Home in Time for Tea

Random Street Party: Gay Pride in Nice Richard and I arrive at our hotel in Nice on a Saturday afternoon, and following a few wrong turnings in the old town, we find our hotel in a quiet street a few blocks from Place Garibaldi and dump our stuff so we can go out for something delicious to eat in the late afternoon sun. Walking around on the way into the old town we spy a fair few bunches of rainbow balloons, and there seems to be a lot of merriment - more than usual anyway . "I think it's something to do with gay pride you know," I say to Richard as we pass by a particularly colourful rabble of men and balloons on our way to yet another restaurant to assess the menu. "What makes you say that?" He asks, clearly confused at my sudden judgement. "All the rainbow balloons! The gay pride flag is a rainbow." "No - well I haven't seen any gay.... oh!" Richard stops mid sentence and grins. Right on cue a truckload of transvestites an...

          A Seasickness Phobic's Ferry Journey to Corsica I wake up from a shallow sleep. It's pitch black and I have no idea what the time is. I don't feel drowsy at all, in fact I can't believe I'd even been asleep. The ferry's been swaying for a while and it's gotten worse. I knew I shouldn't have eaten those chips - God, how long ago was that? I have no idea. It can't be more than 8 hours - that's the length of this crossing to Savona from Corsica. It will surely be over soon. I lie on my side and close my eyes, trying to will myself to remember I'm safe, upright, and just in a lovely little ensuite cabin on night time mediterranean seas, rocking gently with the calm waves. There's nothing at all to worry about. I'll feel more sick if I keep thinking about it, so I'd better suck it up. For goodness sake I just need to go back to sleep. I roll over angrily. I hold the ...

Spring Ski Holiday to St Gervais With My Friend Kim, and Our Soggy Ski Encounter Kim didn't need ski lessons. It was her first time and I decided to teach her, but perhaps we both needed lessons in mountain weather... After coming off the phone and logging off the laptop my sense of excitement intensified. We were actually booked - flights to Geneva, a chalet in Saint Gervais, and coach transport from the airport. I was going to get to ski in the Alps a second time before the summer after all! I suppose that’s the nature of taking up the most addictive outdoor pursuit - constantly craving it. Anyway, Kim seemed excited and not only was I looking forward to my holiday, I was looking forward to hers. With any luck she would come away sharing my addiction to the white stuff... After being dropped off at the airport by my cousin I was lucidly aware of Richard’s absence. How many euros should I get? Shall I use my card or get cash? Leaving behind ‘head of a...

Stranded Passengers in an Expensive City! 26th March 2010: A week before our cheap flight to Oslo, Norway… I have the phone pressed to my ear, I’m eagerly waiting for Richard to answer… “Hello?” “Oslo! I’ve found two return flights to Oslo for £40 each!” “Yeah? Ok… Can you ski there?” “Yes. I’ve done all the research! There’s a ski resort in Oslo canlled Tryvann, and an even better one a short train ride away. Let’s book it! It’s so cheap!” “Ok – the dates we agreed yeah? There’s no taxes or anything?” “No. It’s all there! Three nights in a hotel in Oslo! I’ll text you when it’s booked...” Day 1 We’re walking down the hill, through Slottsparken to the city centre, using a city map. After ten minutes we come across the large modern train station and nearby tourist centre. We wait in line and a friendly man calls us forward. “Can I help?” “Um, hi, do you know how to get to Geilo ski resort please?” I ask. “It is by train.” He replies in his Nord...