The banning of the song Danny Boy at the Foley’s Pub and Restaurant in Manhattan for the entire month of March got me in the mood to hear the song whether it’s over done or not. Here’s a version by Declan Galbraith, a young vocal wonder in Great Britain. In this YouTube video, he’s 10 years-old. One comment on the YouTube post said that Danny Boy is supposed to be sung by a woman, but Declan belts it out anyway. This guy has a following.
Symbolic figurehead helps inaugurate Heathrow’s new terminal
Yesterday Queen Elizabeth II helped celebrate the opening of Heathrow’s newest terminal, an $8.7 billion structure that is now the largest free-standing building in Britain. “My warmest congratulations go to everyone who has worked on this highly impressive building; it embodies many achievements of which you can be rightly proud,” she said.
The terminal will be used exclusively by British Airways, whose shareholders footed the bill for this massive project. Proponents of the airport expansion say that the new terminal, which will first be used by passengers on March 27, will allow passengers to move more quickly through check-in and security. Environmentalists and other critics of the project say the new terminal will lead to more flights and more pollution. Which, of course, it will.
In other news, British Airways says they’re modifying their security procedure to coincide with the introduction of the new terminal. Passengers who don’t arrive at the airport at least 35 minutes before their flight is scheduled to take off will be stopped at security checkpoints and forced to re-book, instead of being allowed to run for the gate Home-Alone-style.
More here.
Vintage Vacations: Fulfilling your dream of Americana in England
Just like Jerry, I also recently watched Into the Wild. Although I am not tempted to delve into the Alaskan wilderness, all the great shots of California and the Grand Canyon reminded me of epic road trips. The classic American summer adventure has long entailed packing into some kind of vehicle and spending some quality time on the road. In my romantic image of the American road trip, thinking of trailer camping is inevitable; just think of Slab City in Into the Wild and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Vintage Airstreams complete with striped deck chairs out front; what says old-school summer vacation better than this?
I’m not the only one to romanticize the vintage American vacation; Vintage Vacations in Newport, England has grasped onto that very idea, making Americana available even during your holiday on the Isle of Wight in the English Channel. The company was started by vintage-loving lady Helen Carey, who in 2004 bought an Airstream on Ebay and had it shipped from Missouri across the Atlantic to the Isle of Wight. Four years later and Carey’s holiday caravan park has been featured in a variety of travel magazines as a hip and funky destination.
For those with a soft spot for caravans, I highly recommend the site. You just might find yourself booking a ticket to England for this year’s classic vacation.
Breaking News: Man runs onto runway at Heathrow
Heathrow airport is currently in chaos and on high security alert after a man with a rucksack jumped over the perimeter fencing and ran onto the runway.
20 emergency vehicles were sent, the man was arrested, sniffer dogs and explosive officers have been called in. No one is hurt and there isn’t any more information on the man yet.
Drunks, mentally unstable and protesters have done this before, but this case is particularly suspicious as tomorrow the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to open the new terminal 5.
Certain flights have been delayed or canceled, it is therefore advisable to call the airport should you have a flight today or tomorrow. You can watch and get constant updates on BBC.
Slowing economy in the UK = good news for budget airlines
The economy in the UK, much like in the US, has been slowing considerably. Some people–budget airlines for example–are actually pretty pleased about this. Their customers are turning to the cheap, no-frills airlines to keep their holidays on budget.
After it released strong passenger numbers, EasyJet said to The Guardian that the biggest danger facing the airline industry is the global oil price of $100+. Hedging, or betting on the future price of oil, is no longer an option because airlines are unwilling to peg their fuel costs at $100 a barrel. EasyJet has hedged 40% of its fuel needs until September at $75 a barrel. Then what? Things might not be so easy for EasyJet come this fall.