Airborne Folly

Have you noticed the increasingly peculiar baggage policies of airlines?

It first really came to my attention last Summer, when my brother and his family flew over for a visit from England to the Netherlands. On the flight out, at the airport, they were annoyingly told they had to pay for their baggage to accompany them.

'I thought an airfare included your baggage,' my brother said, as he walked through my front door. 'What a rip off!'

These days, unless you are signed up as a 'member' of some airline's club, any bags for the hold are not included in the airfare. Pretty stupid really, but ok, for a quiet life I signed up. But wait . . . after luring me in, recently I received an email and they had moved the goal posts again. Now my Ivory membership didn't include baggage. I had to have a gold encrusted bejewelled one with bells and whistles - plus have taken 15 flights with them to regain the privilege.

Why?

Logically, most people travel with a change of clothes and personal effects. Agreed? It goes without saying that some sort of bag, filled with a change of clothes and personal effects generally accompanies you on a trip and is included in the ticket price.

Obviously, the rules are changing and being replaced by quick money makers to cover the rising costs of fuel. Or is there really a weight issue in the aeroplane's hold? Or could we be, as I suspect being right and royally ripped off? I'm not going to blame this one on the aftermath of the economic downturn because let's face it that excuse has been worn ragged.

As far as flights to sunny destinations are concerned, this scenario is not entirely new. For the last couple of years, when flying to places like Crete, Greece. I have been paying for my baggage and did assume it was a weight issue. When you look at what other people at check-in are taking with them for two weeks in the sun, it's mind boggling and payment by weight then seems a fair solution. They're the ones who have arrived at the airport at six in the morning in 16 degrees celsius, already dressed for the beach. In flip-flops and beach attire they buzz around their candy coloured hard-shell cases; enjoyment is a prerequisite of the trip. Forgive my cynicism, but do you really need that many cases - it's only two weeks!

Charges are per kilo weight and you can choose your package! I'm not complaining (*sigh*) but the extras do mount up. This Summer, for our trip to Greece, I have chosen 20 kg per person, per bag. at a cost of 20,00 euros per person. Ok, that's an extra 40,00 euros and in the scheme of things doesn't break the bank. But wait . . . did I mention it's each way? That's a total of 80,00 euros!

When it comes to the validity of this baggage charge, on the outward journey they certainly take notice of the kilo allowances at check-in. On the way back, however, no one cares - it's far too hot and the Greeks don't seem to be bothered by the absurdities of kilo allowances, as they shovel tourists on and off planes. They probably wouldn't bat an eyelid, if along with the raki, honey, herbs, shot glasses, Metaxa, shells and jewellery . . . I had a donkey in my luggage!

And there's more . . .

Another newly implemented delight is that the pre flight seat reservation is also no longer free, unless it is 24 hours before the flight. To reserve an ordinary seat it will cost 7,50 euros per person, each way, unless of course you want to stretch your legs - in the special seats - over the plane's wing by the emergency exits. That will cost you 15.00 euros per person each way. Although I did buy into this option - because I want to travel with my son and not have to wave at him from the other end of the plane - I'm not keen on it because it as a potential to encourage the mob mentality of bagging seats.

At times like this, I wish I could sprout wings and avoid all this nonsense, or that teleportation had been perfected as the way to travel - as in Star Trek -  but until then . . .

I expect in the not too distant future, fuel and tickets prices will rise again and then they will have to dream up some other scheme - a charge for oxygen on the flight maybe:

'Do you want to breathe for the whole flight, madam. Or will a couple of hours be sufficient?'

'You're a blond? Oh dear, it's Thursday - I'm afraid only brunettes travel for free today.'

'If your child fits into this baggage frame, you'll be exempt from the new 'travelling children tax'.

As I post this, it's probably pouring with rain, in Holland. I've made it to the sun and I am lounging by the pool - in 32 degrees - sipping a cocktail. The pernickety baggage and seat issues are but a hazy memory . . .

