The totally off-topic thread

[Flying mermaid]

Glad to read.

My husband started piano lessons last year, he's 56.

Ms FM was a violinist and quite musical. When she was around 15, we wanted to reward her for something and asked her what she would like. She said a piano! That was a bit more than we were expecting, but because she loved music we decided to get it.

When it arrived she told me it was for me! Apparently I had told her how much I regretted never being allowed to learn any musical instrument and she wanted to rectify that. I did learn to play, but I think time has passed me by and I am too lazy to put the required effort in now. It won’t be wasted though, as when she has a bigger house and children it will go to her

 

[Flashback]

Was looking at Google maps and Waldo is popping up. April joke?

View attachment 122023

I recognise that view very well

 

[TheRealTMA]

April fools in Tasmania.

“Tasmania's police, meanwhile, showed off their new highly-trained Hoon Dog Elvis. "Elvis, our highly-trained Hoon Dog responds to octane content and engine decibels to identify hooning cars," the service said. "While opponents have criticised him for the fact he aint never caught a rabbit, we're satisfied that he ain’t nothing but a Hoon Dog."
”

 

[Flying mermaid]

Perhaps more drastic measures are required. Before I went to Rwanda & Kenya I received the following warning.

I was talking to my driver about this View attachment 120794 and he said plastic bags used to be known as The National Bird of Rwanda.

been doing a bit of research on this, as initially I thought it couldn’t possibly apply to little ziploc bags for liquids, but it appears it does. Although with typical African public service efficiency I can’t find any record of tourists being fined.

We carry almost nothing with us - a bottle of perfume, deodorant and a few contact lens solution things. I guess I will be disposing of the bag on the plane and hoping there will be new ones when departing..... Given the size of the fines, not taking a chance!

Can get away with no plastic in the cases. We buy a lot of Aesop products and they give you cloth bags, which are ideal for shoes and the like.

 

[Flashback]

been doing a bit of research on this, as initially I thought it couldn’t possibly apply to little ziploc bags for liquids, but it appears it does. Although with typical African public service efficiency I can’t find any record of tourists being fined.

We carry almost nothing with us - a bottle of perfume, deodorant and a few contact lens solution things. I guess I will be disposing of the bag on the plane and hoping there will be new ones when departing..... Given the size of the fines, not taking a chance!

Can get away with no plastic in the cases. We buy a lot of Aesop products and they give you cloth bags, which are ideal for shoes and the like.

We had no issues at all with either checked or carry on luggage. Lots of plastic and Ziploc bags in each.... Kenya.

 

[Mal]

Was looking at Google maps and Waldo is popping up. April joke?

If you click on Waldo, then you'll be taken to a mini where's Waldo game within Google maps!

 

[RooFlyer]

Was looking at Google maps and Waldo is popping up. April joke?

View attachment 122023

Hmmmm ... Contemplating a stay at The Balmoral in Edinburgh? Nice!

 

[Denali]

Hmmmm ... Contemplating a stay at The Balmoral in Edinburgh? Nice!

We're actually staying at the Hilton Carlton and the Waldorf Astoria in Edinburgh, I was looking around street view as I have a pick up order at Argos and a massage at Radison Blu spa booked.

And don't forget to turn your alarms off for tomorrow. Tomorrow is my only day off this weekend so I hope to sleep in until 7.

 

[blackcat20]

We're actually staying at the Hilton Carlton and the Waldorf Astoria in Edinburgh, I was looking around street view as I have a pick up order at Argos and a massage at Radison Blu spa booked.

And don't forget to turn your alarms off for tomorrow. Tomorrow is my only day off this weekend so I hope to sleep in until 7.

Happy I get Tuesday off as well...

 

[Flying mermaid]

We had no issues at all with either checked or carry on luggage. Lots of plastic and Ziploc bags in each.... Kenya.

did they actually look at them, or just not bother to look at your bags?

 

[Flashback]

did they actually look at them, or just not bother to look at your bags?

Good question! I think it was the former rather than the latter, but can't remember to be honest!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Good question! I think it was the former rather than the latter, but can't remember to be honest!

i think I will play safe and just eliminate plastic . I found a tweet from the environmental agency that said ziploc bags were included. I suspect even the people think it is over the top, so customs might not be enforcing it, but $38,000 covers a fair bit of travel, so I would rather not take the chance!

 

[amaroo]

Need to book a Shanghai hotel ... this offer is a little different to the normal stay 3 pay 2. Who books a room at a massive inflated price to get a US$3,200 watch? No doubt people who get to enjoy the trappings with OPM....

 

[TheRealTMA]

Hmmmm ... Contemplating a stay at The Balmoral in Edinburgh? Nice!

Yes it’s very good. Personally we like the Sheraton which has a great club lounge.

Do eat at One at the Balmoral.

 

[JohnK]

Nah the 21st century sucks.

Good point.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Hmmmm ... Contemplating a stay at The Balmoral in Edinburgh? Nice!

We stayed there in 2012 - I am a bit of a sucker for old hotels - much prefer them to modern glitzy ones. We were there in June and there was a school formal happening - just loved seeing the young men arriving in their dress kilts.

 

[Denali]

Why I prefer online shopping. Just stood in line for 5mins, watching a man argue over a $1.60 discount offer that expired 31st. He blamed Jesus' dying meant he couldn't shop by the expiry date and then paid with a platinum card.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Why I prefer online shopping. Just stood in line for 5mins, watching a man argue over a $1.60 discount offer that expired 31st. He blamed Jesus' dying meant he couldn't shop by the expiry date and then paid with a platinum card.

I've always thought Jesus was inconsiderate at times.

 

[ALH]

Why I prefer online shopping. Just stood in line for 5mins, watching a man argue over a $1.60 discount offer that expired 31st. He blamed Jesus' dying meant he couldn't shop by the expiry date and then paid with a platinum card.

Pathetic and miserly. Must be a very happy chap

 

[Deleted member]

Why I prefer online shopping. Just stood in line for 5mins, watching a man argue over a $1.60 discount offer that expired 31st. He blamed Jesus' dying meant he couldn't shop by the expiry date and then paid with a platinum card.

Mmmm. He sounds familiar !