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Waspish Wendy and my final Camino take-aways

8th October 20268th October 2026 funtime65

My wingwoman stayed away but I won’t let her off with it as today it’s all about Waspish Wendy and my final Camino take-aways.

The self-styled ‘Mrs Always Right’ mooted joining up with us, that’s Big Brother Ed and I, on our Camino Portugues.

But in the end she wished us well from a safe distance.

But not before leaving me with a stinger… ‘watch out for the wasps’!

On account of our first stop-off on our Camino Frances in 2015.

And reminded me of it as she followed my Camino Portugues travails this time.

All of which in a kinda wending Way brings me to my takeaways from my two Caminos over 11 years.

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

Lucky for some: The first 13 — Writing on the wall: My first Camino

Less is more: And even if your provider Camino Ways do most of the heavy lifting for you, taking your luggage from stop to stop.

You will need a rucksack on your walk for waterproofs, and keep them foldaway into pouches to lighten your load.

And a spare pair of socks if yours get damp in the woods.

Water bottles, sweeties, fruit, a map (even in this digital age, and chargers), a wide-rimmed hat and first-aid kit.

And, of course your Camino passport and border document on your person alongside your mobile, wallet… and bandana.

Timing is, erm… everything

Earning my stripes: On the Via Francigena

Connections, connections, connections: And this relates more to the Via Francigena in Italy in my experience.

When I discovered the limitations of my interconnecting train to my starting point in Viterbo, 100km from Rome.

With it stopping halfway and me only finding out from a random English-speaker of a bus that leaves in the early hours.

All of which meant I had a four-hour lay-off in a one-horse town where the horse had left and did not get into Viterbo until 1am.

A Buen Camino goes a long way

Sitting down on the job: On the Camino Portugues

Hola, ola: OK, we might not all be polyglots but there’s little excuse these days not to converse in people’s own language.

If you prefer to keep it real then take your physical translation books.

While, of course, your phone will likely have a translation facility on it.

Now there’s always the capacity to get it wrong as in when The Scary One got her Yamas (cheers) and Hamas mixed up in Rhodes.

But the locals will invariably just be glad that you’ve tried.

And, of course, a Buen Camino is a welcome hug on the road.

Or a polite way of saying you’re coming through.

Tech it in your stride

I’ve grown into the part: A fellow beardie

Screen if you like: But nobody will hear you in the dark.

Only that’s not quite right as I discovered when Big Brother Ed, in the next room, rumbled me.

For effjng and blinding at my blinds that I couldn’t pull down in Padron on our penultimate day.

Eleven years has brought big digital changes.

And while I had sheets of papers with directions in my Camino package back then now it’s all on the portal.

Only you won’t need your Google Maps (famous last words).

As the yellow arrows and scallop shells posts will guide you on your way.

The world has changed too since Covid and you may have to scan menus on your phone now.

While Ryanair requires you check in on their app and use your phone at their machines for tagging your luggage.

All of which means you should leave more time at the airport.

Particularly if you’re one of those pariahs with a British passport.

We all walk the same Way

No man or woman is left behind: Now despite the bright yellow signs I defy you not to take a wrong turn somewhere.

And that’s when those who live and work along the Way come into their own.

Whether that be a driver or a woman hanging her washing out of the window.

While, of course peregrinos, or pilgrims, will always have your back, and backpack when you’re struggling.

Eleven years on and I’m right back where I was on the Camino Frances with Waspish Wendy and Rikke with a simple Buen Camino.

It will be the same now with Aussies Allan and Peter.

Big Brother Ed I have known 60 years.

And judging by what we’ve still got left in our legs a good many years to come and Caminos to walk.

Countries, Europe, Flying

Nothing Toulouse making rowdy fliers pay

9th May 20269th May 2026 funtime65

As you don’t have to wreck the party to have a good time we agree with Ryanair you’ve nothing Toulouse making rowdy fliers pay.

The budget airline changed the face of air travel by making it affordable for everyone.

All of which meant, of course, that everyone had more money to spend on airport drinks.

And even more opportunity when we were required to turn up more than two hours before our flights because of extra security.

Which all led to the staple of a modern holiday… airport drinks.

Merci bien to the French

Of course overgrown big kids will abuse it for the rest of the class.

And flights crews increasingly face the threat of rowdy drunken passengers imperilling everyone’s safety way up in the clouds.

