We all have our own opinions, these are mine.
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Saturday, 21 June 2014
Shouldn't it have been an upgrade, not a downgrade?
I am just back from a week on the Costa Brava. I need another week off to get over it.
I booked the flight, accommodation and transfers back in mid April. Less than 24 hours before I was due to fly, I had an email from Alpharooms, who I booked the hotel through, telling me that the hotel I had booked and paid for had been overbooked and so I was being moved to another hotel.
I was not happy to say the least as I have been staying at the Maritim for the last 5 years as for me, it is the ideal hotel.
I was assured that it would not spoil the holiday, after all, a 3 star hotel is a 3 star hotel.
Well, lets compare the two.
This is the hotel I booked, the Maritim
This is the hotel I was put in, the Santa Monica
This was last year's view from the Maritim.
And this week's from the Santa Monica
There were other, little, differences too.
At the Maritim, you can sit where you like in the restaurant, the staff remember you after a couple of days so you no longer have to show your dining card. The tablecloths are linen as are the napkins.
At the Santa Monica, you are told where to sit. Every day I had to confirm that, yes, I only needed a table for one even though this was clearly stated on my dining card, which I had to show every day. I was then used as filler in between groups and family parties, which would be fair enough if the restaurant hadn't only ever been about 1/3 full. The tablecloths and serviettes were paper.
The tables were all lined up and very close, it just felt wrong and uncomfortable to the point that although I had paid for half board, I only felt able to suffer through breakfast using an eat and run tactic.
The hotel also offers all-inclusive which the Maritim doesn't. Now call me a snob if you like, but in my opinion, all-inclusive holidays, in Spain at least, attract a certain type of holidaymaker, watch an episode of Benidorm if you are not sure what I mean, I know that the show is exaggerated, but not necessarily by much.
The Maritim has a roof terrace complete with two jacuzzis.
The Maritim has free wifi, the Santa Monica charges so I refused to pay.
The Maritim has English language tv channels, the Santa Monica has none.
The Santa Monica does have a larger pool, but with the beautiful beach 10 minutes walk away, why would you stay by the pool? Unless you are all-inclusive and don't want to miss out on the free beer and food of course.
The staff were pleasant, if you ignored the seat allocator in the restaurant.
There were daily activities for the kids, unfortunately all of these took place right under my balcony.
There was evening entertainment, which luckily I couldn't hear from my floor, but it was LOUD when I headed past on my way back from evenings out..
I think that these differences are reflected in the price. These are two screenshots for a week in July, showing the prices for the Maritim and the Santa Monica. There is a difference of, on average, £140 per week all year round. I tend to book a double or twin room for single use as single rooms tend to be on the small size wherever you stay. I also go for the halfboard option.
I was always under the impression that if you were moved due to no fault of your own, it would be to a better standard of accommodation, not to one that is a downgrade and much cheaper, in every sense.
I have been given £20 compensation.
I do hope that Alpharooms make the most of the extra profit that they made from my booking as I will not be booking with them again. Although that can't be guaranteed as it may happen without my knowledge, I booked and paid Alpharooms, the accommodation voucher showed the agency name as SomewhereToStay, and the paperwork at the hotel showed Cosmos as the travel agents.
Today I travelled back. I had booked and paid for my transfers and received my tickets, stating when and where I would be picked up/dropped off. To rub salt into the wounds, it was too late to change my transfers and so I was dropped off, and was due to be picked up, at the Maritim.
The airport to resort transfer went smoothly, if a little slow. However, today I was at the pick up point 30 minutes before the notified time. Thirty minutes after my pick up time there was no sign of the coach. I phoned the emergency number, which also appears to be the only telephone number, to be told that I was supposed to re-confirm my pick up 2 days before, it was in the small print. I hadn't noticed this as having booked and paid for the transfer and received tickets stating the time and place of pick up I didn't read any further.
I had to pay for a taxi to take me to the airport. It only cost €120.
