Holidays

THE early signs of cancer could be detected by listening to a patient’s voice, scientists say.

Using AI, subtle changes in the acoustics of a person’s voice helped pick up lesions in people diagnosed with voice box cancer.

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Researchers believe AI could be trained to hear these changes within a “couple of years”.

There are around 2,000 new cases of voice box (laryngeal) cancer in the UK each year.

A hoarse voice for more than three weeks can be a key symptom, and should be investigated by a GP.

Using AI for diagnosis could spell the end of uncomfortable tests currently used, such as a biopsy or nasendoscopy, in which a thin tube with a video camera is passed through the nose down the back of the throat.

The American team, part of the ‘Bridge2AI-Voice’ project, gathered voice recordings of 300 patients, some of whom had voice box cancer.

They studied at least six features of voice acoustics: the mean fundamental frequency (pitch); jitter, variation in pitch within speech; shimmer, variation of the amplitude; and the harmonic-to-noise ratio.

There were “marked” differences between men with and without cancer or a voice box disorder, such as nodules or polyps, specifically the harmonic-to-noise ratio, according to the findings published in the journal Frontiers in Digital Health.

It’s possible the same will be found for women with a larger dataset.

One of the study’s authors, Dr Phillip Jenkins, of Oregon Health & Science University, said: “To move from this study to an AI tool that recognises vocal fold lesions, we would train models using an even larger dataset of voice recordings, labelled by professionals.

“We then need to test the system to make sure it works equally well for women and men.

“Voice-based health tools are already being piloted.

“I estimate that with larger datasets and clinical validation, similar tools to detect vocal fold lesions might enter pilot testing in the next couple of years.”

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The symptoms of voice box cancer

Cancer Research UK have said there are four key symptoms of laryngeal cancer to look out for:

Housed in a small unit, tucked away on a quiet by-street in Holborn, London, just off of Red Lion Square, is the strange yet excellent Novelty Automation

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford,” once mused Samuel Johnson. Presumably he had just come back from an afternoon at Novelty Automation when he said that.

Housed in a small unit, tucked away on a quiet by-street in Holborn, London, just off of Red Lion Square, is the perfect afternoon out, especially for those who have begun feeling that they’ve tasted all that the English capital has to offer.

You’ve been to M&M World. You’ve seen the big blue whale at the Natural History Museum more times than you care to admit. You’ve looked at Big Ben from Westminster Bridge. The obvious next step is Novelty Automation.

The shop is a vibrant treasure-trove of Victorian-style automatons operated by shiny silver coins that roll down the cashier’s chute into your awaiting bucket.

Do you know of an unusual place you think we should visit? Please email [email protected]

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Over the course of one to two hours, you’ll make your way around the small shop, slotting between one and three coins into each of about 20 machines. The cost is reasonable: a bucket of 35 coins coming in at £28 and seeming plenty enough for three.

Some machines do all of the work for you, such as the AirbedbugBNB, which invites up to two players to draw a curtain around them and witness the story of a family of bedbugs as they look for a suitable holiday let to settle down in. Another, the Instant Eclipse, had my friend clamber into a small, dark rocket-shaped pod. He emerged a minute later and refused to explain what had happened. He seemed similarly perturbed after placing his socked foot inside the robot chipodist machine.

Those units that do require some participation are still much more focused on being vehicles of satire than on putting a gamer’s hand-eye coordination to the test.

One of the most addictive had the three of us tensely willing on a magnetised haul of coins up past financial regulators to the top of a skyscraper, where our ill-gotten gains could be effortlessly lost amid the City of London’s modern spires.

A particularly silly yet on-the-nose bit of satire comes in the form of the Fulfillment Centre machine, which has players powering an Amazon warehouse worker on an impossible and gruelling trial shift by running manically on the spot.

Novelty Automation is the work of Tim Hunkin, a Suffolk-based inventor and cartoonist who presented a TV show called The Secret Life of Machines and drew a comic strip for The Observer called The Rudiments of Wisdom.

Clearly, that combination of experiences has been brought together and used to excellent effect. The stylisation of the machines, their absurdist humour and gross characters remind me of the work of Chris Simpsons Artist.

Arguably, the pinnacle of it all comes in the form of Is it Art?, which invited us to put an object into a small glass box. We chose a lighter which then rose up into the eyeliner of a mannequin art critic. After a short moment of consideration and a closer look he concluded that yes, it was indeed art.

Turkey’s serene Konakli is the most affordable destination for couples looking for a break, with prices averaging £421 per person for an all‑inclusive stay, according to TravelSupermarket

The cheapest European destination for a couples holiday is Konakli, according to a new report.

TravelSupermarket, a holiday comparison site, has revealed the most affordable beach destinations for couples looking to escape once the summer holidays end, with September offering great value for romantic getaways.

New analysis of average prices for seven‑night couples’ holidays highlights Turkey and Greece as top choices, with both countries claiming three spots in the top ten. The study has been released after the Mirror published its interactive bargain holiday map.

Turkey’s serene Konakli is the most affordable destination with prices averaging £421 per person for an all‑inclusive stay.

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Konakli sits on the Turkish Mediterranean coast and is best known for its beautiful beaches. Hospitality is by far the biggest business in the region, with 15 five‑star hotels in a town of just 18,000 people.

It’s just 20 minutes away from Alanya, which is a bustling resort packed full of restaurants, bars and holidaymakers from across the world. If Konakli begins to feel a little quiet, then a visit to Alanya is a good bet.

If Konakli doesn’t float your boat, fear not. There are plenty of other cheap all0inclusive resorts to choose from.

TravelSupermarket ranked Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife second on the list at £487 per person. Turkey’s popular Alanya resort claims third place at £493 per person, while Spain’s Costa Dorada destination Salou ranks fourth at £506 per person.

Greek destinations feature prominently with two Corfu locations making the list, alongside Zante’s Alykes which secures fifth place at £508 per person. Marrakech in Morocco offers excellent value in sixth position at £531 per person, with Corfu’s lively Kávos ranking seventh at £543 per person, followed by Bulgaria’s Sunny Beach at £557 per person in eighth place.

Steph Marinkovic, head of editorial at TravelSupermarket, shares her expert couples tips for five of the destinations below, alongside a great deal for each destination:

Konakli – £421 per person

Turkey is a great bet for couples on a budget, and serene Konakli offers the best of all worlds. There’s a quiet, sandy beach for sunbathing, the Taurus Mountain for hiking and lively Alanya – ideal for fun nights out – just 20 minutes away.”

Deal: Seven nights all‑inclusive at the 5‑star NoxInn Deluxe Hotel from £419pp

Puerto de la Cruz – £487 per person

“Puerto de la Cruz is a world away from the resorts in Tenerife’s south. Colourful streets splashed with huge murals make this north coast city a joy to explore. The black‑sand beaches and cool Lago Martiánez pools are just the cherry on top!”

Deal: Seven nights B&B at the 4‑star Melia Costa Atlantis Tenerife from £479pp

Alanya – £493 per person

“Couples can combine culture, history and plenty of opportunities for R&R in sun‑drenched Alanya. Highlights include Cleopatra Beach, Alanya Castle, and the city’s excellent range of traditional Turkish hammams and spa hotels.”

Deal: Seven nights all‑inclusive at the 4‑star Club Big Blue Suite Hotel from £465pp

Salou – £506 per person

“Salou’s three‑park PortAventura World is much quieter in September, so kids‑at‑heart can indulge their inner child without the crowds. Couples will also love the resort’s chilled‑out side – think romantic seaside strolls, spa hotels and wine tasting in ‘cava country’ close to nearby Tarragona.”

Deal: Seven nights B&B at the 4‑star H10 Salauris Palace from £440pp

Alykes, Zante – £508 per person

“Low‑key Alykes is the perfect antidote to rowdy Laganas just 30 minutes’ drive away. The village centres around a golden beach lined with loungers and relaxed bars. Paddleboard together by day, then sip cocktails as the sun sinks over the Ionian Sea.”

Deal: Seven nights B&B at the 4‑star Koukounaria Hotel & Suites from £499pp

IKEA fans won’t have to wait much longer — the Swedish giant’s long-awaited new store will open its doors in just 48 hours.

The brand-new branch, located in Brighton’s Churchill Square Shopping Centre, takes over the former Debenhams site which has been empty since 2021.

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Shoppers will be able to step inside from 10am on Thursday, August 14 , to explore thousands of affordable homeware items, and tuck into the famous meatballs.

Spread across two floors and 6,695 square metres, the store will offer 2,600 products for immediate takeaway and access to the full 12,000-strong range via delivery or collection.

It’s the first full IKEA store in the city, meaning Brighton locals will no longer need to trek to Croydon or Southampton for the full shopping experience.

Bosses say the new shop has been created with the “city at its heart”, with displays inspired by local homes and Brighton’s seaside style.

Six roomsets have been co-created with residents, including ceramicists Adam Johnson and Dan Mackey, to show off colourful, space-saving ideas and a nod to the city’s famous beach huts.

Adam said: “We’ve always loved IKEA because it’s like an interiors disco – and what’s life without a little sparkle?”

The first floor houses a 100-seat Swedish Deli serving meatballs, plantballs and sweet treats, all with sweeping sea views.

The Swedish Food Market will sell ingredients and snacks to enjoy at home.

On the ground floor, bargain hunters can snap up pre-loved and discontinued items in the Re-shop & Re-use area.

There’s also a home planning hub where shoppers can get one-to-one help designing kitchens or bedroom storage.

Quick bites and drinks will be available at the Swedish Bite kiosk.

Market Manager Karina Gilpin said: “Our city centre location in Churchill Square means customers can conveniently drop in while out and about, to seek inspiration for their homes, browse our range, access our expert planning advice, or enjoy our delicious meatballs or plantballs.”

To celebrate the launch, the first 100 IKEA Family Members through the doors will get a blue FRAKTA bag with a mystery gift card worth between £1 and £1,000.

Brighton will be IKEA’s third city-centre store in the UK, following Oxford Street and Hammersmith in London.

The opening is part of the retailer’s push for smaller, high street-friendly locations, moving away from giant out-of-town warehouses.

The Churchill Square store will open 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.

Where is my closest Ikea?

A quick way of figuring out if you have an Ikea store near you is by using the retailer’s locator tool on its website.

You just have to enter the town or city where you live, or your postcode and it will pull up the nearest site.

The same page has a helpful map showing where all of the 21 current stores are located.

