TheFiend

At his interview Roland was questioned about giving out free beers to punters who claim they have been short changed...... His answer was "they won't pull that scam on me"

Sorry but you have got your facts wrong on this one. If it was from Lancashire it would be called Lancashire Sausage. Cumberland has never been part of Lancashire. Cumberland was the northern area of Cumbria. Cumbria was formed out of Cumberland, Westmorland and the Furness area of Lancashire. The finest Cumberland Sausage is made in Cumbria, stuff produced else where is a poor imitation. Proper Cumberland Sausage is 95% meat. I am a Cumbrian - born in Cumberland before the counties were changed.

I am with INSUREANDGO as well, went for the Silver Annual Multi-trip. Previously had always gone for a single trip policy, but with a 3.5 week trip it worked out just as cheap to take out the annual one. Nice to hear they provide good service. Haven't had to make a claim with them yet, luckily.

And a new pool room has just been added.- they were having an opening party on 9th..... the day after I left. On this stay won the weekly bonus ball competition and give the lasses behind the bar a 1000 baht tip out of my winnings. There a good bunch of girls and always up for a laugh.

Impressed Arrived this morning with 11 days to spare And heads up to Amazon.co.uk.... Vampires: The Turning arrived the ay after ordering. Can I resist the temptation to watch them before I head off to Funland

I am arriving the same day but about 4.5 hours later, but a close personal friend is meeting me at the airport, so I won't be of any use for a taxi share

Twice flown with Emirates from Manchester. Flew out last November and had a window seat with 2 empties beside me, so it is not always busy. But you will find the Bangkok leg is always packed. For my next trip, on May 16th, I am flying with Emirates with from Birmingham.

Just checked and it was shipped today at 10:50 aussie time. Hopefully I will receive in the nick of time... 16 days until I am on the plane to Funland maybe I should also take Vampires 3 - The Turning (another vampire film set in Thailand)

I ordered it from www.ezydvd.com.au yesterday, but was showing "currently out of stock" P (2005) Just checked and it is back in stock...... wonder how long it will take to arrive in the UK.

Have you noticed the distinct lack of American airlines in the top 10?

I stayed there last November and they were refurbishing the room next door to mine, some banging and drilling noise but only intermittently. Mentioned it to Vic and he apologised and bought me a drink for my trouble. On the day I was booking out he showed me one of the refurbished rooms. Looked very nicely done - new shower arrangement. Hasn't stopped me from booking my third stay there. 8 weeks to go.

I've just booked for may with Emirates, flying from Birmingham on 17th May for £508 including taxes. Considering that last October I flew from Manchester with Emirates for £493 including taxes, and the last UK budget added a departure tax, I would say I have got a decent price. Prefer a break halfway to stretch my legs - hence why I fly with Emirates. Emirates start flying from Newcastle later this year so I'll have 3 options for departure points, and will go for the cheapest of the 3.

Just booked my 3rd stay there.

The European Union/European Economic Community perhaps should start calling itself "The United States of Europe"

Here we go again! BigD just doesn't give up!!! What about the multi-billion dollar tax breaks given to Boeing??? Isn't that being anti-competetive???

I am a EU taxpayer - and I don't complain about where my tax gets spent. If some of it is loaned to Airbus, then it is no problem to me. Why? Because it is helping provide employment for thousands of europeans, not just those employed by Airbus, but also their suppliers.

But what would you rather have - a product that has been rushed through development and into production just to deliver at a promised time, or a product that has been properly developed, tested and then finally put into production with all the bugs ironed out. I know what i would go for - the properly developed and tested product. The company I work for likes to have it's new chemical plants handed over to the company on time but we find they are never completed, and fully tested and are full of bugs and errors. We then have to spend months ironing out all the problems because the projects have been rushed to meet the handover date. If someone is happy with a shoddy product as long as it is delivered on time then more fool them!

Yes, you can purchase upto 25,000 miles in a calender year at a cost of 2.5 cents per mile. depending on how many miles and bonuses I aquire this year I might just need a little top up for a reward flight next year.

There is also an option to purchase additional miles if you are just short of a reward. I have made 2 return trips so far and with bonuses so far have accumulated 33K in airmiles lfying from manchester.

I go for the Emirates otion, don't mind the 3 hour break in Dubai, gives me an opportunity to stretch my legs. Did the KLM non-stop from Amsterdam once, never again!

Mmmmm... looks like I might use Newcastle on my November trip instead of Manchester.... Wee bit closer to home than Manchester And nice flight times from/to Newcastle as well:D

All Emirates flights go to/from Dubai, they use Dubai as their central hub. So there will more than likely be a chance to spend some time looking around the rather excellent duty-free shops. Although you can have a beer in one of the bars at the airport, it is quite expensive They are in the middle of a massive expansion of Dubai airport. If you decide to fly Emirates join the Skywards frequant flyer program, I have and have so far flown with them twice to Bangkok, and after my next 2 trips will be getting near to a free return flight to Bangkok

Been there, done that..... Wouldn't recommend the KLM option, they use a 747 combi ( 1/2 passanger, 1/2 cargo ) from Amsterdam to Bangkok. Worst flight I have ever been on. Have travelled Air France, you could maybe try that.

Stayed there twice, and with 2 more trips planned this year am intending staying there again. Vic is a very hospitable guy. He has bought the building next door and is extending, increasing the number of rooms and is planning on a having some with jacuzzis Soi 6 goes quiet after 1:00am so shouldn't disturb sleeping. And at night there is a security guy watches the back staircase to take the ID's of your guests.

Now that I would have liked for Xmas dinner