nidnoyham

RBAV. I didn't put it very well- Its my wife and daughter, who were going to spend a week in Pattaya with my Thai GF. But they both asked me to go along too. The GF doesn't know I am coming ( No wisecracks). Then on the 27th we all go back to U.K together. I may be making a mistake here- time will tell. My wife and I are of course seperated, sorry to disappoint.

It just occured to me as I was walking around the Supermarket today, that these places could be considered the chalk to Pattayas cheese. Bored husbands, pushing shopping trollies behind their frumpy wives, who put items in them without even looking at the man. She then walks off in the full knowledge that he will follow dutifully in her wake- or else. I wonder if he ever gets to choose the bread or butter they buy. My wife had a system where it looked as though I made the decision, after asking me what meat I would like, I would give my answer and if it was the one she was going to buy anyway- no problem, but if I guessed wrong, would listen to varios reasons why we can't have it, until I got to the right one. It does give bit of a lift to help me get round, especially as my next trip out is 10 days away. I bet they would give their Sunday roast and 2 veg' to swap places. Ah well see you in Big C in a week or two, I'll be the one with 3 women, Wife, Daughter and my TG- I know it sounds complicated, but it isn't- yet.

One of the cruelist songs would be The Faces -Stay With Me You wont take too much persuading, I dont mean to sound degrading' But with a face like that you got nothing to laugh about! Yeah I'll pay your cab fare home You can even use my best cologne Just don't be here in the morning when I wake up. Don't sing that one with the Uglies if you are with a lady ! It is a rocking song though, one of my fave's

Just to get back to my origional post. Watched a T.V programe recently called Monkey Dust, in which they had a spoof American movie about the Crusades. All the Crusaders were played by Americans. The captives they rescued were all Irish, complete with green suits etc. Saladin was in the character of Vincent Price. Of course the Crusaders won the battle, the hero stabbing the bad guy, with the words " Take that Saladin- you English Bastard " When the credits rolled it had - In memory of all the Americans who died in the Crusades. It was only a 30 second cartoon, but summed up nicely my point about American film makers, doing their best to assasinate the English character-Why do they ? I have to say it does make, even a serious film have it's funny side, once you start to analize the characters. Is it the large Celtic immigrant population telling stories for generations around the camp fire about how the English are to blame for all the troubles of their forfarthers ? Makes you wonder if thats why old Mel, didn't even use our language in the film ! Perhaps one of our friends over the pond, could explain- In English ?

Big Swede. The airlines are not in trouble due to lack of passengers, it is the low cost of tickets that is a big factor. As my Brasilian friend who works for Varig pointed out- A ticket from LHR to RIO is the same price today as it was 10 years ago. And Air Canada is unable to compete with the new low cost domestic airlines operating in that country, they make a fair amount Internationaly, very busy Transatantic. Monday before Easter, had 45 denied boardings on the last Toronto flight. I know what you are going to say- serves them right for over booking, but in my expeirence, 1 person will book themself on all 6 Toronto flights in 1 day ex LHR, to insure that if he arrives late into LHR, especially from the Far East, he and maybe his wife and 3 kids have a reservation on the next flight- thats how airlines get so many no-shows. five passegers-30 bookings. Havin said all that, your right about Airline Management not knowing about economy comfort, but it's just bums on seats to them, they work on statistics. Its not just seats on aircraft either, they should get their bums out of their offices and take a good look around the industry, if they had a forum like this, it would help. But like Politicians, if they started doing the obvious, anyone could do the job.

Donno who did it, but I think it's called "Wasting away in Maguerita Ville" All about a guy trying to drink away his last relationship. The setting is Mexicio, but it would suit Pattaya to a tee. "Some people claim, threre's a woman to blame, but I know -it's my own damn fault." Just remembered one of my fave' lines- Got nothing to show 'sept this brand new tattoo, It's a real beauty, a Mexican Cutie' Just how it got there I havn't a clue. Always reminds me of some chaps in Pattaya, maybe me too. :crying Oh yes- Stones -Honkey Tonk Women, sort of fits.

Not a lota people know that !

Right, lets assume that the airlines vary their seat size- and, this is the good bit for me- vary the price to match, so Mr Big pays £460, I pay £340. Plus if they run out of small seats I will fit nicely into a larger one- be able to wriggle about a bit. However, what is Mr Big going to do if they run out of wide seats ? I suppose the seat will have to be selected when you book the size paid for, but yeah I like the way this is going. Next thing you big glokes will want is a bigger meal, on second thoughts I am willing to concede this to you, I hate airline food.

