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Sunday, December 24, 2023

Singapore Airlines Champagne Label Explained

 

Champagne on Singapore Airlines. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.


On a Singapore Airlines flight in December 2023 I saw on the back of the top of the trolley a tall bottle with a waisted cork covered in foil. The heavy corks, normally covered in a wire net like a tennis net, are to stop the expanding gassy bubbles blowing the cork out. I was sitting in Economy, so I thought it must be a cheap Prosecco or sparkling wine, even a non alcholic drink imitating Champagne. 

It was good enough to please me. Although it was slightly too warm, and not very bubbly. I don't know how long it had been opened. 

Later, I went to the galley and asked to see the bottle. To my surprise, it was real Champagne, that is to say, from the Champagne region of France. Champange is a protected name. You cannot legally call your drink Champagne unless it comes from the place in France called Champagne (or in recent times, from the USA, run by a French Champagne company). You can say Champagne method, which is not the same as coming from Champagne, with their soil, water, grapes, and centuries of expertise. (And probably payment to some collective marketing company and lawyers fighting to remove fakes pretending to be from your region when they are not.)

I do not know Charles de Casenove. I am more familiar with Moet et Chandon and Veuve Cliquot.
Here's a quick reminder of what the French words mean. Et is French for and. Veuve is French for widow. 

On the label on the bottle in the photo I took you can read these words:
Champagne - the region of France
Cazanove is from the Occitan for new house.

Occitan (English: /ˈɒksɪtən, -tæn, -tɑːn/;[10][11] Occitan: occitan [utsiˈta, uksiˈta]),[a] also known as lenga d'òc (Occitan: [ˈleŋɡɔ ˈðɔ(k)] Frenchlangue d'oc) by its native speakers, sometimes also referred to as Provençal, is a Romance language spoken in Southern FranceMonacoItaly's Occitan Valleys, as well as Spain's Val d'Aran in Catalonia; collectively, these regions are sometimes referred to as Occitania. It is also spoken in Calabria (Southern Italy) in a linguistic enclave of Cosenza area (mostly Guardia Piemontese). Some include Catalan in Occitan, as the distance between this language and some Occitan dialects (such as the Gascon language) is similar to the distance between different Occitan dialects. Catalan was considered a dialect of Occitan until the end of the 19th century[12] and still today remains its closest relative.[13]

Occitan is an official language of Catalonia, Spain.

de means of in French. (Charles de Cazanove, Charles of Cazanove)


Maison fondée ) à Reims en ...  means in English - house (business) founded at Reims in

acute accent (l'accent aigué 

pere is French for father

fils is French for son

tete de cuvee

Useful Websites

Fun-filled Family Hotel, at Sunwing, Kamala Beach, Thailand, More magical memories

 

Elephant design in entrance hall, Sunwing Hotel, Kamala Beach, Thailand. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright. 

An elephant, the symbol of Thailand, decorates the wall of the large entrance hall in Sunwing hotel, Kamala Beach, Thailand.

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Thailand's Child-friendly, Romantic Sunwing Hotel, Kamala Beach, Thailand - Swans On The Bed!

Swan decoration for the wedding anniversary, at the Sunwing Hotel, Kamala Beach, Thailand.

Our son had researched child-friendly hotels with play areas indoors and outside, abundant high chairs, kiddie menus in restaurants.

 We first stayed at Katthani Hotel, Phuket, which was more spacious and more expensive. 

Then moved to the better for the budge Sunwing hotel which was nearer the airport, 30 minutes way instead of  40 minutes away, we thought.

The Sunwing bedroom was delightful. Two members of my family were celebrating their wedding anniversary. The hotel had made a pair of swans on the bed from white towels with interlocking necks to make a heart shape.

The toilet paper edge was fanned like a concertina fan.

The ground floor room had a sunken patio in the front with seating semi outdoor. (Open on the front.) A dining table and chairs were provided.  

This was their second wedding anniversary and they now have a toddler. They chose this hotel because it is child friendly. It has indoor play areas. Outdoor play areas. Swimming pool slides. A ballgame area for the older children to play football inside what looks like an outdoor tennis court.

Beach

The public beach is well equipped with parasols and chairs to hire. My only objection is that they were piled up blocking my view of the sea from the area by the bar of the hotel's poolside bar which was near the beach.

Price

Considerably cheaper than the gorgeous and glamorous Katathani (see my other post) in Phuket. 

Side trip from here was to a huge  magical restaurant with colourful ceiling, kiosks around it serving all kinds of food, and light shows.

My family moved to this hotel from the Katathani to be nearer the airport for the return flight. Even so, the traffic was so slow that it took up the spare half hour we had allowed. 

The Sunwing entrance is huge but a bit disappointing. A bit like an airport. 


Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

No grand restaurant. Fast service in the cafe style restaurant which served good food in what felt like a school hall. 

The indoor kiddie area was great for the toddler.

Elephant statue

Elephant statue, Sunwing Hotel, Kamala Beach, Thailand. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.


Reach from Beach bar Restaurant

My view of the beach was blocked by stacked chairs.