© Alison Day Designs

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Strange is the Beast

Anyone else got the bad habit of watching TV and being online at the same time?

Guilty as charged. I do it all the time, my iPad sits pride of place, like a tame cat, on the arm of my red leather sofa. My excuse? Apart from the obvious addictive element, it has become an extension of my world. In an instant, I note down ideas, surf to interesting programme-related websites, interact on social media and monitor my emails. A multi-tasking delight, or is it?

Sometimes, however, I forget to close app windows when I am busy with something else, which shows me as online. On one such occasion, a contact from a well known social media site popped up professing to be bored. Always willing to help and have a chat - I engaged. Smart move or not, this interaction led to a conversation with a very strange mutation:

W: "Fecking bored."

A: "Really, why?"

W: "Should be working.'

W: "Can't inspire myself to."

A: "At this time - it's the witching hour?"

W: "Indeed."

A: "Why not do something totally the opposite - sometimes it helps."

W: "Like do something else beginning with w you mean?"

A: "Any letter will do. If you are writing, go count the stars for ten minutes, or something."

W: "I'd rather get naked."

A: "Well go do that then."

W: "Talking you through it?"

A: "?"

W: "The process from clothed to unclothed."

A: "Ha ha ha!"

W: "Glasses of."

W: "Off."

A: "Nothing like a bit of [edit] porn!"

W: "Socks off.

Belt off.

Jeans off.

Shirt off."

[ I suppose I could have anticipated that there would be no saving the conversation from here on. Surreal as it was - I decided to remain to see the outcome . . . ]

A: "Make a good blog post this."

W: "Pants off.

Birthday suit on . . .

it's the perfect fit.

What to do now?"

A: "Write."

W: "Not the other 'w' verb?"

A: "You're on your own there!"

W: "I'm sure you could lend a helping hand."

A: "I doubt it."

W: "Try."

A: "No-oooo!"

W: "Why not?"

A: "You need to ask?"

W: "Yep."

W: "You encouraged me to strip, so now I need some encouragement."

A: "No, I suggested you count the stars."

W: "Well go do that then."

W: "To quote."

A: "1, 2, 3 . . .

W: "What?"

A: . . . counting."

W: "You are?"

A: "4, 5, 6, 7 . . .

W: "Why not just get naked?"

A: . . . 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 . . .

W: "Right, night."

A: . . . 13, 14, 15, 16."

W: "Maybe you'll fall asleep like counting sheep."

A: "Night. Good luck with the inspiration. :) "

Of course my sister and I had a laugh at the absurdity of the exchange, when I recounted it to her the next day, in hushed tones over the phone from my kitchen. We even discussed the plausibility of this not being my contact at all, but an imposter from the Heartbleed virus clan, who had hacked into his profile.

It has become a blog post, as I said it would, because I wanted to highlight a few points that continue to niggle me. Using this interaction as an example, at what point do you draw the line and shout enough? Although I would class this discourse as mild in nature, I feel it does venture into the grey area, commonly referred to as the 'thin end of the wedge'. Some may accuse me of making a mountain out of a molehill, whereas I find it a classic case of the hazy definition that still exists when determining the boundaries of decency. Add this to the fact that society - in the 21 century - continues to sit on the fence, when it comes to objectifying women for pleasure and I think you get my point.

OK. I'm not that poe-faced that I can't take a joke - I did laugh - but in retrospect, why does it feel wrong on so many levels? Apart from my previous thoughts, is my reaction so because this social media contact is an acquaintance and one that I don't know awfully well? Was it made easier because we have never actually met? Did he for one minute consider that it might be inappropriate? How would I have felt if it had been a friend instead? And what's wrong with a normal conversation anyway?

The Internet has changed the way we interact with each other. In many ways the Web is amazing, giving us access to people, places and opportunities we might never have come across. On the flip side, however, the often faceless contact we have all come to readily accept also comes with a price tag. We have unwittingly redefined our boundaries and privacy settings too. In many cases, we have forgone face-to-face contact, reading facial expressions and anticipating actions for shallow estimations of the other. In this way it is possible to open up a right royal can of misinterpretations!

