Neil Mewes

Great day out at Spa Valley Railway - Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent with a group of clients. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who made this a great event for our clients.

Bus or train ?

Your heating bills will be high this year, why not warm up with a break to Tenerife?

Kite flying ....

Pigs will fly, well they will in the Lancashire seaside town of St
Anne’s on the 3rd and 4th September for this is the world-famous kite festival. Kites of all shapes and sizes are flown on the beach. 2019 (the last festival) saw pigs, an inflatable octopus and cows being flown - anything goes.

St Anne’s is close to Blackpool and is linked by a regular bus service or the (not so) regular train from Blackpool South and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Why not have some fun in Blackpool, pay a visit to St Anne’s and maybe even take the tram up to Fleetwood spending some time in the designer centre.

Baaa ...

Sussex (both East and West) are steeped in history. From neolithic man to the Shepherds of the Downs - the counties are full of history for everyone to see. But, did you know that there are a few churches dotted about the Downs that have no road access?

There is a good reason for this. Shepherds roamed the Downs tending their flocks and it was a seven day a week job. However, it was frowned upon not to go to church on a Sunday but equally how could you leave your sheep? So, a number of “shepherd churches” sprang up and most have survived with some even holding the occasional service today.

The village of Findon holds the annual sheep fair which this year is on the 10th September and what’s more it free entry. Car Parking is £5.00 (cash only). A sheep fair has been held in Findon since 1261 so become part of history and visit Findon, discover the shepherds’ churches and enjoy village life.

Places around the world are named after food. Dishes around the world are named after places. We are an odd lot!. Take a look at our instagram account and discover more.

We are a funny lot! We name cites after food, and food after cities have a look at the Avocet Instagram account to see our tour of cities named after food (and vice versa)
www.instagram.com/avocettravel.

Look at what we have been up to on the meeting and events front ...

There has been a noticeable increase in meeting and events keeping our corporate travel & events team busy.

There has been an increasing trend for domestic meetings and events rather than overseas with 90% of booking taking place in the UK.

Recently our clients have held meetings in London, Birmingham, Leicester, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We have arranged events including a treasure hunt in Cambridge, dinner at the Concorde Centre, Manchester, and a ghost walk in Stratford Upon Avon.

Coaches have been hired to take fans to rugby and football matches and we are in the process of organising a rocket launch for an engineering company.

Give us a call to discuss transportation to events, meeting and event venue finding and ideas to enhance your events.

Delays, make the airport experience more comfortable

We have all heard of delays and cancellation to flights and yes, we agree there has been quite a few due to staffing issues at the airports.

British Airways announced major cancellations in recent weeks. But when you look at the routes, they are generally low yield routes with same day alternatives. We have found most cancellations to be domestic flights (with other alternatives and train options) plus some European short haul flights. Long haul flights seem to have been unaffected by these changes, but we shall be keeping an eye out for our customers to smooth the way.

The advice is to get to the airport early leaving plenty of time to check in, get through security and passport control.

Have you thought of booking lounge access so once through the formalities you can relax in quiet surrounds with a drink in your hand? Your Avocet Travel Partner can arrange a lounge pass for you at most major airports.

Bristol, hot air balloons and great weather ....

Hot Air Balloons and the historical city of Bristol come together for a four day extravaganza. The fiesta sees over 150 Hot Air Balloons taking to the skies above the city. Held at Ashton Court Estate the event is free of charge although they do charge for parking.

Spending a few days in Bristol is a great way to spend a long weekend. Discover the home of Wallace and Grommet, discover the history behind the ships and railways built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel or just relax by the River Avon with a glass of wine.

Your Avocet Travel Management Partner has all the details - send us a message and we can help you book.

Passports and pitfalls ...

Over the past few months, we have heard a lot about passports. The UK passport office are struggling to keep up with demand with many passport renewals being severely delayed.

However, when you go on holiday it is not just your passport that you need to worry about. A big question is “Do I need a visa?”

Some countries offer electronic visas, others require you to apply in advance and then there are those that issue your visa on arrival.

How are you supposed to know?

This is where your travel agent comes in. Your Avocet Travel Management Partner can ensure you have the right answers to your questions so all you need to worry about is what to pack?

Autumn colours, now is the time to book ...

Fall into autumn - https://mailchi.mp/1c8e57069af3/fall-into-autumn

A great idea for an autumn break

Need to travel to the airport today? ...

Wednesday 27th July sees the next round of rail strikes.

Reduced timetables have been released by a number of train operators. As this is going to cause disruption and as it is peak holiday time here are the trains operating to some of our major airports. Most trains start operating from 0730 and finish at around 1830 but check with your rail operator before travelling.

Gatwick Airport – 2 trains an hour to/from London Victoria and 6 trains an hour to/from London Thameslink stations.

Heathrow Airport – 2 trains an hour to/from London Paddington (Underground is operating normally)

Luton Airport Parkway- 6 trains an hour to/from London Thameslink stations.

