Category: Useful Information

When I used to get on a plane. The first thing I’d love to do was read the in-flight magazines. The travel one, where it would show you destinations, food and recipes. Gives you an idea maybe where to go. Where you’re going to.

The best magazine for me, is the duty free magazine.

I wouldn’t particularly buy myself anything from this, but I’d pour over the lovely items you could buy. The perfumes, jewellery, skincare travel sets, etc.

The first time I did ever buy anything was years ago in the very late 1980s. The very first time I ever went away abroad. I went with my friend on a cheapy we found in the September of 1989. To El Arenal in Majorca.

Back then, on a plane. To listen to the radio channels by your leg near the armrest, you needed a headphone adapter. Couldn’t just plug yours in without this (What a con!)

In the bag with it, came a European adapter for your UK plugs. Some wired headphones and the headphone adapter. I still have it all in the bag from Air 2000 😂 . Don’t know why! Probably because they are a memory of a wonderful holiday when I was a teenager, or because they were bloody expensive! I came across them when I was having a clear out recently. I didn’t clear them out though. I still kept them.

The second time I bought something was for my son when he was a tiny tot. A toy plane. That probably cost an arm and a leg as well, but you never mind for your children do you?

The thing is. Now I cannot read them. I see blurry photos inside. Not much details. I tried to read it on my recent holiday. Just to try. I gave up.

So knowing this, I do what I do before I go out for a restaurant or anywhere where the menu will be usually a fussy text with a background image that’s impossible for me to comprehend.

I looked at it one night at home online. I was going with Jet2.com, so started there. Feet up. With a cuppa. Really enjoyed it too.

This may seem so little to some people. But it’s usually the little things that pee you off the most. The little enjoyments you always had to look forward to. Now you can’t.

Look online for whomever you are flying with and find the online magazine.

Also I don’t know about anyone else with this same or similar condition, but the duty free shops are so packed with lots of things and bright lights that it’s hard to get a grip on what you are seeing.

Colours mush together especially when there’s numerous different items infront of me. The more there is the more it melds together like a bright colourful splodge. It’s difficult to make anything out properly if you want to browse in person. I’m better with a plain background. With one or two items infront of it.

Trying to find my sons aftershave as a present in Manchester Airport when I went to Tenerife with my friends in April, was OK when I found the stand, but sometimes my eyes just give up. I persevered and found it but then couldn’t be bothered to find any for myself.

A good way around this also is looking online at the airports website you’re flying from. They have online duty free shops. You can also buy items online from some airports in the UK and pick up once you’re there at the airport, so you don’t get stressed looking for things when it’s so bright and full and busy.

So whilst I had my feet up. I looked at Manchester Airports Duty free online shop too.

Just a couple of tips to help you. Bon Voyage!