#Mini Bus Booking Manchester

[stminibushireuk]

A Guide to Minibus Hire in the UK - The Best Systems on the Market

When you think of minibus hire, it’s probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, this underutilized rental vehicle can be a valuable asset in many situations and industries. From smaller businesses or sole operators in agriculture to large companies looking for a cost-effective way of transporting employees, minibus hire is an affordable option. Moreover, minibuses are versatile as they can fit most sizes of vehicles and also operate as taxis should the need arise. With this guide, you will discover everything you need to know about hiring a minibus from a company like Celtic Minibus Hire & Car Rentals Ltd in the UK. From understanding the system and its benefits to choosing the right one for your company and needs Minibus In Manchester.

What is a Minibus Hire Service?

A minibus hire service is a commercial vehicle that is used for a variety of purposes. The most common use for a minibus hire service is for transporting employees. However, minibus hire can be used for many purposes including transporting goods and transporting students. A minibus can be a full-size van, a mid-size or a small minibus. Many companies offer a choice of sizes so you can select the one that best fits your requirements. If you are looking for a minibus hire service that can also provide you with a taxi, the size of your vehicle shouldn’t matter. Minibus hire is a flexible business transportation solution that can be used for a wide range of purposes. You can use minibus hire to transport staff, passengers, or goods across a number of industries.

Celtic Minibus Hire - The Company providing Celtic minibus hire

Celtic Mini Bus Hire is a minibus hire company headquartered in Co. Armagh and serving the entire UK. Celtic’s fleet of minibuses is available for both local and international long-distance transport. Celtic has been providing professional bus hire, van hire and coach hire services since 1998. Celtic is fully licenced by the Transport (Licensing) Act 2012 and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. Celtic’s fleet of minibuses has a variety of models and sizes to cater for any requirement. Celtic’s minibus hire fleet includes minibuses, mini coaches, and van conversions.

How to Find and Register for Celtic Minibus Hire

Celtic offers online booking, so you can easily register for an account and book your next minibus hire. To register, simply visit the website and follow the instructions. You will need to create an account, and provide a variety of information about yourself and your business. Celtic will then email you with a username and password so you can access your account and make bookings. Once you have an account, you can easily search for and book a minibus from the website. You can also book through a third-party service like Uber or Bookme. If you prefer to use an app, you can also choose Celtic as your minibus hire company. Celtic offers an app for both iPhone and Android, so you can easily register and make bookings.

Celtic’s fleet of minibuses

Celtic’s minibus hire fleet includes a range of vehicles to suit any requirement. The most common size of minibus in Celtic’s fleet is 8-passenger minibuses and are ideal for smaller businesses with up to 9 employees. Celtic also has 10-passenger minibuses that are perfect for groups of 10-15 individuals. There are also minibuses available in 6-passenger, 12-passenger, and 14-passenger variations. Celtic also has van conversions. These can be used for a variety of purposes, including for restaurants, as a taxi, or for storage.

When Should You Use a Minibus Service?

A minibus hire from Celtic can be a cost-effective option for many businesses. For example, a restaurant or café that serves many customers each day. You can use a minibus to transport staff from the restaurant to their homes each evening. Alternatively, a taxi service could be used to transport the same customers. Minibus hire is also a useful option for transporting goods across a number of industries. For example, transporting goods from one town to another can be both expensive and time-consuming. However, using a minibus service, goods can be easily transported between towns, cities, and even across the country.

Benefits of using a Minibus Hire Service

- Cost Effective - Minibus hire services are often more cost-effective than other types of commercial vehicle hire. This is because they operate on a per-trip basis and do not require any long-term contracts. - Flexible - By operating on a per-trip basis, minibus hire services are able to meet the needs of their customers in a flexible manner. For example, if one customer requires a 5-passenger minibus for a short trip but another requires a 12-passenger minibus for a longer trip, the service can be easily adjusted. - Flexible Times - Minibus hire services are also able to meet the needs of customers in a flexible manner. This is because they often operate on a 24/7 basis, so customers can book a minibus at any hour of the day.

Disadvantages of using a Minibus Hire Service

- Minibus Size - While Celtic offers a range of minibus sizes, there is no way for the customer to see what vehicle will be used in advance. This means that customers need to be prepared to accept any size that Celtic provides. - Minibus Accessibility - Like any commercial vehicle, minibuses can be difficult for customers with certain disabilities to access. Although Celtic has a variety of wheelchair-accessible minibuses, all minibuses can be difficult for some customers to access. - High Staff Turnover - With a minibus hire service, staff can quickly and easily be replaced. This means that staff that don’t meet the standards required to operate a commercial vehicle can easily be replaced. This can be dangerous as they may be unaware that they are operating a vehicle without having the required training.

Conclusion

A minibus hire service can be a cost-effective and flexible way of transporting goods and employees for a range of businesses. However, customers may need to be prepared to accept any minibus size that Celtic provides. This can be difficult for customers with certain disabilities to access. If you are looking for a cost-effective way of transporting goods between towns, cities, or across the country, a minibus hire service may be a good option.

[minibushireukblog]

A Bus Charter Service Can Be An Effective Solution

It can be very stressful to go on vacation. You will need to not only focus on your hotel room and make plans but also consider traveling. You might find that flying or taking a train is more expensive than you thought. It is important to consider the alternatives that are cheaper. You can also charter a bus. This can be a great way to get you to your destination.

When looking into a bus charter company, one of the most important points to remember is that they will work best when there are a lot of people. This is Mini Bus Booking Manchester because they will be able to travel together in one vehicle, and it will reduce their overall cost. This is a great way to ensure everyone travels together and avoids getting lost.

You will also find that bus charter services can be offered at a fraction the price per person if you travel with a full load. This will often be significantly cheaper than any airfare, even if you are booking a discounted trip.

You will also find that a reliable company is more trustworthy. This is because bus charter companies that offer this service will arrive on time and ensure you reach your destination on schedule. They are a great choice for people who don't know the area or don't know how long it will take to get there.

Be aware that there will be additional considerations. Safety training will also be an important factor. Safety training is essential to ensure you're safe on the roads. You will also want to ensure that your company hires people with a clean driving record. This will make sure that the person you are working with is trustworthy.

There are many other factors that you will need to consider. You should take the time to learn about each company and find the bus service that will help you get to your destination with minimal stress. These companies exist to help reduce stress associated with traveling.

[ukairporttaxi-blog1]

[maybeformepersonally]

look I’m not saying you should write the boyband au but I am saying you should write some headcannons for the boyband au

okay so i don’t see daniel howell being part of a boyband, ever, no matter what teen magazines like to imply with their shiny cringy wowza edits, so i’m going with rock band instead. probably alternative rock with some interesting experimental twists thrown in, a little bit edgy but overall just really good bops with a wholesome message and a fresh, innovative sound.

now that’s been established, let’sa go:

1. phil is the lead singer because that man has a voice, but they all sing. phil learnt to play guitar when he was a kid, following in the footsteps of his cool older brother who he wanted to be like (with good reason, because martyn is awesome). he and martyn went to the same teacher, and it was with him that they also started to learn other instruments. 

2. phil and martyn are close growing up, not in small part due to their shared love for music, and they played together all the time, making up melodies and later on whole songs. they started a band with some friends when they were teens, which broke up when a couple of them went off to uni. their second band broke off when martyn left for uni, but he missed it terribly, and so did phil. after a lot of contemplation and soul-searching they decide to go after a career in music. martyn changes his major, and when the time comes for phil, he chooses the royal northern college of music in manchester, and for the first time gets formal vocal training as well as a general musical background and the opportunity to perfect his guitar and cello skills.

3. dan’s love for music started with his dream of playing the piano. his parents sent him to private classes after he begged them for long enough that they realised he was serious about it, but they still told him he had to pay for it with his own pocket money, which he did. this was important to him. his teacher was a young, upbeat, classically trained student who was a bit disorganised, but every bit as passionate about her craft as dan would grow to be. she loved dan’s dedication, and was always patient and encouraging, and she was his main supporter when he decided to move to manchester to pursue music professionally (his parents were skeptical at first). he dabbled with other instruments, and later on would play some of them occasionally, but the piano would always be his first and everlasting love. dan is quick to love but he’s steadfast, and he’d be fortunate enough to choose well, every time.

