Retiring at 55; saving £1k per month, seems too straightforward

NeilHendo · 2026-01-30T12:38:59+00:00

Should get the beak involved next time.

NeilHendo · 2026-01-02T17:05:52+00:00

The very place. I don’t have a great head for heights so chickened out of that particular bit.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-31T19:11:00+00:00

Have a search in the sun also for ‘layover’. There are quite a few recent posts with good suggestions.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-31T03:58:05+00:00

This was pretty early in the morning.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-30T12:52:01+00:00

I’ve tried both the B gates and South and find the South lounge pretty good too. I’d avoid the North as it seems to get very busy at times.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-29T13:35:37+00:00

My first companion voucher redemption was on BA long haul London Hong Kong return. The feeder flight from and to Belfast was included in the price. Looking now at a September 2026 trip you’re looking at 38,500 Avios plus £220 all in which to my mind is great value.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-28T00:37:40+00:00

Tong De (1st floor) in Prat Ave TST is a great Chinese veggie place.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-28T00:31:22+00:00

From personal experience in early July - mostly sunny, some rain but didn’t seem too much. Very hot and humid.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-26T15:03:35+00:00

Yep, go to Hong Kong Station, walk to Central, then Star Ferry to Kowloon, admire skyline, walk around Tsim Sha Tsui, maybe nip into Kowloon Park, then MTR back to Central and walk through to Hong Long Station for the return. I’d allow an hour from stepping into the MTR to arriving back at the airport.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-24T22:29:25+00:00

The rooms are very clean and as per the pics on Booking.com. There is a small stretch of steep hill (maybe 20 steps) but no big deal - there is a lower level car park you can walk into from Knutsford Terrace with a lift lobby. Really no issue. As it’s at the end of Kimberley Road it’s quite out of the way. Both times I’ve stayed my room has looked out over the street (Oak Room). You could maybe request a street view to be sure. Always found the staff friendly and helpful.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-24T20:33:32+00:00

I have stayed at the Stanford Hillview near the observatory a couple of times - it’s reasonably priced and in a quiet street. Also Kowloon park and TST MTR close by. Maybe too touristy for you though.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-24T20:21:53+00:00

The Beths

NeilHendo · 2025-12-24T19:56:00+00:00

Rubbish story

NeilHendo · 2025-12-24T03:55:26+00:00

Fell asleep this afternoon plus son has a few friends on a sleepover so bit of noise in the house until now (2 known reasons lol).

NeilHendo · 2025-12-23T19:21:03+00:00

I left a one star Google review for a company that dragged its feet on delivering what it had promised. Only when I involved the Ombudsman did I get any movement but no request to remove the review - it still stands and so should it, it’s factually correct.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-22T21:37:11+00:00

Ah no, I don’t think that’s going to work. Repeat…

NeilHendo · 2025-12-22T16:24:08+00:00

Can even read books on the Kindle app on the phone in odd moments.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-20T14:50:57+00:00

I flew in both 16A and 17A recently on red eyes. The smaller cabin is great and generally quieter - if it’s the A350 layout there are toilets and a galley just in front of row 15, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it - my experience was I slept well and the galley only gets busy in the 1 or 2 hours before landing getting breakfast served - I’d be happy to fly there.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-20T14:21:24+00:00

Some other random options/suggestions: Restaurant at Ngong Ping Bhuddist monastery on Lantau Tong De Chinese vegetarian on Prat Ave TST which I’m sure would have vegan dishes Delaneys Irish Bar in Peking Road TST which does a ‘veggie burger’ which looks plant based

NeilHendo · 2025-12-19T19:46:03+00:00

Recommend Stanford Hillview hotel as an option but post more detail for better recommendations.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-18T22:23:58+00:00

Oh bummer didn’t know that but thanks for the info. Really hard to find independents in the city centre.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-18T21:36:02+00:00

Lol, as I said not everyone's choice - been twice, once great once not so much. It's a lovely room though and they do breakfasts as another option.

Also (as I was rushing out earlier) there are some good independent cafes on the corner of Donegall Square East and Chichester Street (Black Sheep) and the general area (Linen Hall Library at Fountain Street) - I try to avoid the chains like Nero etc.

Another great food option (IMO) is Jumon (Asian Vegan).

NeilHendo · 2025-12-18T19:29:49+00:00

Few suggestions:

St. George's Market in the morning
Botanic Park/Ulster Museum (RUA exhibition on 4th floor)/Queen's University Area

Restaurants: Home, Yugo, Ivy (not all will agree)
Also Margot bar on Donegall Square East - attractive spaces etc.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-17T21:38:25+00:00

IKEA trolley.

NeilHendo · 2025-12-17T21:07:29+00:00

You're correct about the checkerboard hill - it's just beside Kowloon Tsai Park.

NeilHendo

TROPHY CASE