I am a long-time member and over the years, I guess there will naturally be less and less questions posted that haven't already been asked or discussed before. Whatever, HT is still by a long way the best holiday forum around in my opinion. I do check the TA site for hotel/apartment reviews and to have a look at reviewers photos but that is all I use it for as it is a different type of forum to HT. I also post reviews on that site but less often than I do on HT. I'm not sure why but HT member reviews generally seem more rounded, less subjective and far less liable to hyperbole than those on TA. Their rating system is also flawed as a couple of good reviews can send a barely reviewed hotel/apartment complex soaring up the ratings scoreboard.

My only current gripe is that, unless I am mistaken, the many photographs of my and other members holiday destinations and accommodation posted over the last few years appear to have been wiped out in a single stroke by the recent introduction of the new media galleries.

hi robbo11......dont fret about the old photos....they are all safe and will be put back soon as time ect allows....vanwaylan told me this....he has a copy of them all.....so they are just being kept safe till its possible to get them back where they belong .....tweetie

Thanks for the info Tweetie. I have probably uploaded around 500 photos over the years so that's good to know.

I seem to remember this question popping up around the same time last year, so perhaps to some extent it is a seasonal thing. However, I posted a general question regarding 40th Anniversary holiday advice a week ago and out of 84 'hits' only one person has bothered to reply (thanks Alsacienne ). So, why did the other 83 not reply? Was it that they couldn't be bothered or felt they had nothing to contribute or my question was too trite. That would be an interesting answer.

We are leaning more and more towards a complete circumnavigation of Oz with Princess Cruises; however, this is right at the top of our budget so we are having to get our abacus out and do the sums.

Rosalyn

Hi Babs, I'm one of the people who read your query about a special 40th Anniversary holiday and didn't reply. My reason for doing so was because you've clearly given this a lot of thought and know what sort of holiday you like, for example, 3 out of 4 your possible choices feature a cruise element so I assumed that you really like cruising. I've never been on a cruise and whilst a friend and I keep toying with the idea we also keep finding other things that we'd rather do instead and end up saying, 'Perhaps next year....' so genuinely felt that I had nothing to offer in the way of information and advice. Likewise, I've never been to Iceland and and for health reasons at the moment wouldn't personally contemplate a holiday that involved a lot of road travel either.

My idea of a special holiday is almost certainly very different to yours and I didn't see any point in trying to persuade to go on my idea of a special holiday - it's your anniversay not mine - when you already seem pretty clear in your own mind what makes a holiday special to you. A 40th anniversary really is a milestone - one that fewer and fewer people reach thses days - so heartfelt congratulations to you. So I really do hope that once you get the abacus out that you decide that you can manage what sounds like a dream of a holiday for a couple who love cruising (and of course each other!)

So, why did the other 83 not reply? Was it that they couldn't be bothered or felt they had nothing to contribute or my question was too trite.

Probably a little of both, plus curiosity. The title of a topic can often be the key to its success. I often look at topics because the title is different enough from the run of the mill questions we usually get. Because I have looked I become a hit, yet more often than not I am unable to post anything of help or interest. By the same token there are many I do not even bother with simply because they are recycled questions - how many fags can I bring back is a regular - that in truth I have better things to do. On the 40th question I simply could not give any ideas but I would have been interested in replies as whilst not contributing, I might just have got some ideas for future holidays.

I do understand how frustrating it can be when you do not get replies, or when you try to help you either get abuse because the person asking the question does not get the answer they want or they cannot say thanks.

I note various thoughts have been put forward such as facebook as a reason. Over time there has been some very well researched, valuable and sensible help and advice given that I have no doubt enabled the OP in resolving a problem. But many of the members of HT have simply got fed up of the lack of any feedback from the OP.

After a time it becomes a case of why bother.

fwh

I read the post because the heading was quite general, but then the actual post contained further information and some clear ideas, and I reailsed I couldn't contribute a reply because I don't have personal experience which would be useful. Had the post wanted more general info - say 5 star special hotels, I would have had something to say and suggestions to make.

fwh is spot on with his reasons for the lack of replies, but in general those who have appropriate advice and experiences to share will do so. I hope you manage to get your dream holiday and I will probably visit the topic again myself just to find out more!

I just checked a recent posting I made with questions - I see there were 328 views, 10 replies - and 5 of them were mine thanking those who had given me suggestions

OK, I take everything you've said on board. I had thought that maybe people might put down their own ideas, but perhaps I should have actually asked people what they would do for their own 40th W/A. The idea for Iceland had come from my looking through HT, and reading about it; it certainly wouldn't have even entered my thoughts otherwise. And it's for this reason that HT can be so useful.

Rosalyn

I've only looked in a few times recently to check up on the forums i usually read , but only for a few minutes while checking emails etc , the main reason being that my dad died nearly 3 months ago and i've been more pre-occupied with that and dealing with everyday issues , and i've also been busy with a complete re-decoration of the lounge which is now finished.
I've always found people to be helpful with any info i've asked for , and there is a lot of helpful tips and information and peoples own experiences on here which often means that a question need not be asked, if i have answered anyones question i find that i get a good response or thanks, i'm not that bothered if i don't because its my choice to offer up that advice/info. and someone else might find it useful.
i usually look in the lanzarote forum and have picked up really good info which has made lanzarote perhaps my favourite holiday location, well i go there every year! i also go to egypt every year , but the forum is mainly about sharm-el- sheik, as its the most popular resort, and i go to taba and luxor as much as sharm. i often post in the flights forum , mainly the gatwick forum , as my wife works there and can advise me on security regulations and whether mcdonalds has suddenly re-appeared in the north terminal!! it disappeared a few years ago and today it wasn't there.
I like this site, i've always found people to be pleasant, the information on here gives you an informed knowledge to make the best of your holiday and get the most out of it from others sharing their knowledge and experiences, isn't that simply what it should be?

sorry to hear about your dad andy.....and nice to hear from you now .....we all dissapear for a while now and then.....I am either so busy I dont even get time to keep up with emails.....or loads of time on my hands and spend hours on here, like lately......but I will be dissapearing myself for a while end of sept as first grandchild is due then ......and I wont be on much from next week as have knitting to do and Ive not mastered , knit one ,purl one, post yet ....( must learn how to type with my toes...I have seen it done)......tweetie

Sorry to hear about your dad Andy. I've been away for 16 days and am only just catching up on here. I would have read your question Babs, as I usually come onto HT through the "view active topics". However having been seasick on a cruise years ago, I've never fancied going again, so it would have been pointless me replying to your post. If I feel as though I can contribute or help, then I will always reply to a post, as I've had so much worthwhile information from HT over the years.

Hello Babs.....I too have recently celebrated 40 years of married bliss (well sometimes) I would have tried to help but as others have pointed out your tastes were not mine, and I would have recommended completely the opposite!

If you spend your anniversary together wth some champagne thats the most important thing. ....Caz

(Sorry to hear your sad news Andy.)