4. dan and phil meet, of course, on the internet. phil creates a youtube channel at first because it was the best way to share his music with his brother and other friends, and soon learns he can use it as a sort of sounding board, since complete strangers can listen and comment, and there’s a small but active community of UK-based music creators there. he makes a few casual friends there, mostly people he won’t see again, or that he’ll talk to once or twice a year at most. the exception is one stunningly pretty boy from reading with the face of an angel and the piano skills of someone who made a deal with the devil, (and soft looking lips that phil can’t quite take his eyes off, and the most adorable dimples, and surprisingly defined collarbones that phil wanted to bite, but that was neither here nor there). phil notices his username because dan’s commented on several of phil’s videos, always positively, and some of his comments were really insightful. phil was not prepared, when he clicked on his username, to find the man behind the comments, but he was glad to. he binged the few videos dan had uploaded in under an hour then went back to rewatch and leave comments on them. the last comment he wrote offered an msn contact and an open and very enthusiastic offer to chat.

5. dan had a mini freak out when his youtube crush commented on every single one of his shitty videos, but despite his own insecurities, dan would not let this opportunity pass him by, so he contacted phil as requested. he was a tightly-wound bundle of nerves during that whole first chat (which lasted a lot longer than he would have thought), but he was also grinning from ear to ear the whole time. he may have screamed into his pillow after they finally called it a night, at almost 3 in the morning, too keyed up to actually go to sleep, but if so then no one could prove it.

6. dan and phil kept talking on msn for a while, as well as through other social media platforms (phil was the only person to consistently reach out when he was being dramatic and vague on twitter), then moved on to skype, and eventually, they met up in real life. they bonded over their love for music and even had a little improv session at phil’s house when dan went to visit. phil made up ridiculous lyrics for the songs and dan could not take his eyes off him the entire time, it was unfair how perfect he was, he thought. then phil started singing about meeting a boy named dan on the internet, and the things he sang were so sweet and flattering that it gave dan the final push he needed to dare to close the small distance and kiss him. 

7. dan has to return home after only three days, but they have their next visit planned already, and they’re connected through the internet. they talk all the time, in fact, and dan starts filming and uploading more songs just so that phil gets to hear him play. dan starts writing more, inspired by these new feelings, and soon they’re collabing through skype, weaving melodies together, their styles jarringly different but surprisingly complementary.

8. dan gets to meet martyn on his fourth visit to phil’s. martyn had heard a lot about him, of course, since his little brother could not seem to shut up about him for longer than a few minutes (if that), and he’s seen dan’s videos (again, urged by phil), so when he finally got to meet the younger boy, he suggested they all jam together. martyn had never seen phil so happy as he was while playing with his two favourite people.

9. it becomes a thing. a tradition of sorts, that when they are all in the same place, they’ll improv together. dan and phil have been writing songs together, and phil and martyn never quite stopped doing so as well, but when all three of them play together they mostly ignore those in favour of trying out new sounds. by the time they start talking band names, they have more than enough songs for an album.

10. they amass an internet following, and soon enough local bars are too small for the crowds they attract, so they move on to other venues. dan and phil move in together, and somehow they’re still stuck on the honeymoon stage two years into their relationship, which is mostly cute except when martyn walks in on them furiously making out in the studio, or the tour bus, or their dressing room, or once at a hotel lobby’s bathroom. he teases them mercilessly about it.

11. their fanbase keeps growing steadily, and before they know it they’re releasing their third album, and one of their singles unexpectedly makes it to the top of the charts. suddenly, they’re getting invited to more interviews than they can actually go on, their album sales skyrocket, and they have to modify their tour plans to accommodate their newfound fame. it’s exhausting but exhilarating, for a few months it feels like they barely have time to breathe, much less compose new music, but somehow they still write a few new songs. it feels like everything is falling into place.

12. martyn meets and promptly falls in love with cornelia, a swedish singer who was booked to open for them on the european leg of their first world tour. she’s invited to travel with them the rest of the way, and phil finally gets to have his revenge for every time martyn poked fun at him for staring at dan too much, or for not being able to stop touching dan (innocent touches only, when martyn was around. but it’s true: phil doesn’t seem able to keep his hands to himself when dan is around, he’s always sitting close enough that their sides are touching, poking his dimple when he smiles, nudging his shoulder to call his attention, pretending to bite him when he teases phil, pushing him playfully when he makes fun of him.) and okay, phil is smitten, and it shows, but martyn is just as bad with cornelia, and soon enough dan joins in the gentle teasing.

13. cornelia becomes a fixture in their lives, part of the family, and she is warmly welcomed into the fold. dan has been an unofficial lester for a long time by this point, and now she becomes one as well. 

14. cornelia sometimes features in a song or two, but she has her own thing going and isn’t actually interested in joining their band (they asked). she and phil harmonise beautifully, and whatever songs they release with her are always their most popular. 

15. cornelia likes to take pictures of them and upload them to her social media accounts, which works out great for everyone involved because sometimes they can’t be bothered to post stuff themselves, and the band’s manager is insistent that they be more active on social media. This way she gets to gently poke fun at their boys, help them keep their manager off their backs, and do a public service to their fanbase, who can never have enough content.

16. this is one such picture. 

[robronsecretsanta]

Fanfic: Winter Days

to @imsugdone, love from your secret santa

a s   c h i l d r e n

The village was aglow for Christmas, fairy lights in the trees, tinsel on the doors. Robert had jumped out of his dads car ready to run up to the bus stop, aged nine and adamant that he can definitely get the bus to and from school now he’s so grown up. Aaron, his new friend, had only moved into the area a few months ago, but the both of them had been thick as thieves from the get go. It was rare that one was seen without the other these days.

Jack had dropped Robert off in the village, just as Aaron had walked out of his front door with Chas, hat, scarf and gloves covering his small frame. “Robert!” He had shouted, face visibly lighting up when he sees his friend. “School’s shut!”

Robert jumped up and down, trying to not slip over in the snow that had already started to seep into his school shoes.

“Is it really that bad?” Jack asked Chas, trusting her say so more than her young son.

Chas nodded, folding her arms to keep her hands warm. “The road up to the school is completely blocked off apparently. Headmistress is ringing around the parents now just to let everyone know.”

Jack groaned, rubbing his face. “I can’t afford to take the day off to watch him. A barn roof has caved in and I need to get it fixed by the end of today.”

“You get on up to the farm, I’ll watch these two today.” Chas said, quickly telling Aaron to take Robert into the house so she can make them both a brew. “Honestly it’s no problem. Better to have them both in the same place then running around everywhere.”

And with that, Jack nodded, shouted after Robert telling him to behave, and got back in his car.

“Mum, are we allowed to have a snowball fight?” Aaron asked, his fingers wrapped around his hot chocolate.

Robert was sat next to him on the sofa, whipped cream on his nose and hat falling over his eye slightly. Aaron pushed it back up on top of his head for him, smiling innocently.

Chas nodded, flicking the radio on to hear it playing Band Aid, humming along to it absentmindedly. “Only on the front though. I’ll be looking out.”

Half an hour later, the boys were drenched from head to toe in melted snow, droplets of it curling Aaron’s hair, falling off the ends and onto his eyelashes as Robert threw a massive snowball at his back, watching as it crumbled away and fell onto the floor in a lump.

“I can’t believe you just did that!” Aaron squealed, scrambling about to get another snowball ready to hit Robert, who had now run away, further into the front porch and hiding behind the old birdcage.

“No!” Robert shouted, “Please don’t!” with a smile on his face and a giddy laugh in his voice.

Aaron laughed, running around in a circle, chasing Robert. He threw it when Robert attempted to run into the house, the snow barely catching Robert and more catching the door frame.

