Watch Out For The Extras!

I thought I'd have a qiz at flight availability EMA to Amsterdam in early August. Why? I received an email touting cheap flights with BMI and August is a birthday month. I started to get very excited and reached for my clogs, clay pipe and silly bargeman's hat. But, yes, you guessed it, then there's the extras. The initial return ticket price for 2 pax was less than 8 GBP. Add: taxes, seat allocation, 1 check-in bag, and insurance and the price came out at 165 GBP! We thought we'd forgo the priority boarding and use of the airport lounge facilities which would be another handful of shekels.This price was at least 80 GBP cheaper than over-the-counter prices.

So much for cheap flights. The Devil, as always, is in the detail; read small print ...

Soooo Boring Sydney

Oh dear I've committed sedition! That's if finding Sydney boring is the criterion - the trouble is we're not really Ozzers; we don't booze, do drugs or like sport. I've given up on the Oz theatre including film; it's supposed to be professional but I just can't see it ... something always seems to be lacking or maybe - and more likely - I'm not all that keen on year 12 humour and I've seen so much "Gay" stuff over too many years masquerading as entertainment to be even mildly shocked. As I say, Sydney seems so boring and it's getting scruffier each year.

We went to the Gal NSW to see Archibald et al and, honestly, the shows were poor. I suppose you have to take into account the desire to present something controversial but, really, there is so much of  not-leaving-your-mates-behind  that things get very stale. A few of the chosen portraits were excellent but the rest ... er ... crap. The Wynne had a couple of notable pieces and the Sulman was, as ever, a complete mystery - what were the selectors on? This was the Sulman winner. Explain it if you can. Still, it's all good for the arty-farty crowd I'm sure. The show at the Ervin gallery has some good work; much better than some of the stuff selected for the "real" shows.

Didn't see so many ugly, fat lessos in Newtown this time. Has there been a cull?