And pilots forced to reroute to protect everyone on board.

With the costs that involves which inevitably get passed on in increased fares.

And what of the miscreants, well this is where our French amis have stepped forward.

Ryanair takes the lead

With Toulouse Criminal Court fining two unruly passengers a combined €10,000 (expensive round) and 10-month suspended sentences.

After they disrupted a flight from London Stansted to Ibiza last year.

Forcing 184 passengers and six crew to divert to Toulouse.

Now all of this feeds into Ryanair’s bold moves to alter our relationship with drinking and flying.

With the airline arguing that bars and restaurants should restrict passengers to two drinks each.

Which may seem draconic but should be enough to get the party started.

While leaving the serving of alcohol at the discretion of flight crew also feels eminently sensible to all.

Happy drinkers

Sobering times: Don’t make a fool of yourself

Of course, we’re no saints, and have to reveal that we circumvented the cabin staff’s rules on a transatlantic flight from London to JFK.

And took shuttles back and forth to raid the crew’s stash behind the curtain next to the loo.

But here’s the rub, we were daft kids and did not disrupt our fellow passengers other than the hundred times we got out of our seats.

So the takeaway is that by civilising airport drinks and airplane drinking we can all enjoy ourselves.

And enjoy our flights and allow cabin staff to do their jobs, which is after all to look after us.

And get us safely to our destination and not hundreds of miles away in a different country.

Africa, Countries, Sport

World-class football in Morocco that’s just the ticket

19th December 202519th December 2025 funtime65

A continent where you won’t have to sell a kidney to afford the cover price… world-class football in Morocco that’s just the ticket.

Hosts Morocco kick off AFCON, the Greatest Show in Africa, on Sunday against Comoros (no us neither) in Rabat.

It turns out that Comoros is an archipelago of three islands north-west of Madagascar (see every day is a schoolday).

The best bit of all for those who have tickets, and the curtain-raiser is sold out, is that you can buy one for MAD150.

Which is, wait for it, just £12 in our British pound money.

Pay it again Casablanca

And is MAD right… and you’ve still got that 150 Dinar burning a hole in your pocket.

Which if you’re around Casablanca on Monday you can pay it again and take in the Mali v Zambia match.

And still have 50 Dinar left for a roadside tagine or a Turkish tea.

Now it might be that you’re not of African heritage yourself but maybe you can pick a team from a favourite club player.

And Liverpool fans who haven’t fallen out with Mo Salah and fear he might never play for your club again.

More Mo, Mo

Well, here’s a Boxing Day special for you.

You could see the King of Egypt play for his nation against South Africa in Agadir, again for just £8.

There does seem to be a £4 premium on host nation Morocco and a higher demand.

Now once we get into the round of 16 the tickets soar to MAD150, or £12.

If your team, or the one you’ve adopted, have managed to get through to the last eight then the price of a ticket will jump again.

To a hardly credit card busting MAD200, or £16.

While the semi-finals come in at MAD300, or £24.

And bear in mind you’d be lucky to get a slice of pizza and a lager in the concourse of any American stadium for that.

Final price is tickety-boo

So your favourites get all the way to the final.

Well, at MAD400, or £32, you’d be mad not to buy a ticket now so you’re not disappointed later.

It’s clear the AFCON organisers know and appreciate football fans, more so than FIFA and next year’s World Cup,

Where Scotland fans, who remember have been waiting for 28 years to see their favourites play in the tourney, will have to fork out.

The Tartan Arny learning at the outset that they would need to pay at least £134 for the opening Haiti game.

And £198 for the glamour final Group game with Brazil.

Until fan pressure has shamed FIFA into relenting with a £45 tier ticket.

Although we’d have to do some more drilling on how availalbe they are and in what numbers.

The Sky’s the limit

Kindly our friends at Sky Sports have done the heavy lifting for us here and worked it out for us.

And even more generously they’ve given us a sample for both Scotland, as well as their favourites England, making the final.

With some tickets there at $450.

Add in too the comparative distances for fans travelling around AFCON and the FIFA World Cup and you see there’s better value there too.

With the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico stretched across 2,800 miles.

As opposed to the either 55 miles from Rabat to Casablanca or 466 miles from Fez to Agadir.

And with Ryanair flying us out from our home airport here in Edinburgh from £39 return then it’s a no-brainer.

And with the money saved you can shoot to Marrakech, the Sahara and Moroccan roll.

