Thanks Digby. I'll be extremely careful next time, particularly when getting on and off boats!!

Looking forward to it Aslemma, do still meet ex-pats on Thurs?

There's usually a meet-up for coffee/lunch on Thursdays. I haven't been to it yet as last time I was in hospital but will definitely try to get to at least one this time. If you and Anne want to come I know you'd be very welcome. There is no protocol, just let me know when we meet up and I'll tell Sam to expect you. She's back in the UK now but will be back in Hammam Sousse next week. I'm hoping my friend Sandra from Lockerbie will be back in her apartment then as well, also a Swedish friend of mine who has an apartment in Sousse but is in Norway just now. I've put your mobile number into my phone so we can get in touch, also the phone number of your hotel, so you can just text me your room number when you have it.

OK.
I will give you a call in the next fortnight or so.

You have to stay a 'Landlubber' from now on aslemma, no more walking the plank for you

I hope you all have a great time in Tunisia, I am sure you will love it Jimmy

Graham

Ps, guess who is going to become a grandparent in October

Thanks Graham. Many congratulations on your forthcoming grandchild: I am well ahead of you there though, having 6 grandsons and 2 granddaughters from 20 down to 19 months and I love them to bits. The great advantage is that you can spoil them rotten, which you can't do with your own children of course.

Congratulations, Graham. You will love being a grandad. It is so different from being a parent. I only have 2. A boy 6 and a girl 9. Love them to bits!

Hello Patricia (Jasmine), Aslemma et al

I hope I find you all well and looking forward to your holidays for this year.

My friends and I have now booked our fortnight in Sousse and we are travelling on the 26th of September.

If anyone has information on "new" Sights or adventures to be explored please let me know.

If The Changing Ladies are doing a "new" show for 2010 that would be lovely.

I am particularly looking forward to seeing many friends again and I have been told that two of the staff, at our Hotel, are expecting additions to their families this year; a second child for one of our waiters and a first grandchild for one of the Reception staff.

Cheers
Anthony

Hi Anthony, What hotel will you be staying at? I'll be in the Royal Beach Sousse on 24th April (BA permitting) and will certainly try to see Changing Ladies this year as I haven't seen them for a few years. The last 'drag' show I saw there was The Golden Girls, the new kids on the block, and I've seen The Dream Girls in the past. They are all good shows but Changing Ladies is certainly the best.

If you haven't visited Medinat Alzhara, the Sound & Light Show, it is well worth seeing, but it is easiest to go with your rep, as unless the taxi drivers are more clued up than they were a couple of years ago it is difficult to get to independently (a couple of drivers didn't know where it was, despite being advertised on the side of the Noddy trains, and the third taxi took us part way and we then transferred to a louage). Coming back was easier as the louage driver gave us his phone number and collected us and returned us all the way to my hotel and my friends' apartment.

The hot air baloon which was in the area for a while last year (before it blew away) is no longer there and I hear flats are being built on the site!!

Hi Aslemma

Thanks for replying so quickly. Have you got room in your suitcase in April? Seriously though, we will be staying at The Royal Salem, part of the Marhaba group, by the Medina Cafe between Sousse & the Port.

Medina Alzhara sounds fascinating and is not something I've ever heard of before. If I can find it on the web then I'll post details of it to my friends.

The Changing Ladies show, which we saw at the Casino last September, was excellant. I remember seeing the Dream Girls, many years ago when, I think, they appeared during the Reps Show.

If I don't hear from you before have a lovely vacation in April.

Cheers
Anthony

A couple of links to the Medinat Alzahra here to give you some idea:

http://www.medinat-alzahra.net/index.php?lang=en

http://www.medinat-alzahra.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=7&Itemid=31

I like the Marhaba group of hotels: I have stayed at the Marhaba, Marhaba Beach and Marhaba Club in Sousse but not at either of the Salems, Marhaba means 'welcome' by the way.

I rang the hotel this morning to confirm they had my booking through Alpha Rooms (I've never had a problem but like to be sure) and at the same time asked very nicely if I could have a sea-view room and also a balcony, as I know not all the rooms have this. The very nice man confirmed I could have both and didn't even ask me to bring him out a bottle of whisky, rather to my surprise.

Got my fingers crossed for you aslemma and Jimmy I hope you manage to get there

Thanks Graham, keeping everything crossed mate
I'll be giving Aslemma a call midweek.
Sill hoping to get away, but if not we'll just go with the flow.
Jim

Sill hoping to get away, but if not we'll just go with the flow

At this rate the flow will probably be coming to spend a day down here on the sunny banks of Loch Lomond

Aslemma and Jimmy. Scottish airspace opening at 6am Tuesday, followed by English later in the day. Great news for you guys!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm supposed to be flying with BA, who fly the route every day apart from Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I'm hopeful that if I don't get out on Saturday I may do so a couple of days later. The problem is that I'm due to start invigilating exams round about 19th May, so I can't delay for more than a week to allow time to get back, in case there are problems with the return journey. If I have to cancel completely the earliest I can get out is September, as exams don't finish until early July and it's too hot for me in July and August. My hotel is booked with Alpha Rooms and they say they will either refund any money paid or re-book people, though if prices have gone up we will be liable for the extra. A Swedish friend is out there at present, staying in her own apartment, and she says those staying in the hotel who can't get back are getting full board provided so there aren't many complaints.

Happy days
Yecannywack the Bonnie Banks Kiltman.

In which case, if I can't get to Tunisia I may end up on your doorstep Jimmy.