Table talk
Honour among thieves
A Leeds hotel is promoting a 48-hour "honesty break", so guests who are tempted to pilfer souvenirs from their bedroom can now do so with a clear conscience - by paying for them in advance. Included in the price at De Vere's Village Hotel and Leisure Club is a selection of complimentary reminders of their stay: a bathrobe, a giant towel, a hairdryer, a selection of miniatures, and any number of light bulbs, toilet rolls, ashtrays and teaspoons. Perhaps the hotel is underestimating the thrill of getting something for nothing.
Swap shock horror
Are swinger parties all the rage in York, we wonder? A reader recently told us about the prickly response he got while trying to book a hotel for his family and friends, who organise get-togethers twice a year. David Mitchem writes: "Having recently spent an excellent weekend at the Pier House, Charlestown, in Cornwall, we decided our next venue would be York. Telephoning one likely hotel to book six double bedrooms for the weekend, the receptionist told me: ‘I'm sorry, but we don't do that sort of thing'."
A big eater who's just too much to stomach
Eighteen-stone PK Rappai, who commands £130 appearance fees at eating competitions, has been banned from every all-you-can-eat buffet in the southern Indian state of Kerala. One restaurant chain has put up "Beware of Rappai" posters in all its outlets. The 60-year-old man eats 70 rice cakes for breakfast, washed down with two litres of tea, has two lunches sufficient for 20 people, a mountain of fried semolina for high tea and 40 parathas (fried unleavened bread) for dinner. At one restaurant, he cleaned out the kitchens and then demanded more. A fight broke out and police were called. But officers ruled in his favour and the chef was ordered to start cooking afresh until the big eater was satisfied.
Blob on the landscape in Glasgow
Glasgow's new Radisson SAS hotel has been described as an ugly monstrosity, and it hasn't even opened yet. Locals have christened it the Big Green Blob since scaffolding came down to reveal its 180ft curved copper fa‡ade, from which a block of bedrooms juts out. General manager Philip Mahoney admitted his initial reaction was "My God, how bizarre," but said the use of copper was widespread across Glasgow's rooftops. He added that it was an example of cutting-edge, radical architecture and believed Glaswegians would grow to love it.
Rome truths
Roman soldiers went to war on a bellyful of egg and pizza, according to archaeological analysis of Roman army toilets in Scotland. The dig has also revealed 120 early pizza ovens. Stone-lined pits were heated up, the ash raked out, and a dough mixed with vegetables was baked inside. Scientists have also discovered that Roman soldiers went to the toilet in pairs, presumably so that one could protect the other in the event of a surprise attack by opportunist natives.
