Old Sarum - English Heritage

What is the best thing to do on a March day in England where the wind is blowing a hooley?

Go to the cinema? - Nope, films are all rubbish
DIY? - Nope, ruined all my hammers
Bowling? - Last time I went i hit myself in the testes.

So the decision was set, we would walk the dog! We decided on an English Heritage property called Old Sarum. Its a bit much to call it a castle. It was a castle, it isn't now!  Anyway, its near Salisbury in Wiltshire and that is in England if you hadn't already guessed it!

We got there about 10:30am on a Sunday, a windy Sunday! The car park was already filling up so already I have a tip for you.  Go early.  The mock drawbridge over the deep empty moat looked very impressive and you are soon into the middle bit where the castle would have been.  If you don't want to read anymore you can watch some footage of the whole trip below:

For those still reading. "Ruins of a castle" is the right term for this place. There is not a great deal left, but what there is is impressive and had plenty of signs with information.  The only thing to point out is, a lot of the signs aren't exactly sure of themselves and use the words "maybe" "probably" quite a lot.   "This building was probably the keep"  "This might have been where the servants lived"
 etc. One has to bear in mind this place was not built around the time of Disney World, and was several hundreds of years ago where people didn't tend to write stuff down as to what rooms were was.  one the less, the site is well kept and has plenty of information.

Outside of the main castle you can walk around the old moat, even in it if you wish and it has some great views over the surrounding countryside and Salisbury itself.

All in all, it is definitely recommended but try to avoid going when its really windy. It was a bit wild up there!

British Airways is going more British, but it isnt

British Airways have just announced that they are selling out a new million pounds on upgrading the First Class experience.  Among the improvements they are going to add a British Afternoon Tea service on bone china, better wine and bubbles and a more luxurious bed / seat arrangement.

This year is 100 years that BA have been around and I think theyve realised that perhaps theyve let things slip a little, and are in dnager of other airlines taking our money.  Virgin Atlantic for example is relatively new to the game as far as BA is concerned, but has taken away a lot of its long haul passengers. EasyJet has also taken away a lot of its short haul passengers - so not its time for them to invest some money and buy some new planes, and smarted up the customer experience.

The thing is though, is it too liuttle too late - and did you know that Britsh Airways isnt actually British? Its owned by a Spanish company IAG who also own American Airlines. Isnt adding an afternoon tea service to the mix a little bit 1950s? It's also been romoured that BA are going to buy some second hand A380s, which other carriers have ditched for more economical craft - so it will be interesting to see how they deck those out. Hardly think it will be in the same standard as Emirates or Etihad.

Of course the First expiernece will opnly be for long haul and probably in newer planes, so where does this leave short haul and people who get to fly in the planes from the late 90s? Stuffed, really is the answer and not with scones and jam!!

To be honest I'd give it a few years and let them upgrade everything before giving it a go. You might end up paying first class prices but we stuck with a leaky aircon over your head, or a stained seat where grubby people have sat and farted for the last 20 - 30 years.

Here is the story from the news, makr up your own mind!
BA is getting fancier - more tea vicar?

Don't travel to the Travellodge Monaco - N Miami & Sunny Isle Beach

I could summarize this hotel with one word: shocking, or even two words: totally shocking, but tor purposes of writing a descriptive review that's useful i wont.

On booking this hotel we knew it wasnt going to be amazing, but at $80 we thought it might at least be decent, and the description portrayed it to be a "resort" with a pool, a pool side bar and clean, comfortable rooms. It wasn't.

On arrival we were greeted by a building that looked as though it was in the middle of a demolition, they charged $8 for parking, and the pool was shut due to them painting it. Apparently it was going to he closed for a day but by 7pm it hadn't even drained yet. I wouldn't be surprised if it was actually a murder scene. The smaller pool had already been filled with soil. What was hidden under there? If we were hoping to console ourselves with a drink at the poolside bar that was also right out. It was also closed and looked like it had been since 1985.

The room looked as though it should have been rented by the hour and smelt as though it had been. The sink was almost coming off the wall and only needed a small house spider to cross its path to make it fully come away from the wall.
The door had a security chain and a dead bolt on it. Great impression for security then.

The stairwell doorway near to our room needed a serious case of wd40 and they appeared to have purchased the only triangle wheeled trolley left in the world to push up and down every 5 minutes.

The hotel staff were over helpful to try and get you to give them a tip. We didn't. They offered to give us a menu for room service, I assume they meant for food but we declined due to the fact we didn't wqnt to be on a drip in a hospital bed for the remainder if our holiday.

In summary, dont visit this hotel,

Check it out on Tripadvisor https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g34486-d85810-Reviews-or25-Travelodge_Monaco_N_Miami_and_Sunny_Isles_Beach-North_Miami_Beach_Florida.html#photos;aggregationId=101&albumid=101&filter=2&ff=106190890