Pool at Sunwing Hotel, Kamala Beach, Thailand. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Guests in Thai hotels included Russians. Signs were in the Russian language. In 2023 Russians have a restricted number of destinations where they can go, so Thailand is a good option for them.

Useful websites

https://www.sunwingkamala.com/

How to fold a swan and heart from rolled up white towels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5_8esWTrwA

How to fold toilet paper into a fan - toilet paper origami.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXBrbDlnmHs

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Paradise in Phuket - Idyllic Thai Hotel in Phuket, Katathani Phuket Beach Resort

The spacious, luurious, perfect hotel in Phuket was wonderful. What was the name of the hotel?

Katathani was a word I found hard to remember. Then I was told that thani is Thai for town. Think of it at cat town, starting with a K. Kata thani. Kat-a-thani. 

Why is it called a resort and not a hotel? Because it is a resort, like a long beach with more than one hotel. It has two lobbies where you sign in for different bedroom buildings. It has half a dozen pools, one outside every building set in the wide grassy area in front of the low three level buildings. there are lifts at the end of each block, but you can walk up the stairs. 

Double height open front lockers outside the bedroom door allow you to leave your sandy or dirty shoes outside on the shelf so they are tidy and do not trip up others or get trodden on. Above go your wet towels, or beach toys equipment.. 

Location

Behind the hotel is the road and across the road are shops selling souvenirs, including a pharmacy, the ubiquitous thai massage parlours, and restaurants separate from those run by the hotel

Restaurants serve coconut juice or milk in coconuts, with a straw. (You also get these elsewhere in Asia, such as in Singapore.).

Paradise.

Reception

Reception at Katathani. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Your taxi driver will ask you which lobby, A or B.  Have your details handy or memorised.Our taxi driver was a woman.

Our son and daughter in law checked in midweek when the hotel was quiet. They checked in straight away. The hotel was not full so they could change bedrooms. They complained that their room smelled musty (mouldy) and were transferred from a ground floor room to a third floor room.

We arrived on Saturday and had to stand around waiting for our turn to sit at the check in desk. (They need more seats and a ticket system for busy times.)  When you check in you are given a small glass of juice. This is a welcome way to cool down and perk up after the 30 minute drive from the airport. We wanted to change to a room in the same block as the rest of the family, instead of a five minute walk away, but the receptionists, on day one and day two of our three day stay, told us that the giant hotel was fully booked.

Rooms vary. 

I recommend a seaview room overlooking public areas, though the garden rooms at the back are quiet and offer privacy. Our room at the far end was a long walk from the lobby, two shop, and breakfast bugget restaurants, which was a nuisance. 

You can get a lift from the lobby on an electric cart, with a uniformed driver called by the receptionist. But might have to wait for it at busy times. 

Oddly, our son's room had power sockets for phones. But our room, which was marginally larger and more expensive, had no plug in point for charging a phone. When I phoned down, the receptionist told me,"You can buy a connector from our shop." (At our bedtime,which was closed in the late evening, the shop was closed. It was a ten minute walk. And one should not have to pay.) Most hotels worlwide, from one star to five star, will have a box of adapters, their own or items left behind by guests, and helpfully lend you one. (I have had help from hotel receptions in the USA and in Albania.) 

Otherwise, just wonderful. I liked the see views. The varied swimming pools. The fairy lights on the trees at night.  

Restaurant Choices

The Thai restaurant was full on Friday but we were able to book for the next day, Saturday. The decor was elaborate, exotic, colourful, original. 

The dishes were a dlight to behold. The flavours were original, distinctive, different to the usual, tasty.

Fisherman's Wharf restaurant is huge and we had no trouble getting a table. We had wonderful main courses, super views. 

Any downside? Disappointing dessert. Thai restaurant super and surprising.

 Onsite shop had great clothes and gifts.

Phuket


The hotel in famous Phuket is luxurious and has everything for families as well as romantic couples. 

The location is half an hour by taxi south of the airport. You can save money by not taking a taxi from the booths but phoning for a car. 

You can see sunset over the sea if you book a se view room, which I recommend. My family was in two rooms. The sea view room was better, and nearer the centre of the resort.

My room was a long walk to the end after dinner and a long walk back after breakfast. my husband was glad to get the exercise. I was not. On a couple of occasions I took the electric golf buggy from reception, which is free. On a third occasion they said it would be a five minute wait, so I walked.

The Pools

The pools are amazing. Half a dozen of them, one by each building. One has lots of kiddie slides and so on and a tipping bucket of water overhead. Another is the peace pool, no children, but too deep for me to stand.



The beach

The shops

The bedrooms

Katathani Resort hotel, Phuket, Thailand. Balcony at sunset on bedroom overlooking sea view. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

The restaurants

Night

Angela and Trevor Night at Katathani Phuket Beach resort, Thailand. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.


Breakfast Buffet

Food Carving and Buffet Food. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Seaside breakfast restaurant. Katathni Phuket Beach Resort, Thailand. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Thai Restaurant

Fisherman's Wharf 

Outings 

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Thursday, December 21, 2023

Warm and safe when walking, my scarf sewn onto a hat

 


Angela Lansbury in DIY hood from combined scarf and hat.