By the time Jack had finished fixing the roof, Robert had been fed, and he was tired out, led on the settee watching The Simpsons with Aaron.

a s  t e e n a g e r s

Aaron knew two people in the entire world who would decorate their bedrooms for Christmas. Robert being one, Victoria being the other. Somehow, here he was, aged sixteen and lying on Robert’s bed, phone in his hands stretched above his head, on Christmas Eve.

It was Robert’s favourite time of year, had been since they were kids. It was only ever made better when it snowed, but they hadn’t been so lucky on that front these past couple of years. It had become a tradition for them to open their presents from each other on Christmas Eve, just so they could see each other. The 25th was a day for family only, and no matter how much they both tried, they were never actually able to see each other on Christmas Day.

Robert had tried to defend the idea this year, by saying that they technically were family now, with them being boyfriends, but to no avail.

“We opening these presents then?” Robert asked, pushing back from his desk, rolling over on his desk chair.

Aaron’s hands lowered, phone going in his pocket and lifting his head up weakly. “Yeah.”

Robert had bought his own mini tree from Hotten, the two of them going in one day on their lunchbreak. It wasn’t needed, but Robert wanted to make their own Christmas traditions and decided that it would be put up in his room, and their presents would be put under it, ready to be opened.

Being students, they couldn’t exactly push the boat out and get expensive gifts, but all they needed was to spend some alone time together, away from other friends and family.

“You can open yours first.” Aaron said, walking over and getting them for Robert. “Seen as you love Christmas so much.”

Robert rolled his eyes, knowing that Aaron didn’t have the same excitement for this time of year as Robert did. “One year I’ll make you love it. Promise you.”

They didn’t often talk about their future, at least not their future together because of the whole relationship being so new. Anything could happen in the future, but Robert was certain of one thing, and that was that Aaron would be in his life somehow. They couldn’t go from being best friends, to boyfriends to nothing, Robert wouldn’t let it happen.

Aaron chuckled, sitting back down on Robert’s bed, leaning over quickly to kiss him, before giving him the smallest present first.

“What is it?” Robert asked, not even making a move to open it.

Aaron looked at him deadpan. “We’re not doing that again, not this year.”

Robert smirked, knowing exactly what Aaron meant, because Victoria spent the whole of last Christmas asking what her presents were before she even opened them. The wrapping paper fell to his lap, Aaron picking it up, scrunching it up more, before shoving it in the plastic bag.

He held the frame in his hands, lips curving up into a smile at the photo, one that Chas had taken for them last summer, Robert’s sunglasses on Aaron’s head, Aaron with a cheeky grin on his face. He remembered it being taken, at the cricket pavilion during a fun fair. Their relationship was very new at that point, literally only days old, and it shows.

“Turn it over.” Aaron commanded, albeit softly

Robert’s eyes scanned the back of the frame, reading Aaron’s neatest handwriting, the golden liquid pen loops spelling out a message.

Merry Christmas Rob, here’s a photo from the beginning of our relationship. I hope to add to the collection for the rest of our lives. All my love, Aaron x

i n   t h e i r  t w e n t i e s

They’d both finished work for the weekend, Robert only having to pass some folders over to Nicola on the Saturday morning before they drove down to Manchester. Robert had booked them into a hotel, nothing special, on account of it being late notice, all because he had suggested they go to the Christmas markets. Aaron had agreed, somewhat surprisingly. He wanted alone time with Robert, probably the last bit of it they got until the new year. The only catch was that it had to be Manchester rather than Leeds. They’d been to Leeds markets too many times, and Manchester made for a refreshing change.

Robert drove, setting off at half ten, not wanting to get there too early, but early enough to check into the hotel without any problems. The minute Aaron sat in the passenger seat, his hand went straight to the radio, flicking it on, skipping to the one he could actually tolerate. Robert rested his hand on Aaron’s thigh, stroking it softly, before pulling out of the driveway.

“It’s cold at the markets, apparently.” Aaron commented once they’d gotten onto the motorway.

Robert stole a look at him, smiling. “Think it’s cold everywhere, what with it being December.” He joked.

Aaron rolled his eyes, giving Robert a disapproving look, which Aaron knew himself only made Robert laugh louder. “You know what I mean.”

“I do.” Robert nodded. “That’s what happens when you’ve been together for a decade.”

Aaron deadpanned, focusing on Band Aid that had just come on. “Still not put a ring on my finger though, have ya?”

It was Robert’s turn to roll his eyes now, looking back at the road and indicating to switch lanes.

The rain had stopped coming down when they got to the main part of the markets, the sky still a dark shade of grey, threatening to pour down again. Aaron kept his hood up, both on his hoodie and coat, while Robert carried a dripping wet umbrella, covering his head with a hat.

“Want a hot chocolate first?” Aaron asked, seeing people walking around with mugs drinking them.

“Please.” Robert said, smiling at Aaron.

Robert followed Aaron on, careful not to lose him in the crowds, his black puffer coat already blending with everyone else.

It definitely was cold, Aaron was right. Robert could see that Aaron’s nose was already turning red from the wind when he turned around to hand the mug overflowing with cream back to him.

“Not had it like this since we were kids.” Robert pointed out, taking a sip and wiping the cream clear from around his mouth.

Aaron smirked, knowing full well that the cream wasn’t entirely gone. “I’ll get my mum to make it again, shall I?”

Robert knocked shoulders with him, huffing out a laugh before walking up to a crepe stall.

Luckily for them, an hour later it seemed as though the rain had passed, the sky clearing up to a blue colour. The cold weather didn’t get any better though, and Robert had forced Aaron into carrying the bags for them, just so he could put his hands in his pockets.

“Are we done for presents?” Aaron whined, hands red raw and ears ringing from the sound of kids screaming.

“Yeah, everything else has been ordered.” Robert confirmed, rubbing his hands before grabbing the bags off of Aaron.

Aaron gladly shoved them back into his boyfriend’s hands, fingers starting to go numb with the bitter wind. “What’ve we ordered?”

“We haven’t. I have.” Robert said, emphasising certain words has he attempts to break away from the crowd, Aaron jogging up to him and linking their arms together, shoving his hand back into his pocket almost instantly.

They rarely ever did this. Not even at home. Aaron supposed it was easier where nobody knew them, even after so long of being ‘out and proud’ so to speak. It was unlike them to be this close in public, this touchy-feely, but at the same time it felt perfect and right. It was like they were younger, when they’d spend their frees in college together, finding a common room to sit in, or walking into town for lunch, Aaron in his hand me down overalls and Robert in his business attire. Back when they’d cling onto each other, protective of whatever the world threw in their faces.

“It’s for me?” Aaron asked breathily, not really focusing on the conversation.

“Yes. It’s for you.” Robert confirmed, pressing his cold lips to Aaron’s temple, breathing him in.

a s f i a n c é s

Robert’s breath was shaky as he watch Aaron opening his presents. Both families had come together, with a few stragglers that somehow belonged there, despite not being a relation.  

“What’ve you got him?” Chas asked under her breath, seeing her son unwrapping gifts at the bar.

Robert gulped back his wine, squeezing his eyes shut tightly before speaking. “I’m asking him.”

Chas’ eyes went wide, knowing exactly what Robert was talking about. Aaron had been dropping hints for months, if not years. He’d said that he didn’t want to do it himself, but if Robert didn’t get a move on then he’d be forced to take matters in his own hands and propose himself.

He knew that Aaron was getting to the end of his presents, deliberately leaving the main one to the end.

“This one’s from Rob.” Noah said, holding it out for Aaron to take hold of.

Robert stalked over, putting his wine glass on the bar and giving Aaron a quick kiss.

Aaron unwrapped the present, a copper frame with a photo of him and Robert wearing suits, one that he recognised from a family wedding a few months ago. His eyes narrowed at the writing in the metal, ‘FIANCÉS’ in bold, engraved across the bottom.

“What?” Aaron breathed out, disbelieving.