Below we reveal the full list of Ikea stores in the UK:

• Croydon
• Hammersmith
• Greenwich
• Lakeside
• Wembley
• Birmingham (Wednesbury)
• Nottingham
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• Exeter
• Belfast
• Manchester
• Warrington
• Edinburgh
• Gateshead
• Glasgow
• Leeds
• Sheffield
• Milton Keynes
• Reading
• Southampton

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DOZENS of supercars worth around £7 million were seized by police in a major sting operation this weekend.

More than 70 luxury motors were nabbed in the crackdown – including one from an owner who had been in the UK for just two hours.

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The collaborative operation saw forces from the Metropolitan Police join with those from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) to respond to the rise in anti-social and dangerous driving in London.

A flurry of expensive cars were seized across Hyde Park, Kensington, and Chelsea in the capital, including from luxury brands Ferrari, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz.

Two identical purple Lamborghinis – which were uninsured and had been flown into Britain for their owner’s summer trip – were also impounded.

One of the two drivers had been in the UK for just two hours, and behind the wheel for just 15 minutes, before being caught.

The MIB explained that several of the seized vehicles had been brought into Britain from abroad.

Many of these vehicles’ drivers were relying on motor insurance from their home countries, failing to verify if those police provided valid coverage in the UK.

In total, the operation led to the impounding of 72 motors, many of which were uninsured or inadequately covered.

Officers also detected a range of other criminal activity in their investigation.

This included individuals wanted for actual bodily harm and criminal damage, for drug offences, for stolen vehicles, for immigration offences and for fraudulent insurance policies, known as “ghost broking“.

Cops also issued countless tickets for a range of other offences, including driving without a valid licence, using a mobile phone while driving, and failing to have a valid MOT.

Tickets were also doled out to those who had illegally tinted windows, who were not wearing a seatbelt, and those who were operating vehicles in a dangerous condition.

Officers also identified individuals who had made often-innocent mistakes, such as updating DVLA about the use of a personalised number plate but failing to notify their insurance provider.

The operation provided an opportunity for the motorists to rectify their errors whilst demonstrating just how vigilant the police are to these issues.

Seventy-five officers from the Met’s Special Constabulary and Vehicle Enforcement Team took part, using several methods to identify uninsured drivers.

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Special Chief Officer James Deller from the Metropolitan Police, who attended the operation, said: “The Met is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour.

“This operation was set up to respond to resident, business and visitors’ concerns about high-value vehicles causing a nuisance in known hotspot areas in central and west London.

“Already the Met has reduced neighbourhood crime by 19 per cent compared to the same time last year and we’re addressing anti-social behaviour caused by uninsured drivers.

“This has been a great opportunity to work with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau and for officers to speak with members of the public about the work we do, educate drivers and enforce the law.

“We’ve had some real success – thank you to Special Constable colleagues who volunteer their time to help drive down crime across London.”

Martin Saunders, Head of Uninsured Driving Prevention at MIB, reinforced the dual goals of enforcement and awareness: “We urge all motorists to check their insurance policy is in place, is appropriate for their needs and to reach out to their insurer if they are unsure on any part of their policy.

“While many offenders knowingly violated the law, others fell victim to simple mistakes such as bounced payments, failed renewals or incorrect details.

“With growing concern over seasonal hotspots and tourist-linked offences, the Met and MIB plan to continue enforcement and education efforts throughout the year.

“We don’t want any driver to become uninsured in the first place.

“These rules apply to all motorists, regardless of the value of vehicle they choose to drive.”

A POLICE worker stalked and blackmailed a teenage boy for seven years after meeting him through an online game.

Ryann Moroney, 28, convinced the lad when he was 15 that he was being blackmailed by several Snapchat accounts.

Moroney, who worked on the London Met’s cyber crime unit, asked the boy to send naked selfies to appease his fictitious blackmailers.

He was arrested when his victim went to the police, who found 83 indecent images of him on Moroney’s phone.

Moroney admitted stalking and making indecent images of the most serious kind at Inner London crown court.

Judge Nathaniel Rudolf KC told him he had taken “complete and utter advantage” of his victim in a “sophisticated campaign designed to maximise his fear”.

He jailed Moroney for four years, four months.

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CHELSEA boss Enzo Maresca loves to celebrate with a cigar – but more than anything he wishes he could have a smoke with a team-mate who died in horrific circumstances.

Maresca has enjoyed plenty of recent success, guiding the Blues to glory in the Conference League and Club World Cup.

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After the latter, the Blues boss enjoyed one of his favourite Portagas 2 cigars, the brand he used to smoke with Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola when they were marking City’s success.

But when Maresca was asked to name the football personality he would most like to one of his favourite Portagas No 2 cigars with, the Italian gave a poignant answer – Antonio Puerta, who died aged 22 after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field.

Maresca told Men in Blazers: “That’s a very good question. I will tell you, when I was 25, 26, I lost a team-mate inside the pitch. So if I could, I would like a cigar with him.”

Midfielder Maresca had four seasons at Sevilla but his third campaign started in tragic fashion.

The Italian was on the field when, just 35 minutes into the opening game of the 2007/8 season – at home against Getafe – Puerta suffered a cardiac arrest.

After the wing-back collapsed and lost consciousness in the penalty area, team-mates and medical staff rushed to his aid.

Puerta recovered enough to walk to the dressing room but collapsed again there.

He was resuscitated and rushed to hospital, where he had to receive more life-saving resuscitation.

But Puerta died three days later, on August 28, because of multiple organ failure and irreversible brain damage.

It emerged that he had an incurable hereditary heart disease called arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

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Puerta’s death shocked Spanish football and the wider world.

His girlfriend was expecting their first child at the time of his death.

When Puerta passed away, Maresca and the rest of the Seville squad were already in Greece for a Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens.

Maresca, who played for Greek side Olympiakos later in his career, spoke about the tragedy when Chelsea went to Athens in October 2024 for a Conference League game against Panathinaikos.

Maresca said: “In terms of the season I spent here in Greece, for me it was very good with Olympiakos, a big rival with Panathinaikos. But unfortunately I lost a friend on the pitch when I was at Seville.

“The first game we played after that, we were already in Athens and just on that day, one of our team-mates passed away in Antonio Puerta.

“So it is a mixed feeling. The season in Athens was fantastic. But every time I come back here I am a little bit sad.”

The Champions League game against AEK, which had been scheduled for the evening of the day Puerta died, was postponed.

When Sevilla faced AC Milan in the Uefa Super Cup on August 31, all 22 players had the name Puerta on the back of their shirts.

Sergio Ramos, who had come through the Sevilla academy and into the first team with Puerta, wore T-shirts in memory of Puerta after Spain’s triumphs at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Jesus Navas, who was on the field on the day Puerta collapse, made the same gesture after the 2010 World Cup final.

In 2010, Sevilla unveiled a statue of Puerta at their training ground.

Watch the full Men in Blazers interview with Enzo Maresca here.

Glacier National Park, Mont. — JOHAN looked up. Jenna was running toward him. She had yelled something, he wasn’t sure what. Then he saw it. The open mouth, the tongue, the teeth, the flattened ears. Jenna ran right past him, and it struck him — a flash of fur, two jumps, 400 pounds of lightning.

It was a grizzly, and it had him by his left thigh. His mind started racing — to Jenna, to the trip, to fighting, to escaping. The bear jerked him back and forth like a rag doll, but he remembered no pain, just disbelief. It bit into him again and again, its jaw like a sharp vise stopping at nothing until teeth hit bone. Then came the claws, rising like shiny knife blades, long and stark.

Classic stories from the Los Angeles Times’ 143-year archive

Johan and Jenna had been on the trail little more than an hour. They had just followed a series of switchbacks above Grinnell Lake and were on a narrow ledge cut into a cliff. It was an easy ascent, rocky and just slightly muddy from yesterday’s rain.

Johan took some pictures. Jenna pushed ahead. It was one of the most spectacular hikes they’d taken on this trip, a father-daughter getaway to celebrate her graduation from high school. There were some steps, a small outcropping, a blind turn, and there it was, the worst possibility: a surprised bear with two yearling cubs.

The bear kept pounding into him. He had to break away. To his right was the wall of the mountain, to his left a sheer drop. Slightly behind him, however, and 20 feet below the trail, a thimbleberry and alder patch grew on a small slope jutting from the cliff. As a boy growing up in Holland, Johan had roughhoused with his brother and had fallen into bushes. He knew it would hurt, but at least it wouldn’t kill him.

So like a linebacker hurtling for a tackle, he dived for that thimbleberry patch. The landing rattled him, but he was OK. His right eye was bleeding, but he didn’t have time to think about that. Jenna was now alone with the bear.

She had reached down to pick up the bear spray. The small red canister had fallen out of the side pocket of his day pack, and there it was, on the ground. But she couldn’t remove the safety clip, and the bear was coming at her again. She screamed.

“Jenna, come down here,” he yelled.

She never heard him. She was falling, arms and legs striking the rocky cliff, then nothing for seconds before she landed hard.

The bear did hear him, however. It looked over the cliff and pounced. Johan had never seen anything move so fast in his life. He tucked into a fetal position. The bear fell upon him, clawing and biting at his back. His day pack protected him, and his mind started racing again.

His daughter didn’t have a pack. He always carried the water and snacks. If the bear got to her, it’d tear her apart.

He turned, swung to his right and let himself go. Only this time there wasn’t a thimbleberry patch to break his fall. It was a straight drop to where Jenna had landed, and instead of taking the bear away from her, as he had hoped, he was taking the bear to her.

JOHAN Otter lived with his wife, Marilyn, and their two teenage daughters in a two-story home in a semirural neighborhood of Escondido, Calif. He worked as an administrator at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. He ran in marathons and bred exotic birds. He knew the love of his family, success at his job, good health. At 43, he had dreams of a long and happy life. But dreams are often upended. Johan knew this, and whenever possible, he tried to distance himself and his family from risk.

It was Aug. 25, 2005. Seven days earlier, Johan and Jenna had packed up the family pickup truck and driven north through Nevada and Utah. In September, she would begin her freshman year at UC Irvine. Hiking was their special bond. He was a runner, she was a dancer; they both were in good shape for the trail, and it wasn’t unusual for Marilyn and Stephanie, their younger daughter, to stay home.

Johan Otter, top photo at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park on Aug. 24, 2005. A day hike that he and his daugther Jenna took. “My last day with hair,” Otter said. Bottom photo shows Jenna Otter in of the last photos taken by Johan Otter before being attacked by a Grizzly bear on the Grinnell Glacier Trail in Glacier National Park, Montana.

