Marky

I strongly recommend yopu do not use VONAGE. I had a trial service in the UK and the system just doesn't work , ie you frequently get "a lines are busy" message. When I rang up to cancel the service on their 30 day money back guarantee the every rude operative told me he was debiting £23.99 from my account as a cancelletaion charge. When I pointed out this was against our agreement he said he was going top do it anyway and they did. At the moment they have taken/stolen approximately £50 for a worthless service which I am trying to get back. DON'T USE VONAGE - THE SERVICE AND CUSTOMER S

I brought my TG to England Oct 2003 on a fiancee visa. This was difficult and time consuming. I am not an expert and things change but I believe obtaining tourist visas is exceedingly difficult. Research well before submitting an application as a first refusal may prejudice subsequent attempts. If you want some chance of success the fiancee is probably the way to go, but be warned these things are not easy. Good luck.

My point exactly.

Laterally............ Anyone remember The Champions the TV show with Alexandra Bastedo. What a name. What a chick. That big waterfall at the beginning. Saw her in recent times and now a tired old dog. Even the cute ones go bad but we (guys) will have the Money (no 1) until we die. So live every day like it's your last! Keep on truckin!

Tom how is the matchmaking going?

Tom - re EVA - its the inbound that is a problem - can you do that via AMS? Still not sure I would want to do that what with the luggage problems and the potential 10 hour waits for onward travel advice etc (which I experienced when China Air was delayed a few months ago). Think I'll stick to the airline of the year from now on - Emirates! I'll save the £250 and sit in their fairly high seat pitch economy for 10 hours. I see 3 other advantages of Emirates - 1 Less chance of terrorist attack by Muslimists as it is a Muslim country's airline 2 More availability to change retur

Just a word of caution - Ebookers can be shit at times. Website crashes all the time, you ring a cal centre in India - may have difficulty understanding/being understood. Also I am still fighting for a refund from a debacle with them a few months ago. They fucked up. NOT recommended. Trailfinders are pretty good and usually the same price. Ebookers are useful only for flight availability checks in my opinion on their website when it works.

Tom I was on the verge of booking Eva via Trailfinders Manchester until I found out about the overnighter. Their policy is definitely no hotel room supplied. Incidentally I still wouldn't do it with the room - too much hassle. Re the Crowne Plaza chick - any chance of setting me up as I believe you have a little influence there? I could make it worth your while! (Seriously.) Think of the money I could save by getting my Thai Sanuk in the UK. Please speak to your contact at the earliest opportunity! The rewards (for you) will be handsome!

As far as I know Steve and Fat this is the new permanent schedule and no hotel room is supplied. maybe Cheshire TomCat can advise us

Firstly, great column Nightmarch, really love it. However re the Baht Bus thing - I just pay the 10 Baht and if travelling with a TG give her 20 Baht to hand over. These are miniscule amounts and it is an accepted practice. Note that your TG will not generally attempt to pay 10 or 15 Baht. All Thai people are "brothers" or "sisters" and she is helping her brother by getting him a few Baht more - c'mon this is nothing to us. Just a shame that farang people don't stick together a little more like the Thais do. Just my take on it. Mai pen rai!

Thanks Gabor seems to work now but I am sure I clicked on that before - but maybe not. Anyway ta muchly and stop talking about the war man!

But Pete when I access the gallery and go to members photos it shows zero photos and NO user names at all??????

How can I access members photos please Pete? I can get into photo section but there are no members photos there apparently. I want to amend my avatar. Thanks.

Anyone flying Manchester - London - BKK on Eva please note - on the return leg there is an approx 11 hour overnight gap at London. This is why I don't fly Eva anymore. Even Evergreen Deluxe passengers don't get a hotel room. Killed it for me. I'm doing my frequent flyer miles with Emirates from now on.

You guys are what we the UK call anoraks (or train spotters)!!!!!!!!!!! Only joking and keep the info coming! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)