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Our five fab films for Mother’s Day

15th March 202615th March 2026 funtime65

And you can put money on Jessie Buckley gushing about being a mum in her Oscars acceptance speech, and while Hamnet is a tour de force, here are our five fab films for Mother’s Day.

With a nod, of course, to the mumdoms where they ruled the roost.

Let’s start at the very beginning

The Sound of Music: And if a mother’s love is unconditional then all the more credit for women who take on another man’s children.

And seven of them at that.

But when you’re an Austrian singing Julie Andrews nun turned governess then you have all the tools for motherhood.

Maria and Captain Georg took the train from Salzburg down to Italy.

Not over the mountains because they’d have ended up in Hitler’s Lair, and then onto America.

Where Georg and Maria added to their Von Trapp brood with three more Kinder.

The mothers of all mothers

Nonnas: And let’s hear it today for the grandmothers because every Nana is a mamma.

Or in Italian culture a Nonna.

Cue this charming real-life movie, starring Vince Vaughn, about a grieving son who honours his mum by opening an Italian restaurant.

With nonnas on Staten Island, using the recipes of Mamma which has become something of a tourist stop-off in the New York borough.

Some mothers do ‘ave ’em

Throw Momma from a Train: And because sometimes our mums can be overbearing, this Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal classic has to make the list.

A homage to Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, DeVito has his usual dark fun with the original.

With Griffiths Park, Los Angeles and Hawaii adding to the enjoyment and the plot.

Magic Mum

Harry Potter: And when you are a poor orphan child with the weight of being a boy wizard you need an adopted mum.

And where Aunt Petunia was ghastly Molly Weasley was magical.

Taking in Harry as one of her own along with her ragbag children, while also facing down Bellatrix Lestrange.

And for the best place to discover how she did it all and what magic tricks she invoked.

Then you’ll need to immerse yourself in the Wonderful World of Harry Potter at Universal Resort Orlando.

A mother in life and death

Who will love my children? And have the box of tissues at hand for this ultimate of Mother’s Day tearjerkers, again based on a true story.

Lucille Fray faced the worst fate any mother could endure, knowing she would die and would have to leave her ten children.

Because her husband would not be able to cope… and no snide remarks here because there’s a man in the room.

Add to that the homespun, earthy setting of Iowa and that the real-life children appeared on the TV show That’s Incredible.

On the night of the film transmission back in 1983.

America, Countries

Lighting 100 candles for Marilyn in La-La Land

6th March 20266th March 2026 funtime65

Of course, she will remain forever ageless but this year they’ll be lighting 100 candles for Marilyn in La-La Land.

Like Bertie Taupin, who wrote the immortal lines for Elton John, I never knew you at all but like the millions of other Marilyn fans.

But I have managed to get as close that anyone now can by visiting your last resting place in Los Angeles.

Marilyn is, of course, all around us but nowhere more so than in LA.

Where you’re always likely to bump into her around the Walk of Fame or anywhere around Hollywood.

But because you can never get too much of a good thing we’re taking you today on our Marilyn tour.

With these whistlestop locations where you can pay homage to the Great Woman.

S0mething new

Still blowing up a storm: Marilyn’s famous move

The Academy Museum’s Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon is a new exhibition that will celebrate Marilyn Monroe as a visionary actor and image-maker, opening on May 31.

The exhibition will display hundreds of original objects, including posters, portraits, photographs, production documents, letters.

And rarely seen personal materials.

While the world premiere of ‘Marilyn: The Immersive Experience’ comes to Hollywood for a limited 16-week engagement from May.

Fans will be taken on a fully interactive, cinematic journey through the life of Marilyn, built by fans, for fans.

Every year’s blonde

And the quirky Hollywood Museum is where you want to go to find where Marilyn became a blond, in Max Factor’s world-famous make-up rooms.

The museum’s Marilyn Monroe collection includes everything from personal items and wardrobe to her limousine.

And, get this, her million-dollar honeymoon dress from her life with Joe DiMaggio, as well as when she entertained troops in Korea in 1954.

While, if you want to walk in her stiletto footsteps, and men you’re allowed to because this is Hollywood.

Then get yourself down to the TCL Chinese Theatre.

Where she put her signature, hand and shoe prints into cement at the famed Forecourt of the Stars.

While Marilyn’s Walk of Fame star is just a block away at 6774 Hollywood Blvd.

Marilyn’s maisons

So, you want to channel Marilyn where she actually lived, then the landmark Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was Marilyn Monroe’s home for two years.

Just as her modelling career began to take off.