(Jenna Otter)

Johan and Jenna checked into a motor lodge on the east side of Glacier. Johan was eager to experience the wildness of the park, and the first night he did. A black bear, just outside the lodge.

For millenniums, bears have lurked on the periphery of everyday life, dark shadows just beyond the firelight. On this continent, they have been our respected competition and greatest threat. Even though close encounters with bears, especially grizzlies, are rare, they trigger a conditioned response, a reflex of fear and flight that is seldom called upon in modern life. Sometimes we get away. Sometimes we can’t.

But most of all, bears inspire a deep fascination. Johan remembered how, as a boy, he would go with his family on vacations to Norway and how his parents, his brother and he had always wanted to see a bear. The curiosity never left him. Three years ago, during a trip to Canada with the family, he and Stephanie saw a cub. Marilyn and Jenna stayed back.

On this trip to Glacier, they had an ambitious hiking schedule, and they were disappointed when it rained their first full day. They contented themselves with driving to various sights. The next day was beautiful. The sun cut through scattered, misting clouds. Johan was eager to get out on the trail before anyone else. It was 7:30 a.m.

The path wound through a lush carpet of thimbleberry, beargrass and lilies growing beneath a mix of Engelmann spruce and Scotch pine. They skirted Lake Josephine, and in less than an hour, Johan and Jenna were above the tree line. Surrounding peaks were lightly dusted with snow. At one point Johan spotted a golden eagle trying to catch a thermal. They talked loudly, just as you’re supposed to do in bear country. Jenna was trying to figure out how she could be both a dancer and a doctor. He wondered if he’d be able to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

As they made their way along the southern flank of Mt. Grinnell, a glacier-carved cliff that rises nearly 3,500 vertical feet from the valley floor, they fell silent, lost in the sounds of the wind and the water, the beauty of the moment. Ahead of them were the Gem and Salamander glaciers. A ribbon of water cascaded into the forest below. A river flowed into the turquoise stillness of Grinnell Lake.

Penstemon, columbines and fireweed bloomed amid the low-lying alder scrub. They passed through Thunderbird Falls, a landmark on the trail where a stream often pours from the cliff above onto a platform of flat stones. Today it was only wet and slippery, but the drop-off was unforgiving.

(Doug Stevens / Los Angeles Times)

TEN minutes past the falls, they ran into the bear. In a matter of minutes, they had all tumbled 30 feet down a rocky V-shaped chute, landing on a ledge beneath the trail. Jenna had scrambled away, and the grizzly was on top of Johan.

The attack had just started, and it had been going on too long. He grabbed the bear by the fur on its throat. The feeling of the coarse hair, as on a dirty dog, was unforgettable, and for a moment the animal just stared at him, two amber-brown eyes, its snout straight in his face. It showed no emotion, no fear, no anger. There were just those eyes looking down at him.

Johan considered fighting. He reached to his left for a rock. A piece of shale, it crumbled in his fist. He tucked his knees to his chest and tried to cover his head.

The bear bit again and again on his right arm. So this is what it feels like to have your flesh torn, he thought, still trying to comprehend the attack. He tussled about, trying to avoid greater injury.

“Aaagh,” he screamed.

Now the bear was tugging on his back. It felt as if someone were jumping up and down on him, and he found himself growing angry. Throw it off the mountain. If only he could throw it off the mountain.

He felt a sharp pressure on the top of his neck and his head. The bear was biting into his skull, chewing into the bone. This could be it, he thought. This could be his death, and his right hand was useless. He could not push the bear away.

If only this were a movie or one of those old episodes of “Bonanza” he used to watch on TV. He’d be a stuntman, and they’d stop shooting any time.

But this was real. He’d die if he didn’t make another move, so he rolled and fell again, sliding 20 feet down the slope to a small ledge and then over that and onto a narrow shelf. Right foot, left foot. He landed on his feet. He was lucky he stopped. He wouldn’t have survived the next long straight drop.

He was silent. The bear stood above him, unable to reach him. It felt good to be left alone. Water flowed down his back. Cold water. He’d fallen into a small stream, runoff from yesterday’s rain.

Jenna heard the bear panting as it came closer to where she lay beneath the branches of a low-lying alder. She felt woozy from her fall. She had a knot on her head. Her back ached, and her ankle was bleeding.

She tried to stay tucked in, but when the bear got close to her face, she had to push it away. It nipped at the right corner of her mouth, at her hair, her right shoulder. Each bite was quick, followed by a slight jostle.

Her screams split the morning silence like an ax.

Source: National Park Service. Graphics reporting by Thomas Curwen

(Thomas Suh Lauder/Los Angeles Times; Photo by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

JOHAN pressed himself against the mountain. There was no room to sit or lie down. He heard Jenna, but he couldn’t do anything. He would remember the sound as the worst he had ever heard, and then there was nothing. All was still.

He was wet and dirty, soaked with blood and starting to shiver. The attack had lasted at most 15 minutes. He looked at his right arm and saw exposed tendons. His medical training as a physical therapist told him no major nerves or arteries had been cut. They can sew that together, he thought, and that, and that.

Then he touched the top of his head and felt only bone. He stopped exploring. It was enough to know that his scalp had been torn off. His neck hurt. He wondered if something was broken.

He couldn’t see out of his right eye. He reached up. It was full of blood and caked over. Was his eyeball hanging out? No, it was still in place. He carefully parted his eyelids. The sweet turquoise stillness of Grinnell Lake shimmered nearly 1,500 feet below him. He could see. He was relieved.

“Jenna,” he eventually called out.

“Dad.”

She had played dead, and the bear had moved on. She assessed her injuries. A bite on her shoulder as deep as a knuckle. Lower lip torn down to her chin. Hair caked with blood.

Her father’s voice was the best sound she’d ever heard.

“Are you OK?” he asked.

“I’m OK. How are you?”

“I’m bleeding a lot.” He thought of his own injuries and of his daughter’s appearance. “How’s your face? Did it get you?”

“Just my mouth.”

“And your eyes?”

“They’re fine.”

He could tell by the sound of her voice that she was OK. Thank you, God.

He gazed up into the sky above Mt. Gould on the far side of the valley. He thought of the people he knew who were dead. His mother and father. Thank you, Mom, and thank you, Dad, for being an energy that he could draw on. Somehow it made him less afraid.

And thank you, Sophie. She was a patient of his, an 80-year-old woman who had died last year. They had grown close as Johan worked with her. She would complain — I’m going to die, she’d say — and he’d tell her to be quiet. You’re not going to die, Sophie. And to think he nearly had.

And thank you, Steve, his father-in-law, Marilyn’s dad, who had become his own dad in a way.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Then he called back to Jenna. “It got me kind of bad.”

It was the only time he told her how he felt. After that, he turned stoic. No complaining. No despairing. He knew his dad would have reacted the same way. He chalked it up to being Dutch: You take care of yourself and your children. Jenna would do the same.

Together, unprompted, they began to call out.

“Helllp.”

“Helllp.”

GLACIER National Park straddles the Continental Divide. Popularly thought of as North America’s Switzerland, famous for its snowy peaks, alpine meadows, rivers and lakes, the park attracts nearly 2 million visitors each year. On the east side of the park, the Grinnell Glacier Trail is one of the most popular day hikes.

“Helllp.”

Johan knew he couldn’t stand here much longer. He took off his day pack and camcorder. His digital camera was gone, lost in the chaos. He pulled a jacket out of his pack and put the hood over his head. The night before, he’d read a book about bear attacks: how a woman in Alaska had stopped the bleeding of her scalp by covering her head. He also thought it might be easier on Jenna or anyone else who might happen to see him.

He wanted to climb to the ledge above. He didn’t know how he’d carry his pack and camcorder. Then it came to him, what they say on airplanes. Leave your luggage and take care of yourself. It made sense. He clambered and crawled off the narrow shelf and up to the ledge. He felt dizzy, so he sat down.

Johan and Jenna alternated their calls. Jenna had decided to stay where she was. She too was dizzy and uncertain of her injuries. Perched on the side of the mountain, about 75 feet apart, they looked down into the valley. Their cries disappeared in the vast open space. It was windy and cold, and the quiet seemed unreal after the intensity of the attack.

“Helllp.”

Then Jenna called out. “Dad, the boat just got to the dock. I see people getting off.” It was a water taxi that ran a regular service across Lake Josephine.

Johan knew that with the arrival of the boat, hikers would soon be streaming along the trail and their shouts would be heard. He was tired. He stopped yelling and tried not to think about how badly injured he was. Nothing a little surgery can’t fix, he told himself. Besides, he was alive, and his daughter was fine.

Amid the isolation and the cold, he grew sore and stiff and numb. Lying down, sitting up, nothing helped. Forty-five minutes later, he heard Jenna talking with someone. She called to him. “Dad, there are people here now. They’re getting help.”

Still it seemed like forever. Then Johan saw a man cutting through the bushes and sliding down toward him. The man’s eyes were wide open. The expression said everything.

“Are you OK?” the man asked.

“Do you see a camera?” Johan replied.

Jim Knapp was surprised by the question, but very little was making sense.

Knapp and his wife had started their hike that morning a little past 8, well ahead of the water taxi. After an hour on the trail, they heard what sounded like a coyote or a hawk or some animal being attacked. Then there was more, and it sounded human. They started running. Someone must have fallen or sprained an ankle.

Knapp told Johan he would look for the camera, but his attention was focused on the injured man before him. It was the most gruesome sight he had ever seen.

Blood covered Johan’s face. His arms and legs oozed blood. His voice and sentences were jerky and repetitive. He reminded Knapp of Dustin Hoffman in “Rainman,” and with his sweat shirt pulled up over his head, he looked like Beavis in an episode of “Beavis and Butthead.”

“Jenna’s OK,” Knapp said, as he began to get a sense of Johan’s injuries. He noticed the day pack — but no camera — on the shelf beneath them, and he climbed down to retrieve it. Inside were a sweat shirt and four water bottles. He covered Johan and tried to make him drink. He took off his T-shirt and wrapped it around a deep gash on Johan’s leg. He laid out some nuts and a granola bar and took some water up to Jenna.

Then Johan saw a girl. She was sliding down to him. Her name was Kari.

Kari Schweigert and Heidi Reindl had been car-camping in Glacier. They were just starting on an 11-mile hike when they ran into Jim Knapp’s wife, running down the trail, screaming for help.

