Our overnight return trip to Sydney flying on Qantaslink from Dubbo to see John Cleese and Eric Idle and staying in a nice hotel never got off the ground, literally. Seated on the plane ready to go we were informed that our pilot, when doing his pre-flight ground check of the plane, had been stung by a bee.

Finally we got the bad news that the pilot could not fly, following medical advice from head office, and subsequently the flight was cancelled.

Qantaslink staff were very helpful considering some passengers had connections that were not going to happen and we were advised we would be fully reimbursed for the airfare, which was later done.

Having bought travel insurance we mistakenly believed that we would be able to claim the hotel stay and theatre tickets which came to about $650.

Ah, but none of the insurance claim criteria had a tick box clause that said: "Could not fly due to the pilot being stung by a bee". And we missed Eric Idle singing, Always look on the bright side of life.

You know the rest.

Greg & Elizabeth Adelt, Dubbo, NSW

SNOW JOB

Mean-spiritedness at customs and immigration is not isolated to Australia (Traveller Letters). On a return trip from Zurich, we had to go through Heathrow where, having aroused suspicion with my hand luggage (I was mystified as to the reason and said so), it was found I had a child's snow dome complete with spotted cow and synthetic grass bought at duty free at Zurich Airport.

Did they let me keep it? No. I was told as it didn't have the liquid content stated on the base it had to go. How mean can you be? No flexibility, no negotiation, no assessment as to my real likelihood of being a terrorist and no acknowledgement of the receipt for the item.

Marilyn Christianson, Artarmon, NSW

WHAT ROOM SERVICE

Arriving at a hotel in London at 1.50pm after travelling from the other side of the world I was confronted with the statement: "Rooms are available from 2pm, so you will have to wait."

What is this about the magical "2pm room availability". Are hotel rooms on time locks? Why have we not moved to a 24-hour system as they have in some hotels in Dubai? Let us have some innovation to reflect the needs of today's travellers.

Roy D Palmer, Southbank, VIC

YOU LITTLE BOOTY

I too, like Les Smith (Traveller Letters), wouldn't travel without my Blundies 500. They are versatile. However, the key benefit is them being waterproof.

Over the years I have worn them in Chicago snow, through floods in Vietnam and Cambodia, on the cobbled streets of Prague, in London drizzle, through tropical downpours, trips on the Eurostar and to Broadways shows, restaurants in SoHo, not to mention temples and cathedrals the world over – all with dry feet.

Bliss.

Philip Smith, Waterloo, NSW

Les Smith, I have worn Blundstone 500s my entire adult life (about six pairs) and hiking boots they are not. They are versatile replacements for thongs at the beach or slippers at the camping park toilet facilities. They are also fine for a cafe in Smith Street, Collingwood.

But because of their deliberately loose fit anything more than 15 kilometres-a-day, serious walking, leads to blisters and smart hikers leave their Blundies for when they get back to town.

Jon Breedon, Brighton, VIC

Further to Les Smith's experiences with a certain brand of hiking book, I have no experience with the Blundstone brand. However, I trekked the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal in 2014 and took with me a pair of almost new Rivers "Hike and Bike" boots, acquired in Sydney for less that $50.

My trekking partners used a range of brands from other recognised mountaineering apparel suppliers, and sports shoe companies. From latter conversations, these were purchased at prices in the range of $150-$200.

In the course of 12 days trekking, inclusive of wading through streams etc and several days of rain, the shoes of two of my trekking partners deteriorated to the point of being worthless.

Chris Evennett, Greenwich NSW

NAME THAT TUNE

I fly Qantas a lot and it is a terrific airline with fantastic service but I do have one pet peeve. Why does it play loud pop music at the beginning and end of every flight?

I can't tell you how painful it is listening to Fame, She's A Maniac and You Make Me Feel Mighty Real blasting out at midnight in Dubai or at 7am in Sydney or Melbourne.

What's wrong with silence or being able to listen to your own preferred music?

Fiona Robson, Paddington, NSW

GRAPE ESCAPE

We are currently on a trip to Canada and thoroughly enjoying its many wines. We've tried many varieties unavailable or rare in Australia and though they say their industry is still young they aren't behind with quality.

The big surprise was that Air Canada does not serve Canadian wines on its flights, certainly not in economy class anyway. We were told that Canadians prefer French wines. Air Canada should start trying to convert the Canadians and their wine producers should be complaining too.

Narelle Niven, Tumbi Umbi, NSW

WEIGHTY MATTERS

I am sick of getting my carry-on luggage down to the seven-kilograms limit (Traveller Letters), only to see dozens of others getting on with their wheel-aboard case, plus shoulder bag, handbag and a back pack.

I agree the 7kg limit is a bit harsh – and the former 10kg limit on Jetstar was better – but all power to airlines like Jetstar for nowadays enforcing a level playing field.

John F Gibson, Ballina, NSW