Ryanair to charge for a crap service

Reading the Irish Times this morning, I saw an article which tells us that Ryanair are planning to charge for the use of the toilet. They haven't decided on whether to charge on the way in (wouldn't like to be caught short) or on the way out (aargh, I've forgotten my wallet!). Neither appeals to me.

You'd have to wonder about the attraction of this particular "low-fare" airlines between being charged for the loo and your next-seat passenger using his mobile phone....

Latvian trip, discussion thereof, part 3. (including the best view from a loo in the world!)

Onwards with us to Sigulde on the last day we had the car, and enjoy the cable car across the valley we did, one of the attractions we missed last year. Of course it was too cold to spend any time on the far side so we just went across and came back. Cheap thrills.

Then we got stuck in the snow and had to pull the car out using our teeth and some dental floss that you should always carry just in case. Nah, it just looked like we got stuck, so I took the picture. Sorry.

Hmm, now this is the biggest grotto in the Baltics, so it is. Gudmanala - good man's cave. Some legend surrounds it, but it escapes me now and I'm in a rush off to Rome, so if I think about it when I come back I'll stick in some links for your perusification. As you can see below, it wasn't made of the hardest rock in the world. Very crumbly sandstone (engineering classification notwithsdanding)

Then after we got going again, we thought we'd forgotten something. D said Dam. What was it? said I. No, Dam he repeated, pointing. This Hydro electric scheme (or the scheme of which this dam is a part) provides up to 50% of Latvia's electricity. Impressive. So they've Kyoto sorted already then!

This is the view from the road along the reservoir. Yes, we did drive it. A little hairy at first but you soon learn which rut to follow.

The last day I spent wandering again, and found myself having lunch on the 27th floor of the Reval Hotel. Lovely views, hampered again by mist unfortunately, but the gold trim on the Orthodox Church still shone through.

I was surprised at the view from the loo, and thought you mightn't believe me if I told you so once I made sure there was noone in the bathroom at the time, I took a picture of what I think is the best view from a loo in the world.

Off to Rome shortly, more from here after that! Oh, and best of luck to Ireland in the rugby in 2 minutes.

The exciting world of home upgrades

We fitted a brand new toilet seat today, to replace the rather wimpy affairs that come as standard. What an exciting life this is, eh? Off to a family party shortly, then we have guests later on. Watch out Monasterevin!

We were in the Porterhouse the other evening with some friends, in the spirit of the season. Some people had spirits, the others had beers and ciders. Some yummy beer was had, I started with a 14% lager called samichlaus beer. Austrian Santa Claus beer, which is brewed but once a year and aged for 10 months. Serious stuff, and one bottle is more than enough.

Also had some Hoegaarden, which is nice. They put lemon in it, so must remember that for future weisbeer (sorry, not sure about the fancy german B-s) consumption. Nice burgers too. A good place to meet up. Got the bus home to Kildare then a taxi. Bit of a pain in the behind, but then we did get a lift up which helped.

Actually, while there are regular buses to and from the big smoke, you are getting on the Limerick service, and the last one leaves at 20:00. What that means, is that another ticket is required to get onto the Kildare service. While that makes sense in somebody's head, it meant we couldn't get a return ticket on the bus up and use it on the way back, on a shorter journey? Thanks to Bus Eireann for that one.