Concentrating mainly but not exclusively on the Loire's vineyards, its vignerons and their wines along with places to eat and stay. Also covers some recently published wine books – not just from Loire. Regional Chair for Loire @Decanter's World Wine Awards since its inception. Winner of the 2009 Wine Blog Trophy (journalist category) Salon des Vins de Loire. I have a large and expanding library of photos, particularly from the Loire – places, producers, vineyards etc. European.
1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams
2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org
2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'
2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story
2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award
10 comments:
Ryanair ...
A very convenient way to travel to places cheap, and my family makes a frequent use of their services. Still, one should ask a few questions because rumour has it (to be verified, I admit) (i) their personel (both the crawling ground workers and the crews) don’t always get the wages customary in their category, (ii) the trafic controllers are not always happy with the way they obey international rules, (iii) maintenance guidelines could be more stringent and this may become a problem when their fleet ages (presently a relatively young company with recent aircrafts in good flying condition), (iiii) service the customers get is in direct relationship with the rates, i.e. low.
OK, I have no strong data to support this rumour (except point 4, which is an evidence), other than the opinion of many of my “alternative” friends, and this is not good enough. But still, why are they able to fly so much cheaper than the competition ? Surely, the Irish are not all members of the Salvation Army.
Can anyone give us more insight?
Luc. Thanks.
Ryanair's prices are not always cheaper than QueasyJet, although in my experience Ryanair is more punctual.
There are many facets to this story, including the obviously troubled relationship between the regional Conseil Général and Ryanair.
If Ryanair do stop flying to Tours it will adversely affect the tourist industry and the weekly commuters from Tours to London. The train is probably as quick but considerably more expensive.
Always been very satisfied with Ryanair and they currently have 19 destinations in France compared to Easyjet's 9. The issue here is that the payment is agreed, but that the Conseil General are very late in paying up. I'm aware they are not in favour of such payments in principal, but that shouldn't stop them paying up on time. This is the same Conseil that stumped up a large part of the 14.5 million euros spent on restoring Chateau de Chinon and is spending 350 million euros on the Tours Tramway. The Ryanair Stansted to Tours flights carry upward of 100,000 passengers a year. If they are cancelled the effect on the region's tourism industry will be serious, with a real effect on hotels, restaurants and vignerons. The train is way too expensive for a lot of folks.
Thanks Mark. Will be interesting to see if the Conseil coughs up today.
Your comments are well taken, and you have a point. Moreover, Ryanair is mostly on time, I must admit. Still: how can they do it? Are we sure they are safe, and will remain so?
One point of absolute agreement: railway trafic is scandaloulsy expensive all over Europe, even though it might be the means of transportation of the mid-term future.
Should planet-conscious people still travel by air, except when absolutely forced to or for long distances indeed ?
This is no utopic-post-hippie-alternative blabla, but a real serious question of mine.
I would like to add one comment on the financial side of it.
Charleroi (modestly called Brussels South as far as airports are concerned, although 70 km apart !!!!) is one of the poorest areas of Western Europe, challenging Glasgow, Roubaix and the like, with very high rates of unemployment. It is heavily subsidised, in various ways, by the Belgian federal state, i.e. with Flemish money. Yet, the local authorities pump huge amounts into the site to keep it a Ryanair destination. The dismally unwealthy inhabitants of the zone contribute de facto to the free-time pleasures of holiday-goers or to the convenience of businessmen – that is if such people fly low-cost, I dunno. Does that make sense, other than through the bribery of some local “cacique”? On top of that, numerous shuttles leave the airport towards ... Brussels town centre, of course. So, even the nights at local hotels don’t benefit the region. To top the bill, Charleroi as such is a totally uninteresting town, where you would not know how to spend 40 minutes of your life.
Of course, you should have read
« canopy », with an « Y ». Nothing to do with Etruscan ashes.
Ive now booked my ticket from Poitiers, its not that far away and you always get a smile in their airport..... Still cant book from Tours after 31st August. Would be sad to see Ryanair go but with so many airport close together, we still have the choice....
Ryanair site is now accepting bookings to/from Tours from September 1st.
Thanks Mark.
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