By this point, everyone in the room had gone quiet, but Robert’s eyes remained firmly on Aaron’s as he began to speak. “About twelve years ago, you came into my life. We were just kids, but inseparable. We spent every waking minute we possibly could together, and yes, we fell out, and yes, we hated each other from time to time. But I realised something from a very young age, and that was that I wanted you in my life for as long as you would allow it. When we were seventeen and sixteen, I finally plucked up the courage to ask you to be my boyfriend, at first you didn’t believe that I wanted it-“ Robert paused, seeing tears already welling up in Aaron’s eyes, everyone focused on them now. He lifted his hand, stroking Aaron’s face gently. “You thought I was joking so you ran. But you don’t have to run off now, Dingle, because I love you and I want you to be mine for the rest of our lives. Turn it over.”

And sure enough, written on the back in the same style that Aaron did for Robert all those years ago, was “Will you marry me?”

Aaron just nodded, not able to speak with the grin on face, tears well and truly falling down his face now.

“Yeah?” Robert asked again, letting Aaron’s body attach to his own.

“Yeah.” Aaron confirmed, leaning in to kiss his fiancé.

Later on, Robert smirked, kissing Aaron again, for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. Aaron had been sat there, stuffed from the spread Marlon had put on, and the beer on tap that he kept helping himself to, staring at his ring nonstop.

“Did I make you love Christmas then?” He asked innocently, twiddling with his own ring now.

Aaron looked up, the smile still not ceasing. “Oh so that’s why you decided to wait until now then?”

Robert grinned, nodding without a care in the world. “Told you I’d make you love it.”

Sighing, Aaron leaned his head onto Robert’s shoulder, taking a deep breath and letting his fingers intertwine with Robert’s. “But yeah. I loved it. Thank you.”

Robert tilted his head, letting his lips press to the top of Aaron’s own, and then not making an attempt to move.

It was these winter days, the ones with the snow and the love and the happiness and cheer that they loved the most. The ones surrounded by family and friends, the ones that ended with them definitely a bit too merry on the beer and wine, but nobody seemed to care because it was Christmas, and it was the best time of year.

[bigyack-com]

China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines Make Further Changes to Cross-Strait Services

In accord with Taiwan's updated quarantine policy, China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines are now limiting cross-strait services between 10 February and 29 April 2020 to five destinations: Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai Hongqiao, Xiamen and Chengdu with partial services. All other China routes have been temporarily suspended. Travellers are advised to check the latest flight changes and regulations governing ticket refunds or changes, in the dedicated "Novel Coronavirus Service Information" section of China Airlines’ website, or download the mobile app.

SSince the Mini-Three-Link ferry services across the strait has been suspended from today, 10 February, onwards, Mandarin Airlines has also suspended its cross-strait Quick Pass service. Restoration of services will depend on government announcements and the situation regarding the 2019-nCoV outbreak. Mandarin Airlines has waived the processing fee for travelers seeking a refund on their Mandarin Airlines Cross-Strait Quick Pass package. Passengers are suggested to contact the Mandarin Airlines customer helpline on 412-8008 (add +02 prefix from mobile phones), Mandarin Airlines counters at each airport or the travel agency they booked with for the refund to be processed. The detailed rules, applicable conditions and flight changes have been published on the Mandarin Airlines website See latest Travel News, Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: China Airlines, Mandarin Airlines, Taiwan. 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[davidastbury]

Victoria Railway Station

They must have been away from each other for a while - perhaps days; perhaps a college term - and boy are they glad to see each other. The hugging isn’t enough; they have to lean back and look at each other. They might be seeing changes - after all, they have been involved in unshared experiences. Along with time studying he will have spent time with friends - mixed friends. They will have talked about their lives, their backgrounds, their parents, even their relationships. They would have laughed together and enjoyed each other’s company. He might have liked one of the girls - who knows?

Soon they will share edited versions of ‘catching up’ and the mild surprise of his different hair length, use of unfamiliar words and oddly cautious smile will melt away along with the irritating smell of hotel soap.

Mr. Rahmani .... for Rochelle

Mr. Rahmani was one of our first asylum seeker friends. He left Afghanistan with his wife and large family and was trapped for a year or so in Pakistan. It was there that his heart condition became critical and he had bypass surgery. Then onwards to Germany and finally England. Pat met him in the local housing office where he was being allocated two adjacent apartments (on a dreadfully run-down estate; the local authority had 550 empty flats and were happy to take a block booking from the government to cover the rented accommodation for the newest refugees).

Mr. R was a very grand person; at least sixty years old - iron grey hair and wise, green eyes. He wore tailored grey suits and silk shirts and walked like a monarch. In fact he had been the governor of a huge chunk of Afghanistan. The people in the housing office, normally off-hand and impatient with their clients, jumped up and fussed Mr Rahmani offering him a chair and being creepy-crawly attentive.

So we became friends. He came to our house many times and we visited his twin flats nearly every day. We had long conversations about the collapse of order in his home country, the demise of the Iranian Shah, the opportunistic Soviet invasion, the Western mischief - all that stuff.

The important aspect was that we were the only friends he had at that time, and we did all we could to ease the difficulties of settling into normal life in this country - helping with his appeals, filling in endless forms for this and that, buying household items, finding school places for his younger children and college applications for the older ones. They had all previously attended the best private schools - his eldest daughter was a gynaecologist and a son was a civil engineer. And it was all done with good humour and cheerfulness. We enjoyed being with them - and honestly, how on earth would I otherwise have met such an interesting personality?

But it’s the little things that I remember best. Once, when admiring his suit, I gave him a cane handled umbrella and he practiced walking with it - and to complete the ensemble I presented him with an overcoat, I’d hardly ever worn it as it made me feel self conscious - it was expensive and it had been foolish to buy it - but it was superb on Mr Rahmani! Elegant Herringbone - three-quarter length, maroon satin lining - and - slim black velvet collar! He was delighted - as if it brought back the memories of half forgotten simple pleasures.

He sailed through the tribunal appearances - the immigration judges knew a big player when they saw one - and once that was settled he told me that he would be taking his family to London. It was at that point that he very movingly said - ‘For what you have done for me and my family, you will go to Paradise!’

Lunchtime on the Terrace

Creased Frenchwoman nearby, sucking on a cigarette. She calls across to a woman at the next table - and what a voice - 24ct Edith Piaf, hoarse, raucous, scarred by decades of shouting and sour wine.

I half close my eyes and Paris is everywhere; eating my watery soup with a heavy spoon; a saucer of cream for the pussycat; a livre de poche on the table and I’m up for anything - love, cheap brandy, dodging grape-shot at the barricades, waving my hat at the garçons and ripping up cobblestones.

The Moorcroft Building ... (Miss Jean Turpin, 1963)

Fake Roman - solid, dependable. Built by the dignitaries who put up the money for the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal. Now (1963) in the worthy hands of the Chamber of Commerce. It sits in splendour, facing the town-hall, the Portland stone facade sparkling like a sugared biscuit in the thin English sunshine. Most memorable of all - and anyone who knew Manchester at that time will agree - was the sight of the amazing curved doors. Two gorgeous, stainless-steel segments - slid back by the porter each morning - following the curvature of the doorway, allowing entrance via an inner plate glass revolving door.

A commercial bank on the ground floor and a warren of rented rooms up above. Numerous names on the brass plates - solicitors, actuaries, surveyors etc had sets of rooms and throughout the day people arrived and left - red faced business men rolled in from late lunches, export clerks carried stacked files, barristers scuttered along in their striped trousers.

Just entering this building inspired reassurance and confidence - the people there would look after your pension, your lump-sum, your annuity, your trust-fund!

