My flight was cancelled in the Heathrow power outage — but BA wouldn't give a full refund
✉ On March 21 I was due to fly premium economy on a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Austin, Texas, for my best friend's birthday (and then home again a week later). On the morning of March 21 I woke to a message from BA saying that my flight was cancelled due to the Heathrow airport power outage. It told me not to travel to the airport and to await further news. I tried to rebook but there was nothing that would have got me where I needed to be in time. I tried to get BA on the phone but couldn't. When when I went online I saw a message saying that if I wanted my ticket refunded to click this button, which
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Wyoming ranch where acclaimed writer penned the great American novel goes for sale at $29 million
Set against the stunning backdrop of Wyoming 's Bighorn Mountains, a storied ranch where Ernest Hemingway penned one of the cornerstones of American literature has been listed for $29 million. The historic Spear Ranch, which dates back to the 1800s, is celebrated for its tranquil seclusion, breathtaking vistas and deep ties to both literary and Western heritage. 'The Spear Ranch isn't just land; it's a direct link to the titans of the West, from the pioneering Spear family to literary giants like Hemingway,' Peter Widener, a partner at Hall and Hall, the firm behind the multimillion-dollar listing, told Mansion Global. 'It's where history was made and where new legacies will be forged. To find a property with this level of historical significance, combined with such impeccable modern amenities and natural beauty, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.' Spanning over 300 acres of pristine landscape, the estate includes a 7,500-square-foot New England–style main residence, multiple guest cabins and a collection of rustic outbuildings. The architecture blends classic Western charm with modern luxury, showcasing the ranch's illustrious past. Just a short distance away lies the Spear-O-Wigwam Ranch, a well-known guest retreat where Hemingway sought solitude to complete his work. In the summer of 1928, he escaped the distractions of city life and settled into a modest log cabin beside a rushing stream to focus on his writing. 'He went there for the Western experience - to write in peace and quiet,' Widener said. It was in that peaceful setting that Hemingway completed the first draft of A Farewell to Arms, his semi-autobiographical novel set during World War I. Serialized in Scribner's the following year, the book brought Hemingway international acclaim and helped solidify his legacy in American literary history. Today, the Spear Ranch reflects its rich history while offering a luxurious lifestyle. The centerpiece of the property is the eight-bedroom main residence, outfitted with natural oak flooring. A formal dining room with a gas fireplace sits just off the kitchen, which features granite countertops and top-of-the-line appliances, according to the listing. Many of the bedrooms include their own fireplaces, private baths, and spacious closets. A screened gazebo overlooks Little Goose Creek, an outstanding trout fishery which meanders through the property. 'That pond was the Spear family's swimming pool,' Widener noted. 'The current owners spent three or four years restoring the cabin. You don't sleep there - it's just an open room with a big deck over the water.' Next to the main house is a two-bedroom caretaker's residence, while two additional guest homes sit farther out. Each guest house features at least two bedrooms and includes a four-car garage. Other highlights include an equestrian barn, a large event barn and a 3,200-square-foot shop with a bathroom for storing ranch equipment. Beyond its Hemingway connection, the ranch offers a lifestyle steeped in natural beauty and tradition. Miles of trails throughout the ranch have been covered in wood chips and a small gauge target range provides a unique recreational amenity, according to Cowboy State Daily. Located just 1.5 miles from the town of Big Horn and 15 miles from the larger city of Sheridan, the ranch is close to other luxury properties and cultural landmarks like the Brinton Museum, known for its impressive Native American art collection. According to Widener, the property had previously been split into parcels and sold separately over the years, but the current owners made it their mission to reunite the original ranch. They began by acquiring the historic main house, which came with 56 acres, and gradually purchased adjacent parcels until they restored the full 300-acre estate - plus an additional 70-acre field. 'It's so rare. In our business, we love working with buyers who are putting ranches back together,' Widener said. 'It's really fun to be a part of making history come back to life, as opposed to splitting ranches up, which we try not to partake in.' For those seeking to own a truly one-of-a-kind piece of American literary and Western history, the Spear Ranch offers a rare blend of natural splendor, historical importance and country living. As the listing notes, it's 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of literary and Western heritage.'
