Holidays 2025

[wykikitoon 22727]

On 02/03/2025 at 13:10, Kid Dynamite said:

Just got back from 2 days in Amsterdam with the family. Somehow managed to avoid it until 42, but what a lush city. Barely any cars in the city centre, little to no rubbish, beautiful architecture, everyone is bilingual, lovely food etc. f
 

Had a great time. Only let down slightly by some absolute clampetts on the ferry.

Absolutely love the Netherlands.  Amsterdam is a superb city with so much great history.

There used to be loads of cars in the centre, but the government in the 70s changed that, same with all the cities in the Netherlands.  Look what it brings?  Imagine that in the UK?

[Alex 36667]

21 minutes ago, Howmanheyman said:

 

The daughters went over on the ferry without bothering to tell me before they booked, I think they had the sum total of two hours in Holland before coming back, they spent a small fortune on data and overpriced everything. I'd even told them in the past when they were mulling over going to Amsterdam to just pay a bit extra on the flight and it would save them in the long run but what do I know?

I’ve been on the ferry twice. The first time was ok. It was fucking years ago but it was a trip organised by Civil Service Sports and Social Club back when I had a short stint working there in the 90s. But it was a night on the ferry there and back plus two nights actually in a hotel (or ‘botel’, the floating one near the central station). 
if you do the one where you only have the day in Amsterdam it’s basically just people getting wrecked. I did that the second time and there were a few of us and it was a laugh but you’re not going to see enough of Amsterdam so what’s the point? The other thing is they check your baggage and confiscate drink. And the drinks on board are extortionate. Then there’s the hilariously bad outdated entertainment. But mainly the other passengers 

[Meenzer 16404]

We used to do the 24-hour ferry to Gothenburg back when it still existed. Bit less of a booze cruise, but you didn't half learn about cabin fever after a while.  

 

Harwich to Hoek van Holland is ideal by comparison. Rock up in the evening just in time for a nightcap in the bar, away to bed as you're setting sail, then wake up already at your destination. Only trouble is Stena Line plays fucking "Don't Worry, Be Happy" over the PA to wake everyone up.

[Alex 36667]

Bobby McFerry, if you will. 
No wonder he killed himself  

[wykikitoon 22727]

P&O can go fuck emselves after what they did to their staff,

[Monkeys Fist 45063]

4 hours ago, Alex said:

No wonder he killed himself  

Whaaaat? 
 

 

[Howmanheyman 36442]

5 hours ago, Alex said:

Bobby McFerret if you will. 
No wonder he killed mice and rabbits to eat.

 

🎶

Here's a little rabbit with a furry coat 

I caught it for my dinner, I ripped out it's throat 

Don't worry

Be happy 

(Don't worry be happy)

🎵

 

[Alex 36667]

1 hour ago, Monkeys Fist said:

Whaaaat? 
 

 

You not remember the urban myth? Or you do and I’ve been whooshed?  

[Kid Dynamite 7606]

Tbf, the ferry was much cheaper then flying, and we had the best part of 2 days in Amsterdam.

 

It's utterly pointless doing the day trip as there's only 5 hours between the bus dropping you off and then picking you back up again, with 32hours spent on the boat! 

[RobinRobin 12439]

16 hours ago, Howmanheyman said:

 

The daughters went over on the ferry without bothering to tell me before they booked, I think they had the sum total of two hours in Holland before coming back, they spent a small fortune on data and overpriced everything. I'd even told them in the past when they were mulling over going to Amsterdam to just pay a bit extra on the flight and it would save them in the long run but what do I know?

[Alex 36667]

10 hours ago, Kid Dynamite said:

Tbf, the ferry was much cheaper then flying, and we had the best part of 2 days in Amsterdam.

 

It's utterly pointless doing the day trip as there's only 5 hours between the bus dropping you off and then picking you back up again, with 32hours spent on the boat! 

It always was cheaper in the winter as there’s obviously a lot less people taking their cars over to Europe for their hols, so they’ve got a lot of excess space, hence the offers. Good that you had that extra time there though. I think I’ve been 5 times and I would go back. It’s a beautiful place. The other thing with the winter crossings, apart from the aforementioned charvas, is there’s a canny chance of it being a stormy crossing. The first time we were coming back it was a force 10 gale as we left the harbour at Ijmuiden and there were already a few people green at the gills position at doors next to the decks as seasickness began to take effect