Miss Jean Turpin worked in the first-floor office of Meadowland International Finance, as private secretary to Mr Harrop the Northern manager. She was a sharp and disagreeable woman living out the last years of youthfulness and moral constraint. She nursed a very widespread anger - none were spared; except Mr Harrop, who was actually afraid of her. She was amused by his nervousness; the way he squirmed and apologised when asking her to do something - or his habit of peering round her door - it made her imagine that he was undressed, or he spent the day in women’s clothes or stood naked at his tape-recorder, dictating the complexities of an irrevocable letter of credit to the rotating spools. But her thoughts mostly focused on Mr. Latimer, who delivered the contracts every afternoon. She had plans for Mr. Latimer - although he was unaware. He was another mild mannered man, inoffensive and soft spoken, divorced (but kept the house) nice to his neighbours in Cheadle Hulme. Jean Turpin would watch him lay the folders on the long table at the window, each one neatly labelled, paginated, with supplementary documents attached and she would plot his seduction ... the light suggestive humour, the teasing, the ‘knowing’ look, the coaxing, the accidentally-on-purpose touch, the slide beyond the point of no return - and then the fury of her unleashed nature. Poor Mr Latimer would no longer gaze furtively at the legs of the prickly Miss Turpin; nor would he share randy chat over the garden fence with the Jack-the-Lad man next door - nor would slipping between the gorgeous segments of the stainless steel doors ever be the same again.

A Family

It’s nice to be in the middle and look both backwards and forwards. Once upon a time there were three generations in that house ... the widowed grandmother, stoical and grumbling, always sitting in ‘her chair’ or occasionally, putting on sensible shoes and best navy blue coat and going to church. She’d lost her brother in WW1.

Then there was her daughter. She had welcomed home her husband from WW2 and they worked as a team - he drove the bus, she collected fares. The optimistic fifties - a much loved couple.

And then there was her daughter. Badly upset by the death of her father - the hurt was deep and she kept it to herself - didn’t mention it at school. Yet she became a bright little star in the mid 1960s - always smiling, rushing about, kissing everyone - like all the female pop stars rolled into one - irresistible in dramatic black polos, leather minis, Quant hair; the lot.

And then her daughter (at this point my only info is FB) - I’d guess in her early fifties. And further guess she’s either a medic or something in caring. Wonderful kindly look, both outwards at the camera and when facing her mother - the sort of face you would like to see if ever you are in trouble.

And then there is her daughter - bright eyed at her own wedding - modern, greedy for happiness.

And then there is her daughter ... a baby.

Russell and the Frog

It was early evening and I was watching TV - probably Popeye or Yogi Bear - when Russell appeared at the side window. I rushed to open the door and saw that he was holding something in his cupped hands. ‘What is it?’ - I asked. He replied - ‘a frog’ - and creating a small crack I was able to see two bulging eyes staring back at me.

He said - ‘I’m taking it home. I’m going to keep him in the garden’.

Russell had been walking home from one of his private lessons, probably music, and had taken the shortcut (forbidden) across swampy land behind the barracks - and there he had come across the frog.

I told him that frogs need to be in their own territory - the place where they lived as tadpoles. Sometimes they travelled away but always came home for the spawning season. That’s where they had to have their babies - even if it meant crossing roads and being killed.

Russell said - ‘I didn’t know this. I’ll take him back’.

So together we went back to the land behind the barracks and to the exact place where Russell had found him.

He crouched down and the frog jumped from his hand and nuzzled his way into the reeds.

And then we walked home and talked about other things.

Russell And The Unexploded Bomb ... for Leyla

My hometown was never on the tick-list of the German bombing department - however, nearby Manchester certainly was. The industrial areas around Trafford Park were badly hit. But sometimes, for unknown reasons, not all the bombs were released and rather than return home and having to explain things, the German aircrews simply dropped them anywhere and headed for home.

For several years after, some of these bombs which had failed to explode on impact, would be accidentally discovered. Russell found one.

We crossed boggy fields to where the ground sloped down to the river. There was the bomb, rinsed by rainfalls, gleaming with the sombre dignity of a beached whale. Perhaps there had been a movement in the soil, or perhaps the field itself had wished to reject this unwelcome foreign body - so there it was, sticking outwards at an angle, wrong way up.

I remember looking at the stencil lettering - which we couldn’t understand - and the long line of numbers. We discussed telling our parents but that would have been boring. Adults never believed us - so we held on to a lot of things - like how we knew that a platoon of Japanese soldiers were living in the woods near our school. They didn’t know that the war was over and they would shoot us if we approached them.

We visited the bomb about three times - and then it vanished. The surface of the field was chewed up with tyre tracks. It had been removed. Russell wanted to learn more about what had happened and against my advice, we knocked on the farmer’s door. I was apprehensive about the farmer recognising me - he had chased me off his land more than once. The door was opened by his wife, who glared at us, said she didn’t know anything about bombs, and slammed it shut in our faces.

So that was the end. Except the memory of seeing it for the first time. And how Russell got astride it like a motorbike and I rode pillion; my arms around his waist, laughing and holding tight and Russell shouting ‘Fuck off!’ and the crows flying to the treetops and the big shiny bomb between our legs.

Mel Brooks said that the words ‘so am I’ characterised his marriage to Anne Bancroft. Whenever she announced an intention to do something he’d call out ‘so am I!’ If she said ‘I’m going shopping’ or ‘I’m ready to eat’ he would tell her ‘so am I’.

And she did exactly the same with him.

Never tired of each other - never wanting to do things separately - never wanting their ‘own space’.

On The Train

She’s thin and she has a cough. It’s a cold night and she’s wearing a T-shirt and jeans; at every stop the doors slide and the heat of the carriage is sucked out. And she coughs ... and coughs.

Coughing means something to my generation. We remember the word ‘consumption’ and experimental ‘open-air’ hospitals for children - and Victorian sanitoriums, set back from the road, places we were told to keep away from - and the signs on buses announcing that spitting was strictly prohibited - and the haggard, lung-sick faces of men in pub doorways - and the hopelessness of broken homes, poverty and early deaths.

There was another side of course - my lot getting to know everything in college. Glib talk about the coughing artists and writers. We could hear the coughing in Modigliani, Beardsley and early Picasso; in the poetry of the Brontës and Keats and all the others. This wasn’t too bad - every genius seemed to cough.

But here we are in 2020 and she shouldn’t be coughing - and all the love we feel is held back - our love is like a flower under concrete and it’s as hard for us as it is for her.

[easytravelpw-blog]

Full text write on https://easy-travel.pw/hotel-review-sunborn-super-yacht-gibraltar/hotels/

Hotel Review: Sunborn Super Yacht, Gibraltar

It may be located on the south coast of Spain but Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, known as The Rock thanks to its terrain – Rock of Gibraltar – its viability as a holiday destination has been hampered by the lack of a truly world class hotel in recent years.

However it now looks as though that problem may have been solved. Say hello to the Sunborn, the world’s first luxury super yacht hotel.

Permanently docked in the heart of Gibraltar’s Ocean Village marina development, the 142m long Sunborn offers five star guest rooms and suites across seven floors. There’s also a casino, top floor restaurant, pool bar, spa and fitness centre.

For the first time visitors to Gibraltar can now enjoy “Britain in the Sun” in style.

Who For?

Sunborn Yacht Hotel – reception

British holidaymakers, in particular, looking for a short break will appreciate the low cost flights available from Manchester, Birmingham and several London airports direct into Gibraltar. This makes a stay at Sunborn a realistic option for anyone who has ever dreamed of staying aboard a super yacht but felt it might be out of their budget.

It starts with a walk along the red carpet that runs up to the reception entrance where a glitzy, glamorous floating hotel experience is available at a relatively affordable price.  It may well be the perfect choice for a romantic sunshine getaway.

It’s also superbly located for exploring everything that Gibraltar has to offer.

Accommodation

Sunborn Yacht Hotel – accommodation

The Sunborn has 189 guest rooms and suites, offering sea, marina and rock views.

Each spacious room has wall to wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that allow in lashings of daylight and lead out on to a generous private terrace or balcony.

Push the boat out and stay in one of the Sunborn’s 18 luxury suites. Each suite has panoramic views, polished timber sundecks and bespoke furnishings creating an impressive five star finish.

Facilities

Sunborn Yacht Hotel – sundeck

Situated at the stern of the yacht, the Sunborn’s sundeck is an ideal setting for a relaxing afternoon of sunbathing and sipping cocktails under Gibraltar’s clear blue skies. Or dip into the infinity pool and peer out over the marina below.

If that doesn’t sound tranquil enough, you can also treat yourself to a pampering session in the Sunborn’s Infinity Spa, which offers a wide range of massage, facial and holistic treatments.

