credit card use abroad - rip off avoidance ...

the independent report that the post office have joined nationwide building society in offering a so called zero Foreign Usage Loading credit card ... the Foreign Usage Loading is where they make a profit on each transaction you make abroad - they charge you a worse exchange rate than they get charged ... never heard what excuse they give for the rip off ...

early ski suggestions ...

the guardian newspaper has 5 suggestions for some early season skiing ... must try some glacier skiing ...

red sea threats ...

i hadn't heard about attacks in the Red Sea on small boats ... this is on the FCO Egypt advice page:

There have been attacks by armed pirates against ships in the Red Sea. There have also been two incidents in 2006 in which robbers have threatened smaller boats and stolen equipment. Travellers in small boats should move in convoy and obtain detailed advice from Maritime Agencies before travelling through the area.