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Anyone been round Tuscany on thier travels?

Yes, I went in 2018 (I Think) and it was amazing. It was just me and my now wife so no kids, and I think the type of holiday we done kids would find it pretty boring, so take that into consideration.

Flew into Pisa, hired a car and travelled down to a town called Castiglione della Pescaia, we loved it here. It is a lovely seaside town, not touristy at all, but clearly a place favoured among Italians for a weekend trip or staycation.

From there we headed inland to Pienza (small walled town, with stunning surroundings and scenery) and Montepulciano for a vineyard visit.

We then headed north to San Gimignano, stayed in a local Agriturismo, which was a nice experience, they produced their own olive oil and wine.

The food on the trip was stunning throughout, as was the scenery and the locals all very friendly (we found that if you make a small effort to speak Italian they warm very quickly to you).

Driving was abit nuts however, luckily we avoided any accidents, but the locals are very fast, and lack lane discipline even on blind corners.

Also done a night in Pisa, which has nothing in it bar the tower, have to get the picture, but I'd avoid staying any longer than the time it takes to visit it.

We stayed clear of the bigger cities, but thats just our preference.

Overall we loved it.

There is a reason that the great and good go to Tuscany on their holidays, it is hard to go wrong.
Florence is a bit crowded, but with good reason. North of Florence is Prato, Pistoia and Lucca, if you are on public transport stay in one and visit the other each for a day.
Siena is smaller than Florence and is excellent for a few days.
In addition to the places mentioned about, Montalcino is nice to visit for glass of the local vino.

Driving isn't so bad, you can drive between smaller places and it is like being in Donegal, bendy roads, maybe a boy racer. Parking requires parking on the outskirts and walking in, there are often restrictions closer to town, Siena has carparks at the bottom of the hill and long escalators up to the town. Volterra is a good spot too, with fewer tourists.

If you can get there this time of year or Sept/Oct the weather is more pleasant and it is less crowded.

So whats the chances this weekend? Anyone giving us a punchers chance?

I see the game isn't being televised? On BBc or Rte?
Has this every happened for a Ulster semi final before, why would all games including prelim be on and not the Semi final?

Is it expected to be 1 sided and not worth the viewing?

GAAGO are showing it

Where would you pick up the game in Belfast City Centre?

Nancy Mulligan's, Castle Street will have it.

Thanks!

Is that place not a total dive ?

Where better for Down supporters?

The NHS in the 6 counties is underfunded, and it is not going to improve much. In the 26 counties it is an honest proposition, we'll charge you unless you are in the poorer half of the population. In the 6 counties the proposition is that everything is free, but we won't see you anytime soon. 

My surgery will NOT see you unless you have an appointment (ring 79 times from 8.30 to be told all slots filled or get a call back from a Doctor who will do everything they can NOT to physically see you ) they will also NOT see you if you mention chest pain - they tell you to go to A&E - it's a complete joke.

Would you want to be stuck around your local GP surgery if you were having a heart attack? Or be in a hospital?

If the GP was where I was and the hospital an hour away then I would certainly appreciate the help of the GP in the very short term.

The problem is not too many games on the same day though. Why do you need to spread out completely different counties playing?

They don't necessarily need to spread out the games, but if there are many games they need more magazine coverage e.g. maybe have a programme on the football on Tuesday and hurling on the Wednesday. They have the footage, why not use some of it?

I could have sworn that a blurb came up during the Sunday game which said that there would be Tailteann cup action later. How much later? 4 weeks?

On the Sunday Game, there was a poor attendance at Sligo v Galway. The time wasn't ideal, but it shows that neither county is interested.

Fair play to the Sindo, still fighting the good fight and calling out Gerry Adams for his heinous crimes

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/gerry-adams-stole-shrubs-from-hillsborough-castle-to-plant-at-home/a87346658.html

Game over.

Maybe not.

Not often that I agree with this poster
https://twitter.com/KilclooneyJohn/status/1781701696525054124

The NHS was never envisaged to deal with the levels of chronic disease we currently see. T2D, Cardiovascular disease, various cancers all on the up. All the polititions can offer is we need more money for doctors and nurses. How about asking why are we all so sick?

We are all old. With advanced age comes more illness. The population is aging. By 2037 1 in 12 people will be over 65.

I'm older every day.

Are Donegal genuine all Ireland contenders?

Jimmy talking Donegal down after that match saying Ulster is their focus and even reaching a final will be progress. He reckons Derry will have say in the All Ireland series, harder route for them now as 3rd seed in the group.

Derry could end up in a group with Dublin and Donegal!

anyone bet on Donegal+9?

This is hilarious.

Donegal won't do as well against Cavan.

Derry beat them in the league final

They beat them in the penalty shootout, they drew the game.

deserves them right for doing that fly keeper nonsense

Why is it nonsense?

it needs to provide more scores than it concedes?