
Travel Review: The Midlands Park Hotel is the perfect spot for a catch up
Trying to meet friends as you get older is a series of 'will we?' 'could we?' 'are you free?' queries for a rendezvous that often takes months to plan. So when you are both free at the same time and can travel: book that trip.
That's how it was earlier this year when I was invited to the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise. One of my closest friends lives in Cork and arranging to spend time together and not over the phone or WhatsApp chat borders on strategic.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
The hill near Glasgow with easy climb boasting stunning views of Loch Lomond
The hill lies on the Highland Boundary Fault Line and has spectacular views from the peak. With summer sunshine returning, many in Scotland are looking for ways to make the most of the outdoors. From city parks to country estates, there is no shortage of green spaces to explore. But for those seeking a more memorable outing, the climb up Conic Hill promises some of the most breathtaking views of Loch Lomond and its islands. Standing at 361 metres, Conic Hill sits just outside the village of Balmaha on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, under an hour's drive from Glasgow. It lies on the Highland Boundary Fault Line, making it not only a popular destination for walkers but also an important geological landmark, Glasgow Live reports. Despite its modest height, the hill offers expansive views that rival those of more demanding climbs in the National Park. The route begins in Balmaha, a village well supplied with amenities and car parks. However, due to the hill's popularity, parking can be limited on busy days, so visitors are advised to arrive early or be prepared to walk further from available spaces. The path to the summit is clear and well-trodden, making it accessible to most walkers, though the climb is steep in places. Families and pets often make the journey, although very young children or older dogs may find the incline a challenge. Walkers are advised to wear sturdy footwear, bring extra layers for the summit, and consider packing a lunch to enjoy along the way. The walk is relatively short, and views begin to unfold within the first third of the climb. A false summit teases before the actual peak, but the reward is worth the effort. From the top, visitors can take in a panorama of Loch Lomond's islands, the rugged Arrochar Alps, and Ben Lomond, the southernmost Munro. Looking south, the landscape shifts to a patchwork of farmland and woodland, with field boundaries and shelterbelts giving a distinctive contrast to the highland scenery. For many, the joy of Conic Hill lies not just in the destination but in the journey. Even without reaching the top, walkers can enjoy generous views along the way. The combination of accessibility, family suitability, and dramatic scenery makes it one of the most rewarding short hikes in Scotland. After completing the climb, visitors often stop at the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha. The inn, once praised by Billy Connolly, serves as a pub, restaurant, café, and shop all in one. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Its outdoor dining area is particularly popular in warm weather, while the cosy interior welcomes those seeking a traditional country pub atmosphere. The shop also offers a light-hearted 'haggis hunt' scavenger game for families. Getting to Balmaha is straightforward. By car, the journey from Glasgow takes just under an hour via the A809, depending where in the city you're driving from. For those using public transport, trains run from Queen Street to Balloch, where the 309 McGill's bus service connects to Balmaha in around 30 minutes. Travellers wanting to extend their stay can find accommodation in the area, including the Ellanderroch holiday cottage in Drymen or the Gaidrew Cottage nearby.


Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
Gran's £3k Disneyland Paris dream trip ends in tears after tickets cancelled in admin blunder
Sue Batters was enjoing the final day of her holiday with her family when they were denied into the theme park. A grandmother says her 'once-in-a-lifetime' Disney holiday turned into a nightmare after an admin blunder left her family stranded outside the theme park. Sue Batters, 68, spent more than £3,000 to treat her t wo daughters and five grandsons to a three-day break in Disneyland Paris, only for their park tickets to be suddenly cancelled without warning. The trip, booked with London-based Times and Travels UK, was meant to cover everything – Eurostar travel, a hotel stay, and tickets to both Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. For Sue, from Avery Way, Allhallows, on the Hoo Peninsula, it was a dream holiday she had saved up for, determined to give her family a magical experience, report s the Mirror. But on the final day of their May trip, as the group tried to enter Walt Disney Studios Park, their tickets stopped working. Staff told them their passes had been cancelled, leaving Sue, her daughters Rebecca and Hayley, and grandsons Archie, Alfie, Freddie, Stanley, and Parker unable to get inside. Sue recalled: 'I was in tears. My grandchildren kept asking me why I was crying. What are you supposed to do when you have five children who want to go to Disney? They did not understand why we could not get in." The family was advised to contact Times and Travels UK directly. But after hours of frantic phone calls and messages, they were eventually told at 1pm that the tickets had in fact been cancelled two days before they even travelled. The reason, Sue was told, was a £497 discrepancy – despite her having already paid the full amount for the package. The semi-retired driver said she was horrified to discover the mistake was down to an 'admin error.' She said: 'This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I spent all my savings on a magical holiday, but this ruined it. It was meant to be a lovely trip away for the family, but instead we were standing outside Disney crying with five children.' Sue eventually paid £650 out of her own pocket for replacement tickets at the gate, after being reassured she would be reimbursed. But she says she is still waiting for the refund. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. According to Sue, the firm has offered to return the money in three instalments – £459 followed by two payments of £100 – but she has refused, insisting on a single payment of the full amount. She said: 'What if someone did not have the money to buy the tickets at the door? "Not everyone has that option, and it is not a small amount that you might have extra. I always book holidays with the likes of TUI and Jet2, but I checked it out and it looked fine. I did have a bad feeling, so I booked it on the credit card and made sure I was protected. In the back of my mind, I was worried.' Times and Travels UK has not responded to direct requests for comment. However, in a reply to Sue's review on Trustpilot, the firm admitted the day passes were cancelled by its supplier without prior notice. The company said: 'We acknowledge this was frustrating and we sincerely apologise for the stress it caused. As soon as you made us aware, we investigated and confirmed that you will be refunded for the cost of the cancelled tickets. This promise still stands, and we are working to process it. 'We have never refused your refund, and at no point did we say we would not take responsibility. We understand the delay has caused frustration, and we truly are sorry.' The firm added that it remains a registered travel business and said: 'We have helped hundreds of families and couples travel to Disney, Asia, and beyond, and we take our reputation seriously. Our small team is still working through a backlog due to a recent internal change in management, but no one has been ignored or left behind intentionally, and every pending case is being resolved. 'We hope you will allow us to complete the process and make this right.'


Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Five tips to keep your car safe at home when you're on holiday
Brits jetting off into the sunset may still be thinking about how secure their car is on the driveway back home For many Brits, jetting off on their summer holiday is one of the high points of the year. Vacations are a time to shun all responsibility and obligation - and that means having everything in place for coming back home, too. Whether it's making sure your 'out of office' is on or changing your bed so you can snuggle into clean sheets post-flight, there are simple steps to ensure a smooth transition back on UK soil. But what about protecting your car? A sure way to ruin your holiday is by wondering if your vehicles are safe when you are miles away. Similarly, the best way to keep stress at bay is to make sure your vehicles are safe and left in perfect condition for your return. Still, it is easy to forget things in the excitement, so experts at Beck Evans, the UK's Leading Car Dealership Since 1970, have prepared some top tips for those planning to get away this summer. Apply a steering wheel lock This method is one of the easiest and cheapest modes of protection against vehicle theft. They offer an obvious deterrent to any thief and a locking system that prevents the turning of the wheel, which means if they do manage to get into your car to steal it, they won't get far. GPS Tracker A tracker is a great way to ensure you know your vehicle's whereabouts at any time. They can connect to your smartphone, making it super accessible to view while you are sitting at the beach. Wheel clamp Another visual deterrent that will prevent your car from going anywhere is a wheel clamp. It will also put off any chancing thief, as it would take a long time for them to try and remove it, posing more risk of being seen or stopped by neighbours and passers-by. Key signal blocker One of the most common ways vehicles are stolen is by duplicating and cloning the signal from your key fob. To reduce this risk, you can purchase a key signal blocker lined with special isolation that prevents the frequency of your key from being duplicated, reducing the risk of your vehicle being stolen. Remove valuables This tip comes without question. Make sure to take out any electronics, expensive items, garage remotes, or anything that might tempt a break-in. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Extra tips that you might want to consider include deactivating your keyless entry fob (if this can be enabled). Alternatively, place it in a signal-blocking pouch. Ensuring your car MOT, insurance, and tax are up-to-date if you're away for an extended time and letting your insurer know if the car will be parked in a different location than usual are also advised.