So, is a case like this acceptable or sexual harassment? I'm pretty sure it would never have happened in real time. What do you think, dear reader?

Final thought, it's never a bright idea to put things on the Internet that could come back to bite you in the derrière one day.

[ Exits *counting stars* : "1, 2, 3 . . . " ]

Alison Day Designs

The Look of Less

"I'd like my name taken off your mailing list - I didn't order the catalogue."

"Are you a client of ours?"

"No"

"What's the number above the name and address printed on the magazine?"

"There isn't one."

"Not a six cijfer one?"

"No"

I spell out my name and address and there is a concentrated silence as my details are entered.

"OK. I've put your details in the system for removal from our mailing list. It will take six weeks, so you may get one more before it stops completely."

I mentioned that it too would be filed in the re-cycling and how an unwanted catalogue is a waste of resources and environmentally unfriendly.

"So, how did you get my details in the first place?"

"Probably from one of our sister companies."

A snippet from this morning's conversation with a mail-order company, requesting they take my name off their mailing list. Not only had I not requested a copy of their catalogue, they had managed to produce 133 pages printed in full colour, of a really unappealing line of clothes and one I can only describe as: Oh Dear.

Even the models in the magazine found it hard to pull off the experience as a good one. The clothes were definitely not ones they would choose to wear in their free time and that could be seen by their forced smiles and on occasion, gritted teeth. The smile of one particular model, in a taupe pleated t-shirt - from a series of cream, turquoise, purple and screaming coral - looked like the Joker from Batman. Another in a 'flattering' paisley-look blouse had the subdued expression of someone obviously running through her 'to do' list of the day. Turn the page and an attractive twenty-something has been put in a characterless tartan on one page and an unfashionable crochet the other, thereby ageing her considerably. The list goes on: unstylish, bad design, technicolour sick pattern, cheap curtain material. Who designs this stuff?

The thing that really gets my goat is not just the fact that my details are being bandied around, but the purchase of my address allows the darn catalogue to be posted through my letterbox. The fact that I have a sticker on it, especially for mail like this saying: 'no unsolicited mail,' then becomes worthless. For the inconvenience there is no apology. I then have to waste my time and money to cancel what I didn't order in the first place. It's addition, means I have to add it to my already bulging bag of unwanted paper for re-cycle, which I find irritating too. The explanation that my details came to them from 'one of our sister companies,' is not only unacceptable, but I don't find very sisterly behaviour!

Of course I realise that these days business is done in any way possible, but sending me a catalogue that I am not going to look at and which is destined for immediate re-cycle, is not only a waste of resources it is environmentally unfriendly. Then we have the fact that it takes six weeks to implement my wish, during which I may receive yet another undesired catalogue. It's mind boggling in an age of computers how backward some things remain. It's not rocket science to remove a name from a list! Are they are hoping that a second example may seduce me into making an order? Well, dream on.

Who's the company, I hear you ask? With a little edit on the possessive adjective to avoid liable, but without diminishing its amusement value, they're called: 'My Look for Less' - hmmm, I think that says it all.

© Alison Day Designs

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The Joys of Moldavian Wine

"Wine can of their wits the wise beguile,

Make the sage frolic, serious smile - Homer

Having recently met someone who was busy setting up a business to import Moldavia wine into Europe, I was intrigued to find out more about a land I knew very little about, let alone its wine production. Generally, when one is asked to name wine making countries, the usual set of names roll off the tongue, whereas Moldavia gets scarcely a mention. Maybe it is due to the fact that we assume that in that part of the world vodka is the preferred drink. Whilst vodka remains the traditional toasting beverage of the region, the last few years has seen wine consumption increasing in popularity.

The Republic of Moldavia, can be found between the Ukraine and Romania and lies on the same latitude as that of Burgundy in France. This country covers an area of 33.70 square kilometres, and due to its fertile soils, relatively mild winters and long hot summers it is an ideal place for the production of fine wines.