Then there were two teenage boys. Johan couldn’t keep track of everyone, but one of the boys — the one who wore a beanie — did get his camera. It was the camcorder, and Johan was glad to see it. He was also glad that people were finally getting there, but he felt bad for them. He knew stumbling upon a bear attack — and finding him as bloody as he was — couldn’t be easy for them. A fall or a sprain, sure, but a bear attack? He tried to tell himself that it would be OK. He tried to console himself. If he and Jenna had not been attacked, then these other hikers would have.

What can we do, everyone asked. How can we help?

The rock at the back of his head felt like it was digging into his skull. He squirmed about. He wanted them to help him sit up, but they didn’t want to. They were worried about his neck.

Then he’d have to do it himself. He simply wanted to sit up, have a drink of water and then maybe lie down again.

But he was fading.

Grinnell Glacier at Glacier National Park

(Ryan Herron/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

VOICES told him that help was on the way, only he was losing interest. He didn’t want to deal with any of this anymore. It was all too much: wondering how they’d get him and Jenna off the mountain; wanting to be cleaned up from the dirt and sticky blood; saddened that their trip was ending this way.

Kari Schweigert sat beside him, talking. Her curly hair was tied back in a ponytail. She was in a tank top; Johan was wearing her jacket. He was shaking and numb with cold.

“How are you doing?” she asked.

“The pain is OK,” he said. “I’d just like to take a nap.”

Then she started to move in closer to him. She knew he was cold. She said she wanted to warm him up. She angled around him and covered his abdomen and chest with her body, her legs off to a side.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked. He didn’t want her to get covered with blood; it would be impossible to wash out.

She couldn’t cover him completely, but she did shield him from the wind. It was a moment he would never forget. How strange, he thought, to be hiking along on this trail one moment, thinking about running in a marathon, and then suddenly not being able to walk, being so dependent upon strangers, and now this girl so close to him, so tender and different from the savagery of the attack.

His mind kept going back to Jenna. Everyone told him that she was not as badly injured as he was. He felt guilty. Why had he wanted to go hiking here? Why wasn’t he a better parent?

Schweigert kept talking to him. She told him not to fall asleep. It made sense. He knew he’d lost a lot of blood, and he knew he was in shock. The wash of voices and movement of people around him, once reassuring, began to blur.

A park ranger and a dozen hikers were on the trail above them. The ranger radioed a report on Johan and Jenna’s status to the ranger station at Many Glacier, where an incident commander was assembling a rescue team.

A few of the hikers peered over the edge.

“Do you need anything?” they yelled.

“More jackets.”

Someone tucked one under Johan’s head.

His neck felt broken.

“WHAT’S your name?”

“Johan Otter.”

“Where are you?”

“Glacier National Park.”

“What time of day is it?”

“Late morning.”

“What happened?”

“Bear attack….”

The name badge said Katie. She wore the green and gray uniform of the park service. She had slid down the slope, balancing a medical kit and a shotgun in her hands, and once she determined that he was alert and oriented, she started dressing his wounds.

Katie Fullerton had pulled into the Many Glacier parking lot expecting just another summer day. Then she heard about the attack. She and another ranger were ordered to get to Johan and Jenna as soon as possible. Since opening in 1910, Glacier National Park has had only 10 bear fatalities, and they were enough.

The incident commander at Many Glacier had put a call out for additional rangers, some stationed on the west side of the park, 70 miles — a two-hour drive — away. A helicopter, chartered from Minuteman Aviation, would ferry those rangers to the site of the attack and would be used to shuttle equipment and personnel up to the mountain.

Whup, whup, whup.

Katie Fullerton looked up. At 9,000 feet, the white chopper had negotiated a U-shaped notch in the Garden Wall, a narrow filigree of stone crowning the Continental Divide. As it drew close, it circled, looking for a place to land. Johan and Jenna Otter could not have fallen in a less accessible place.

Three hours had passed since the attack, and Johan’s metabolism was slowing down. The blast of adrenaline triggered by the attack was long gone; the 15-minute torrent of thought and reaction had dissipated in a miasma of pain, discomfort and boredom. Why was the rescue taking so long?

Crashing mentally and emotionally, he knew he needed to stay warm and awake. Gusts of wind ghosted along the cliff; temperatures shot from warm to freezing as clouds drifted beneath the sun. Hikers on the trail were tossing down energy bars, water and more outerwear. A ranger was talking on the radio.

A second ranger crouched beside Johan. He had arrived with nearly 50 pounds of gear, including a life-support pack with IV fluids, medications and an oxygen tank, and he began cutting away Johan’s jackets and clothing. He introduced himself as Gary, Gary Moses. Johan appreciated his calm and confident manner.

Moses explained that the plan was to place Johan and Jenna on litters, have them lifted up to the trail and then carried down to a landing zone, where the chopper would take them to the Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Mont., in the Flathead Valley on the west side of the park.

Rangers on the trail set up a belaying system. They knew they had to move fast. Moses took Johan’s vitals. His blood pressure was 80 over 30, his pulse 44, his temperature dropping.

Moses prepared an IV line. Johan tried to lie still, but he was shivering uncontrollably. Then he heard something. It was Katie Fullerton; she was crying. The sound startled him at first.

“Do you want to stand down?” Moses asked his fellow ranger.

She shook her head.

Johan was glad. She had worked hard to make him comfortable and safe.

This was her first season as a patrol ranger, her first major trauma. Just last year, she’d been collecting user fees, and she had grown up near the park. She and her family had hiked these trails. This could just as easily have been her father.

Her tears reminded Johan how grave his situation was.

THE helicopter was making a second landing, and all Johan could think was: Hurry up. A second medic had joined Moses and Fullerton.

“How’s Jenna?” It was his steady refrain.

“There’re people with her.”

Moses and the other medic put a C-collar around Johan’s neck and got ready to insert a urinary catheter. Johan reminded them about a scene in “Seinfeld” in which an embarrassed George Costanza is caught naked and complains about “shrinkage.” They burst out laughing, and Johan relaxed a little. This is who he was: not just a bloodied man but someone always there with an easy line, ready to lighten the mood, to give to others.

Moses reassessed the rescue plan. It had taken nearly an hour to find a vein and get the IV started. Carrying Johan out, lifting him to the trail and then down to the helicopter landing zone was going to be too traumatic, and the afternoon was getting on.

He thought a helicopter could lift Johan directly off this ledge, in a rescue known as a short haul. It would be quicker but riskier. Still, he didn’t see any way around it. He radioed in his recommendation. The incident commander agreed. They called in the rescue helicopter operated by the hospital in Kalispell.

As they waited, Johan remembered an Air Force chopper that had crashed during a rescue on Mt. Hood little more than three years earlier. Everything — the foundering, the dipping, the rolling down the slope in a cascade of snow — had been televised on the evening news.

It made him nervous.

“Am I going to die?” Johan asked.

“You’re not going to die up here,” the second medic said.

RED against the blue sky and white clouds, the short-haul helicopter was easier to spot than the Minuteman.

“Hear that?” Gary Moses looked out over the valley. “That’s the sound of your rescue.”

Pilot Ken Justus adjusted the foot pedals and hand controls to bring the Bell 407 closer to the cliff. Travis Willcut, the flight nurse, sat next to him, calling out positions, monitoring radio traffic. Jerry Anderson, a medic, dangled 150 feet beneath them on a rope with a red Bauman Bag and a body board at his waist.

Piloting a helicopter at moments like this is like pedaling an exercise bike on the roof of a two-story building while trying to dangle a hot dog into the mouth of a jar on the ground. Lying on his back, Johan watched.

The IV had kicked in. Though stiff and still cold, he was wide awake and in no pain. Anticipation was everything, and he remembered feeling a little afraid. He hated roller coasters and worried about his stomach.

“You’ll have the best view of your life,” Moses said, hiding his worry. He knew getting Anderson in would be tricky. Because helicopters can’t cast sharply defined shadows on steep terrain, pilots flying short-haul missions have trouble judging closing speeds and distances.

Johan Otter is airlifted from the Grinnell Glacier Trail with medic Jerry Anderson, after being attacked by a grizzly bear and her two cubs in Glacier National Park, Montana on August 25, 2005. Johan tumbled down a steep chute about 75 feet where he almost died.

(Heidi Reindl)

Anderson, dangling at the end of the rope, had a radio in his helmet. He was using it to direct Justus lower and closer to Johan. Abruptly, the radio died.

“I’m at your 11 o’clock position, a mile out,” Moses broke in with his radio, once he understood the problem. “Half mile, 12 o’clock.”

“Do I need to come up or down?”

“Up about 10 feet.”

Then just as Justus got closer, he caught Anderson’s shadow on the ledge and set him down about 20 feet to the right of Johan. The other rangers shielded Johan from the rotor wash and dust.

Anderson unhooked himself. Justus moved the helicopter away. With the rangers’ help, Anderson slid the body board beneath Johan and strapped the Bauman Bag around him. He waved Justus back in.

“We’re ready to lift.”

“Roger, ready to lift.”

Johan couldn’t tell when he was off the ground. Dangling with Anderson beside him, 150 feet beneath the helicopter, all Johan would see was Anderson’s face, the blue sky and the belly of the chopper. The wind whistled around him.

“Woo hoo!” The hikers and rangers on the mountain started cheering and clapping.

With Johan and Anderson still beneath him, Justus accelerated down the valley to the helipad at Many Glacier. A waiting crowd was asked not to take pictures. Johan was transferred into an ambulance while Justus went back to pick up Jenna. Finally Johan was out of the wind and in a warm place.

Then he heard the news.

“Jenna is here,” someone said.

“Hi, sweetie,” he called out as they prepared to fly him to the medical center in Kalispell. With his head wrapped in bandages, mummy slits for his eyes and the C-collar on his neck, Johan couldn’t see her. “Make sure when they call Mom that you talk to her.”

He knew he wouldn’t be the one making that call.

“Otherwise she’ll totally freak out,” he said.

About this article

The accounts in this article are drawn from interviews over a span of 18 months with Johan, Marilyn and Jenna Otter. Additional interviews were conducted with the following individuals:

National Park Service: Jan Cauthorn-Page, Katie Fullerton, Rachel Jenkins, Kathy Krisko, Gary Moses, Rick Mulligan, Melissa Wilson, Amy Vanderbilt and Andrew Winslow.

Hikers on the Grinnell Trail: Julie Aitchison, Colin Aitchison, Kathleen MacDonald, Jim Knapp, Marla Moore, Robin Malone and Heidi Reindl.

Minuteman Aviation: Jerry Mamuzich.

Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s Advanced Life Support and Emergency Rescue Team (ALERT helicopter): Jerry Anderson, Addison Clark, Ken Justus, Travis Willcut, Patricia Harmon and Keith Hannon.

