Butch

Shame really, the consistency wasn't there (pardon the pun). Every trip I went out they moved premises, weren't serving for whatever reason or were having time off. The one meal I did have was actually very good indeed, such a shame.

Bloody hell, you're not one of them Canary supporters are you?. I'm just down the road, driving my tractor!.

Hi, I'm hoping to get a trip in next year, guys can anyone suggest a hotel that meets the following criteria : Quiet area Pool / Gym (Must have a pool at least) Clean rooms with a decent size (38 SQ M upwards) Good English speaking staff Within a walk to the end of the road for a baht bus route. Price not too important but under 1800 per night inc taxes etc would be good. I'm looking for one in the Bukhao Area and one in the Soi 2/3/4/5 area of town. I last stayed at the Blue Sky in Soi 5, but they're shit at answering emails and I've tried to book through Agoda on the site here, but my provisional dates won't come up. Free virtual beer to you all, and Merry Xmas. :party :gulp

There's a direct bus service to stansted from colchester, that is public transport by definition. There's also direct ones from norwich, ipswich, Chelmsford, Harlow, Brentwood, sarf end and pretty much every decent sized town. Train is change at colchester into braintree then direct bus to stansted, same for anyone going to STN, either train to Harlow or braintree then hop on the bus. Yes, it is a pain in the rectum but then again public transport anywhere isn't easy, it's no harder or easier than getting to LHR or LGW, but it is shorter in time for people coming from this part of the UK. Sodding about and public transport go hand in hand, it's no less easy or no more difficult getting to STN than it is LHR or LGW (actually it's a shite sight easier getting to STN than into LGW). It's not easy getting to LHR by public transport, it's a fucking nuisance. You have to get the bus to the station, then the train to liverpool street or Kings cross if coming from cambridge, then the tube with a change at holborn (up and down stairs) then a 1.5 hour tube ride usually standing up as it's full of our immigrant friends heading home to Hounslow. Air Asia stopped flying to the UK in 2012 due to high fuel prices and weakening demand (it was flying into LGW at the time) to concentrate on Air Asia X and expand in SEA, it doesn't prove anything. Pretty much every road into london is gridlocked at rush hour as well, by the way. The A10 is a nightmare, the M1 hell on Earth and the M4 makes me want to commit hari kari every time I go on it which is fortunately rare. As STN have never actually offered a long haul ME service from any of the big ME carriers, it's perhaps wrong to say the demand isn't there based on demographics which you don't have any proof of?. Bear in mind the current "catchment" area have to go out of the UK by LHR or LGW, hence my point, that catchment will arguably use STN instead. Emirates will also have a captive audience in that respect, plus STN has probably offered them the deal of the century to get their name associated with the Airport. I'd say emirates are more shrewd than we think.

lower left hand, What one do you think?.

Good stuff KOJO, but I also like the abstract work in the corner of the painting.

You haven't been there recently then. Stanstead is a peice of piss to get to, all dual carriageway from the M11 in (only a few mins off the junction) and if you're coming in from Essex or the A12, it's about 25 mins from the turn off, but with 9 miles of single lane carriageway, In fact one of the best routes from Suffolk / Essex to LHR / LGW is A12, across the A120 then down the M11 to the M25 and round, cutting out the lower part of the A12 and the frequent congestion around J28, it takes 1 1/4 hours from Stanstead to LHR by car, so no, it isn't quicker to get to LHR faster than it is to get to STD from Chelmsford or Colchester, and given that I live 15 mins away from Colchester, I've a pretty good idea of the distance. Stanstead from Colchester is 35 - 40 mins, from Chelmsford about 45 - 50. Given the choice from Stanstead or LHR / Gatwick I'll choose Stanstead every time. Even for the inbreds up in Norfolk it's just a jaunt down the A11, M11 then hang a left into Stanstead. Same same for Cambridge, P'bro and most other Eastern towns and cities. Air Asia used to fly out to Hong Kong from Stanstead if I recall. How can the "catchment area" not be there?, surely if people in East Anglia want to fly to Dubai, they have the LGW/ LHR options, but now they have the additional STD option so if anything, the catchment area is actually massive, offering all the previous customers a new destination to fly from closer to home.

Shame really GE because the BA times for their direct service , leaving UK at around 15:00 seems to be actually quite good, plus the return leg of 11:15 to around 17:30 is also favourable. I had considered them in the past but even my parents refuse to fly them now out to Cape Town ,preferring Virgin biz.

Hi, Do you fly EVA Laurel?, if so how do you rate it in comparison to other Biz class products on the same route?.

Not surprised, it's shit. I was chatting today to a very attractive young lady sorting out our (currently fucked) Comms systems. She has just flown in from Hong kong on BA Business and complained that there were fresh red wine stains down the side panel under the window. The staff made a note and managed to get around to attempting to clean it 2 hours into the journey and a second complaint. She's now going to book Cathay for the next trip after my suggestion. I hope it is good because my next contract depends on it!.