My ankles swelled up during the flight, which isn't unusual, however I have now been home 4 hours and they are getting worse. Normally once I start moving around they go down. I can hardly walk.
Oh well, back to work Monday. Oh the joys.
I booked the flight, accommodation and transfers back in mid April. Less than 24 hours before I was due to fly, I had an email from Alpharooms, who I booked the hotel through, telling me that the hotel I had booked and paid for had been overbooked and so I was being moved to another hotel.
I was not happy to say the least as I have been staying at the Maritim for the last 5 years as for me, it is the ideal hotel.
I was assured that it would not spoil the holiday, after all, a 3 star hotel is a 3 star hotel.
Well, lets compare the two.
This is the hotel I booked, the Maritim
This is the hotel I was put in, the Santa Monica
This was last year's view from the Maritim.
And this week's from the Santa Monica
There were other, little, differences too.
At the Maritim, you can sit where you like in the restaurant, the staff remember you after a couple of days so you no longer have to show your dining card. The tablecloths are linen as are the napkins.
At the Santa Monica, you are told where to sit. Every day I had to confirm that, yes, I only needed a table for one even though this was clearly stated on my dining card, which I had to show every day. I was then used as filler in between groups and family parties, which would be fair enough if the restaurant hadn't only ever been about 1/3 full. The tablecloths and serviettes were paper.
The tables were all lined up and very close, it just felt wrong and uncomfortable to the point that although I had paid for half board, I only felt able to suffer through breakfast using an eat and run tactic.
The hotel also offers all-inclusive which the Maritim doesn't. Now call me a snob if you like, but in my opinion, all-inclusive holidays, in Spain at least, attract a certain type of holidaymaker, watch an episode of Benidorm if you are not sure what I mean, I know that the show is exaggerated, but not necessarily by much.
The Maritim has a roof terrace complete with two jacuzzis.
The Maritim has free wifi, the Santa Monica charges so I refused to pay.
The Maritim has English language tv channels, the Santa Monica has none.
The Santa Monica does have a larger pool, but with the beautiful beach 10 minutes walk away, why would you stay by the pool? Unless you are all-inclusive and don't want to miss out on the free beer and food of course.
The staff were pleasant, if you ignored the seat allocator in the restaurant.
There were daily activities for the kids, unfortunately all of these took place right under my balcony.
There was evening entertainment, which luckily I couldn't hear from my floor, but it was LOUD when I headed past on my way back from evenings out..
I think that these differences are reflected in the price. These are two screenshots for a week in July, showing the prices for the Maritim and the Santa Monica. There is a difference of, on average, £140 per week all year round. I tend to book a double or twin room for single use as single rooms tend to be on the small size wherever you stay. I also go for the halfboard option.
I have been given £20 compensation.
I do hope that Alpharooms make the most of the extra profit that they made from my booking as I will not be booking with them again. Although that can't be guaranteed as it may happen without my knowledge, I booked and paid Alpharooms, the accommodation voucher showed the agency name as SomewhereToStay, and the paperwork at the hotel showed Cosmos as the travel agents.
Today I travelled back. I had booked and paid for my transfers and received my tickets, stating when and where I would be picked up/dropped off. To rub salt into the wounds, it was too late to change my transfers and so I was dropped off, and was due to be picked up, at the Maritim.
The airport to resort transfer went smoothly, if a little slow. However, today I was at the pick up point 30 minutes before the notified time. Thirty minutes after my pick up time there was no sign of the coach. I phoned the emergency number, which also appears to be the only telephone number, to be told that I was supposed to re-confirm my pick up 2 days before, it was in the small print. I hadn't noticed this as having booked and paid for the transfer and received tickets stating the time and place of pick up I didn't read any further.
I had to pay for a taxi to take me to the airport. It only cost €120.
My ankles swelled up during the flight, which isn't unusual, however I have now been home 4 hours and they are getting worse. Normally once I start moving around they go down. I can hardly walk.
Oh well, back to work Monday. Oh the joys.