Additional reporting came from the National Park Service’s investigation report concerning the attack.

In a remote-work funk? Still Zooming in your pajama pants? Is your sofa pillow your makeshift desk? A work-from-home lifestyle can feel isolating, boring or even uncomfortable at times, a sign that a change in routine is needed. Thankfully, across L.A.’s ever-expanding cafe scene, there are plenty of options to jolt you out of your rut.

And today’s coffee shops offer more than espresso and Wi-Fi — they’ve expanded into cream-top creations, layered matcha lattes and food programs worth seeking out on their own, alongside intentionally designed interiors with comfy furniture and ample outlets to keep devices charged for a long workday, inspiring ideas in a creative atmosphere.

With more amenities than ever, work-appropriate coffee shops have become essential third spaces where creativity and collaboration can flourish. From an Indonesian market and cafe in Miracle Mile to a comforting library cafe in Silver Lake, there are options to keep your remote work environment fresh. At the following 15 cafes, you’ll find plenty of seating, curated playlists, high-speed Wi-Fi and eclectic menus that might offer a Greek-inspired Freddo cappuccino or Japanese sandos.

A ONE Direction fan caught up in a Zayn Malik ‘cheating’ scandal has finally spoken out after keeping quiet in 2012.

13 years after a “leaked call” circulated social media, an American fan – who is now a married mother ans successful makeup artist – has claimed that she is the woman who was caught up in the scandal that took place at the height of the band’s popularity.

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In 2012, an audio clip of a man inviting a group of women up to his hotel room went viral.

At the time, fans claimed the man was Zayn, who was dating Perrie Edwards.

Due to the man on the call having a Northern accent and Zayn being from Bradford, fans were convinced it was him.

Another “clue” that left fans thinking the man on the other end of the call was Zayn was because he mentioned a friend called Harry who wanted “booty”.

At the time of the rumours swirling, Zayn did not address them.

But 13 years on, Tricia Corona has claimed she was the woman on the phone and detailed her version of events.

Taking to TikTok to describe meeting Zayn and the rest of the boys at a One Direction event at a Walmart store, she recalled: “We’re standing in line and Zayn’s making eyes at me.”

She then explained how her pals told her to give Zayn her number.

“Like the hoochie that I am – or that I was I should say because I’m a happily married woman now – I wrote my number down and I stuck it right in my bra,” she recalled.

She then claimed that as she reached the front the queue, Zayn said: “I like your jubblies [breasts].”

Tricia then recalled: “I pulled my number right out of my dress, slid it across the table and said ‘if you wanna hang out later – call me’.”

She the alleged that Zayn told bandmate Harry to put the note “in his pocket”.

Tricia then recalled how when she and her pals were driving home, she received a call.

“I answer and you can hear all of them yelling and giggling and talking,” she alleged.

“I say hello and they don’t say anything and hang up,” she went on.

Tricia then claimed that the prank call happened an “absurd amount of times”.

But then she allegedly got a call from Zayn at midnight asking her to join him at his hotel in Philadelphia. 

She agreed and her and her pals drove back.

“He’s calling me every two minutes ‘where are you? How far away are you? You have to be quicker – you have to get here fast because we do have to leave.’

“We finally get to Philly and he calls and he’s like ‘we left, we had to go, I told you. We’re going to New York City why don’t you come meet us there?’.”

Tricia then claimed Louis Tomlinson called her and said: “Don’t shoot the messenger, our tour manager has put his foot down and he says no girls back to the hotel tonight.”

Tricia then explained how she sent Zayn a text saying: “If you want to rebel against your babysitter tonight, let me know and we’ll still come.”

She then alleged that he replied saying: “F**k the babysitter, come anyway.”

Tricia and her friends then drove to New York and arrived at gone 2am.

Zayn allegedly then told hotel staff hat she was their makeup artist so she was allowed to their room.

Tricia claimed that no NDA [nondisclosure agreement] was involved but said her mother had heard the leaked audio and was upset – which is why she never spoke out at the time.

“It was not funny at the time,” she said, adding how Zayn had “his own stuff going on”.

Tricia added: “And yes he is a celebrity and all that but he is still very much a person and I didn’t want to throw him under the bus like that. 

“So you can use your imagination I guess about what happened when I got up there. 

“That’s the story of Crystabel Riley,” she concluded.

The Sun has reached out to Zayn Malik’s representatives for a comment.

Fans of the band, who were familiar with the leaked call from 13 years ago, were quick to react.

One person said: “I’VE BEEN WAITING YEARS TO HEAR STORIES LIKE THIS.”

Another added: “I have been waiting 13 years for this story.”

And a third wrote: “I never thought i’d ever be given this information. what a gift.”

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There are times when we want to disappear from the world for a while and escape to somewhere truly off-the-beaten track. Whether it’s a remote island, a forest hideaway, a sparsely populated swathe of countryside, or a town few tourists visit, we want to hear about trips in Europe where you’ve really been able to get away from it all.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on Monday 18 August at 10am BST

Have a look at our past winners and other tips

Read the terms and conditions here

If you’re having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.

A British woman who is obsessed with travelling has now revealed what it is like working on a cruise ship – from no days off to cheeky guests ‘cheating’ on board

Many of us adore cruise holidays, but could you imagine making a ship your permanent home? While we catch glimpses of maritime life through TV programmes like Below Deck or Disney Channel‘s Suite Life on Deck, you might wonder what the reality is actually like. Fortunately, a young British woman has satisfied this curiosity.

Travel enthusiast Anaya revealed what life is genuinely like residing on a cruise ship – from all the benefits she receives, as well as the exhausting shift patterns. She has been able to journey to destinations including Bali, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Bali, Amsterdam, Singapore, Laos, Dominican Republic, Australia, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Germany, Portugal and Antigua – to mention just a few.

Anaya is employed by Marella Cruises, owned by TUI, in destination services – assisting people in crafting their ideal trip when they disembark the ship, as well as helping them navigate their way around new locations and arranging excursions and activities.

Although she gets to undertake extensive travelling, enjoys exciting experiences and the facilities aboard the vessel, Anaya acknowledges she also grafts tremendously hard. And apparently, securing any time off is virtually impossible, she claims.

READ MORE: Woman takes video of Magaluf party strip in 2025 and reality is devastating

Speaking on TikTok, Anaya revealed: “Basically, it’s like an unwritten rule that when you work on a cruise ship, you just don’t get a day off for the entirety of your contract. Because the cruise is running nearly every day of the year, we can’t have any days off.”

Anaya typically works several hours, enjoys some leisure time, then returns to her duties later in the day. During breaks from her responsibilities aboard the vessel, she’s able to experience ship life and discover the destinations she visits.

The cruise ship employee explained that while each shift differs, she never exceeds 10 hours of work daily.

The travel enthusiast revealed: “Sometimes we have breaks off in the middle of the day and I work in the excursions department so I spend a lot of time on the trips and seeing the places that way.”

She added she “wouldn’t trade it for the world“.

In the comments section of her video, someone enquired what occurs if a crew member becomes unwell.

Anaya responded: “You would see the medical centre if you were ill. If they thought you were too sick to work then you’d get ‘signed off’. If you’ve not been signed off by medical then you’d still have to work.”

The cruise ship worker clarified that employment contracts for staff can span from three months to eight months.

She continued: “In my department you wouldn’t really do more than seven [months], but in my experience I haven’t really done more than five and a half.”

Anaya says people frequently assume you must speak several languages to work aboard a cruise ship, though this isn’t necessarily true. The vessel she works on chiefly accommodates English and Canadian passengers, so she doesn’t need to be multilingual. Nevertheless, other companies might require this on job applications. On top of this, she doesn’t have to fork out rent for her cabin.

She also receives complimentary meals daily and can enjoy onboard entertainment without any extra cost.

Another bonus is that she’s exempt from paying tax while aboard the vessel. What’s more, social gatherings are frequently arranged for crew members each month.

These evenings off can become quite raucous – as Anaya disclosed it’s “very common” for passengers to be unfaithful to their partners while on board.

So could you cope with life on the ocean? If you’re not scared of grafting hard, it sounds like it could be an absolutely brilliant way to explore the globe.

CHRISTMAS might still feel months away, but in the world of beauty lovers, the countdown starts now.

The first wave of 2025’s beauty advent calendars has landed, and they’re stuffed with luxe treats, jaw-dropping savings and golden ticket surprise savings.

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TikTok beauty lover Alex, @hiyaimalex, has given fans a first peek at some of the biggest launches for 2025, and we’ve broken down the highlights so you can decide which one to stick on your wish list.

Selfridges

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Whether you like it or not, Selfridges has officially kicked off Christmas in August.

The department store has revealed 23 of the 37 products inside its 2025 beauty advent calendar, with a huge 24 of them full-sized.

Priced at £250 but worth £1,136, it’s packed with high-end favourites.

The following have been confirmed so far.

• Charlotte Tilbury’s setting spray (30ml)
• Laneige’s full-sized berry lip mask
• Lisa Eldridge lip liner
• Augustinus Bader eye cream
• Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia scent (30ml)
• A Refy bronze brush
• Moon Glaze Stick
• UK Lash Serum
• Mini Tatcha Silk Cream
• The Ordinary’s niacinamide serum
• Rodial’s Vitamin C tonic
• Elemis resurfacing pads
• Gisou hair oil (20ml)
• Full-sized Color Wow Dream Coat
• Lashify lash set
• Charlotte Mensah salt scrub
• Scalp brush
• Murad hydration mask
• Maria Nila soothing serum
• Mini Ormonde Jayne and Fleur de Teck fragrances

Plus a Selfridges Beauty Concierge card has been added for an as-yet-unknown treat.

The mix of full sizes and fragrance has already got beauty fans buzzing.

You can join the waitlist here.

SPACE NK

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Always one of the most lusted-after calendars, Space NK is back with a sleek new look for 2025.

At £260, it’s a serious investment but with a value of £1,150 and 25 products (many full-sized), it’s one of the most generous on the market.

The waitlist’s already open, so if you want in, you’ll need to move fast.

CULT BEAUTY

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This year Cult Beauty is spoiling shoppers with not one but two advent calendars.

The classic curation has 35 items, while the limited edition has 40, with the latter sneaking in a few fragrance treats.

Priced at £240 with a value of around £1,100, they’re also hiding golden tickets worth £1,000 inside some lucky boxes.

Revealed so far is the Hourglass mascara, Gucci lip oil, Patrick Ta blush duo and Huda Beauty lip gloss.

The waitlist is now open.

