destination,

And that way all of your Covid documentation is verified before travel.

As usual we’ll bring you the best deals and destinations right here.

And with that in mind Michael O’Leary and Ryanair never miss out on the opportunity to seize the moment.

And they are offering 100,000 seats from €16.99.

Politicians watch out

So let’s say a tentative goodbye to pre-departure tests.

Safe in the knowledge that politicians being politicians then they’ll likely change all the rules next week.

Let’s not let them.

America, Countries, Ireland

An American-Irish Thanksgiving in Dublin

20th November 202120th November 2021 funtime65

It probably wasn’t like this for the Pilgrims in Plymouth in 1421… but I’ll more than take An American-Irish Thanksgiving in Dublin.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this, masks, double dose certificates at the Radisson Blu Royal.

And certainly not what the Pilgrims laid before the natives…

Dried meat and fish, grains and flour, dried foot, cheese and hard biscuits.

Chow on chowder

Thankfully culinary fashions have changed and we dined on New England chowder, mini burgers and wings.

All the time listening to the band belting out American standards.

And taking a tour of America, around the stands, from New England, Washington DC, Georgia and Florida.

Right across the Mid-West (Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah).

And over to my old friends in California.

Flying time

And you’ve got it… Aer Lingus and British Airways were there (are there) to take us back.

Now that the borders are open again.

Now like a kid in a candy shop the difficult thing is what to choose first.

Our American Travel Fair resumes in Florida in May.

Orlando, woah, woah, woah

So all roads lead there… to Orlando.

Now if the Pilgrims thought that New England was a good enough starting point to explore the New World who am I to disagree.

The eastern seaboard collection of states and commonwealths I know well from a summer in Boston after university and day trips to New Hampshire.

Connect with Connecticut

But I’m grateful here to Sue from Connecticut for clueing me in on her state.

You might be familiar with Mark Twain name-checking it in his time-travelling tome A Connecticut Yankee in the Court of King Arthur.

And you’ll find everything you want to know about the Great American and his great creations Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer in his museum here.

And also take in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s house and get a glimpse of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

She’d be known today as HBS but back in the day to Abraham Lincoln she was ‘the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.’

It’s a rich old history and one I can’t wait to add to in 2022.

But for now it’s enough to acknowledge my dear old friends and embrace (with an elbow nudge) my new ones.

With an American-Irish Thanksgiving in Dublin.