This year's Tour de France may have been ruined by doping scandals but a new city bike scheme has taken off in a big way. The "Velib" - short for "free bike" - programme launched in Paris this month has been a runaway success, allowing thousands of Parisians and visitors to leave their cars at home and pedal to work or to the shops.
Irish passengers were among those on a cruise holiday which ended abruptly after an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease on board the vessel. Two passengers on the cruise ship, operated by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, have tested positive for Legionnaires' disease, a spokeswoman confirmed as the ship docked at Dover two days early.
The five women and two men who fell ill on board were transferred to hospital in Stockholm where two tested positive for the bacteria. One of the passengers, Breda Somers (61), from Kilkenny, said: "After a meeting with the captain we were all asked not to have showers so we washed the old-fashioned way using a basin. Everyone was happy enough after it got discussed with the captain."
Psst
A temporary bridge has been put in place in Leenane, Co Galway, to replace the bridge washed away last month so drivers can avoid a detour of up to 100km.
Seek out or avoid: share your holiday tip by e-mail: august@irish-times.ie