SEPHORA

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It seems Sephora is playing hard to get with their 2025 calendar, having not shared a price yet, but we do know it holds 41 products.

Alex reckons she’s spotted the Gisou lip oil, Laneige cream, Merit blush balm, Kayali fragrance, Rare Beauty, Glow Recipe skincare and an Amika dry shampoo.

Fans can expect more reveals soon, but even these early guesses are enough to get beauty fans buzzing.

The waitlist is now open.

ELLE BEAUTY

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Affordable but still packed with high-end names, Elle Beauty’s calendar is going for £130 but worth around £700.

It’s got a jaw-dropping 10 full-sized products.

The full list of products included are as follows.

• Zelens Power B
• Murad Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream
• Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect SPF30
• Wild Nutrition Food Grown Complete Beauty Support
• Champo Pitta Brow Serum.
• AKT Body Conditioning Balm
• Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Happy
• Sync Beauty Lip Oil
• Goldwell Rich Repair Mask
• OPI Infinite Shine
• PERS Vitamin C Serum
• Votary Blemish Rescue Oil
• By Terry Brightening CC Serum
• Narciso Rodriguez All Of Me eau de parfum
• Rodial Snake Serum
• Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In Treatment
• Neal’s Yard Remedies Vegan Wild Rose Beauty Balm
• Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil
• Tweezerman Micro Mini Tweezer
• Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
• L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil
• Gallinee Youthful Serum
• Rituals Ayurveda Shower Foam
• Espa Bergamot Body Lotion
• Fenty Cherry Dub BHA Toner
• Nuxe Hair Prodigieux High Shine Shampoo
• Nuxe Hair Prodigieux High Shine Conditioner

With the waitlist now open.

HARRODS

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The Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar is pure Christmas luxury, costing a hefty £250 for 32 products, 14 of them full-sized.

Fans can expect the crème de la crème of beauty brands, from La Mer and Tatcha to Sisley and Medik8.

The full list of products is below.

• Laura Mercier Black Caviar Extravagant Mascara 8.5g (Full Size)
• La Prairie Foam Cleanser 50ml (Travel Size)
• Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 30ml (Full Size)
• Rodial Frosted Pink Blush Drops & Bronze Glowlighter 15ml (Full Size) and 2g (Deluxe Mini)
• Evidens De Beaute The Special Mask 30ml (Travel Size)
• Davines OI All In One Milk 50ml (Travel Size)
• Shiseido FSLX Total Regenerating Cream 15ml (Travel Size)
• Sisley Floral Toning Lotion 100ml (Travel Size)
• Beautifect Beauty Blender 1pc (Full Size)
• Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder 2g (Travel Size)
• U beauty Resurfacing Compound 15ml (Travel Size)
• La Mer Crème de la Mer 15ml (Full Size)
• Bobbi Brown Taupe Long Wear Cream Eye Shadow Stick 1.6g (Full Size)
• 111SKIN Cyro Sheet Mask 1pc (Full Size)
• Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub & Regenerating Mask 40ml & 75ml (Travel Size)
• Cle De Peau UV Protective Cream 8ml (Travel Size)
• Etat Libre D’Orange Uruk 10ml (Travel Size)
• Skin Cycles Lip Balm 0.5ml (Full Size)
• Lancaster Ligne Princière Cream & Ligne Princière Serum 15ml & 7.5ml (Travel Size & Deluxe Mini)
• Valmont Votre Visage L’Elixir Face Cream 15ml (Travel Size)
• Augustinus Bader The Face Oil 10ml (Travel Size)
• Moncho Moreno Bond J’ aime Bond 100ml (Travel Size)
• MZ SKIN Hydra-Bright Gold Eye Mask 1pc (Full Size)
• MZ SKIN Vitamin Infused Meso Eye Mask 1pc (Full Size)
• MZ SKIN Soothe & Smooth Hyaluronic Brightening Eye Complex 14ml (Full Size)
• Champo Pitta Lash Serum 4ml & Pitta Brow Serum 4ml (Full Size x 2)
• Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair 15ml (Travel Size)
• Mac Ruby Woo Macximal Sleek Satin Lipstick 3.8g (Full Size)

Pre-order is open but customers are limited to buying a maximum of five boxes.

HARVEY NICHOLS

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Another £250 option, Harvey Nichols’ calendar is worth over £1,000 and already available to rewards members.

Big names include NARS, La Mer, Charlotte Tilbury and Color Wow — and as a festive bonus, one in every 50 calendars contains a £50 Harvey Nicks gift voucher.

You can now join the waitlist.

LIBERTY

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One of the priciest and poshest on the list, Liberty’s advent calendar costs £270 but packs in over £1,200 worth of beauty.

Inside are 30 products, 20 of them full-sized, from brands like Augustinus Bader, Sisley and Lisa Eldridge.

Plus, 15 golden tickets worth £1,000 are hidden among the calendars. The waitlist’s open now, and these will go fast.

ANTHROPOLOGIE

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At £98, this is one of the most affordable luxury beauty calendars of the year, but it’s still worth £365 and includes 11 full-sized items.

With a golden ticket promotion offering extra prizes, it’s a fun, budget-friendly option for beauty lovers who don’t want to miss out on the seasonal sparkle.

Best value for money

If you’re chasing the biggest bang for your buck, Space NK comes out on top for sheer savings at £260 for a £1,150 haul is hard to beat.

Liberty offers the highest overall value at £1,200+, but it’s also the most expensive.

For budget-conscious shoppers, ELF’s £150 calendar crams in £1,100 worth of products, making it the best mid-price steal.

And if you’re after something affordable but still luxe, Anthropologie’s £98 calendar gives you over three times your money in products.

These aren’t the only calendars to hit the market this year so if you’re still after a more affordable option don’t worry.

Boots and a few other high street favourites are still keeping their Christmas cards close to their chest, but if last year’s sell-out calendars are anything to go by, their launches will cause a frenzy.

For now, though, the early releases are already making December mornings look a whole lot more glamorous.

Money-Saving Tips from Gemma Bird: Save £2k Before Christmas

IF youre’ looking to save cash, you’ve come to the right place, as here, Gemma Bird has shared her top tips that’ll save you £2k before Christmas.

• Set a budget: Track your spending and create a realistic budget.
• Cut unnecessary costs: Cancel unused subscriptions and avoid impulse buys.
• Meal planning: Plan meals to reduce grocery bills and avoid takeaways.
• Sell unwanted items: Declutter and sell items online for extra cash.
• Cashback and discounts: Use cashback sites and hunt for discount codes.
• DIY gifts: Make personalised gifts to save money and add a personal touch.
• Pick up a seasonal shift: A really easy way to pick up a bit of extra cash in the winter is to find yourself some seasonal work.

Follow these practical tips from Gemma Bird to boost your savings before the festive season!

Unlike in the UK where the vast majority of beaches are open to the public all year round and there is a culture of bringing picnics and wind‑breakers from home, renting loungers and parasols is a normal part of heading to the beach in Italy.

Italian beaches are unusually empty this summer as high prices drive sunseekers away.

Citizens of the boot‑shaped country appear to be snubbing beaches amid claims they are rebelling against the high prices charged by kiosk and sun‑bed owners.

Unlike in the UK where the vast majority of beaches are open to the public all year round and there is a culture of bringing picnics and wind‑breakers from home, renting loungers and parasols is a normal part of heading to the beach in Italy. This comes after plans to stop influencers from flooding the Dolomites badly backfired.

READ MORE: ‘I will not be back’ – Mirror readers explain why they’re ditching SpainREAD MORE: Woman gives in to sunbed wars on £3.5k holiday – ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’

This year however, there has been a big slump in visitors to private stretches of beaches, the Guardian reports. In July, there was a 25% fall in beach‑goers, compared to the same month last year. The problem is particularly acute during the week, when the throngs of the weekend are increasingly replaced by empty stretches of sand. What’s particularly worrying for business owners is that those who are going are spending less.

Fabrizio Licordari, the president of Assobalneari Italia, said the problem is to do with the decreased spending power of Italians generally. “Even with two salaries, many families struggle to reach the end of the month. In such circumstances, it’s natural that the first expenses to be cut are those for leisure, entertainment and holidays,” he told Ansa news agency.

The price of hiring a sun‑lounger is a serious point of contention in Italy, in part due to sudden sharp increases. The cost has risen 17% in four years, according to the latest figures from the consumer group Altroconsumo. Those heading for a spot of relaxation in Lazio will end up spending at least €30 (£26) a day for two sunbeds and an umbrella. If you head for the more up‑market areas, such as parts of Puglia, you’ll end up splashing out three times that much.

According Si Viaggia, the title of most expensive beach in Italy in August goes to Alassio, in the north of the country. There, to enjoy the sea with a beach umbrella and two sun loungers positioned in the front rows, you have to fork out an average cost of €340 per week.

Alessandro Gassmann, a famous actor in Italy, has started a debate at the cost of Italian beaches by posting a photo of a row of deserted sun‑beds. “I read that the season is not going well. Maybe it’s because the prices are exaggerated and the country’s economic situation is forcing Italians to choose free beaches? Lower the prices and maybe things will get better,” Allessandro wrote in the caption.

Consumers association Codacons has argued that going to beach resorts had become “a drain” on people’s finances, suggesting that those profiting from renting beach furniture were “shedding crocodile tears” when they complained of rising costs.

Tourists have been raving about a picturesque UK village that could make you believe you are in Italy. It boasts colourful buildings, secret gardens and so much more

People have been wowed by this beautiful village said to be “like walking though a storybook” which is often mistaken for Italy – but it’s in the UK. While travelling abroad is amazing, it can be expensive, especially in popular tourists spots in Italy. However, just a train ride away or short flight is the peaceful village of Portmeirion in Gwynedd, north Wales, that looks like Lake Como.

The amazing spot, which has been inundated with five star reviews on Tripadvisor, boasts breathtaking scenery, sub-tropical gardens and adorable cottages as well as plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants – and even an authentic Italian-style gelato shop.

The hidden gem boasts colourful buildings, palm trees, and plenty of outdoor seating and hospitality spots overlooking the beautiful seafront.

Tripadvisor describes the spot as a “dreamlike world, full of surprises” full of rich history. The picturesque location has been used as a backdrop for a number of films and TV shows.

READ MORE: ‘We visited one of the UK’s dearest market towns and noticed one problem’

A couple, who call themselves Cez and Gaz and love travelling, shared a viral video of the spot and their review on TikTok recently. Cez said: “Would you believe me if I told you this isn’t an Italian village but it’s actually somewhere in the UK.”

