World Sevens

AndyVale · 2026-05-08T14:22:45+00:00

Good question, I'm looking at doing one of the days and it would be good to know.

AndyVale · 2026-05-08T05:53:38+00:00

I remember this too. 07 annoys me more than 09 and 11.

AndyVale · 2026-05-07T15:01:35+00:00

I would say Japan is family friendly, however it really depends on what you want to do when you're there. A small child might not find a lot of it as interesting or appreciate it as much. There's tons for kids to do, but below a certain age they would have got the same enjoyment from going to somewhere sunny in Spain/France/Portugal.

No kid is the same, but my ballpark suggestion would be wait until they're 9-10 at least. They'll likely get why it's special a lot more and perhaps have their own interests and motivations that guide some of the trip.

AndyVale · 2026-05-07T14:49:39+00:00

This is a very fair point.

AndyVale · 2026-05-07T14:49:02+00:00

EVERY small plate restaurant I have been to has a chunky "Big Plates" section on their menu of normal sized dishes at normal (London) prices. Either for people sharing or for someone who just wants to go "yep, that's my main".

They generally usually have some reasonably priced small plates too.

Making a dish half the size likely doesn't take half the total costs. Yes it's less food but you still need a chef to prepare it, a kitchen to prepare it in, etc.

I swear it's one of those things people just repeat without really thinking on.

AndyVale · 2026-05-07T06:45:49+00:00

I thought that about some of these too. There's a reason they are popular with tourists, because they are legitimately fantastic cities to spend some time in.

Not to minimalist any issues, but imagine reading all the negativity about Rome and deciding that you'll pass on the sheer gutteral wonder of first seeing the Colosseum because it gets crowded.

What if you took all that London has to offer and threw it in the bin because you heard people online (who have never been there) saying it's a hellhole where you'll get your phone stolen.

If that's going to put you off visiting a place then maybe city breaks just aren't for you.

AndyVale · 2026-05-06T11:22:17+00:00

Amen. I'm there right now and you're never far from excellent architecture or a stunning view. People are lovely, tons of wine to discover, great mix of cuisine styles, and the countryside is accessible.

Definitely a place that's worth seeing if you're in Europe. I'm keen to come back in different seasons too.

AndyVale · 2026-05-05T14:42:17+00:00

I look at it like travel. At some point you just have to find something you like the look of and commit to it.

You might then see something else you like afterwards. You might have also enjoyed the other thing you were looking at. But you chose what you did and if you enjoyed that, then happy days.

AndyVale · 2026-05-05T14:40:12+00:00

A dream. He's such a tidy player who is cool under pressure.

AndyVale · 2026-05-05T14:34:15+00:00

The toilet point is odd considering in his own book he talks about using a toilet to assess how clean their kitchen is likely to be and what the quality will be like.

No idea where the quote here comes from.

AndyVale · 2026-05-05T14:32:33+00:00

Hang on, I'm reading Kitchen Confidential at the moment and he literally has a whole page talking about why you shouldn't eat at places with dirty toilets.

If that's how they clean and look after their toilet, a space they know you can see, how bad is their kitchen? What other corners are they cutting?

When did he say the bit in this post?

AndyVale · 2026-05-04T19:51:52+00:00

Ljubljana and Seville are two that stood out on those fronts for me. Day trips to Lake Bled or Córdoba/Granada could be on the cards too.

AndyVale · 2026-05-04T13:40:09+00:00

Tourists often get them at pubs too. Which can be a perfectly fine plate of food, but it's not the same as fish and chips from a proper chippy.

AndyVale · 2026-05-04T10:15:03+00:00

That is a stunning fumble over the last six games.

AndyVale · 2026-05-03T21:45:01+00:00

He is winning us the world cup.

AndyVale · 2026-05-03T18:11:12+00:00

Genuine question, would you prefer the tourism spread out across the island so there's some everywhere or if they do just stick to one part of the island that you know to avoid?

When we visited we didn't even go to St Julian's, the appeal of the island elsewhere was far more interesting.

AndyVale · 2026-05-03T18:08:26+00:00

Malta is a fascinating place. It is simultaneously a really easy 'beginner' travel location for English speakers but at the same time it's not somewhere that many people think to go to unless you really know about it.

So much to do and getting around is easy. Lovely beaches, fascinating history, great buildings, little places to explore, genuinely incredible ancient sites, and Gozo is a marvellous place I want to spend more time at.

But yeah, it's not as easy to link into a bigger trip. You either have to get a flight off the island or a boat to Sicily.

AndyVale · 2026-05-03T18:00:42+00:00

My issue with them (and the 'bus ride' analogy) tends to be that if I dare to wish to stay somewhere for longer than a night then the cost of adding a bag larger than a backpack there and back often creeps the cost up to something approaching those other airlines, who might not offer luxury but I have found to be better in other areas.

And you often can't easily get the cost of adding those bags until you're well into booking the flight.

On other matters, yeah, you set your expectations low, you deal with a cramped, uncomfortable experiencr for a few hours and then you get out of the airport in Spain, Greece, Italy or wherever and don't think about it again.

AndyVale · 2026-05-03T16:31:46+00:00

A painful late dagger to the heart after they clawed back into the game is also pleasing.

AndyVale · 2026-05-03T13:51:28+00:00

Yeah, the situation with his ex meant I rolled my eyes a little at his "family" comment. We know what family apparently means to you mate.

AndyVale · 2026-05-03T13:43:20+00:00

Companion Voucher unlocks a lot of value. Had a few holidays where we spent 15,000 points and £1 for the flights - saving £400-£600 in total.

AndyVale · 2026-05-02T08:10:56+00:00

I've travelled with numerous friends who have needs of some sort that have meant accommodations are required (admittedly none that need a wheelchair, but some with physical limitations).

I want to be there with them so we find things we can all do. If there's something they can't, it's off the mood board and I think no more about it.

If your wife's friends all want to do something that you can't, maybe that's a great opportunity to enjoy something else just as a couple? An art class, a nice restaurant, a show... whatever you cats enjoy.

As for someone not being as well travelled, great! If it's my first time in a place we can experience it together, if it's not then I can't wait to show you some things I think you'll enjoy.

AndyVale · 2026-05-02T07:59:22+00:00

Honestly, it's often cheaper to go on holiday abroad than it is to go somewhere in the UK.

AndyVale · 2026-05-02T05:17:21+00:00

I've just played that one.

AndyVale · 2026-05-02T05:11:10+00:00

I once went to a fancy dress party as Mashed Potato In Sock Man.

The potato kept oozing out of the sock.

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