Yves, no luckily this year we are having a reasonable summer, well every other week we are. Last week was cold and wet, this week is warm and sunny, next week cold and wet again. But still warmer than 10 deg .

Still temperatures like that must be keeping the blackfly at bay

Eeek! That is serious money.
There are a couple of Dutch companies that offer reasonable prices for Hawaii, I assumed there would be something similar in the UK.
I would have suggested The Gambia - lovely beaches, friendly people and enough to do for two weeks with young kids along too. Not to long a flight either, but for the Malaria risk. Difficult to get young kids to take the tablets. The same is probably true of East Africa thinking about it.

Argentina maybe? It is safe, cheap once you get there and it will be early summer there. Or Costa Rica?

Sorry i'm not making this any easier am I? ? Luckily you have lots of time to plan if the wedding isn't until 2010.

I hadn't heard of it until now! I see there are two walks organised in a town near me, one with 25 people already signed up, one with no one . I shall have to consult my other half on this, and he is out tonight (again:roll. It sounds like fun to do though the forecast for Saturday here will put the weatherproofing to test - cold and wet bah!


I hope you enjoy your walk, even if I don't get to go on mine.

Of course if you really want to push the boat out what about Hawaii? you could combine a couple of days in the LA area with some relaxation and sun on some great beaches, with wonderful scenery on your doorstep there.

Have a look at staying around the San Diego/La Jolla area. Maybe you could rent a cottage there rather than staying in a hotel - gives you a bit more privacy on your honeymoon

San Diego is a great city, much much nicer than LA, and you have nice beaches nearby, plus San Diego zoo, Wild Animal park, and Sea World as well as the amusement parks being not so far away. There are boat trips round the harbour - lots of naval ships to see, plus places featured in Top Gun and the like, and you could go into Mexico for a day if you really wanted to. Plus sea lions everywhere

If you want advice from Americans about it have a look at http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states where you can read up on California and ask questions.

From the Flickr forum:

so take your pick

I didn't see the programme but I love his red ceiling. It is a great composition that most people wouldn't even have looked twice at.

Some of his images are great, he has an ability to take the ordinary and turn it into something special. He has a great eye for colour and the absurd. He was one of the first adopters of colour photography and the first to make it an acceptable art form. The fact that one of his heroes was Cartier Bresson means he can't be all bad, and explains a lot I think.

A lot depends on how much you want to spend of course.
You could do a fantastic family safari to either Kenya or Tanzania with a few days R&R in Zanzibar or on the coast afterwards.

La Palma in the Canaries has greenery, mountains, dolphins, peace and quiet, but only a couple of black beaches. We have been there in November. it rained at night but was lovely during the day. If you go try staying on the West side of the island as it is drier warmer ans just all together nicer.

Florida is an idea, though it is the tail end of Hurricane season, which would also affect the Caribbean. If you want to go that way what about Cuba before the yanks get there?
Arizona and New Mexico will be good in November - Grand Canyon, wild life, mountains, desert lots to see and do.
Southern California - enough amusement parks to keep the kids happy with scenery, wild life and warmth.

I like the door too - especially as it is orange and has a classic orange peel effect paint job.

Bob I like the first one, with the reflection of the sky in the bodywork and the rust comment.
We had a Beetle for a while but it wasn't big enough for us when son number three was due. My Dad had a VW campervan - Granans bus. We would meet up with them in a field somewhere for a day or two, us in a tent them in their van. Ah happy days.

Useless piece of info: the VW van was designed by the Dutch VW importer, Ben Pon. http://www.vwbusstop.demon.nl/bushistory/
Pon holdings is now a huge family owned company based near me. I once went for a job there but they paid peanuts so I didn't take it.

Mmm maybe I was a bit rash. Hopefully John will forgive me and not lock this discussion because of my comments. I'm dropping out of this thread again now before I say something I really regret .