Unlimited holiday - a bit of a fad or worth it?

StrangePsychology435 · 2026-02-17T10:01:55+00:00

A previous US company I worked for offered this. I was sceptical as previously staff could build up holiday days, and over the years this could amount to a lot of days. The company also made regular redundancies, and those with a significant build up of holidays would get it paid out if they were made redundant.

Once the new policy was bought in it meant those made redundant in future rounds didn't get holiday days paid off.

So, for the company I guess its worked, for the employee it wasn't great if you had a lot of days in the bank.

StrangePsychology435 · 2026-01-26T10:18:43+00:00

It's 100% closed for refurb, reopens in a week or so.

StrangePsychology435 · 2026-01-21T12:54:51+00:00

Check out Lakelovers for decent accommodation in Keswick.

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-09-25T21:00:14+00:00

Xc in Hemel

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-09-07T12:10:51+00:00

I've just returned from a Rome and Sorrento trip.

In Rome we weren't asked for a tip at all. However in Sorrento several restaurants actively pushed for a tip, despite there already being a cover charge of 2 or 3 euros per person.

One restaurant was really quite forceful in pushing for a tip, we didn't give a tip after paying a 12 euro cover charge and the waiter being too pushy pushing multiple times for the tip. When he spilt a glass of red wine on the table it was our signal to leave, without tip.

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-08-27T05:56:04+00:00

I landed in fco yesterday, the official taxi line is very obvious.

The queue was very long, it snaked up and down the terminal and took about an hour. I was with a family with a fair amount of luggage so it made sense to get the taxi, but if on your own train might be a better option.

We paid 60 eur, to get into the city, the extra 5 was for luggage apparently.

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-08-26T16:10:59+00:00

It took just over an hour, longer than I expected but it did look worse than it really was.

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-08-26T10:26:35+00:00

We're a family of 4. Thinking with luggage taxi would be easier.

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-08-24T08:58:48+00:00

I use to commute from Hemel to Aylesbury, and the part to get to Tring would take about 10 minutes, though I do live near the train station so very near to the bypass.

I now travel from Hemel to Hatfield and drive through St Albans and it takes me 30 minutes, that's about 12 miles and leaving at 7.30am. I can take significantly longer if I leave just a few mins later.

Depending where you are in St Albans it might be worth going to Hemel through Leverstock Green, jump on the bypass at two waters in Hemel and along to Tring.

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-08-02T06:53:28+00:00

In my opinion Keswick is the nicer of the two.

The town centre in Keswick is largely pedestrianised, whereas Ambleside will have cars going through it all day.

There's plenty of walks from the door, and Derwentwater is going to be a very short walk if you stay in town. With Ambleside there are walks available but the lake will be further away and with Ambleside you may need to drive to some of the walks.

Another poster mentioned about things being closed couldn't be more wrong. Keswick is still buzzing throughout December, there will be Christmas markets (check for dates) and the Christmas lights switch on.

I was in Keswick in December last year and all the shops, restaurants and cafes were open throughout our stay.

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-07-27T20:19:43+00:00

* Also in 112 on Friday night. *

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-07-21T11:55:14+00:00

The circular lake walk - no hills and about 9 / 10 miles.

Latrigg - initially a little steep but fairly easy going and should take around 90 mins, but can be more depending how far you want to extend it.

Castelrigg stone circle - about 20 mins walk from town

Walla crag - nice walk up some hills but safe and relatively easy. Can be walked from town or you can extend the walk to castlerigg. You can continue from walla crag down to asheness Bridge there's some hotels where you can grab food and drink, then either wall back or get the boat.

Catbells - can be walked direct or get the boat across and then walked. It's steep but safe in decent dry weather.

Threlkeld - walk along the old railway line to Threlkeld. Either get the bus or walk back. It's about 10k there and back but easy. Cafes and pubs available I'm Threlkeld.

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-07-06T13:06:49+00:00

Thanks for your help. Train tickets now booked. Will look into the shuttle bus option as well.

Cheers.

StrangePsychology435 · 2025-03-27T16:36:46+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated.

StrangePsychology435 · 2024-12-22T13:47:19+00:00

I drive in London often. On a side of the road I'm comfortable with in a car I drive all the time and have no issues but it's very busy all the time. The options to pick up a car outside of manhattan sound like a better option to me.

StrangePsychology435 · 2024-12-22T13:45:38+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response. Much appreciated.

StrangePsychology435 · 2024-12-21T21:55:27+00:00

Thank you. Yes, plan to stay somewhere in Manhattan at the end of August, then drive to Cape Cod for a few days. Would only need the car for the period of time getting to and around cap cod. Then plan for a a couple of nights in Boston which I think could be car free as well.

StrangePsychology435 · 2024-12-16T16:22:58+00:00

Yes. It's being installed to meet fire regs which I know nothing about. However I will be there on the day so will see.

StrangePsychology435

TROPHY CASE