She added: “This dreamy village was designed in the 1920s by a Welsh architect to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to Britain and it took nearly 50 years to build. It’s tucked away on the coast, it’s full of colourful buildings, secret gardens, sandy beaches and even a giant chessboard.”

She added: “It honestly feels like walking through a storybook. It’s the perfect spot for summer photos, getting your steps in or enjoying some delicious food.”

“My mum got married here, it was so special,” added one. “How have I never heard of this?” commented one other. “No way, really I can’t believe this,” added another.

One other said: “I had a mini holiday there last year and I stayed in the castle upon entry.” Another shared: “Well worth the entry price. We got there early and it wasn’t too busy. If it looks familiar it was the backdrop for the show The Prisoner in the ’60s.”

You have to pay to visit the village. It is priced at £20 per day for adults, £17.50 for students and visitors over 60. Children between ages five and 15 can visit for £15, while children under five can visit for free. Visitors can also get family tickets. All tickets can be purchased from the Portmeirion website.

How to get there

If you are travelling from England, a train from London will take you a minimum of five hours and 50 minutes. From Manchester it takes around five hours, and generally about four hours and 45 minutes from Birmingham on a train. Many people opt to drive or travel by coach when holidaying to Wales.

If you would prefer to fly, you can catch a plane to Anglesey Airport – 30 miles from Portmeirion. The hub hosts twice daily flights from Cardiff Airport on weekdays.

The nearest major international airports to Portmeirion are Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport, both approximately two hours away by road.

The journey from Manchester airport and Liverpool airport is around 100 miles, and takes about two hours. So if you live down south, it might be a good idea to fly up to northern England first if long car or train journey are not for you.

Do you have a travel-related story? Get in touch at [email protected].

THE countdown to Black Friday 2024 is officially on, and if last year is anything to go by, fans of Lululemon are in for a treat. 

From leggings to sports bras, Lululemon’s Black Friday deals have traditionally been worth waiting for, making it the perfect opportunity to refresh your wardrobe or invest in some premium gear at discounted prices.

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Sign up to the Lululemon newsletter to receive updates about its Black Friday sale

Known for its high-performance activewear and loungewear, Lululemon is a go-to brand for fitness enthusiasts and comfort seekers alike. 

With Black Friday around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what deals might be on offer this year.

Here’s what to expect from Lululemon’s Black Friday sale in 2024, when the sale kicks off and how to prepare for the best discounts. 

So whether you’re after a new pair of the brand’s iconic Align leggings or you’ve been eyeing their latest athleisure pieces, here’s everything you need to know to shop smarter this November.

When is Black Friday 2024?

Mark your calendars: Black Friday 2024 falls on Friday, 29 November. While the main event takes place on this day, many brands, including Lululemon, often begin rolling out deals in the week leading up to Black Friday itself. 

If previous years are any indication, you can expect early access offers and sneak peeks in the days prior, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on Lululemon’s website and sign up for any email alerts to stay ahead of the game.

Black Friday has grown to be one of the most significant shopping events of the year, and it’s not just confined to the Friday after Thanksgiving anymore. 

It’s now common for sales to extend throughout the weekend and into Cyber Monday, giving you plenty of time to shop and score great deals.

Ever wondered why Black Friday is called Black Friday? Find out here.

Is Lululemon taking part in Black Friday this year?

Yes, Lululemon is expected to participate in Black Friday 2024, just as it has in previous years. 

Whilst the brand is pretty selective with its discounts throughout the year, Black Friday is one of the rare occasions where you can expect to find significant price cuts across a variety of items. 

Last year, Lululemon offered up to 50% off on selected items, and this year is expected to be no different.

Although Lululemon doesn’t typically promote drastic storewide markdowns, it does provide substantial savings on select items. 

The Black Friday sale usually includes popular favourites like the Lululemon Align leggings, Define jackets and a range of accessories, making it a great time to stock up on essentials.

What to expect from Lululemon’s Black Friday sale 2024

While the official details for Lululemon’s Black Friday 2024 sale have yet to be released, we can make some educated guesses based on last year’s deals.

Expect markdowns on some of Lululemon’s best-selling items, including their famed yoga leggings, workout tops and accessories such as gym bags and water bottles. 

Based on previous years, discounts typically range from 20% to 50%, depending on the item.

Lululemon often includes a selection of seasonal and limited-edition styles in their Black Friday sale, so keep an eye out for exclusive pieces. 

Stock tends to move fast, so it’s best to be ready to shop as soon as the sale goes live to secure your must-have items.

What was in Lululemon’s Black Friday sale last year?

In 2023, Lululemon’s Black Friday deals included a variety of savings across their activewear and loungewear collections. 

Shoppers were treated to discounts on best-sellers such as the Align leggings, which were reduced by £14, while the Define jackets also saw significant markdowns. 

Accessories, including the popular Everywhere Belt Bag and water bottles, were also part of the sale.

Many of these items sold out quickly, so if you’re eyeing a particular piece, it’s worth making a list in advance and acting fast when the sale starts. 

Lululemon’s sales can be highly competitive, and sizes tend to sell out quickly, especially on staple items.

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When is Cyber Monday 2024 and is Lululemon taking part?

Cyber Monday falls on Monday, 2 December 2024, and Lululemon typically extends its Black Friday discounts through to Cyber Monday. 

If you miss out on a deal during the Black Friday weekend, Cyber Monday offers another chance to snag some bargains. 

While the best deals often go live on Black Friday itself, Cyber Monday can feature additional markdowns or further reductions on remaining stock.

How much does Lululemon’s shipping cost?

Lululemon offers free standard shipping on all online orders, which is a great perk for Black Friday shoppers who prefer to avoid the crowds. 

During busy shopping periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Lululemon may offer expedited shipping at a reduced rate or for free on higher-value orders, so keep an eye on their shipping policies as the event approaches.

Does Lululemon offer any other discounts?

In addition to Black Friday sales, Lululemon has a few year-round discounts worth noting. 

The brand offers a ‘We Made Too Much’ section on their website, where shoppers can find discounted items throughout the year. 

Additionally, if you sign up to the Lululemon newsletter you can receive 10% off your first purchase.

While these discounts may not be combinable with Black Friday deals, they’re worth exploring if you qualify.

By keeping an eye on Lululemon’s website and being prepared ahead of time, you’ll be in the best position to score some great deals this Black Friday. 

The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most famous celestial events of the year and Earth is currently passing through the debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift Tuttle.

UK stargazers are in for a celestial treat this month as the renowned Perseids meteor shower is set to illuminate the night sky. The Perseids, one of the most luminous and enduring meteor showers of the year, is caused by Earth traversing the debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift Tuttle.

As our planet journeys through this cosmic debris, tiny meteoroids collide with our atmosphere at a staggering 36 miles per second. This results in them igniting and streaking across the sky as shooting stars.

The meteor shower is predicted to reach its zenith between August 11-13, and if you’re keen to secure a front-row seat to this awe-inspiring display, it’s crucial to find a location with minimal light pollution.

The bright lights of cities and towns can significantly hinder your view of the meteoroids, so it’s essential to find a spot devoid of artificial light.

According to Planet Cruise, the prime location to witness the Perseids is Snowdonia in Wales. With an altitude of 700 metres and exceptionally low light pollution, it offers mesmerising views of the Milky Way, constellations, and even meteor showers, reports the Express.

The expansive national park boasts numerous viewing spots, guaranteeing a memorable stargazing experience.

Coming in at a close second is another UK hotspot – Wasdale, which boasts England’s tallest peak, Scafell Pike.

With zero light pollution and an elevation of 978 metres, it provides pristine night skies ideal for observing celestial phenomena. Whether from the valleys or the peaks, Wasdale presents unparalleled opportunities for astronomy enthusiasts.

For those outside the UK, Interlaken in Switzerland is a top spot for stargazing due to its high elevation of 568 metres and minimal light pollution, often offering clear views of the Milky Way.

If you’re planning to catch the Perseid meteor shower this week, there are steps you must take to ensure a good view.

Avoid bright lights to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness – this can take up to 30 minutes. Ensure your viewing spot has an open view of the sky.

Above all, sit back, relax, and let nature’s spectacle unfold before your eyes. Let the tranquillity of the outdoors soothe you as you marvel at the meteor shower.

Spain is by far the most popular country among UK travellers, with close to 18 million of us visiting in 2023 — far more than the 9.2 million who took a trip to second-place France

“The message we are receiving loud and clear from locals, especially in the islands and where we usually visit in Andalucia, is that we should stay away and are not welcome.”

That is how Mirror reader Allan Wilcox feels. He, like millions of Brits, is a regular visitor to Spain. In fact, Spain is by far the most popular country among UK travellers, with close to 18 million of us visiting in 2023 — far more than the 9.2 million who took a trip to second-place France.

While it would be absurd to suggest that the country’s love affair with Spain and its incredible culture, food and drink, spectacular weather, and general good vibes is over, there is undeniably a groundswell of frustration at a shift in attitude on the Iberian Peninsula. This comes amid a warning about the quality of breaks in Benidorm.

READ MORE: Spanish beach bars demand urgent action as they reveal cost of Brits staying awayREAD MORE: Spain holidays warning for Ryanair passengers as strikes set to hit 12 major airports

A lot of Brits have taken overtourism protests to heart, heeding the words of campaigners who say that mass tourism is killing the culture of destinations including the Canaries and the Balearic Islands; the strident messages slapped on walls by graffiti artists; and the actions of protesters who squirted holidaymakers in Barcelona.

Each week many of them email in to the Mirror’s travel desk ([email protected]) to share their views on trips to Spain and whether they’re still planning holidays in the country of 48 million.

Although it would be unfair to suggest that their views are completely typical of the UK population at large, particularly given the small sample size, a clear anti-Spanish holiday sentiment has emerged.

Sarah Meager has been particularly frustrated by new laws that prohibit smoking and vaping on terraces. She was dismayed to discover that the law covered private terraces when it comes to holiday villas and hotels.

“We discovered this in Lanzarote in February. You are not even allowed on the terrace of your own room. It is a ridiculous decision. Even if only one member of a group smokes it means you just can’t relax and enjoy yourself,” she explained.

Kevin Durkin is a committed Spain holidaymaker, having visited the country many times over a 30-year period. “Over the last few years, the anti-British sentiment has just grown. Some bar owners have put up signs telling the British to keep away and some hotel owners don’t want us either,” he said.

“I do not need Spain, they can keep their latest charges and hatred of the British. I will not be back, neither will my friends or family. Adios.”