Just watched all but one of the new Star Trek discovery on Netflix, mostly on the strength of the actress Sonequa Martin-Green playing the lead role (highly underrated IMO) and the other role played by Jason Isaacs. All in all it's Ok if you're a "trekkie" I guess (I'm a fan of the original series but nothing since) and despite some very weak script and acting in the first two episodes it has improved. Michelle Yeoh really doesn't cut it here, but then again I never really rated her. There have also been some accusations of the whole series becoming a bit "SJW" - we have females in strong leadership roles, a couple of homo's and the Male lead is seemingly typically over exagerrated tough guy / ruthless "mission comes first" character. Worth a watch if you want some sci fi on a plate, although it's chronologically meant to take place prior to the original series, the "tech" doesn't add up. Also, if you're watching on Netflix you can go to "subtitles" and have it subtitled in "Klingon" lol!. Something perhaps for when you're bored or looking for a dose of fantasy, grab some junk food, a few beers and relax without having to worry too much about the plot line.

In July it took me less than 3 minutes in the middle of the afternoon, but I had the benefits of a fastrack, so there is an argument for paying the 800 baht or so for it.

Vote with your feet Idefix. that's unacceptable and I don't blame you for questioning it. Dr Olivier always seemed quite reasonable and I always found him very helpful. There must be other clinics in town locals can recommend?.

Tells me all I need to know about the wankers over at Thaivisa

Good question GP and I'll do my best to give my opinion but not necessarily a correct answer. I agree with Cbrib, he hit the nail square on. I've been flying with EVA since 1997 back then on their modern 747-400 Combi's (the CC got an applause when we landed in BKK). Years ago EVA offered LHR-BKK Econ for £300 I have a receipt from 1999 which was for £303 all inc for April. iirc Eva Deluxe class was £150 more. EVA always offered a price point and service which was very competitive with Thai and BA but the "clincher" was that EVA had better tackle. Their 747's all had seatback IFE, good, decent recline (1 inch or more than everyone else) plenty of drinks and good CC plus the option of an easy upgrade to Elite at the desk (me and a friend once upgraded from Econ to Biz at the check in desk - upstairs on a 747. Awesome) , whereas Thai were running stuff like "Phimara", an old 747 with a CRT TV at the front of the cabin, old and tired seats but really good food. The check in at LHR was done by Air Canada staff who were pretty damn good, I even took one of the girls out one evening. Move on a few years and EVA are running 777's with the most powerful GE90 in the business, 115,000lb's of thrust which, at the time, was incredible. Added to that, EVA updated their livery and IFE regularly yet still managing to keep a competitive price point, but as you well know, the airline industry changed exponentially and EVA changed its game accordingly. The CC service declined, the meals got smaller and the allowance remained the same at 20kg for LH. Less food and drinks were offered and EVA introduced a "high season" running from June thru to late Aug when prices effectively doubled. Fast forward today and the price point still remains in line with Thai for a comparible on board service. Timings are not as great as Thai seem to get priority at SVB, but the IFE, Seat comfort, pitch and recline (pre 3-4-3) are still very generous. Food is actually very good. My last 3 meals on EVA have been arguably the best I've ever had on a plane in recent times. 30 kg allow in Econ is more than fair. CC are helpful, food available at all times via the rear of the cabin and overall, for an economy direct service it's not too shabby.

To be honest I don't think any of us are BA fanboys. Whether or not the issue concerning the wing exit doors are there or not is moot. I think that jumping down Rawhides throat for asking a question or clarification on a point is a bit out of order, especially when it offered a chance to look at the subject in question across the different airlines. We have to also assume that it might be a case of "corporate risk" strategy. Let's say it gains the airlines an extra (hypothetical here) £2 billion a year revenue. They then weigh up how many crashes or incidents they have in a year and the amount of compensation they might have to pay after the lawayers have done their bit, to the families. If it works out that the expected incident leading to a claim will be one in 10 years and the claim will be £5 billion, then they're quids in, a £20 billion gain versus a £5 billion loss. I seem to recall this actually being applied by one of the big USA carriers years ago when a modification was going to be prohibitively expensive but not actually enforced by the CAA. I hope you can see where I'm coming from. Anyway GP, you need to relax a bit, bloody hell mate chill out and I hope you like the BA towel and Mug gift set I'm sending you for Xmas :D I thought we were all mates here (except Jacko - he drinks Lipton).

Good bit of sleuthing there Bazle!, nicely done mate. With any luck they'll keep the 3-4-3 on the US Routes and leave the LHR one well alone. I still haven't purchased my flight as I'm in the process of arranging leave. Sadly on this occasion I might have to leave Mrs Butch at home to run the business while I jet off and grab myself some relaxation time in funtown :D .

Will what?.