I looked in my cupboard for a hood. I did not find one. I found several sets of scarves and hats to match, and some near matches.

You can buy lots of outfits of hats and matching scarves, sometimes a set of three items with matching gloves. I find the hats tend to ride up and fall off. So do the scarves. One day I looked at the pair and thoought, what a shame they didn't sew the two together. Then I thought, I could do that. I did. It worked well. I spent an afternoon sewing together several sets.

How To Make A White Hood

I sewed a white scarf onto a matching of similar beanie style white hat. This serves several purposes. 

1 Safety

The white is for safety at night to be seen by motorists when I am crossing a road.  A UK pedestrian safety campaign had the rhyming slogan, wear white at night.

2 Preventing Loss of Accessories

Sewing the two items together reduces the chances of leaving one of them behind. It means the two parts of the pair are always together. 

3 Warmth

The scarf sewn on keeps the back of my neck warm, with no gaps. Sewing on the scarf enables me to keep the two sides even. The combination of hat and scarf keeps my ears covered and warm.

Convient and Elegant

 I am not constantly clutching the scarf to stop it slipping off my shoulders. 

Unique

My hat is totally unique. 

Useful Websites

Amazon

Ebay

Etsy

Shein

Xmas clothes for an Xmas theme Toastmasters International club meeting

Harrovians Xmas club meeting 2023. Photo by Angela Lansbury.
 

Harrovians Toastmasters Club in Harrow, London. 

Years ago I would not have bought a season outfit. Waste of money as you only wear it once to a party. Too twee.

Might offend non-Christian friends.

Then, one year I saw one in a sale. When asked to dress in Xmas theme, I can oblige. 

In theory I should keep it in a suitcase up in the attic or an outroom such as a store room, maid's room, scullery/utility room.  The suitcase would be labelled Xmas with a all the decorations. 

However, I tend to keep most things out. This works well if you want to find it in a hurry. I did. iwent to my cupborad of thick woolly jumpers and found it immeditely on the top of the pile.

 Red skirt

A black skirt would do, but a red skirt is jolly. Luckily I have several. I pulled out a red skirt. EWM Pure Classics Size 14. 49% linen. 45%  viscose. 6% cotton. Keep away from fire. It looks thick, but isn't. It is lightweight, which is comfortable to wear, but not very warm in winter. 

So, for extra warmth, I am wearing a black underslip, and orange stretch velvet look tracksuit bottoms.

Remove belt before washing. 

White Blouse

100 % polyester. Wash at 30 degrees C. It has  8 front buttons plus one on each cuff, total ten. 

Xmas Pattern Jumper

Label F & F. That's the Tesco label.

Useful Websites

My blog on labels.

Amazon xmas tops.

How to get and keep the aircraft seat you want - When you should and should not swap seats

Aircraft seats. Photo by Angela Lansbury.


 To get the seat you want, first check the season (month) day of the week, times of day of your flight and the prices. An early flight might require an early checkin and getting up early to leave home or check out of your hotel. 

Breakfast

You might be missing breakfast. One year in the USA I had four breakfasts, one at home and three on flights, and was offered another on arriving at my hotel. 

Check seat availability. The window seat alows you to see the scenery, take photos, sleep against the wall. The aisle seat is good for jumping up when the toilets are free, hailing the passing steward for food or a query. 

I like the aisel because I have a mild claustrophobia and fear of flying at heights, seeing down the aisle, watching other screens and crew looking calm, not seeing the ground far below. It is easier for my husband to find me, check up, chat, help me with overhead luggage, and surrptitiously pass me chocolates. I would be happy to change an window or middle seat for the aisle. 

The middle doubles your chances of chats with a new friend. You can hop out to the toilet when the person in the aisle gets up.

If you are in the aisle, when you get up for a restroom break, you might ask the others if they wish to go. If you are not in a hurry, if you let them go first, you don't have to stand up again when they return.

You can lift the armrest of the aisle seat to let yourself and the others out more easily.

Should you swap seats? If the other seat is an advantage. If you don't care. If you are not obliged to abandon the goods in your overhead locker. 

On a cheap flight with non assigned seats, sometimes the crew ask you if you would mind changing seats.

On a large aircraft with assigned seating, sometimes the crew ask you not to swap seats until after takeoff, and to resume the correct seat during landing. That is so that in the event of an accident, the right family is informed of your injury, death, transfer to hospital, whatever.

You also want to consider your speed in exiting the plane, if you are in transit, or being met by a taxi or family. A seat nearer the front exit might suit you better.

In flight Special Meals

During the flight, staying in the correct seat is helpful if you have ordered a special meal. It saves the staff from having to hunt for you. No risk of your meal being given to the wrong person or not getting any meal.

Losing the aisle seat during takeooff and landing could mean that you don't get to see the view and take photos. However, mostly if the person by the window has their eyes open, or their own camera taking pictures, they will gladly take a photo or two for you using your camera or mobile phone.

Useful websites

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-12886815/Never-switch-seats-man-plane-spot-moving.html#comments

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