Kevin, who speaks Spanish and moved to the country several years ago, admitted that most of the ire from locals was directed towards “the loud British element, usually fuelled by alcohol”, and that respectful tourists were unlikely to be bothered.

For Linda Munro, overcrowding was a major issue. She flew into Majorca, where the airport has been struggling with long queues this summer. “Border control is very, very stressful and must be putting families off,” she recalled.

“My husband and I got through the scanners, no problem. However, the rest of the family had to queue for an hour and a half. On the way back, it was worse, as people were worried they might miss their flights home. Our family just made it on time. They all said they wouldn’t be back abroad anytime soon.”

Allan Wilcox is a committed visitor of Spain and is “happy to spend our money supporting local businesses. These include restaurants, bars, hotels and shops.” Since overtourism protests began however, he has started to feel unwelcome.

“The message we are receiving loud and clear from locals, especially in the islands and where we usually visit in Andalucia, is that we should stay away and are not welcome. Since the local feelings appear so strong and tourists have to run the gauntlet of being shouted or spat at or have to endure intimidating protests, we are no longer happy to visit the country under these conditions,” Allan said.

“Consequently, we have decided to holiday elsewhere and have not visited Spain for the past couple of years.”

How do you feel about taking a holiday to Spain? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please email [email protected]

Southwest Airlines is being criticised for failing to communicate changes to its five-hour delayed flight as two disabled women were left behind as the flight took off without them

An airline has been slammed after two women who are both blind were left behind by a plane and told by staff “we forgot about you.”

Southwest Airlines is being criticised for failing to communicate changes to its five-hour delayed flight from New Orleans to Orlando on July 24.

Friends Camille Tate and Sherri Brun were left stranded after the pair were at the airport waiting by the gate, checking the airline’s app for any updates.

However, they were the only two people on the flight when they boarded. “You’re the only two people on this flight because they forgot about you,” Sherri Bun said the two were told.

According to the airline, because the flight was delayed, nearly all of the passengers on the original flight were re-booked on another Southwest flight to Orlando that departed a little earlier from a different gate. It comes after a furious tourist was just ‘offered £21 by easyJet’ after being stranded in Turkey.

READ MORE: Toddler dies after mum ‘slammed her head on wall’ for ‘hurting her feelings’READ MORE: ‘I let a zoo feed my pet rabbit to the tigers, it was a super-nice experience’

Sherri and Camillie were the only two passengers not re-booked on the flight. They even admitted they had no idea another flight was an option.

“Nobody at B6 told us anything. Nobody came to get us at B4. The time passed,” said Sherri. “That airplane took off, and our boarding pass had not been swiped,” said Camille.

The pair remains stunned that they weren’t on the flight. They want the airline to improve its communication to people with disabilities.

“The way they help their customers that require additional assistance needs to change. There needs to be follow through,” said Sherri.

“There needs to be some improvement in how they communicate with their passengers especially those that have disabilities,” Camille added.

The friends were offered an £80 voucher as compensation for the delay, but weren’t eligible for a full refund as the flight departed.

Southwest Airlines has since apologised for the embarrassing incident. It said: “The Customers were scheduled on Flight 2637. Although it ran almost five hours late that day, it remained their same flight number throughout.

“We issued the $100 vouchers as compensation for the delayed travel, but a refund is not available if a Customer actually completes the flight.

“It appears the confusion about a plane coming back to get them might be because many of the Customers on that flight were accommodated on another MCO-bound flight that left a little earlier from a nearby gate. These two Customers were not re-booked on that flight, so their assigned gate never changed. Our records show they flew to MCO on the airplane that had been parked at their original gate.

“As far as accessibility policies, all of our information is found on the Disability-Related Accommodations section of the Help Center. For Customers who are blind, escort and navigation assistance is available from the airport curb to and from gates and between gates for connecting flights.

“To receive assistance, Customers must identify themselves and the type of assistance they require to a Southwest Employee when they arrive at the airport, at any connection points, and when they land at their destination. In the event of a gate change, our Employees are responsible for ensuring all Customers who need assistance reach the new gate.

“We apologise for the inconvenience. Southwest is always looking for ways to improve our Customers’ travel experiences, and we’re active in the airline industry in sharing best practices about how to best accommodate Passengers with disabilities.”

GRABBING your lucky penny to see if you have won tens of thousands of pounds in an instant is all part of the thrill for scratchcard players.

But there are ways you can boost your chances of winning with a few crucial steps, thanks to scratchcard expert Patrick Wareing’s tips.

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Patrick runs the website scratchcard-winners.co.uk and has been dishing out top tips on how to bag a big prize since 2015.

He also helps players work out which online scratchcards are best to play.

Scratchcards offer life changing wins of up to £2million for punters and are sold at supermarkets, as well as garages and other convenience shops.

National Lottery scratchcards cost between £1 to £5, depending on which one you choose.

You can also buy online through the National Lottery website.

Anyone 18-years or over can buy a scratchcard and play.

Here’s what you need to know before playing.

Make sure you gamble responsibly.

Track down the odds

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Scratchcard odds can be found on the back of the slip, on the game procedures document or the National Lottery website.

They can also be found on in-store screens at the till in shops.

Typically, the more expensive the scratchcard, the better the odds – but this isn’t always the case.

The odds of winning on the Sapphire 7s Doubler scratchcard, which costs £2, is one in 3.37, whereas the odds of winning the Diamond Maze scratchcard, which is £5, is one in 3.58.

Odds show how likely you are to win any particular prize – the lower the number, the better the odds.

This means you have a better chance of winning with the £2 game compared to the more expensive £5 game.

Of course, there’s no guarantee you will win on your scratchcard, even if you buy many to increase your odds of winning.

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Patrick said: “If you buy a scratchcard with odds of one in four, and you buy four scratchcards, you’d assume you get a winner.

“Yet the odds are calculated on all scratchcards in circulation, which means that you aren’t guaranteed a winner in this scenario.

“It can work in your favour though, as you could equally win on all four scratchcards.”

A better method of calculating the likelihood of winning can be to take a look at what “return to player” rate is.

This is what gambling experts define as the percentage of money that will be paid back to players from total scratchcard sales. It’s essentially the pay out rate on scratchcards.

National Lottery scratchcards usually pay out at a rate of between 60-70%.

So say, for example, that the total of all the scratchcards sold was £1 million. 

A 65% pay out rate would mean that £650,000 would be paid out to players, with the remaining £350,000 going to National Lottery.

The £100,000 A Month For A Year scratchcard has pay out rate of 70.02%.

The £100,000 Multiplier Yellow scratchcard has an pay out rate of 61.75%.

That’s a difference of nearly 10% and can make a big difference to your chance of getting winnings.

You can find information on prize rates on the game procedure documents, which are on the National Lottery website for each scratchcard.

The scratchcards you can NEVER win the jackpot

Before you buy your scratchcard, check whether the top jackpot prizes have already been won.

The number of jackpot prizes available varies depending on what type of scratchcard you pick.

Many people don’t realise you can still buy National Lottery scratchcards even after all the top prizes have been won.

For cards with a jackpot above £121,000, no new packs of scratchcards will be put on sale when the last top prize has been won.

However, scratchcards that are already on display can continue to be sold.

Information about remaining prizes is available on in-store National Lottery scratchcard terminals, but these can be easy to miss so make sure you visit the National Lottery website too.

There won’t be a breakdown of other winnings still up for grabs.

Jackpot information is only every weekday, so there could be a delay if prizes are claimed on the weekend or on bank holidays.

The National Lottery site currently shows that five out of around 50 scratchcard games on sale have already had the top prizes claimed.

Use this nifty site

If you’re not sure which scratchcard to choose with the best chance of winning, this handy website could help.

Smartscratchcard.co.uk ranks which scratchcards are best to buy based on the chances of scoring the top prize.

It uses an algorithm to give a rating out of 100 on popular scratchcards.

It takes into account factors such as the price of the card, whether the top prize is still available to be won, how many cards are still available to buy, and the odds of winning.

It also lists how much you might have to spend to win the jackpot statistically.

The scratchcard rated the top buy on the site is currently Run For Your Money.

It costs £5 and the jackpot is £1 million.

The return to player rate is 70.12%, and two out of three jackpots have been won.

Shockingly, statistically speaking, you could have to spend £4,990,920 on cards to win.

Don’t throw away a loser

You may not believe it, but it’s easier to lose track of a winning scratchcard then you might think.

More than £57.6m worth of prizes went unclaimed by Lotto, EuroMillions and scratchcard players in the ten months to the end of January 2024.

The National Lottery recommends you always sign a scratchcard and keep it safe if you have a winner.

It sounds obvious, but make sure your card is definitely not a winner before chucking.

This is more likely to happen with scratchcards featuring letters and numbers, such as the Bingo and Crossword styles.

Patrick adds: “The National Lottery often changes the rules between new releases – even if they look similar to the ones before them.”

Even if you think you have a loser, it’s a good idea to take it to a shop where they can check.

Then you can be completely sure you don’t throw away any winners.

Don’t leave it too late

It’s really important to know that all scratchcards have an expiry date.

Even if you have a winner, you won’t be able to claim your prize if the card is out of date.

Prizes must be claimed before the end of the 180th day after the closing date of the game.

This gives you roughly six months after the game has closed.

All current game closures on the website national-lottery.co.uk/games/gamestore/scratchcards/closures

But here’s the catch, the closure dates are influenced by how many prizes are left.

So to avoid missing out, cash in your prize as soon as you realise you have a winner.

Remember, only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and set a spending limit before you play.

Visit gamcare.org.uk or GambleAware.org if you need help.

‘I won £500,000 scratchcard jackpot – here’s my tactic to winning’

SCRATCHCARD winner Matthew Harding won a £500,000 jackpot, and revealed his secret to scooping the mega win.

Shop assistant Matthew, from Nottingham, won big on the Pink Multiplier National Scratchcard in 2023.

He said he always bought two scratchcards in a row because he heard that this makes you more likely to win.

His tactic paid off, and he scooped the top jackpot.

Matthew said at the time of winning: “I treat myself to a scratchcard or two every month after payday and scratch them on my way home.

“I have seen a few customers in the shop winning £20 or £40 here and there so I thought I would give this particular one a go.

“I have always been told to buy two in a row as you are more likely to win.

“There may be no real logic in that but that’s exactly what I do – I always buy them in a set.

Matthew stuffed the card in his sock to keep it safe.

He bought it from Greasley General Stores, Eastwood – the store he worked at the time.

He made sure to sign the back of the card and didn’t fold it so he could keep the card safe.