Marilyn stayed in one of the vintage 1950s Cabanas at the time of her first professional magazine shoot, at the Tropicana Pool.

The 750sqft Marilyn Monroe Suite features a loft-like open floor plan, kitchenette, and a balcony that overlooks the pool.

While Marilyn lived at the Beverly Hills Hotel, or ‘Pink Palace, several times during her career.

Marinade with Marilyn

And where she wined and dined too.

In the Fifties, Marilyn and Joe and Elizabeth Taylor, and Steve McQueen were just a few of the Hollywood legends that enjoyed drinks and appetizers in the Back Room of Musso & Frank Grill.

For their classic steakhouse fare and famous Martinis.

While the Formosa Cafe was famously billed as the place where ‘the stars dine.’

Its interior was lined with hundreds of autographed photos of its famous patrons.

Including Marilyn, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, and Elizabeth Taylor.

The Formosa reopened in June 2019 after a stunning $2.4-million renovation.

A tour de force

Most of Marilyn’s movies were created at the historic FOX Studio Lot located in Century City and while this isn’t open to the public, visitors can head to the nearby Paramount Studio Tour for a look behind the scenes.

When young Marilyn (then Norma Jeane Mortenson) lived in Los Angeles Orphans Home Society, it is said she would look out her window at the water tower of RKO Studios (now Paramount Studios) and dream of stardom.

Goodbye Norma Jean

And, of course, Marilyn will live forever at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park, her final resting place.

And a Who’s Who of pop culture, including Marilyn, Truman Capote, Farrah Fawcett, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Dean Martin, Roy Orbison, Natalie Wood, Frank Zappa and many more.

Now we know that Marilyn, who is interred in a pink marble crypt (no. 24).

At the Corridor of Memories, has an unsavoury neighbour there in Hugh Hefner.

But we’d rather dwell on Joe DiMaggio’s enduring love, where he had a half-dozen red roses delivered to her crypt three times a week for the next 20 years.

Why not do the same this year on her 100th birthday.

Major airlines fly out to LA and as we always recommend, flights out of Ireland come with pre-clearance and Aer Lingus will get you there direct.

America, Countries, Deals, Sport

All set for kick-off in LA

25th September 202525th September 2025 funtime65

Soccer has come a long way in the US since George Best’s razzmatazz and Diana Ross’s mishit but we’re all set for kick-off in LA.

With Team USA better placed and Americans more invested for World Cup MkII.

With the hosts coming to the party next year on June 12 where they left off in 1994, in Los Angeles.

Now, many of our countries, and our wee one Scotland hasn’t qualified for nearly 30 years, are still dreaming of getting there.

But there’s no harm in planning ahead.

And if we’re really lucky our country will get placed in the City of Angels, ranked the No. 1 US city for football fans.

But if not the neutral will get to see a feast of international football, including eight matches at the SoFi Stadium.

Just the ticket

The first phase of FIFA World Cup 26 ticket sales is now open with the Visa Presale Draw.

Which gives fans their first chance to secure seats.

You need to register at FIFA.com/tickets and create a FIFA ID.

And registered fans will receive updates on sale dates and details of the ticketing process.

Additional phases will roll out through the start of the event.

With Phase 2, the Early Ticket Draw, running from October 27–31 October.

With successful fans invited to purchase tickets from mid-November to early December.

Phase 3 is the Random Selection Draw, beginning shortly after the Final Draw on December 5.

When fans can apply for specific matches based on revealed group-stage matchups.

Closer to the tournament, any remaining tickets will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Festival for fans

So we’ve been well briefed then so back to everything around the tourney in one of our favourite cities in the Oo Es of Eh.

From the eve of Team USA’s big kick-off, June 11-July 19 there will be World Cup-related events across the city.

Highlights include an official FIFA Fan Festival, along with additional Fan Zones.

Best bar none

For those looking to watch with locals, Los Angeles offers countless football-friendly eateries and bars.

With nearly 40 LAFC-affiliated pubs, from La Chuperia in Lincoln Heights to The Sunset Room in Hacienda Heights.

Global supporters also bring their passion to LA’s pubs and neighbourhoods.

And fans from this side of the pond will feel at home at British-themed pubs including Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica and The Cat and Fiddle in Hollywood.

And popular Irish pubs Tom Bergins in Mid-City and Ireland’s 32 in the Valley.

Deal us in

So they’re all set for kick-off in LA, we’re all set, so it’s just down to the players to make sure we get there.

We find the best way to get to America from Europe is through Ireland with pre-clearance.

And we found a sample Aer Lingus return flight from Edinburgh through Dublin for LAX from £1,406.19.