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Soap & Glory Sit Tight 4D - A Review
I had heard a lot about this product and so when it was on offer in Boots I decided to give it a go. I like to try new things when they are on offer, if I consider it worthwhile, then I will pay full price.
The tube comes in a nice shiny box, and it feels fairly weighty. The cream is pale pinky-orange and has a pleasant smell to it.
It is recommended that you apply it twice a day, allowing time for the cream to soak in to your skin before getting dressed.
Within 24 hours I could actually see a difference in my inner thighs, the folds of flab were starting to smooth out. I am now into my second week of using it and I can now see a difference in the cellulite on my outer thighs. Whilst my thighs are still very obviously covered in cellulite, they are look a lot, lot smoother.
I do wish I had taken some before photos now, but the sceptic in me was convinced that it wasn't going to work!
The cream is applied with three metal balls on the end of the tube, these have the effect of massaging the cream into the skin.
Pros
The cons are minor and can be worked around. When I have finally emptied this tube I will wash it and keep it so that I can use it to apply the last bits of the next tube.
The tube comes in a nice shiny box, and it feels fairly weighty. The cream is pale pinky-orange and has a pleasant smell to it.
It is recommended that you apply it twice a day, allowing time for the cream to soak in to your skin before getting dressed.
Within 24 hours I could actually see a difference in my inner thighs, the folds of flab were starting to smooth out. I am now into my second week of using it and I can now see a difference in the cellulite on my outer thighs. Whilst my thighs are still very obviously covered in cellulite, they are look a lot, lot smoother.
I do wish I had taken some before photos now, but the sceptic in me was convinced that it wasn't going to work!
The cream is applied with three metal balls on the end of the tube, these have the effect of massaging the cream into the skin.
Pros
- It works! I am never going to be cellulite free, but my legs do look so much better now.
- It smells lovely.
- It heats up. A lot. Which would be fab for winter mornings. I guess this helps with the cream soaking into the cellulite.
Cons
- I could have done with at least 1 more hand to make sure that I covered everywhere, a partner or willing friend could help here!
- There is a lot of bruising from the metal balls. I wasn't expecting this I have to say. However it was all on my left side, as I am right handed it may just be that I was pressing too hard with my left hand.
- Because of the shape of the tube, it is impossible to get all the cream out via the balls, I had to cut the tube open to get the last bits out, and there was probably a good two days cream left.
The cons are minor and can be worked around. When I have finally emptied this tube I will wash it and keep it so that I can use it to apply the last bits of the next tube.
I am glad that I finally got around to trying this, and I will definitely be buying it again, even at full price.
Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Exam Week June 2014
Today was the first of my three exams for this sitting. I won't dwell on the actual exam too much except to say I will be re-sitting it at some point in the future.
It seems that a lot of people did not turn up to sit the exam, there were so many prepped (tiny) desks that remained empty.
It didn't cut down on the disturbances however.
Two people arrived 15 minutes after the exam had started and were allowed admittance disturbing everyone around them.
The candidate to the immediate left of me, muttered to himself for the entire 3 hours of the exam, on occasion loud enough for people 4 or 5 seats away to glare at him. He also nodded his head, well almost his entire upper body, whenever he felt he was going in the right direction with his answer.
When he wasn't muttering or nodding, he was furiously jamming the end of his pen into his opposite palm, clicking it on and off, on and off in rapid succession.
As well as this, there was the usual constant procession of people to and from the toilet. Most of the candidates were half my age, so if they can't go three hours without a trip to the toilet at their age, I think a trip to their GP is needed.
About two hours into the exam, I don't know what was going on outside, but it sounded like table tennis was being played with a cannonball and metal paddles. This went on for the next hour.
As expected, at 1.05 mobile phones started vibrating. Any phones taken into the exam room SHOULD be switched off, but most people seemed to put them on vibrate only.
Still, only another 2 to go....
It seems that a lot of people did not turn up to sit the exam, there were so many prepped (tiny) desks that remained empty.