You can also burn off those excess holiday calories in the gym, enjoy a spin in the casino and party the night away at the onboard La Sala nightclub and bar.

Food and Drink

Sunborn Yacht Hotel – food

The top deck Sky Bar offers some of the best views in Gibraltar and is the ideal spot to enjoy an afternoon cocktail or pre-dinner drinks.

Wander along to the front of the yacht where you’ll find the newly opened Wheelhouse Bar, serving up an extensive selection of champagne and champagne cocktails.

If you’re feeling hungry there’s classic Mediterranean style cuisine with a contemporary twist to be had in the Sky Restaurant. Salads, soups and fresh fish are all available along with mouthwatering cuts straight from the grill, including the excellent Galician fillet steak.

The Sky Restaurant also offers an outstanding daily brunch with a wide variety of fresh, seasonal choices available.

What’s nearby?

Gibraltar

Gibraltar has nature reserves, botanical gardens, panoramic vistas of Morocco from the summit of the Rock, sandy beaches, watersports and, of course, the Barbary Macaques – mainland Europe’s only wild monkey population.

There’s also dolphin sightseeing tours, ancient limestone caves to explore and rich military history all within a 2.6 square mile area.

A trip to the Upper Rock Nature reserve, where you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a close encounter with one of the Rock’s resident primates is an absolute must.  Mini bus tours of the Rock are readily available, while you can also opt to take a cable car up to the top and explore it for yourself.

Wi-Fi

High speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Room Rates

Starting from £170

Nearest airport

Gibraltar International Airport is located just 1 mile from the Sunborn. Monarch airlines fly from Manchester, Birmingham, London Luton and London Gatwick direct to Gibraltar.

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REVIEW OVERVIEW Booking (593 reviews) TripAdvisor (821 reviews) Luxury and Style Facilities SUMMARY

“The Sunborn is an innovative, breath of fresh air that has transformed Gibraltar into a genuine luxury travel destination.” ~ Andrew Clarke

4.8

OVERALL SCORE

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[booktaxiantalyaairport5-blog]

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People desire to to look for a minicab to airport easily should the web and book a minicab to airport for people today. There are a lot of cab companies which offer the choice of booking a minicab online to any section of the cities wherein they give good results. People can make certain that they will reach for their destination on time by booking a cab for these kinds of.

The buses are frequent (20 to 30 minutes interval between one as well as the other) along with the airport bus takes you directly on the Valletta bus terminus. All routes, along with a few exceptions, head to your Valletta bus terminus. Once arrived in Valletta, look for bus number forty strategic. This is lessen bus in order to Mellieha. Total trip might take not more than two hours and it can be an amazing pleasant trip since public transit passes through some interesting villages. The actual bus service operates till 9pm in Winter and 10pm-11pm (for some routes) in Summer, each and every you miss the last bus, you would to bide time until the a . m . bus and also at the.00am the following calendar day! There is no bus service at the catamaran interface.

Once you earn your decision, all that's left to do is help make your booking. If you love to travel by coach or train, book as far in advance as possible; this you will save money. İn addition, you often find discounts in case you book online rather than over cell phone. To book a cab for your airport transfer, compare some quotes online to ensure you're having the best promotion. Thanks to modern technology, you can now complete your booking online rather than phoning up; that means you have the details in black and white, with no room for confusion or lost items of paper.

transfer services, hotel availability

[antalyaairporttaxicost3-blog]

Private Airport Transfer The Many Details Assume In A Company

Private Airport Transfer - The Many Details Look At In A Company

There are several important facts that really should bear in mind before you book an airport copy. Planning for your taxi transfer ahead vitality will save your business much stress, time and trouble which are peculiar to booking passes across. flughafentransfer side If you are just coming create foreign country; cabs aren't usually metered and the drivers usually want the fare regarding paid ahead of time. What may appear far more? They possess very extortionate prices - most times, the journey doesn't require much time but the fare is costly.

For general health reasons, soon after rely on taxi antalya companies to get them to be or from an terminal transfer. Whatever airport you are using, you'll usually find companies that are willing allow.

There are several people who need to reach airports on time in various parts of entire world so that they do not miss their flights. Purchasing should get minicab to airport so that they reach airports on time. In order to book a minicab to airport, individuals need to get online.

I have spoken noticeably about Airport taxis simply because always cost 6 bucks each month. For other destinations I don't comprehend the price but anyway area center taxis are around 3 euros. But I strongly recommend negotiating before taking one. May find hundreds of taxi services in Yerevan, so buying a taxi is rarely a main problem. Never use hotel taxis - these people double the price.

There are buses that may take passengers in manchester international for area middle 1 on one. Any college student and their parents can be pleased to note that an uni coach operates from the airport. The coach travels from edinburgh airport for the city center then your university register for the waterfront before making a return search. The tour bus journey is fairly frequent together with services every 15 additional minutes. The trip time is become the base 20 instances. Passengers also can experience wi-fi compatability on some of this bus routes from your airport.

People which looking for affordable mini cabs, will locate them easily in any city. In order discover the best cheap mini cabs services, people should take aid from the online worlds. People who are planning to pay a visit to London or those people who are new to this city should make themselves aware from the london mini cab companies. By knowing about the london mini cab service, people will be able to commute easily through cabs in Paris, france ,.

By booking ahead, either over cell phone or utilising price comparison sites concerning the internet may be without you understand the cheapest car hire for a trip.

transfer sydney service, airline flights, airport pickupdrop, continental flights

[stminibushire-blog]

Want to Hire Best Mini Bus Service?

A Minibus Hire Manchester may well be simple to organize as a car rental and after that there are different types of vehicle along with models to select from. Some of the mini buses can take six people, some of them seven or also eight people and in some cases more than nine people within the very big size vehicles. It tends to make the cost very reasonable in case a lot of you want to take a tour through mini bus through the airport terminal to your selected location or though you are fundamentally driving around Manchester. Even though they couldn’t be sleepers they can give you with that extraordinary convenience even to space or room in case you plan to drive any type of lengthy routes.

The money required for personal airport taxis can be very expensive in comparison to Minibus Manchester hire. Taxis can just hold four men and women because of the vehicle driver taking one seat too. It is even useful to have a big sized vehicle once you have reached the location.

Any time you are demanding for your Minibus In Manchester hire one should look into the total number of seats you could want along with considering you will even want enough space for the bags and some other luggage you wish to take. The more people there are within the vehicle would create less room or space for any prerequisites because the bus has no space inside the back. They even haven’t trunk as such and for that possible reason you will have to ready accordingly and order the suitable size and type for your requirements.

When you have make a decision on your vehicle the traveling is the fun and easy part, also a mini bus is generally bigger than your usual car, as the mini buses available are all contemporary vehicles each would have the needs you would want within a St Minibuses Hire. It has electric windows, cruise control, air cooling and some other important features.

It is actually entertaining to hire a proper vehicle which is a complete change from your normal vehicle, as well as really handy for your requirements. They have been actually famous over the last 10 years and would be in good market demand as more daily people take their extensive families with them on holiday, thus choosing your 16 Seater Minibus Manchester fast is beneficial. Do not bother to leave hiring a mini bus to the very last minute. You can generally leave making your booking for car hire to a short moment earlier than you will want it, though, booking a mini bus must be decided on as fast as feasible, thus you can be assured that the bus would be available for once you want it. Today, hiring the services of mini bus is very simple. The operator of mini bus have their own websites, so you can go online, choose your desired bus and travel to your destination comfortably.

[theblondepage]

My next and last stop on this trip was Barcelona!! We arrived late afternoon after a 5 hour bus ride from Zaragoza and we literally found our Airbnb, got some food from the local supermarket and just stayed inside as it was pouring rain and we were once again, completely knackered! Our first official morning in Barcelona, we went to a big, I’d say national park that was a couple of streets behind our Airbnb that was basically a small mountain! (I exaggerate but it was a big ass hill!)