America, Countries, Sport

Sugar the surfur of Huntington Beach

16th July 202516th July 2025 funtime65

And as the drums roll to induct the legends into Surf City’s Hall of Fame let’s paws to celebrate Sugar the surfur of Huntington Beach.

Sugar, a Collie mix, holds a unique position in the surfing world.

As the first, and as yet, only mutt to be enlisted in the Californian town’s Surfing Home of Fame.

Huntington Beach’s status as the centre of the surfing world is assured.

Though maybe not mention that in rival claimant Santa Cruz, who claim they’re the birthplace of the sport.

But all disputes aside, and my friends in SC were keen to play that down.

As they promoted their fares to me at the American Travel Fair in Chicago last month, everyone can sing Sugar’s praises.

Herein hangs a tail

Because as they say in Sugar the Surfing Dog’s case, herein hangs a tail.

And one that in the land of the moving picture ought really to be a Hollywood blockbuster.

Because Sugar, much like Bob in the British true story A Streetcat Named Bob, turned her owner’s life around full circle.

HB native Ryan Rustan had been battling mental health and drug issues.

But he cleaned up in his 20s when Oakland rescue dog Sugar came into his life.

And she went on to wing 19 surfing titles across her career including multiple World Dog Surfing Championships, Surf City Surf Dog and Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge titles.

Because as all you devoted readers here know and I found out one spring morning over breakfast in Ballsbridge, Dublin with our HB visitors dog surfing is definitely a thang.

And on that occasion it was labrador Bono whose achievements we were recognising.

With, of course, me being professionally incapable of avoiding asking if Bono surfed the waves in his shades.

Follow in Sugar’s pawsteps

Chairmutt of the Board: Outside the museum

We do hope that Sugar’s elevation to Hall of Fame status will push on other surfing dogs to follow in her pawsteps.

And we’ll be following Sugar’s progress and our other pooch pals on SURFER website.

Not that 14-year-old Sugar’s surfing days are behind her with Ryan promising his pooch .

That he will take her to Waikiki, the real birthplace of surfing, as a treat.

‘She does a lot of surf therapy for lots of kids,’ he said.

‘It’s not just [about] surfing against people but also putting smiles on the little kids’ faces and the athletes that are disabled. She gets to ride with them.’

Dogg days

This year’s deserving inductees into the Surf City Hall of Fame are world champion and Olympic gold medalist Caroline Marks.

Outstanding surf photographer Tom Servais and HB local standout surfer Dwight Dunn.

All taking their place alongside Sugar the surfur of Huntington Beach.

HB, of course, ought to be on everyone’s to-do list when in Los Angeles, just an hour north of Surf City USA.

And, if you are lucky enough, you might see another famous Dogg down there doing one of his sets.

And you thought I make all this stuff, well here are the pictures to prove it.

America, Countries, Deals, Music

Don’t forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis

17th August 2024 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it and for something to look forward to… don’t forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis.

Today, of course, we remember The King leaving us too early 45 years ago.

And there have been commemorations in Graceland and around the world.

Now every day is Elvis Day for fans and there is a party and an Elvis for every occasion.

Elvis Pres-sea

Land or sea with Elvis Cruise who will be sailing fans from Los Angeles to Hawaii… aloha!h

With 16 days of Elvis overload from October 16-31 on board The Grand Princess.

Billed PRINCESS AND THE KING Custom Vacations and Cruise Planners and will treat you to:

Entertainment and Activities Welcome cocktail party.

An Elvis dress-up costume party (with prizes).

Elvis-themed entertainment shows, artist meet and greets and Q&A.

A DJ dance party, speaker events and sock hop 50s/60s live band dance party lounge event.

A ‘So You Think You Can Sing Like Elvis’ karaoke party.

And a farewell mix and mingle party.

Accommodations stretch from affordable interior staterooms to luxurious suites.

And come with ‘Dine My Way’ multi-course rotational dining in a variety of restaurants and eateries.

With activities and daily entertainment.

The King and LA

Like the real thing: With Elvis in Vegas

Now Elvis Cruise clearly have no desire for you to Return to Sender.

And so recommend the best hotels to stay before you hop on board.

And that’ll be a Marriott obviously…

With the Los Angeles Airport Marriott just a mile and a half from LAX and your Aer Lingus with pre-clearance flight.

From $169 per night and additional nights from $69.

Jive in 2025

Now as The Son and Heir never tires of saying that ship has sailed for this year, on July 1.

But keep your eyes peeled for next year’s Elvis extravaganza.

You’ll need a $400pp initial deposit is due at the time of submitting your reservation registration.

