European | Fifty Four and Counting

Sanity, Abnormality and an Escape from Reality – Porto Sani, Halkidiki, Greece

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingOctober 9, 2020

2020 will be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic. A time in humanities history when the planet was hit by a deadly virus for those over 65 and an inconvenience for those in their 30’s. Civil liberties having been quickly curtailed by governments trying to understand the fast changing scientific information. This is a time like…

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AmsterdamfiftyfourandcountingMarch 15, 2020

Pllek, Amsterdam – OMG! I was not expecting this in a shipping container

The main purpose of our trip to Amsterdam was to join friends to help celebrate a 60th birthday. Our good friend…

BritishfiftyfourandcountingNovember 22, 2019

Dakota Bar & Grill, Manchester – Wow! I was not expecting this in Manchester!

I’ve heard great things about the Northern Quarter of Manchester. In fact the entire city seems to be on a roll.…

Alberi del ParadisofiftyfourandcountingAugust 8, 2019

Alberi del Paradiso, Cefalù – A hidden gem in the crown of Sicily

We were drawn to Sicily for a wedding and took the opportunity to head to Cefalù for a few days break.…

AsianfiftyfourandcountingMay 1, 2019

Grand Pacific, Manchester – An explosion of flavours bound with atmosphere

It’s been a long time since we last visited Grand Pacific located at the top of King Street, Manchester. We had…

BistrofiftyfourandcountingSeptember 21, 2018

Platzki Restaurant, Manchester – Where Genuine Polish Hospitality is Served

An area of Manchester that I rarely visit is The Great Northern. This now modern complex boasts some fabulous restaurants, bars…

BritishfiftyfourandcountingAugust 13, 2018

Metro Bar and Restaurant, Grassmarket, Edinburgh – Great Food, Good Service and in a Clean Bright Setting

Opposite some of the oldest establishments below Edinburgh Castle on the other side of the road in Grassmarket stands the Metro…

AirlinesfiftyfourandcountingMay 25, 2018

Sani Resort, Halkidiki, Greece – Where 5 Stars exceed your expectations

I’ve travelled to many places in my lifetime and confess often to feeling slightly underwhelmed. Generally the staff look harassed and…

EuropeanfiftyfourandcountingMarch 3, 2018

Artisan, Spinningfields, Manchester – Probably the Best Value Sunday Roast ever!

As sure as the British pillar box is red, the monarch appears on our pound, so too all over the UK…

BistrofiftyfourandcountingAugust 30, 2017

The Bird at Birtle, Bury – Brilliant Restaurant run by Nutters!

Think of Bury, Lancashire, a market town with a limited number of places to eat and you’d be forgetting the East…

25Hotel - ViennafiftyfourandcountingAugust 19, 2017

Twenty Five Hours hotel, Vienna, where they claim to be mad!

Vienna, young and old, trendy and traditional and the unexpected! Over in the Museum Quarter on Lerchenfelder Strasse stands a hotel…

AttractionsfiftyfourandcountingAugust 18, 2017

Eisvogel Restaurant, Prater, Vienna – its Unfair to label the food average!

Much of Vienna has a tranquil, quality feel about it. As you walk the streets you are struck by the beautiful…

A Wooden Dolls House, Petite Amélie - what every

A Wooden Dolls House, Petite Amélie - what every child wishes for #petiteamelie #woodentoys #dollshouse

I decided to turn my hand to something different,

I decided to turn my hand to something different, during this lockdown.
Having completed a number of projects recently such as the Truck for Max, Medieval Village the Lisbon Tram, I came across a world of miniature model kits.
The finished marketing results looked less achievable when first opening the cardboard box that the kit comes in. #craftkits #minihouses #modelmaking #Robotime #Rolife

I have to admit that this pandemic is wearing me d

I have to admit that this pandemic is wearing me down....
I actually didn’t put this roll-on under my arms .. but what I did was memorable!
#antipersperant #deepheat #Dovemensantiperspirant #rollonantipersperant
Find out the whole story at www.fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/Wordpress/a-really-surprising-reaction-from-a-roll-on-antiperspirant

When Compensation isn’t Compensation! #deliverie

When Compensation isn’t Compensation!
#deliveries #myHermes
I recently had a need to send a parcel and so decided to use MyHermes. I've used them in the past and to be honest never had an issue with their service. On this occasion, due to the lockdown and social distancing I opted for the pickup from my home for an additional 60p rather than the drop off service I've previously used. The following day, Wednesday, I left the package on top of my dustbin as I had instructed, if out, this where the parcel could be found. We're living in very difficult times, I understand this and so was not totally surprised that no one collected by the end of the day. After all I could understand the drivers are probably overloaded. So the following morning, Thursday I again put the parcel out, but once again it was not collected. So Friday morning, I eventually tracked down a number to call MyHermes. After an hour holding on, I was answered by an assistant. "My parcel was not been collected as planned on Wednesday" I said. "Yes that's right" said the customer service agent "The drivers are not collecting from homes. We should put something on the website!" "Oh!…
Link: https://fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/wordpress/when-compensation-isnt-compensation/

2020 Global Pandemic, is this really happening? Th

2020 Global Pandemic, is this really happening? Thank Goodness for the NHS!
#Coronavirus #CoVid-19 #Health #healthemergency #NHS #Politics
Panic buying, people die-ing, the army on standby, schools and shops closed, self-isolation, hardship and all because of a virus disease that we can’t see. These are unprecedented times. A period like we have never known in our lifetime. So how do we get through all of this? To start with you stay calm and follow government advice. But other than this all we can do is sit this out, keep well and accept that we are all in this together for the long haul. Whilst we’re keeping our act together, attempting to avoid the daily increasing death count, our NHS subject themselves to the dangers of a highly contagious and invisible disease. This week the people of the United Kingdom stood at their front doors and applauded the frontline Hero’s .. those who together protect us from this virus. Our NHS is part of our defence. Fighting a battle like no other. Stay safe.
Link: https://fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/wordpress/2020-global-pandemic-is-this-really-happening-thank-goodness-for-the-nhs/

Lockdown! – Boris calls time!Perhaps an alternat

Lockdown! – Boris calls time!Perhaps an alternative approach?
#
After a softening up of the British people and one final sunny Mothers day, the Prime Minister has finally brought down the curtain and started a very long interval. It's definitely not something we are used to. But I have a view regarding the approach the government has taken. I wonder if others would agree if this would work. What would have been so terrible if the country froze stock markets, stopped businesses from issuing invoices, prevent payment of purchase invoices. No one to receive wages or any bills, no taxes, nothing. No rent to be paid, no rates, mortgages, gas or electric bills. Instead issue every person with essential weekly food vouchers that have a total value of say £90 a week that can only be delivered. This way no one starves, no one profits, and no one is forced to pay any bills. I’m sure there is a flaw in my thinking but what do I know!
Link: https://fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/wordpress/lockdown-boris-calls-timeperhaps-an-alternative-approach/

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