Stansted Airport – 2 trains and hour to/from London Liverpool Street

Manchester Airport – 2 trains an hour to/from Manchester Piccadilly

Birmingham International – 3 trains an hour to/from Birmingham New Street.

Please check before you travel as some trains may be cancelled, others added in.

Please make sure your money is safe when booking any travel. You may have found that offer that is too good to be true but check it out.

Make sure the agent you are booking with is ABTA protected and check out their ABTA number or better still ask for a copy of their ABTA certificate.

Any good travel agent will never mind showing you proof of their credentials as we all want to ensure you are financially protected.

Rail strike - times released

Wednesday 27th July sees the next round of rail strikes.

Reduced timetables have been released by a number of train operators. As this is going to cause disruption and as it is peak holiday time here are the trains operating to some of our major airports. Most trains start operating from 0730 and finish at around 1830 but check with your rail operator before travelling.

Gatwick Airport – 2 trains an hour to/from London Victoria and 6 trains an hour to/from London Thameslink stations.

Heathrow Airport – 2 trains an hour to/from London Paddington (Underground is operating normally)

Luton Airport Parkway- 6 trains an hour to/from London Thameslink stations.

Stansted Airport – 2 trains and hour to/from London Liverpool Street

Manchester Airport – 2 trains an hour to/from Manchester Piccadilly

Birmingham International – 3 trains an hour to/from Birmingham New Street.

Please check before you travel as some trains may be cancelled, others added in.

National Travel Agents day

A special day - https://mailchi.mp/87587a88cd2b/a-special-day

What does today mean to Travel Agents and their customers?

A special day - https://mailchi.mp/87587a88cd2b/a-special-day

What does today mean to Travel Agents and their customers?

Anyone for tea? Not just tea but how about an afternoon tea.

Freshly cut sandwiches, scones, jam and cream and an assortment of cakes. Pushing the boat out? Why not go for the champagne version?

Many country houses and high-class hotels offer afternoon tea. Let us know where you are, and we will find a suitable location.

Quiet beaches this time of year???

A quiet secluded beach even in summer - https://mailchi.mp/0393502bccc2/a-quiet-secluded-beach-even-in-summer

Lounge at the airport ...

Airports can be busy places but there are areas of tranquillity offering seating, drinks and snacks or a meal.

If you fly Business or First class usually an airport lounge is included in the cost of the ticket but what happens if you are flying Economy or Premium Economy?

You can grab a beer from one of the bars in the main departure hall, assuming you can get in in the first place. Take a seat in a restaurant and hope you get your food before your flight closes and grab a vacant seat (that is if you can find one).

Get your holiday off to a great start and book an airport lounge. No matter what class you are travelling. Take your seat, grab a beer, have a snack (or a meal) and enjoy the peace of the airport lounge.

Get in touch with Your Avocet Travel Management Travel Partner and we can help you book a lounge pass.

A trip out on the train ...

Social Media - discover the world - https://mailchi.mp/b49bc7e4ddcd/social-media-discover-the-world

Discover the world via our social media posts.

Flowers, a palace and a great day out

There is nothing quite like the heady smell of flowers but combine this with a Royal Palace and you have the making of a great day out.

4th - 10th July sees the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show taking place at King Henry VIII Palace.
Whilst Hampton Court is outside London it is surprising easy to get to. There are direct trains from London Waterloo and within 40 minutes you will be in the town. A short stroll across the river and you are there.

We think you will spend all day at the show but if you have time take a walk along the Thames or even a river cruise.

Great Littel Trains of Wales and Avocet can book your accommodation during your stay.

Across the world there are national days, days to celebrate, and days to raise money for good causes.

At Avocet Travel Management we have raised a fair bit. Cancer Research have benefited twice. Firstly, we did the 10 Tors challenge - 10 big hills in 2 days were tough. Then we had a great idea! Why not visit all the Monopoly Titles in one day, on foot?! It was over 26 miles, but we did it! A local grass roots football club have benefited with our sponsorship, and a railway preservation society had us sponsor the repaint of one of their locomotives.

However, we have discovered that tomorrow the 24th June is Wrong Trouser Day!

Inspired by Wallace and Gromit, Wrong Trouser Day encourages you to wear mismatched trousers and by doing and donating £1.00 you will be helping children’s hospitals and hospices around the UK.

If we can clamber up 10 Tors, walk 26 miles, watch a group of lads play football and brandish a paintbrush, well I watched as they sprayed the locomotion, then you can wear odd trousers!

Go on lets see your mismatches!

Donate at https://wallaceandgromitcharity.org

Rail strike - travelling to Gatwick Airport? ...

Trains on strike again today. If travelling to Gatwick Airport there are services running from London Victoria and London Bridge. This is a reduced service and trains will stop running by around 1830 this evening so allow plenty of time to get to the airport. London Underground services ar operating so you can get to Heathrow via the Piccadilly Line.