Countries, Europe

This skyscraper is ear-popping fun all right… but where?

6th October 2025 funtime65

It would probably not be your first answer for Europe’s highest building but this skyscraper is ear-popping fun all right… but where?

The Varso Tower in Warsaw soars above anywhere else on the continent at 1,017ft.

Because we’re not counting you Russia, which has five higher, until you start behaving.

And because we love an oul skyscraper, and our ears have only just popped from ascending the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) in Chicago, the original Skyscraper City, earlier this year.

We thought that we’d showcase Europe’s biggest, particularly as it’s just added something on top for our entertainment.

Things are looking up

And, of course, you owe it to yourself to have a party in the sky when you get right up to the top .

Of say, the Twin Towers in New York (tick), the CN Tower in Toronto (tick, tick), or the Sears Tower (tick, tick, tick)

Our Polish pals are rightly excited about its new viewing platform Highline Warsaw on the 53rd floor terrace.

As it rightly says, it elevates the capital to new heights.

We came, Warsaw, we conquered

Best bar none: And order your Polish vodka cocktail

The heart of the project lies on the 49th floor and the HighGarden, a rooftop bar and 4oosqm green terrace.

Where you can sip cocktails, with Polish vodka naturally, and take in the best views of the city.

Now visitors will also be able to enjoy an immersive experience with detailed historical reconstructions, complemented by a concept store with a photography zone.

And who are the brainboxes behind all of this we hear you ask.

Elevated status

Well, Magnicity is a global leader in elevated urban leisure (some of our favourite kinds).

It operates the Paris Montparnasse Observatory, the Berlin Fernseheturm (TV Tower) and the Euromast and Zalmhaven I in Rotterdam.

And the 360 Chicago Observation Deck, the former John Hancock Center,

And we found a £239 Ryanair round trip from our wee airport in Edinburgh to Warsaw.

Countries, Europe, Pilgrimage

God is a biker

23rd September 2025 funtime65

How do you know God is a biker, well, The Lord was with Joshua and his Triumph was heard throughout the land.

An old fave which has no doubt been doing the rounds, at the Blessings of the Helmets at the Marian pilgrimage in Fatima.

Now in its tenth year, some 180,000 bikers descended on the Northern Portuguese city.

To have their helmets blessed.

And to raise money and awareness for the 9,900 bikers in accidents in the country and victims of the country’s forest fires.

Pilgrims make their way to Fatima by planes, trains and automobiles, and we’d recommend Jose Madomis’s guided tour.

Which we would have seen for ourselves if only we had visited a couple of weeks later.

Our calling

It was less God’s calling, we think, rather than just space in the work calendar, which meant we visited one early September.

And met the niece of one of the Three Little Shepherds.

On her own porch and joined in the Lord’s Prayer.

This little light of mine

Now if the Lord moves in mysterious ways then pilgrims to Fatima do as well.

All with the same aim to make their own way to the main altar.

Which is what one senior citizen, and we dare say not the only one.

On her hands and her knees in supplication to Our Lady and Our Lord.

And to get the best slot for the Night-time Candle Procession.

Only the blessings are shared equally around.

Whether a Little Shepherd, a Little Biker or a Little Old Woman.

Pilgrims arrive in Fatima, as we say, by all modes of transport but we flew in with Ryanair to Lisbon.

And why not check out Portugal Centro too which Jose, our Special One, has been specially endowed with God’s favours and blessings.

Countries, Flying

Airport drinks and the Ryanair solution

25th August 202525th August 2025 funtime65

You’re sipping apple tea in dry Male in the Maldives, off your Turkish Airlines overnighter, and thinking about airport drinks and the Ryanair solution.

Well, maybe not then, as well as being dog tired despite the business class sleep on board from Istanbul, via Dublin.

And the fact that Michael O’Leary was still to formulate the idea in that massive, overactive brain of his.

But the news of a whopping 41% rise in trouble at Scottish airports, and we dare say that’s replicated in similar airports, has us agreeing.

Two drink or not to drink

The bould Michael is suggesting a two-drink limit for passengers before getting on flights.

Which might at first sound draconic but us Jocks aren’t even allowed a drink when attending football grounds to limit the risks of violence.

Airport drinking has, of course, become a custom of holidaying , helped along by the ubiquitous Weatherspoon.

Only for every happy drunk there are leary louts who kick off at the check-out desk.