I know it'a slightly off topic but I have a bit of a yarn for ya: At the tender age of 16 I got a part time job at the local Sainsburys. As I looked about 11 years old, I got lumbered with the crappiest job (so I thought) in the store. Freezers. Fucking Freezers. 4 x 30 foot long freezer compartments in the warehouse full of fucking ice cream and turkey twizzlers. Bakery had birds in white see through tops, deli counter had all the eye candy with big tits, and Greengrocery had the resident MILFS who, by all accounts were cock hungry for virgins. I get fucking freezers, the supermarket equivalent of HIV, second only to the "fish counter" which is the supermarket equivalent of leprosy. "Fuck this" I said to Jim, my supervisor and boss. "Come on son, give it a go, give it 2 months and I guarantee you'll thank me". Jim was a top bloke, lifting 25 - 30 kg boxes all day long made him as strong as an ox, and puny little me , 8 stone soaking wet wasn't the greatest assistant he could have asked for but he was patient and a decent man. Within 2 months I was bigger and even had muscles in my shit, a lean green premature ejaculation machine. Despite repeated requests to transfer to Greengrocery and / or Bakery, I was still there, humping boxes of pizzas around and stealing moody cornettos. I took him to one side and said "Jim, it's been 2 months and this job is fucking crap but I'll stick to it cos you're a mate" "you will thank me he said, wait till next week". The following week it was hot, really hot. I ponced my way into work and Jim said "go fill the freezers on Shop aisle 4 and 5, I'm coming with you". Prior to this I'd been kept away from the shop floor, probably because of acne but also mostly because child labour was illegal and I looked like a victorian slum dweller. We went out into the big wide world of the Sainsburys shop floor, Jim grabbed my arm tight and said: "Make out like you are filling the freezer. When a bird in a T shirt leans over, have a look to see down her top and go over to ask if she needs any help". The amount of braless women in 1986 was astounding. That summer, 1986, I spent more time wanking in the Freezers than actually doing anything else. I even managed 2 off the same hard. Those memories will stick with me for the rest of my life. Jim, RIP, I owe you a beer. sorry but the "tescos" thing stirred up some memories. So Atlas2, you are not the only person who has had a wank in a fridge my friend.

https://sussextravelclinic.com/vaccinations/hepatitis-b-vaccine/ Rapid is Day 0, Day 7 , Day 21 then 12 months. There's a shortage at the moment but you should be ok. If you are able to lie or tell fibs well, go to your local GUM clinic and tell them you're a twink (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twink_(gay_slang) ) you'll probably get the vaccine for free, make sure you emphasise the fact you are sexually active, it'll save you a fortune (just google how much superdrug charge for a rapid course) failing that get yourself booked into a local clinic and sorted out. You'll be fine with the rapid course, even if you forget the booster 12 months later. Some protection is better than none. If you intend doing naughty stuff like rimming then I'd say it's a very good idea. If you intend on doing very naughty stuff like bareback* then I'd say it's essential. Don't panic about Hep A or C, they're more or less cureable if unpleasant to live with. Typhoid etc are not needed in Pattaya anymore than they are in Dorset. While it is not really cureable, 90% of people manage to self heal, if you're unlucky you might be in the 10% that don't and end up with chronic HepB, but all is not lost, there are trial vaccines out there and some respond well to treatment. Either way any of the Hepa infections are fucking unpleasant. ( * Barebacking South East Asian prostitutes is a really bad idea).

Yep, School holidays and blatant profiteering by the Airlines. I paid a few hundred quid more last summer to go to the USA as it was the holidays. I think that it's not just Saudi and Iran, without wanting to threadfuck and turn this into a political yarn, I think the whole Middle East is getting very unsettled indeed with the exceptions of Dubai and Oman.

As the hours pass by and looking at the website I'm agreeing with you more and more!. Actually I've been looking, the smallest disparity in cost although on slightly different dates (weekend as opposed to weekday for some reason) is £610 Econ versus £810 PE which seems even better value. Any particular seats to avoid in that part of the cabin?.

I'm still mulling it over. I've shopped around today and also managed around the £800 mark, give or take a tenner or so, Econ is £540 upwards to £610!!. For an extra £250 (ish) I'm getting tempted, but it's a big wedge to hand over at once lol, especially with my CC taking a beating this month with 3 Premium Econ LHR-MNL Cathay tickets to pay. Ages since I went Premium on EVA, is it really much better than the Econ service?.

What are you doing wanking in the fridge?.

I admit I thought the same. I know that EVA's high season runs from Late June through to Late August where the flights are more expensive. I paid about £580 for July which was sadly in the middle of their high season prices, yet the year previous October was £425. The Elite (premium) seats tend to remain static due to the small area of the cabin. I'm half tempted to opt in for one of those seats given their changes in Economy, but I'm going to wait for Thai just after Xmas to see what they have to offer. For some reason I'm really being put off EVA with their reconfiguration in economy, I've heard nothing but bad reports about it, so much so that paying an extra few ££ for Thai is a pill I'll happily swallow.