And a monthly payment plan is available if you prefer to spread your payments out.

Their balcony staterooms are from $3,299.

So, do your prep and forget your Cruise Suede Shoes for Elvis.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS

America, Countries, Sport

Au Revoir Paris, Hey Los Angeles

11th August 202411th August 2024 funtime65

Au Revoir Paris, Hey Los Angeles and we’ll be guaranteed a Coliseum of noise in 2028 for a Games of gladiatorial combat.

I’ve seen first hand how the LA Memorial Coliseum channels the Olympic spirit with its mock classical style.

And for those who fall into the lazy stereotype of sneering at America’s recreations of the Old World.

It’s worth pointing out that the old cities of the Modern Games have dispensed with their old stadia for modern palaces.

Which is probably not the main reason why the Games are returning to America.

Three cheers

LA has real Olympic heritage with the LA Memorial Coliseum becoming the first stadium to stage three Games.

Following the successes of 1932 and 1984.

Of course, for Fiftysomethings the Coliseum holds iconic memories from 1984.

Of South Africa Brit Zola Budd clipping America’s darling Mary Decker Slaney and her lying crumpled on the track.

Fun and Games

Carl Lewis emulating Jesse Owens by winning four athletes golds at the one Games.

And Sebastian Coe holding off Steve Cram to retain his Olympic 1500m title and Daley Thompson defending his Decathlon crown.

We shouldn’t though have been surprised with the 1932 Games breaking new ground.

With the first Olympic photo-finish when Eddie Tolan held off Ralph Metcalfe to win 100m gold.

And became the first non-European to become the world’s fastest man.

Outwith the Coliseum the 1932 Games introduced an Olympic Village for the first time.

Oh Diana

To wander around the Coliseum, albeit for a concert, is to feel like you’re walking in the footsteps of athletics heroes and heroines.

Sweetest hangover: With Diana in the Coliseum

New names will be inscribed into the plaques in the Coliseum in 2028 to accompany those heroes of 1932 and 1984.

Now a behemoth like the LA Coliseum doesn’t stand around looking pretty until an Olympics rolls around.

And entertainers beyond the world of sport clamour to add their names to the Coliseum Hall of Fame.

With few bigger than Diana Ross who wowed a specially invited audience to see her perform at IPW, the American travel fair.

Four years is a long time but I’m planning on Coming Out to LA in 2028.

And flying Aer Lingus with pre-clearance from €260.70.

And so as we say a fond Au Revoir Paris, Hey Los Angeles… let the Games begin.

America, Flying

Aer Maidens

10th May 202410th May 2024 funtime65

I don’t know how I offended St Eithne to get chucked off my flight back from Dublin but my Aer Maidens got me back on board as they always do.

And here’s me who says a prayer to all the Irish saints every night.

Those who have flown on Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national airline carrier, may have observed that the planes are all called after saints and are thus blessed.

But Eithne’s wings (or another part of her body) showed signs of wear and tear.

And poor dear she had to rerouted back to Ireland.

Midway through our flight to Glasgow.

Hostess with mostest

Of course, this being a chatty Ireland-Scotland flight and me being stupid tired after five days in LA, the City of Angels, I hadn’t heard the announcement.

And woke up with Baile Atha Cliath looming up in huge letters in front of me.

We were back on hallowed Dublin land again.

Of course that is usually a winner with me and I was hoping that we’d be grounded long enough for me to get a comp night at the airport.

Alas, Aer Lingus had it in hand and got us back in the air.

With a special shout-out for our Aer Maiden Alexandra who kept our spirits up with her smile and easy charm.

And looked after my take-on luggage while I headed for the rest room.

Airline angels

Back home: Aer Lingus. Pic: Mitchell R Hope

One of Eithne’s fellow angels, Sarab, took the heavy load, carrying us on our wings.

And having us back in the air within three hours.

And back to catch our bus from Glasgow Airport and train to Edinburgh Waverley.

Where my own little angel, Herself, was waiting to pick me up and bring me back to Chez Murty.

All despite an interrupted sleep.

I will pay for it but hope the souvenir does the trick.

Or my suitcases will be back out on the garden pronto.

America, Countries, Music

Get Ziggy with it

7th May 20248th May 2024 funtime65

Diana Ross kicked it all off here in LA on Saturday and set off a chain reaction… and we’re not finished yet as we get Ziggy with it.

It makes sense that the City of Angels draws those who are blessed with the voices of angels.

And in Ziggy Marley, our entertainment for our last day at our American Travel Fair, IPW, his dad Bob is here with us in spirit.

