Welcome to everyday Lets Talk

Hope you had a good day on the Wirral Lai. Phew what a tough weekend, apart from the pollen here, they've finaly got the hay in, and all wrapped   . I had to go to Uttoxeter Race Course as my firm were having an event there at a show, couple of hundred mile round trips   I was shattered by the time we got back home. Trying to catch up a bit now, hope you all had a good weekend.

WS

Poor you WS that's quite a trip for you. Good to know the hay is all in and hopefully you'll be feeling better.

Sorry no time to catch up with all the threads but our latest problem is the French air traffic control strike which starts today and runs until 30th. I'm trying to fly from Manchester to Paris and Ali is flying from Heathrow to Paris, we're meeting up and flying onwards to J'burg and then Windhoek. So far it's difficult to know what flights will be cancelled but we're going to book ourselves on Eurostar in case and then decide on Saturday! All a complete pain and it will certainly add to the journey time   

Enjoy today - hoping to watch some Wimbledon later   

Lai

Yes thanks Lai feeling a bit better today. Don't worry about not catching up on all the posts, we are all in the same boat leading busy lives, so we all miss some of each others posts, and I'm sure we all understand, and forgive each other   .
That's not good news on the strike I had heard about it being soon, but didn't think about it affecting your trip. Does that mean if you have to go by Eurostar you will then have to travel through France by train to another Country, to get out of French airspace ?. That will be a real pain for you, and Ali if you have to. I hope you both manage to get flights that will get you through

WS

Good morning everyone

So far as we know WS it seems mostly not to affect long haul flights too badly so our idea was to get to Paris and then fly out hoping for just a short delay. Looking at yesterday's short haul flights from Manchester to Paris and Paris to Manchester no scheduled flights were cancelled just delayed. I think Easy Jet and Ryan air have cancelled their flights but I am going Flybe to Paris and they co-share with Air France so I am hoping it may be okay. We've got our Eurostar ticket just in case and will make a final decision on Saturday.

Anyway fingers crossed   

   Today and hopefully not too much pollen   

Lai

Fingers X LAI for a swift journey. At least the pollen counts lower for the next couple of days
WS

Hope the French air-traffic strike doesn't disrupt your travel plans too much. Its always a worry when you have to make connections for different flights with the threat of delays. It sounds like a great trip, I have often thought about going to Namibia but the older I get the less I feel I can cope with long distance air travel; 8 or 9 nine hours is about my maximum these days!!
Namibia appears to be a great photo opportunity with the contrast of the desert dunes and the wide open spaces of Etosha as well as the rugged coast line. I look forward to seeing your photos and your report on your trip. The "iconic" wildlife photo of Namibia always seems to be of one of the water holes in Etosha with all the various animals and birds coming to drink.
I guess it will be mid-winter in Namibia so I suppose lots of warm clothes in layers will be in order. I just hope on this trip, your luggage arrives at the same time as you!!!
Have a great time.

SM

Thanks Doogs feeling a bit better today, pollen counts down. Glad you had a nice Ascot day. Emoticons nd everything working OK here, perhaps your feed at work
WS

Good morning everyone

Sounds like you've had a busy time Doogs, and it must be nice staying at your parents house while their away and looking after Syd    Your Ascot day sounded brilliant, I really forgot about it but I think my mum had a few bets   

   The strike is off or over and we'd pretty much decided to risk it anyway as the flights were really only delayed a bit and our connections allow enough time for that.

I agree about flight times Safariman, I am not keep on long flights and sadly this is 3 flights to get to Windhoek, we could have gone Frankfurt to Windhoek and cut out one but the flight connections weren't good.  Anyway we've 2 nights somewhere about an hour from Windhoek before we start the safari so time to relax and recover.

The photography should be amazing and although it's cold first thing and last thing during the day it's hot so we need options with our clothes and that's the problem, clothes or camera stuff?  Endless debate with Ali as to what we are taking   

I am also seriously hoping my luggage arrives at the same time   

Have a good day everyone, it's not so sunny today so let's hope it gets better for the weekend.

Lai

   Doogs. We actually fly out Sunday late afternoon so will get to Windhoek the following afternoon    but it'll be worth it   

Have a good night out Doogs, shame about those pub shifts   poor you   

Lai

In case I miss you Lai I hope you have safe, and swift flights, and your luggage arrives safely at the same time. Hmmm what to take   difficult decision I'd suggest forget the clothes just take camera stuff   Shame about working the weekend Doogs, but at least like you say you've got one in the bank to call on if you need it. Have a great night tonight with the Girls.

WS

  WS. Have a good weekend everyone and catch up in a couple of weeks.

Lai   

 Great news that Lai & Ali have arrived safe, and sound complete with cases at Windhoek, and on time. Thanks for passing the message on Doogs.
Theres nothing worse than dead Pub shift Doogs time drags so much, and you cant stop looking at the clock, then just as your ready to close, and have had enough suddenly punters come out of the woodworks Grrrrr  

WS

Pleased to see Lai AND her luggage have arrived safely in Namibia!!! Will have to wait now for a couple of weeks for some photos.

SM

No worries Doogs you are really busy, catch you when you can get back on

WS

Hyadoogs   Ooooops sorry confused you with Hyawatha   Glad you had a good time at the Golf, I did catch some bits of it on TV, at the Pub. The weathers been a bit mixed here as well sunny one day cloudy and some rain the next

WS

Good morning everyone,

Just a quick hello to say I'm back + my luggage from a truly amazing 2 weeks in Namibia. I got back on Sunday morning but have come back to a massive issue at work so will be AWOL for a few days but I didn't want you to think I was still not back or ignoring you all   

I've only 765 photos to go through and hope to do them this week so will try and post some and a slideshow in due course   

Good news is we still have 7 large ducklings, 8 new baby ducklings, 6 pheasants chicks with one hen pheasant and maybe one or two belonging to another - ooooooooooh our garden wildlife is just wonderful.

Take care everyone and catch up soon.

Lai   

 Great to know your back safe and well along with your luggage Lai   Back. No rush on catching up it's important that you get work sorted out first, so just come back when your ready. We can wait with baited breath for your photos and news of your trip   . It sounds like you had a really great time, and thats wonderful news on your garden wildlife. Catch you when you get back on

WS