When they’re told their luggage doesn’t fit and they have to pay an excess fee.

And all before they get on the plane and top up.

Thou shalt not pass

Of course, in the worst cases the yobs on tour will end up abusing the cabin crew and fellow passengers.

And even cause the plane to be diverted for an emergency landing.

All of which disruption can be allayed by following Michael’s solution.

And insisting that passengers show their boarding passes as we do in the gift shops, stationers and pharmacists.

And that way being blocked after two drinks.

Cheers to Ryanair

Let’s dance: You can enjoy yourself without being drunk

Now 19-year-old Bandanaman who drank our transatlantic flight from London to JFK dry.

With my old much-lamented party animal Toothy dry would disapprove.

But two drinks should be enough for anybody before they board their flight.

Even those who are nervous fliers and we sympathise.

Now far from wanting to be accused of being a Grinch we should surely look at this for the sake of all passengers.

Because this is the brainchild of the great promoter of budget travel.

Who has been known to give a free drink to passengers after a successful Cheltenham.

Airport drinks and the Ryanair solution, maybe we’ll all look back in the future and sigh that it was ever any other way.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Myth busting and Maltese sand between your toes

18th August 202518th August 2025 funtime65

And because you should never listen to the naysayers, some myth-busting with Maltese sand between your toes.

Because the Mediterranean island isn’t all rocks and shingle as many would have you believe.

As anyone who has kicked up the golden grains at the island’s biggest sandy beach Mellieha Bay will tell you.

On the north of the island, it boasts crystal clear waters and is ankle deep for 50m out… perfect for the kiddies.

Close to the village of Mellieha. It stretches along the Ghadira Nature Reserve.

Knights tales

If it’s history you want then, of course, this small but powerful island is associated with St Paul, Knights and beefed-up sailors.

And you can channel your Medieval chevalier in Mellieha.

At the Red Tower and its bastioned watchtower with amazing views from its turreted roof.

Where you’ll be able to gaze out over Northern Malta, Comino and Gozo.

Muscle in on Popeye Village

The archipelago has long been a favourite for movie locations.

And you can muscle in on one of our absolute favourite cartoon heroes.

In the Popeye Village, a purpose-built film set that has been converted into an attraction.

Loveholidays bill Mellieha as its top pick and offers a room for seven nights at the 4* Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa.

With flight with Ryanair, departing from Dublin on August 26 from €799pp.

Maltese crossings

Now, of course, we’re happy to carry the recommendations of the experts here.

Who point Malta lovers and those who are just waiting to get out there.

To sister islands Gozo and Comino.

Or take a ferry from Valletta to Sliema for its charming shops and local cafes.

The Blue Grotto Sea Caves on Malta’s southeast coast are perfect for the spirited.

While the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens are also worth a visit.

Offering breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour and Valletta.

So find out the real Malta and get myth busting with Maltese sand between your toes. And much else besides.

Countries, Europe

Albufairer for everybody

5th July 2025 funtime65

And because all British tourists don’t see the Med as a trash can they should welcome a new code of conduct as Albufairer for everybody.

I’m indebted here, as I always was in our years working together in Ireland, to Irish Algarve expat Caroline Smith, for the steer.

That the Albufeirians have introduced a new set of rules to keep their resort and town clean.

With the new code in place now for a fortnight there have already been several arrests made.

Not that I or my school buddies were schoolboys.

And we probably should have been lifted by the gendarmes for holding up the traffic on the French Riviera.

The naked truth

Calm down: Post-school parties in Albufeira

Boys will be boys and girls girls but we can all have a rerr terr in the Algarve without spoiling it for everyone else.

Caroline fills us in that the code of conduct had been in the pipeline for years.

But that some of the behaviours from last year were seen as excessive.

And the authorities pushed through the changes early.

With casual antisocial patterns like strolling around the streets in swimsuits/bikinis while drinking and drunk.

The last straw though was when a group of young Britons got their kit off and partied stark naked in a bar.

We didn’t find out what happened to said ravers and it may well be still going through the courts.

Another fine mess

But a warning here for anyone who might think that that’s a good ruse then be aware of these new penalties.

👉Wearing bikinis or swimwear outside beach or pool zones: fines from €300 to €1,500.

👉Drinking alcohol in the street, urinating, or defecating in public: also €300 to €1,500.

👉Nude or sexual acts in public: fines between €500 and €1,800.

