AKICOLJ/DW

[coughingbear]

Two questions:

1.

Comments

[nicnac]

1 We went to Egypt in December 2008 and it was sunbathing warm during the day and light sweater at night. We went with a group for Jim's 40th so we were there to party rather than absorb culture, so we went to Sharm and did some diving too. I think it's also a good time to go if you do want to see the pyramids, though, as it's hard work due to the heat in summer. We did an all-inclusive to make life easy in the group, but only after I did a lot of research to find a good one. None of use were sick, the food was fine, it was quiet so there were plenty of sunbeds and a good time was had by all

[coughingbear]

Ooh, I haven't been to Egypt for years, that might be brilliant.

And thanks, that's very useful advice.

[major_clanger]

I would note that I have heard uniform and very negative comments regarding Egypt from the women I know who have been there, to the effect that irrespective of dress and presence of male escort a women will be subject to what at best could be termed unwelcome attention and in practice is nearer outright sexual harassment.

[shezan]

Five Western women journalists have been raped since the beginning of the Tahrir Square protests. Alas, I would advise anyone to give Egypt a miss now.

[rosathome]

I was thinking of Marrakech in February but apparently it does get really cold in winter. Even snow occasionally!

Nile cruise?
Sharm El Sheik

[coughingbear]

That's so unreasonable! (I've ruled out Istanbul because it snows in the winter.)

Sharm El Sheik does look rather fab. I wonder if hano would like to learn to dive...

[jen_c_w]

I've heard El Gouna is the really nice place to go in terms of beach resorts...

[andrewducker]

We got engaged in Tenerife in February a couple of years ago, and the weather was lovely. December is probably also rather nice. North side of the island is cooler, but nicer and has more culture. South side is hotter, has more touristy things to do. I recommend the volcano.

For a laptop, I wouldn't spend more than £700. (I wouldn't spend more than £450, but that's another matter). For that price you can get a really, really fast 15" laptop with oodles of memory:
http://www.ebuyer.com/search?page=1&sort=popularity&limit=10&store=5&cat=10&filterca140=15&filterca53=8

[coughingbear]

Oh, will definitely investigate Tenerife, and I'd love to go to the volcano.

I was wondering if spending a bit more would get me something tougher (though I suppose not - more probably just means lighter/thinner, and then I'd need a case to protect it).

[andrewducker]

We did a tour that started at sea level, took in a few villages on the way up (6 people to a jeep/car), and ended up with champagne while watching the sun set over the nearby islands, then dinner, then a talk outside the local observatory, because you can see a _lot_ of stars from inside a volcanic caldera that blocks all local light. It was great.

[happydisciple]

Stavros S. Niarchos will be in the Canaries between the start of December and 1 March... http://www.tallships.org/

[fiendish_cat]

1) I went to Jordan a couple of years ago over Christmas and it was fascinating. Not overly hot - there were moments when the sun was shining where I was OK in a lightweight dress but sweaters were definitely useful in the evenings.

2) I'm totally in love with my 11" MacAir which was £999 - can highly recommend. Fits in my handbag but has all the power of a laptop. No idea how durable it is. Touch wood I haven't managed to damage it yet. Have had it c5 months.

[coughingbear]

Thanks - will investigate!

Sadly Macs are no use to me because I need to use Access.

[fiendish_cat]

Good grief, why do you need to use Access, haven't come across anyone using it for years.

There does appear to be a geek solution so Mac users can use it http://www.actualtech.com/product_access.php though quite a lot of that is gobbledegook to me. I assume someone will understand it though.

[coughingbear]

Because I have a research database built in Access. And yes, there are programs like that to allow you to retrieve data, but not straightforwardly to use it to edit and add data. (It is something I have looked into.)

[f4f3]

I was going to be all gung-ho for a two centre holiday in Marrakech and Essaouira, which I've done twice and enjoyed both times for the contrast of bustle and beach, but, ew, snow?

I'm afraid I have no useful advice to give on PCs, since I haven't bought one, um, ever, but the Fujitsu laptop I use for work has been rock solid (and rock heavy) for almost two years now.

[coughingbear]

I've done the same, though not for several years. But now I think of it, that was Christmas and it was pretty warm. So may have to do some more weather research.

Yes, I'm not sure how I'm going to balance weight and durability. May have to go to John Lewis and accidentally drop a couple.

[shezan]

Marrakech is lovely, but it's a bit of a crap shoot - have had a balmy 24C in December, but also 14C