Maybe they'll follow B.A.A policy and fill the airport with shops and sevices like Heathrow. T3 departure lounge used to be a huge open space, now I get clostrophobic walking around the duty-free, bars, shops etc. I did hear a comment that they made more revenue from retail outlets rent and commision than from airlines fees. Takes some believing, especially with their fees being so high. No wonder they feel constantly theatened by SPL/FRA/ & CDG for main European hub airport. Crackpot is right about the passenger generating the need for the airports. Likewise without the airlines, there would be no demand for them. It is a strange situation therefore, that although the airline industy is going through financial crisis, (My old outfit, Air Canada has been on the brink of going down for over a year), that there is all this talk of 50% travel expansion over the next 10 years by air and huge expansion of airports. Terminal 5 at LHR is enormous, plus talk of a 3rd runway to cope. The cost of these 2 projects alone is astronomical. Millions were spent on the enquiry about the need for T5, before a brick was laid. So, how much has the profteering by the likes of the B.A.A, with its astonomical charges for landing fees, had to do with the airline industry's problem ? For instance , the new baggage transfer system at T3 LHR was paid for by the airlines who use it, as is anything you want to improve your service. Airside work is ridiculous, we wanted an aerial put up for our rest room t.v and was quoted £600, to have a combi' lock on door for same £350. All work must be done by B.A.A. No airlines- no airport. I feel better now, have a cuppa and lay down in darkened room.

Will I still be able to play the piano ?

Robert Shaw - Jaws

I did once, jeans I think, my pettit GF of the time,regularly did the same. Mothercare staff did get a bit suspicious after a while. I stopped buying Sherbert Dabs when they put tax on sweets.

Speaking as someone who can walk aound H.M.S Victory, without having to duck my head below decks. I think the biggest pee take is a made to measure suits of a particular material, being the same price for me and Martin Johnston. The cloth for my 3 peice would make him a jacket. We little fellas have been subsidising you big blokes for years. And remember, when Britannia ruled the waves, the average Englishman was only 5ft 2in tall, since we have grown bigger (Well I havn't ) things have gone tits up !

If I am, it's not by my grammar, you are mixing past and present nouns in one sentence- but that is just me knowing the difference and reacting. Alternatively, you could have asked ,Where are all the topics ? You wanted more dialouge didn't you ?

Eltilza, The problems with misconecting baggage ex Eva at LHR is due in part to Air Canada's staff cutbacks at this station. Up to last year they had 3 men to meet and unload the baggage including the connectiions. This was reduced to 2 men, the London baggage has priority- first and last bags times are handed to Eva staff with a Stewards Enquiry if it is longer than standard. So sometimes, if there is a lot of local baggage, the through bags get delayed. I'll pass your thanks to the lads who got your bag across in time, when I see them for a pint. I uesd to work in the transfer area, but now gratefully retired. :)

Do you mean where HAVE all the topics gone ?

Both, a sudden deluge can dump as much water as a days steady rain. At night you can't see the aproaching clouds and it is not uncommon to be stuck drinking in some bar cos its too wet to go out !

Boys from the dwarf

Babe, I can appreciate a realistic dramatic film, watched one on T.V last night. It was a true story about a Scots regiment building the Death Railway in Thailand. A soldier was crucified to save his Major from being be-headed. These poor sods, starved and beaten, got bombed by the Allies too. At the end of the film they showed the actuall Scots Major and Japanese interpreter from the camp laying a reef for the fallen. The Japanese man is now a Bhudist Monk in Thailand, but the Major has since died. Some films are made to inform without being a box office record breaker. Just a few mens story of suffering. I am no judge of directorship, camera position etc, but it had me spellbound to the end. Think it was called War to end wars. :)

No, your just a dipstick with a danger marker !

Alan Those varifocals are a problem. The lenses have to be a minimum depth to fit in the focal lengths. I have got used to mine now- well my brain has, but still find my self moving my head up and down to get the right bit for what I am looking at. The position on your nose can vary and I think this has to be compesated for too. If it wasn't for the fact that print is getting smaller nowadays, I wouldnt bother with the reading bit !

Anyone who visited Jerusalem to follow the route of the cross, might enjoy this fim. The route, wich I did in the 70's now goes through about 5 gift shops, and for a religous person, I imagine, a big dissapointment I was kibbutzing for 3 months, but did my tourist bit too. The tackiness of it was not lost on someone like me, a Pilgrim would have been highly miffed. As far as entertainment value, it's not my cup of tea, English Judas or not. Give me Indiana Jones any day. :)

You mean the paint makes them safer ? The priority is, to get them earning their keep I would think, no matter what colour they are. I can't afford to have my car resprayed , gawd knows what a blooming airplane is !! What would you say to a surcharge for a paint job ?

John, these places you have lived in. Are you talking about prisons ? You know an island off the south coast- Parkhust ?

Err, Duffabboy, I was having a pop at JohnUK. Of course we dont talk in complete rhyming slang, no one ever did, just the odd word. Dont be in such a hurry to rubbish your London culture, it is a dying thing. Blimey, where I live, straight English is almost an endangered species. :)