👉Wild camping, sleeping rough, or spitting in public: €150 to €750.

The ba’ is burst

Good clean fun: With Cliff Richard in Faro

Again I’m guided by Caroline that such high, but merited, penalties are not already in place across the whole of the Algarve.

A word here too to the acquaintances from my past who broke the skylight.

With a football, resulting in their parents having to fork out for the damage to the owners.

Not sure what the fine these days for that type of misbehaviour would be.

But we say Parabens Algarve because your new code is Albufairer for everybody.

We found return flights from Edinburgh to Faro for August with Ryanair for a sample £186.83pp.

And you’d be surprised who you might bump into in the airport!

Countries, Flying

Holidos and Don’ts – no more boarding passes

11th April 202511th April 2025 funtime65

And the answer to all our prayers, yes the return of an old favourite feature on this site and the end of another, Holidos and Don’ts – no more boarding passes.

Boarding passes can, of course, be the bane of our lives as we pad our pockets a hundred times on the day of our departure.

And still doubt ourselves that they haven’t dropped out of our pockets or we’ve left them behind.

A lifetime of passes

Answer to our prayers: Facial recognition

Here’s a thing though, since uploading the passes to our phones and Rynair are planning on getting rid of all paper passes I’ve been getting nostalgic.

But for the Scary One and her constant spring cleaning of my War Room (I put pins in the destinations of a wall atlas) I’d still have a pile of my old passes.

With markers from everywhere from the Maldives, South Africa and Jordan to Morocco, the Caribbean and all across the States.

All of which act as mementoes which let you daydream and drift off to exotic climes.

On cold, wet, dark days of which there are many in Scotland.

And when you’ve got a list of chores around the house which you need to avoid.

Face values

Find your gate: It may be further than you think

Now we have the International Civil Aviation Organisation to thank.

For this new revolution in aviation travel.

The UN body wants to create a new ‘digital travel credential’ within ‘two to three years’.

Allowing passport information stored on devices and used for travel.

And meaning that you will be able to download ‘a journey pass’ where your face will be your key.

Of course, if you’re one of those accidental tourists, of which I can count myself a paid-up member.

You’d forget your head

Then there will be other challenges.

Such as not leaving your mobile phone behind.

As I did on my MLK50 odyssey through the Deep South.

And had to have a courier chase our coach 100 miles up country to reunite man with mobile.

Or misreading my airline and going to the wrong Lufthansa gate in Munich airport.

And despite breaking the speed record across terminals.

Having to lean on the stern but generous Bertha at the counter to move my flight.

So that I could hook up with my party in Athens.

But that’s another story.

I need now to readjust for the future, it’s all part of the ever-changing landscape that is, Holidos and Don’ts – no more boarding passes.

America, Countries, Deals, Europe, Flying

Green for go for Paddy Day deals

13th March 202517th March 2025 funtime65

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was punching his weight in the White House in raising Ireland’s plane prowess… and here ain’t it green for go for Paddy Day deals?

The Micheál, over in Washington DC for the annual presentation of the shamrock, and The Donald did bants across court.

All smiles: The Donald and The Micheál. http://www.bbc.co.uk

With the President talking up Irish UFC champ Conor McGregor and his tatts.

And inviting Micheál to cite his Irish boxing dad and arranging a reunion at his own golf resort at Doonbeg. Co. Clare.

Ireland’s greatest exports

The Taoiseach was, of course, over in the US to promote Ireland and he was quick to promote its aviation industry.

With Ryanair and AerCap taking Seattle Boeings.

As a proud son of the Great Diaspora I gladly endorse that Ireland’s greatest export is, of course, its people.

And St Paddy’s Day and its promotions get bigger every year.

Ireland’s low-budget airline Ryanair is offering 20% or more on select hotels.

Book by 21 March for travel until 8 September.

The US of Aer

And if it’s North America you want then the national airline carrier is offering travel to its destinations.

Including its newest destinations, Nashville, beginning on 12 April and Indianapolis from May 3.

The Aer Lingus St Patrick’s Day Sale comes in at €249 each way as part of a return trip.

With the offer running to March 21 for travel during May, June, and September.

Ireland rocks: The Donald and The Micheál

Aer Lingus flies 16 direct routes from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to North America.

And so it’s a big thank you to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and to our Irish airline providers.

For making it green for go for Paddy Day deals.