Although Moldavia has produced wine for many centuries it has had to deal with various obstacles over the years, such as a non-alcohol policy during Gorbachov’s office, the effects of two World Wars and general pollution, which has led to the destruction of some vineyards and decline of wine production as a whole in Moldavia. As yet the re-immergence of Moldavia as a potentially interesting wine area is slow but sure.

There are twelve regions in Moldavia, where different varieties of grapes are grown, but generally white wine is produced in the centre and red wine in the south and west. Wine is not only produced from grape vines indigenous to Moldavia but also foreign ones. Examples of other white wine sorts are Italian Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon, red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir. Grape sorts native to Moldavia include: Aligote which comes from a white grape, is the most well-known and produces a light, mild fresh wine with a straw-gold colour and a green tint, Rkatsiteli also from white grapes is used for the production of fine cognac and a high quality champagne, as well as Saperavi from a red grape which is a late maturing grape and produces a pink juice unusual for red grapes. When comparing Moldavian wines to those of other countries around the world Moldavian wines can be said to be on a par with those of New Zealand.

Most of Moldavia’s wine is exported for Russian consumption with only 3.5% going to European countries. Once Moldavia has prepared a wine classification system, comparable with the ‘Appellation of Origin’, system their wines should become more interesting for the European market.               

An example of a particularly famous Moldavian winery is Cricova , whose its cellars are 100 meters underground in a limestone mine. The labyrinths of this cellar run for almost 60 kilometres in length. The natural limestone in the cellars helps in the wine making process by keeping both the temperature and humidity at a constant level. This microclimate is unique and cannot be compared to any other in the rest of the Republic or abroad.

Producing numerous brands of high quality red and white collection wines as well as fifteen different brands of sparkling wines; Cricova has received many prestigious awards. Wine can be sampled in grand tasting halls, each with a different themed interior and accompanied by the local cuisine. The more unusual varieties in their collection include a red champagne, as well as white methode champenoise bottled in stylish cut crystal bottles and in scripted in 24 carat gold.

So, next time you feel like trying a new sort of wine - there is always Moldavian wine!.

First published in the Connections magazine #8 July 2005

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs

Cucumber Time!

What does one do in the summer months, often referred to by the Dutch as ‘komkommer tijd’ (cucumber time)? 

Not much can be organized or done during this period as everyone is planning his or her holidays. If you have not already flown to foreign shores, or disappeared to the nearest lake with a good book for the afternoon, you could always join the exodus to one of the islands along the coast of the Netherlands for a week or two. There are five in total: Schiermonnikoog, Terschelling, Ameland. Vlieland and Texel. Each offer a diversity of nature, scenery and activities to appear to all.

Schiemonnikoog

This island can be reached from Lauwersoog in twenty-five minutes, and its size makes it perfect for a day visit. Cars of visitors are not allowed on the island, as it is a nature reserve so the main means of transport is the bicycle. These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes both for adults and children. The tandem is a regular sight and trailers can be filled with your baggage or even small children for quick transport around the island and down to the seashore.

Apart from the obvious attraction of the sea with its dunes and grasses, the natural beauty of this national park includes salt marshes as well as a variety of flora and fauna. There are numerous cafes, restaurants and pavilions, a lighthouse, and a bunker from the Second World War to be visited along the way.

Terschelling

Terschelling can be reached from Harlingen by boat and takes an hour and a half. This is somewhat bigger than Schiermonnikoog and is made up of a number of small villages all easily accessed via a connecting road system. The best way to get a good impression of what Terschelling has to offer is to walk from the Noordzee to the Waddenzee right across the island. Along the way you will see the natural dune formations and pass through the different ecosystems of the island (there are nine in total), which are homes to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The beach is the widest of the Dutch coastline and in the whole of Western Europe.

Generally there are plenty of places to stay on the island unless you choose to visit around the time of the annual ‘Oerol’ Festival. During this time because of the festivals enormous popularity, most places are fully booked although some camping areas may have a few places available. 