Ziggy, you’ll remember from the One Love biopic is the cute kid Bob wrote Three Little Birds for.

Who went on to carve out a Grammy-winning career himself.

And truly we don’t worry about a thing here this week as our LA hosts have taken care of it all.

Wyld about Keanu

Diana, of course, is no warm-up act for anyone but the entertainment which has followed could easily pack an auditorium.

With Keanu Reeves’ band (no, not Wyld Stallyns) but Southern Californian schtick combo Dogstar bringing the house down.

And left the Italian delegation in particular weak-kneed as they shouted out their love for him from the floor.

While the legends that we so loved and lost couldn’t obviously be with us we were treated to the next best thing.

Regards to Broadway

With a Michael Jackson tribute act heading up the MJ musical which he gave us a taster of.

All part of a Broadway Musicals hour.

Where the casts of Chicago, Six, Back to the Future and new sensation Water for Elephants all featured.

Kicks on Route 66

We’ve been treated too to the best hip hop and jazz in Louis York to promote Travel South USA Y’all.

And house and blues to project Chicago for next year’s convention.

There is a synergy to all of this with Route 66 which connects LA to Chicago celebrating its centenary.

This week has as it always is at IPW been about one love… for travel.

And we have of course been getting Ziggy with it.

America, Countries, Music

Bossin’ it with Boss Ross at the LA Coliseum

6th May 2024 funtime65

She’s Detroit born and bred but she’s also pure Hollywood… and we’ve only been bossin’ it with Boss Ross at the LA Coliseum.

Where the 1932 and 1984 Olympics were held and the 2028 Games will take place.

Diana is not shy (she never was) about telling our convention at the American Travel Fair, IPW, that she is 80.

So we can forgive her for not running around the stage like she once did.

Although she’s still got the moves even in the glitteriest of gowns.

Diana the goddess

Diana truly belongs here as much as any of the heroes who have graced this colossal arena.

The LA Memorial Coliseum, to give it its full name, honours Fallen Americans from the First World War.

Its rich history which has seen anything from big fights Jack Dempsey to big flights Charles Lindbergh grace the hallowed ground will be enhanced.

By the 3rd iteration of an LA Games.

Holding a torch

The torch with the eternal flame is a constant reminder of the City of Angels’ place in the Olympic story.

With the Games in four years’ time seeing LA make history as the first city to host the greatest show on Earth three times.

That other sporting colossus, the Football World Cup will act as a tasty hors d’oeuvre in two years’ time.

Diana on target

Where Diana has history for missing her penalty and bringing the posts down.

She didn’t miss the target though here this week.

When we were bossin’ it with Boss Ross at the LA Coliseum.

I’m staying at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A LIVE, having flown Glasgow through Dublin with Aer Lingus to LAX.

MEET YOU AT THE PARTY

America, Countries

Plumbing new currency markets with Super Mario

2nd May 20242nd May 2024 funtime65

Long before Bitcoins we had our own more innocent coin-flipping fun… and the good news is we’re plumbing new currency markets with Super Mario in Orlando.

Our Floridian friends who we’ll be meeting this week in the US are getting all excited over next year’s new SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

SNW as we’ll call it is one of five imaginative worlds at the all-new Universal Epic Universe theme park.

Behind the Green Pipe

Any Super Mario journey obviously starts through the green pipe.

And past the towering Mt. Beanpole and majestic Peach’s Castle.

With Piranha Plants, pacing Goombas and spinning coins along the way… see, we told you there was money to be made.

Of course no Super Mario trip would be complete without a go on the kart.

Go kart

A work of kart: And the ride of your life

And guests will get to steer through a variety of Mario Kart courses on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

You’ll get to collect coins, toss shells at Team Bowser, dodge obstacles, and more.

As you join your favourite characters and compete to help Team Mario win the race.

If eggs are more your thing you’ll want Yoshi’s Adventure.

It’s a family-friendly multi-gen ride through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs.

Go bananas for Donkey Kong

And so you want something a bit more bananas then roll up for Donkey Kong Country.

Where you’ll get to hop into a mine cart and careen through the jungle.

And help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the golden banana on this original family coaster.

With both you can enhance your experience with the purchase of a Power-Up Band, a wrist aid for more fun and games.

Flick of the wrist

SNW at Epic Universe will be Universal Destinations and Experiences’ third instalment of the immersive land.

Right now, guests can enjoy SNW at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan.

And we’ll share with you next week how we got on with our test ride in LA LA Land.

While keeping something back for ourselves.

Sure we’ll be cashing in ourselves by plumbing new currency markets with Super Mario.