It didn't cut down on the disturbances however.
Two people arrived 15 minutes after the exam had started and were allowed admittance disturbing everyone around them.
The candidate to the immediate left of me, muttered to himself for the entire 3 hours of the exam, on occasion loud enough for people 4 or 5 seats away to glare at him. He also nodded his head, well almost his entire upper body, whenever he felt he was going in the right direction with his answer.
When he wasn't muttering or nodding, he was furiously jamming the end of his pen into his opposite palm, clicking it on and off, on and off in rapid succession.
As well as this, there was the usual constant procession of people to and from the toilet. Most of the candidates were half my age, so if they can't go three hours without a trip to the toilet at their age, I think a trip to their GP is needed.
About two hours into the exam, I don't know what was going on outside, but it sounded like table tennis was being played with a cannonball and metal paddles. This went on for the next hour.
As expected, at 1.05 mobile phones started vibrating. Any phones taken into the exam room SHOULD be switched off, but most people seemed to put them on vibrate only.
Still, only another 2 to go....
Should there be a minimum age for piercings?
I think that there should be.
I was in town earlier today and happened to be in a well known High Street shop that offers ear piercing looking for some hair accessories.
There was a woman sitting on the ear piercing seat with a tiny child on her lap. The father was trying to distract her with a cuddly toy but she was breaking her heart. I left the shop, having not bought anything, just as the mother and father swapped position, with him on the chair holding the baby for the assistant to have another go.
I didn't intervene, as obviously neither the parents nor the shop, were breaking any laws.
But surely, in these days of almost everything that those of us who grew up in the 70s and before, accepted as the norm, seems to be viewed as child abuse, why isn't this cosmetic mutilation of a child, which is what it is, acceptable.
There are enough people who complain about children wearing make up, but make up can be washed off, a piercing cannot be removed. There are always complaints when non-age appropriate clothing is brought out.
Please don't think I am anti-piericng, I am not, I have 5 holes in one ear, 4 in the other, belly button done twice and one nipple pierced.
But my first piercings were not until I was 10. I was old enough to understand what was going on. I understood that it would hurt and that I had to take care of them.
Maybe there should be a review.
I was in town earlier today and happened to be in a well known High Street shop that offers ear piercing looking for some hair accessories.
There was a woman sitting on the ear piercing seat with a tiny child on her lap. The father was trying to distract her with a cuddly toy but she was breaking her heart. I left the shop, having not bought anything, just as the mother and father swapped position, with him on the chair holding the baby for the assistant to have another go.
I didn't intervene, as obviously neither the parents nor the shop, were breaking any laws.
But surely, in these days of almost everything that those of us who grew up in the 70s and before, accepted as the norm, seems to be viewed as child abuse, why isn't this cosmetic mutilation of a child, which is what it is, acceptable.
There are enough people who complain about children wearing make up, but make up can be washed off, a piercing cannot be removed. There are always complaints when non-age appropriate clothing is brought out.
Please don't think I am anti-piericng, I am not, I have 5 holes in one ear, 4 in the other, belly button done twice and one nipple pierced.
But my first piercings were not until I was 10. I was old enough to understand what was going on. I understood that it would hurt and that I had to take care of them.
Maybe there should be a review.
Saturday, 31 May 2014
We Will Rock You - The Musical
So long everybody, it's time to go...
So today we bid a sad farewell to We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre in London. 12 years is not a bad innings for a show that was expected to only last 12 months!
I have been lucky enough to see the show twice, and would have liked to have seen it again. Yes the story was a bit ridiculous, or so we thought at the time, but it seems to have been a bit prophetic *cough Simon Cowell Louis Walsh *cough.
For anyone who doesn't know the story, it is set 300 years in the future. Earth has been renamed as Planet Mall, or iPlanet in more recent productions as a nod to the iPhone, and is controlled by the Globalsoft Corporation. Mainstream commercial conformity reigns, Ga Ga Kids watch the same movies, listen to computer-generated music, wear the same clothes and hold the same thoughts and opinions. Musical instruments are forbidden, and rock music is unknown.