Oerol this year is 10th – 19th June and has a nautical theme entitled ‘Geen zee te hoog’ (‘No sea too high’) and has to do with the bond between the islanders and navigation. During the festival the whole island becomes a stage and the backdrop for (street) theatre, cabaret, circuses, dance acts, and artistic creations. Tickets sales begin on the 8th and 9th of June on the island with half being withheld for sale during the festival itself. More information about Oerol can be found at: www.oerol.nl/index.html.

Ameland

To reach Ameland the boat goes from Holwerd and takes forty-five minutes. Used to belong to the royal family around the beginning of the 18-th century but since the early 19-th century has become part of the property of Friesland.

The island has 4 villages, a population of 3,500 and measures 25 kilometres in length and is 4 km at its widest point. Again interesting to explore it is rich in flora and fauna. One such area, known as the Nieuwlandsreid, is a marsh filled with unusual vegetation due to the fact that it is regularly flooded with salt water.

The natural history museum offers activities and information as well as an enormous aquarium filled with a diversity of fish and shellfish whose natural habitat is the Noord- en Waddenzee.

Vlieland

This island can be reached by boat from Harlingen and takes one and a half hours. This island also has a no car policy for non-residents, the bicycle again being the main means of getting around the island.

The tourist office has all the infomation about what there is to see and do on Vlieland and offers a variety of different excursions around the island. There is an aquarium which is filled with sea life native to the area, but there is also a special aquarium filled with rays and dog sharks that can be stroked if you dare!

Other attractions for all ages include the ‘Kabouterbos’ (‘Gnome wood’), ‘Jutterszolder’, (‘Beachcombers attic’) filled with all kinds of objects that have washed up on the seashore, and a ‘Wrakvondstenzolder’, (‘Shipwreck attic’) exhibiting objects retrieved by divers from Northsea shipwrecks.

Texel

Texel is the biggest and most diverse of the ‘waddeneilanden’ (‘wadden islands’) and can be reached by boat from Den Helder in twenty minutes, and is home to large herds of sheep and birds

On Texel, EcoMare can be found in the center of the National Park ‘Duinen van Texel’ (‘Dunes of Texel’). This comprises of a visitor’s center, a center for education about nature and the environment, a museum, a crèche for sea lions, and a bird sanctuary. There is also information available about the North Sea, the Wadden area, nature on Texel and the influence of man’s presence on all this. The dune park of 70-hectares has a number of different walks marked out, which can also be done as part of a guided tour, giving the visitor a good idea of the diversity of plant life on the island.

More information about the islands and Holland: HERE

First published in the Connections magazine #8 July 2005 

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs

Discovering Groningen by Waterbus

With the weather warming up, now’s the opportunity to take one of the circular boat trips round Groningen and view the city from another angle.

Lasting about an hour, the trip starts across from the Central Station and follows the canals that circle the city centre. With refreshments on board one can sit back and enjoy the multitude of historical buildings, bridges, towers and houseboats that seem to glide effortlessly by. This is accompanied by a pre-recorded tour guide via the tannoy on Groningen’s history and inhabitants, in Dutch, English and German.

If you would prefer to see the Groninger countryside on a more extended trip then maybe the Reitdiepcruise is more for you. Leaving Groningen early in the morning on the ‘Ommelaand’ and returning at 20.00 in the evening, the trip follows the Reitdiep channel to a lake called the “Lauwersmeer". Included in the ticket price is morning tea or coffee and lunch.

Other cruise destinations available from Groningen are Nienoord, Delfzijl - Dollardvaart, Damsterdiep, and the lakes, Zuidlaarder Meer and Paterswoldse Meer. The boats ‘Pronkjewail’, and ‘Goudraand’ of the excursion company Kool, sail all the year round and are also available for group excursions such as weddings, business lunches, school trips and promotions.

More information and reservations: Here

First published in the Connections magazine #8 July 2005 

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs