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    November 29

    15 days until...

    I'm excited.

    When I was 14, my Dad took my Mother and I onboard the world's most famous ship.  The world's only superliner.  The world's most luxurious ship.

     
    And boy oh boy did it leave an impression. My memories are of a truly immense ship.  Fantasic luxury in the restaurants.  Amazing shows that I'd never seen the like of.  And terrific excitement as they put the newly rebuilt ship through her paces.  Cheering crowds and fireworks thronging the banks of the German rivers for miles that we made our ways along.  A wonderful midnight buffet with ham that I could see through.  Shops selling things we couldn't hope to afford - and my first visit to Harrods!!  Important people on board knew my Dad well, and we got welcomed all around the ship.
     
    Well, 20.5 years later, I'm returning to my beloved QE2, sadly without my Dad this time, but I'll certainly be thinking of him.  I cannot believe I actually made it happen and its getting closer and closer.  My best friend Rob and I will be onboard in just over 2 weeks for a short trip to Belgium and back.  I hope he enjoys it as much as I did at 14, hopefully some of my enthusiasm will rub off on him.  We should have luxury food and drink, entertainment, night clubs, the casino, the spa all at our disposal and I intend to make full use!
     
    • The most famous ship in the world.
    • The furthest travelled ship in the world - of all time (approaching SIX MILLION MILES)
    • The most successful ship in the world.
    • The most powerful passenger ship afloat (130,000 bhp / and over 98 megawatts)
    • The fastest liner afloat, by some margin - at 34 knots.
    • The last Clydebuilt liner.
    • Arguably... the last true Transatlantic liner (having made over 800 crossings)
     
     
    November 23

    The BBC and us being manipulated like fools

    OK read this story :-
     
     
    How stupid do they all think we are?  These companies are managing to drum up huge publicity for themselves for free via 'viral' email marketing.  Very very clever.
     
    • Threshers offer a permanent '3 for 2' on their wines.  This means, basically, that their wine is 40% overpriced compared to their competitors.  You'd be a mug to go in there and buy a single bottle of any wine thats in that offer.  Lo-and-behold the 40% voucher offer only applies to these wines, and you can't do the 3 for 2 at the same time.  "Last year, drinks retailer Threshers said it was worried that its 40% off vouchers had been distributed so widely that it could end up hurting profits. "  Thats the punchline, absolute genius.  Promote the marketing manager I say!
    • GAP have basically just announced their 30% discount to the world via BBC News - thanks BBC!
    • And Littlewoods - "decided to stop pursuing online shoppers who it claimed had abused an online £25-off voucher. "  "The vouchers had been sent to specific customers but had then been widely distributed" Ha ha ha!!  Absolutely superb!  WHO DO THEY THINK THEY'RE KIDDING!  (Apart from the BBC).
    November 19

    New Ford Focuses

    Saw these when I was in getting my Puma serviced.  The Focus is a fab car.  Best in class.  My Mum has one and its superb.  However its not sexy, or particularly stylish, or sporty, or cool.  Its just a really good, but ordinary, car.  The convertible is nice, but seems incongruous attached to such a humble vehicle.  My Mum's still tempted though!  As for the mint-green one.... erm... err... what kind of discount can I get on that one?
     
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    November 15

    Religion & Politics

    My friend Dave sent me this also, and it also makes it onto my blog :)