Early Start Again

Up before dawn (Think that's what her name was) checked in at London Gatwick by 7 am. Told by the check in girl that XL120 has been delayed by 90 minutes. In the great scheme of things that's not too bad. 5 and a half hours of people watching .... (Oh dung I thought to myself) turned out not too bad. Only two football shirts and a rugby shirt seen all day. When I did get to the departure gate and looked around I have to say I've seen happier people at funerals. Seriously, I counted only 6 people laughing or smiling out for a full 767/300 passenger load. Come on I thought, laugh you miserable lot (It was another word, but I wouldn't use it).
Rotated at 12.59 (Another word for took off) and 9 and a half hours later, touched down (Landed) at Sanford Airport in Orlando Florida. Got the rental car and headed to the hotel (Down by Universal Studios) I did honestly think I knew where I was going. Down came the rain and I missed a turning. Heavy rain, total down pour for about 30 minutes and where was I?...Lost. Just by luck I found Interstate 4 took a chance and went west and found my bearings and arrived at the hotel safely. (More by luck than skill)
The hotel has wifi so I can update this blog. Went for a pint (Water) and I have to say it was like drinking in JD's without the smart guys....
The photo by the way was taken as we passed the Kennedy Space Centre on approach to Sanford.

The Joys of Travel

Early start and off to the George Best City Airport. Checked in and then it’s time to people watch, and there’s nowhere better place to people watch than an airport (In my opinion that is) With all the euro football happening at the moment I wasn’t surprised to see loads of Liverpool Fans heading over to Anfield for tonight’s match against Porto.
Chatting to one fan he told me he was heading over hoping to buy a ticket at the ground. (I thought to myself, someone is going to make a packet from this idiot) what’s more I noticed that most of the LFC fans travelling had shaven heads, can you imagine the confusion if the ball is kicked into their part of the stand.
The plane was one of Flybe’s fleet latest the Embraer 195 (Thanks to Flybe for the photo) Have to say it’s a lovely plane with enough leg room for us short legged people, but I’d advise longer legged people to ask for seats 1A&B. Great flight but a sparkling water cost 90p for a 150m can. (I think the waters free but the bubbles are very expensive)
Staying Travelodge at Gatwick, book online; I saved £18 by doing so. (That’s 20 of Flybe’s 150m cans of sparkling water). £10.50 in a taxi from the airport.
Guess what, went out for a walk and it’s pouring down, that’s why I’m updating my blog.

Bah Humbug

Thought I'd eat out for breakfast this morning. I was driving up the Shankill Road so I decided to call into the Rose Of Sharon. Ulster fry (It was a just a fry, but when you eat it on the Shankill it's an Ulster fry, if you eat it on the Falls it's a full Irish) and a cup of tea and a read at the daily rag. Thought to myself it was rather quite even with the customers talking then I realised, no music. One of the ladies said that they have now been told not to play a radio or Cd's without first getting a licence from the council price £150. They had even bought new Christmas Cd's.
I told them to ring the biggest show in the country and complain. Then I got to thinking, how long before you have to have a licence for playing the car stereo with the car window rolled down.
(By the way, the fry was lovely)

Christmas Spirit

The Christmas lights are on, the continental market is open and Belfast is running at full steam ahead. Only 33 days now til Christmas day. I’m sure many of you will visit the city and the continental market on the final countdown (December) before it leaves this wonderful city.
There are those of you who get into the Christmas spirit sooner, like, the minute the beer tent is open. Nothing wrong with that as long as you invite your mates and share in your spirit.
The continental market is open from 21st November to 18th December 2007. I myself shall be visiting the market a few times before it finishes, I may even give the beer tent a go.
HO HO HO.

Soft Tyre

Had a soft tyre so headed to the nearest filling station. How often has this happened to you? On arrival at the filling station the pump is not easily spotted or it's broken so you have to go into the shop and ask.

I went in "Excuse me" I asked, "Do you have an airline here" to which the smart (looks like a donkey) replied "Frig mate, we're lucky if a bus stops here" after he stopped laughing he said "It's round the back mate"

When I went around the back I was greeted with this air pump. Needless to say i never went back into the shop.

(Have a wee portable air compressor now)

Big Motors

I've often wondered what it would be like to sit in a Bentley. On a visit to Currys at Newtownabbey I noticed a Bentley parked as I was reversing into a free parking space. What drew my attention to the Bentley was the fact that the driver (Chauffeur) was still sitting in the car, and his fog lights were blinding any person unfortunate enough to have to look in his direction. Then I twigged on, He's a poser. If it had been a lovely day he'd been out polishing the bonnet but as it was dark and raining he put his fog lights to be noticed. (OK, you drive a big car)

Not to be left out I put my full beam on, but sadly people were not interest in my mere little gold Proton

Local Graffiti

Isn't the art of local graffiti dying out. Now we have the lovely mural's depicting scenes of the countryside or local landmarks. Beautiful to look at I agree, but not as much entertainment as spotting the speelings mistakes (Sorry, spelling) of the local artist. This one is from some well educated artist from the Skegoneill area.

Poppy Appeal

It's the Royal British Legion Poppy appeal time again. Thousands of Poppy appeal boxes are now with shops, clubs, bars, and of course places of work.
There is a box of Poppy's sitting in our staff canteen (Sorry, Restaurant).
A colleague was telling me he went to buy a Poppy and when he asked for a pin he was told they could not be put out for health and safety reasons... (I thought, we are adults for goodness sake) Within minutes of him telling me this, we witnessed someone dropping three cups of coffee (So maybe they have a point after all)
The Royal British Legion provides financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependants. Currently, nearly 10.5 million people are eligible for their support and they receive thousands of calls for help every year. Please give what you can.

Futuristic Superstores

I was reading, apparently in the future when you visit new superstores you could be greeted with the following. They may have automatic water sprays to keep the produce fresh, and just before the sprays turn on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and sense the smell of fresh rain. When you get to the dairy section, you can hear cows mooing and you experience the scent of freshly mown hay. In the meat department there is the aroma of charcoal grilled steaks, and when you approach the egg shelf, you hear hens cluck and cackle, and the air is filled with the pleasing smell of eggs frying. The bread department features the tantalizing smell of fresh baked bread & cakes. It all sound so futuristic and fantastic, but there is always a down side ...
Something tells me, I wouldn't fancy shopping there for the toilet paper.

The Belfast Wheel Part 3 (The video)

Had to do it.