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Lidl is selling toys that are ideal for families going on summer holiday flights and prices start at £2.49
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Lidl is selling a range of toys that are sure to entertain your children for hours this summer - and prices start from just £2.49. The supermarket is selling four pull the tab books which are ideal if your child is learning to read or write. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The books cost just £2.49 and are available in Lidl now Credit: Lidl The Hinkler Pull the Tab Times Tables book is perfect for on-the-go learning. Use the wipe clean pen to write your answers, then pull the tab to find out if you are right. Once you're done just wipe it clean and repeat. Meanwhile, the Pull the Tab Spelling book can help your child to learn how to spell simple words including boy, lamp and gate. For younger children there is a phonics version to help your child sound out words and phrases. Finally, the maths book can help your child with simple sums. All of the books are available in Lidl stores now but you will need to be quick as when they are gone they are gone. Lidl is also selling two Toytopic Kids' Travel Activity Packs for £3.99 each. The 14 piece sets have a lot of fun activities to keep your little ones entertained on the go. They come with a resealable bag, which is great for taking them on plane, train or car journeys. Items to always buy at Lidl The sets include an activity book, six coloured pencils, small scribble board, word search book, maze game, two sticker sheets, a fidget twisty toy and a magic cube toy. One set is pink and includes unicorns, while the other is blue and space-themed. Both activity packs are available in store now. What else is on offer at Lidl? Lidl has also brought back its sell-out pizza oven. The Grillmeister Gas Pizza Oven costs just £79.99 and is back in stores on Thursday. The gadget is a whopping £170 cheaper than the Ninja version so will definitely be popular with shoppers. You can use the oven to cook crispy pizzas or fresh baguettes and you can eat them fresh from the oven. The supermarket is also selling a new garden plant range with prices starting from £1.99. Green-fingered shoppers can buy the bedding plants and flowering plants, which are perfect for brightening up flowerbeds, hanging baskets and window boxes this summer. Prices start from just £1.99 and the plants have already hit the famous middle aisle - just in time for the summer season. Lidl is also stocking large perennials for just £4.99, and Hibiscus plants for only £6.99, which will add colour and height to any patio or garden display. The chain is also selling a £6 foldable backpack that is perfect for Ryanair flights this summer. Shoppers can snap up the travel essential now at their local Lidl. The 20litre capacity bag comes with a three-year warranty and unfolded measures H42.5 × W28 × D17cm. When not in use, it folds into its own pocket so you can pack it away into your hold luggage with no fuss - ideal for flights. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Telegraph
My son's lack of credit card saw him denied our hire car at the airport
Dear Gill, Last October I booked and paid for a hire car on Crete through Holiday Autos, nominating my son Robin as the main driver. As Robin does not hold a credit card, I chose a car firm that would accept a debit card. The rental cost £393 and included an insurance policy with AXA to cover the damage excess charge. On arrival at the Centauro rental desk, the agent insisted that Robin produce a credit card as security otherwise the car would not be released to us. This is despite showing proof that Robin had the necessary funds in his bank account. My son's partner offered to become the lead driver, as she had a credit card, but this was refused. We contacted Holiday Autos customer services and they spoke directly to the Centauro agent, but to no avail. Despite complaining to Holiday Autos, we have failed to get a refund for the original rental. Can you help? – John Muggridge Dear John, Holiday Autos is part of the CarTrawler organisation and, to its credit, it did investigate John's complaint efficiently, especially as he had taken out its Premium Customer Support for an extra €5 at the time of booking. However, Centauro was adamant that Robin didn't have sufficient funds in his bank account to cover the €1,400 (£1,180) damage deposit. I have seen proof that €1,400 had been deposited into his account the previous day. However, it would appear that the agent wasn't happy that this sum demonstrated that sufficient funds would remain after holiday spending to cover any damage, and so she refused to release the car. Although Robin had taken out insurance to reduce his excess to zero with AXA, if the car had suffered damage he would still have had to pay Centauro's invoice, and claim the cost back from AXA. Nearly all car rental companies – now including Centauro – demand a credit card so that a damage deposit can be ring-fenced against spending through the pre-authorisation process (a practice also introduced by accommodation providers). A few do still accept debit cards as security, but rather than ring-fencing the deposit, they will debit the damage excess amount from the card and it is not always refunded speedily following the car's return. Given the continuing lack of clarity on Centauro's own website, I asked Holiday Autos to take the issue up with the company at a higher level. Holiday Autos was aware of Centauro's recent change of policy to refuse debit cards, and recognised the confusion this may have caused. 'We remain committed to supporting our customers through their rental experience,' said a Holiday Autos spokesperson, 'and in this instance as a gesture of goodwill we have processed a full refund.' Your travel problems solved Gill takes on a different case each week – so please send your problems to her for consideration at asktheexperts@ Please give your full name and, if your dispute is with a travel company, your address, telephone number and any booking reference. Gill can't answer every question, but she will help where she can and all emails are acknowledged.