Galileo and Scaramouche refuse to conform and meet up with The Bohemians, an underground group who believe that a Dreamer will come and bring back real music.
Cue lots of contrived situations to enable many, many Queen songs to be performed (no-one goes for the story, it has to be said).
The prophecy says that the Dreamer will come and a shining star will show him the way to the Place of Living Rock, where instruments are hidden.
Cue more Queen songs.
The shining star has been identified as the Freddie Mercury Statue in Montreaux and it is pointing towards Wembley Stadium, the Place of Living Rock.
The group of believers arrive at Wembley to find that it is in ruins with no instruments to be found. Scaramouche inspires Galileo to perform the opening of "We Will Rock You", and an electric guitar is revealed. Galileo cannot play it, but Scaramouche can. Another member 'Pop' hacks into Globalsoft's network so their music can be heard by everyone on Planet Mall and Killer Queen (head of Globalsoft) is defeated.
After the curtain call, a question appears that says "Do you want "Bohemian Rhapsody"?" Everybody in the audience is supposed to shout yes, and the answer appears as "Oh...alright then" and the entire cast perform "Bohemian Rhapsody" as an encore.
It was great night out, and I wish I could have been there tonight.
This is one time when the show WON'T go on.
So today we bid a sad farewell to We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre in London. 12 years is not a bad innings for a show that was expected to only last 12 months!
I have been lucky enough to see the show twice, and would have liked to have seen it again. Yes the story was a bit ridiculous, or so we thought at the time, but it seems to have been a bit prophetic *cough Simon Cowell Louis Walsh *cough.
For anyone who doesn't know the story, it is set 300 years in the future. Earth has been renamed as Planet Mall, or iPlanet in more recent productions as a nod to the iPhone, and is controlled by the Globalsoft Corporation. Mainstream commercial conformity reigns, Ga Ga Kids watch the same movies, listen to computer-generated music, wear the same clothes and hold the same thoughts and opinions. Musical instruments are forbidden, and rock music is unknown.
Photo courtesy of Last.fm
Photo courtesy of BrianMay.com
Cue lots of contrived situations to enable many, many Queen songs to be performed (no-one goes for the story, it has to be said).
The prophecy says that the Dreamer will come and a shining star will show him the way to the Place of Living Rock, where instruments are hidden.
Cue more Queen songs.
The shining star has been identified as the Freddie Mercury Statue in Montreaux and it is pointing towards Wembley Stadium, the Place of Living Rock.
The group of believers arrive at Wembley to find that it is in ruins with no instruments to be found. Scaramouche inspires Galileo to perform the opening of "We Will Rock You", and an electric guitar is revealed. Galileo cannot play it, but Scaramouche can. Another member 'Pop' hacks into Globalsoft's network so their music can be heard by everyone on Planet Mall and Killer Queen (head of Globalsoft) is defeated.
After the curtain call, a question appears that says "Do you want "Bohemian Rhapsody"?" Everybody in the audience is supposed to shout yes, and the answer appears as "Oh...alright then" and the entire cast perform "Bohemian Rhapsody" as an encore.
It was great night out, and I wish I could have been there tonight.
This is one time when the show WON'T go on.
Sunday, 25 May 2014
Retro Chick's Vintage Inspired Swimsuit Giveaway with Bettylicious
You wouldn't know it to look at me, but I do love vintage clothes I just don't have the courage to try wearing any. I certainly don't have the skills to be able to do hair and makeup to complement them, and so a swimsuit seems to be the perfect way to dip my toe into the water (see what I did there?).
As luck would have it, Retro Chick is currently running a competition to win a vintage inspired swimsuit from Bettylicious so I thought I would enter.
These are my favourites from the website.
Photos courtesy of Bettylicious
One of the rafflecopter options is to write a blog post, so here it is.
You can enter the competition here.
And, if you would like to know more about Bettylicious, click here.
Good luck x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)