  VIEWS

VIEWS

VIEWS

  The views of Barcelona were totally worth the mini-hike we did to get up there! It was a really warm day and the sun was beating down but it was worth it! After that, we walked down to another Park that is quite famous because of some of the key pieces in there by the Architect Gaudi.

      It was really beautiful park with lots to see, just be warned that right now, a big piece of it is under construction for maintenance purposes, and, even though it is a public park, these parts do cost money to go into, I think from memory they sting you about 7 euro for students to go see. We didn’t pay to go in as it was under construction and we were trying to save money.

  After the parks, we jumped on a metro to head to the waterfront, and we went to a shopping Centre on a pier for lunch and found a really nice Japanese restaurant (I know I know, Japanese food in Spain but tapas is expensive yo). After lunch, we walked down La Rambla, a major street in the city, on our way to see one of Gaudi’s buildings. On our way we came across the Mercat de la Boqueria, this was kind of like a Borough market type place that was filled with fresh fruit, juice, veg meat and even lollies! It was packed full of people and if you hit that up when you’re in Barcelona, make sure you have cash on you! We didn’t have much on us so we didn’t really get to buy anything again probably for the best because we were trying to save a little money)

  After we walked past the Gaudi building we decided to head La Sagrada Familia. another PRO TIP: book this online at least 2 days ahead of time, especially if you’re heading there in spring/summer we went to go in when we arrived, and they told us I had sold out, so we thought okay we’ll go online and book it so we can go before our flight tomorrow! NOPE! The next was also pretty much booked out so BOOK AHEAD!!

La Sagrada Familia

She’s really big

Gaudi builing on Passeig de Gràcia

After that we headed back to our room as Harry wasn’t feeling well and wanted to lie down for the afternoon, I stayed for about an hour charged up my phone and what not, then headed back out to go to the beach! It was lovely, the water was a great temperature and it was so nice to once again lie in the sand and read a good book, one of my favourite things to do on a beach back home! I was there for about two hours bringing me to 6pm so I decided to head back and get some dinner. The next morning we flew back to Manchester and then got the train back to Hull!

Beach

Lord of Shadows

She loves a beach moment

Thus concludes my French and Spanish adventure! Next, I spend a week in Hull and then I head off again… stay tuned for the next location! (If you follow my Instagram you’d already know where it is) @madditranent is my Instagram BTW

  So follow along as I travel and stumble through life!

  Maddi xx

Next Stop; BARCELONA! My next and last stop on this trip was Barcelona!! We arrived late afternoon after a 5 hour bus ride from Zaragoza and we literally found our Airbnb, got some food from the local supermarket and just stayed inside as it was pouring rain and we were once again, completely knackered!

[bilmisler]

Benedict Cumberbatch Kimdir?

https://bilmisler.com/benedict-cumberbatch-kimdir/

Benedict Cumberbatch Kimdir?

19 Temmuz 1976 tarihinde Londra Hamersmith’de doğan Benedict Cumberbatch Wanda Ventham ve Timothy Carlton çiftinin oğludur. Benedict Cumberbatch kaç yaşında sorusuna 2018 yılı itibariyle 42 yaşında diye cevap verebiliriz. Bir kardeşi olan Benedict Cumberbatch’in kardeşinin adı Tracy Tabernacle’dir. Ünlü tiyatrocu Shakespeare oyunlarında henüz 12 yaşında iken oynamaya başlayan Benedict Cumberbatch Harrow School adında o dönemde de günümüzde de bir hayli prestijli bir okulda yatılı olarak öğrenim görmüştür. Harrow Okulu’nda okuduğu dönemde okulundaki o dönemde dramatik sanat alanında başarılı kulüplerden The Rattigan Society üyesi olması ona birçok şey kazandırmıştır. Tiyatro haricinde resim ve rugby ile de ilgilenen Benedict Cumberbatch’in pek bilinmeyen bir özelliği de okulunun bitmesinin hemen ardından 1 yıl boyunca Hindistan’da bulunan bir Budist tapınağında İngilizce öğretmenliği yapmasıdır.

Harrow School adlı okulda yatılı öğrenim gördükten sonra 1 yıl Hindistan’da bulunan Budist tapınağında İngilizce öğretmenliği yapan Benedict Cumberbatch çok sevdiği drama bölümünden Manchester Üniversitesi’nde bitirmiştir. Drama bölümüden mezun olduktan sonra yüksek öğrenimine London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art’ta devam etmiştir. 2001 yılından bu yana tiyatro oyunlarında rol alan Benedict Cumberbatch popülerliğini 2010 yılında “Sherlock” adıyla başlayan dizi ile kazanmıştır. Dizideki başrol karakteri Sherlock Holmes’ü oldukça başarılı bir şekilde canlandırmıştır. Sinema filmlerinde, tiyatro oyunlarında ve dizilerde oynayan Benedict Cumberbatch aynı zamanda televizyon programlarında ve tiyatrolarda da çeşitli seslendirme çalışmaları yapmış, yapmaya devam etmektedir. En popüler seslendirme eserlerinden birisi sinema dünyasında yer alan Hobbit film serisindeki Smaug karakteri seslendirmesidir.

Olivia Poulet ile üniversite öğrenimi sırasında tanışarak 1999 – 2011 yılları arasında tam 12 yıl birlikte olmuştur. 2011 yılında Olivia Poulet ile ayrıldıktan hemen sonra 1 yıl kadar ünlü ressam Anna James ile birlikte olmuştur. Sherlock rolüyle 2014 yılında 66. Emmy Ödüllerinde mini dizi en iyi erkek oyuncu ödülü kazanan Benedict Cumberbatch Sophie Hunter ismindeki ünlü tiyatro yönetmeni ile 14 Şubat 2015 tarihinde evlenmiştir. Evlendiği yıl ikilinin Christopher Carlton adında bir oğulları dünyaya gelmiştir. İkilinin 3 Mart 2017 tarihinde Hal Auden Cumberbatch adında bir erkek çocukları daha dünyaya gelmiştir. Bayan hayranları tarafından çok merak edilmesi nedeniyle 183 cm boyunda ve boyuna göre oldukça ideal bir kiloya sahip olduğundan bahsedebiliriz. Aktörün önümüzdeki günlerde vizyona girecek filmleri arasında Jungle Book: Origins, The Grinch, Avengers: Infinity War – Part 2 gibi merakla beklenen yapımlar yer almaktadır.

[erinkappeler]

Corfu/Kerkyra

The trip I’m on has multiple functions, one of which is to make a literary pilgrimage. I’ve been loosely following some of the threads of the poet H.D.’s life, including a significant event on Corfu, for reasons that I’ll write about later (there are many, it’s complicated, I’m not sure why I’m following them now, but here I am). 

I am both glad I’m here and I can’t wait to leave. The island of Corfu is ridiculously beautiful --

and ridiculously cheesy -- 

(if you listen closely you can hear the Muzak version of “The Girl from Ipanema” coming through the beach bar’s sound system.)

Because my travel funding came later than expected, I didn’t book a hotel room until much too late in the season, which means I wound up staying in Sidari rather than my desired destination of Corfu town. (Had I understood the domatia concept/system, this would have been a very different trip.) Sidari is, essentially, the British version of the Jersey shore. (”Sidari is no good,” according to an Airbnb host in Corfu town, and I can’t say I totally disagree.)

Think Wildwood -- families on holiday, kids building sandcastles, teenagers cruising each other, everyone sunning themselves into a radioactive hue as if news of skin cancer failed to travel this far, empty yet deafening nightclubs straight out of the Inbetweeners movie. Sidari may have once been a Greek town, but it is now little Manchester. 

Every restaurant serves buttys and toasties and Irn-Bru and Guinness. You can’t swing a beach towel without finding a place to watch a football game, and every night, although my hostel is decently far from the town center, I’m lulled to sleep by the sounds of karaoke and kids racing scooters down the main drag. 

There are things about Sidari that are charming. Everyone I've met, including some of those British tourists, has been lovely. When I was confused about how to find my bus stop, the driver called ahead to my hostel to confirm things with the owner, Angelica. ("Ah, Greek men," said Angelica when I arrived. “[noise somewhere between amusement and resignation and frustration] — they like pretty girls. These bus drivers, they are not always so nice, yes?") Angelica herself has been delightful. She's told me a lot about Sidari and the guests she sees and Germany, where she was born and raised, and what it's like living through the current economic crisis ("It's a shit time. But at least on Corfu people can have chickens and gardens, so it does not look so bad here. But in the cities..."). Indeed, one day at a mini mart the clerk was clutching something to her chest. I didn't think much of it until a baby chick poked its head out of the towel she was holding. 

I've been delighted every time a clerk or waiter is amused by my parlor trick of having sort of learned how to pronounce thank you correctly in Greek, but disappointed to realize it really is only the men who find this paltry accomplishment charming. I keep thinking of the story of the hostel guest of Angelica's who, every morning would come up to the kitchen, spread his arms wide, and proudly greet everyone, "Calamaris!" (”good morning” = “kalimera”). When I can't take the tourist kitsch anymore, I’ve gone for runs in the gorgeous countryside, on tiny roads that wind through olive groves and empty buildings and subsistence farms of goats and chickens and orange trees and squash vines and bee hives and tiny tavernas where old men sit outside and smoke and drink (these men, they are also very friendly).

I’ve also been escaping to Corfu town as much as possible, but the bus system here is chaotic, to put it nicely. The town itself is only 30km away, but it takes an hour and a half to get there. (Buses are giant touring buses that barely fit on the tiny mountain highways; bus stops are unmarked and placed seemingly at random; tickets are sold on the bus, meaning you often sit and wait at a stop for 15 minutes for everyone to get paid up; schedules are mostly followed, kind of, but also you’d better be at your stop early just in case, but also be ready to wait for late buses, because they are always late.) On my bus this morning, the ticket taker asked if I would volunteer to give him a massage, then attempted to give me a massage, and then asked if I’d like to kiss while grabbing the back of my neck (”My name is Philip, would you like to kiss?” -- verbatim pickup line). These Greek men...

Of course, one of the other functions of this trip is to get myself to write, and Sidari is sort of a perfect place for that. There is nothing to do, once the novelty of people watching wears off (I am not trying to tan myself into a radioactive hue, so that pastime is out), and the concentrated thinking time has led to some realizations about what I’m trying to do in the book chapter I’m writing and in the larger book project as a whole. 

And the pilgrimage has been significant -- it meant something to me to be in the places in Corfu town that mattered to H.D.

[Corfu town near H.D.’s preferred hangouts]

Still. Corfu is one of the places where Odysseus was briefly stranded, and while he found its inhabitants welcoming, he was happy to leave. I’m looking forward to moving on to my next island too. 

[thecyclegym-blog]

£40,000 Raised for charity...You Could too.

Hi Everyone, How was your weekend? Did you manage to get out on the road for some cycling? This weekend was amazing. We were part of the organising team for the Saints Foundation Big Bike Ride. It is the third year we have helped organise this event and once again everyone completed the 200 miles in two days and raised over £40,000 for the charity. An awesome feat for many of the participants. Stats: 2 x 5am starts 4 Support Vehicles 1 bus and 2 mini buses 1 medical vehicle and staff 2 Hotels 6 Village Halls 10+ Support Staff (probably more) 70 riders 73 bikes used 6 punctures 200 miles ridden each 14000+ miles cycled between them 200 bananas 60 lucozades 2kg’s of flapjack 150 sandwiches Can’t count how many beers!!! BUT THE CROWN JEWEL IS: £40,000+ raised for the Saints Foundation Charity!!! That money goes a long way for the charity and can be used for so many various projects that they run. Each year this event is getting bigger and bigger and the but the camaraderie and team spirit grows with it. People have challenged themselves, made new friends, Helped others and supported a cause that they believe in. They were rewarded with a walk around the football pitch at half time with the crowd clapping and cheering them on. If you would like to make a big difference in a someone elses life by organising a charity event like this, then we have the expertise and experience to create a memory that you will never forget. We love doing these events and have already got bookings for 2018. Don’t leave something like this until last minute because there is a lot of organising that needs to happen in advance. Have a great day! #wemarchon Graham P.S. If you would like help training for an event or want some coaching we can help you. Our services include: 1. Training from our indoor studios. Fully kitted out gyms to help improve your strength, power and endurance. 2. We can train you at home using Zwift or Trainer Road 3. We can do remote coaching using Training Peaks Coaching Software If you would like some help with your cycling and training, then let us know by replying to this e-mail or visiting our Manchester (graham 07791060451) or Southampton (Andy 07770908030) websites.  Facebook   |   YouTube   |   Twitter   |   Instagram   |   Beam.Pro Click to Post

[interiordesignblog-cp-blog]

Weeks 6 & 7, Preparing for the exhibition

Monday morning marked a bank holiday, but it didn’t stop us from meeting at 10am in the All Saints Park, armed with cameras ready to go explore rainy Manchester. We did a few test shots in and around the park first, just to ensure we had the correct settings on the camera. We then made our way to our first location which was under the railway bridge just off Charles Street. Here we experimented with different angles, reflections and foregrounds, until we found the correct composition that we were happy with. We then continued to wander through Manchester stopping any time something caught our eye. The area of Manchester that we were heading towards was the bus and tram station behind Piccadilly Gardens, as this is an area that comes to mind when you think of Manchester. The yellow trams are recognisable figures that are all over the city and with this station being one of the most popular in Manchester, we thought that it would be a great place to use an example.  key part all over the city and this station being one of the most popular we thought that it would be a great place to use as an example. We aimed to highlight a part of the city that’s so well known that you don’t normally pay attention to it as you pass through these busy areas on a day to day basis. Whilst we were out taking photos the rest of the group were back at Uni experimenting with the model making of the mirrors.

We all met back up again on Tuesday morning to discuss what we’d all got done the previous day. The model making group had the first model made, which was a small, square box ready for one of Sam’s oil paintings to go inside of it, which we decided we would display it eye level on a shelf at the exhibition. After our quick re-briefing we spilt back off into our mini groups. Myself, Izzie and Gracia went to look through the photos that we had taken and decided on five photos for the exhibition and then edited them in Photoshop. The three of us helped in this process as with our combined knowledge of the software we’d be able to edit them to a high standard. The other half of the group got on with making the other two models for the exhibition. One model the same height as the square box, but rectangular in shape and the other a lot taller in height and also wider. We left the models to dry over the weekend, then on Monday morning myself, Wani and Aishwarya stuck black card to every edge of the mirror so that the joints were no longer visible, making them models look sleeker. We then brainstormed ideas for the layout of our exhibition. We knew that we wanted it to simple with very few items, so that each piece stood out, but we didn’t know in what order or how exactly we wanted our items to be arranged. I sketched out the shelves that we had been allocated and did multiple designs and layouts for how we could arrange our exhibition. In the end we decided to have three of our photos stuck to the front of the shelves and two set back inside. This just left where we would place our mirror models. This took some debate within the group and everyone had a different opinion in where the models should sit on the shelves. We eventually left and revisited the exhibition space again where we concluded that we would remove one of the lower shelves, so that the big mirror model would sit directly on the floor and for the other two models to be at eye level and at the same height shelf as one and other.

With the mirror models complete and the photos edited, all that was left to do was print and mount our photos. Since it was Monday afternoon and we pretty much had everything ready for the exhibition we decided that we would make an exhibition catalogue, containing photos and information about ourselves and project. Myself, Izzie and Noreen took to a computer and began to design the book in InDesign, another programme which, like Photoshop, we were all familiar with, this meant we were able to help each other. We thought that alongside the catalogue we also could feature a logo on the front, which was designed by myself and Izzie whilst messing around drawing up ideas for inside the book. Once the book was printed Noreen and Wani were left to bind it whilst myself, Izzie, Gracia and Aishwarya sorted out the printing and mounting of the photos onto the foam board. This marked the end of our time left before the deadline and we were all confident with the work that we had produced and therefore were completely stress free about the upcoming day and the exhibition. I was really impressed with how we, as a group managed to pull everything together in such a sort space of time.