Yotel has announced plans to open its first two “cabin hotels” inside Gatwick’s South Terminal and Heathrow’s Terminal 4. Each cabin will be 10 square metres, with a double bed, “mood lighting”, pull-down desks, a monsoon shower, a flatscreen TV, a choice of downloadable movies, WiFi access and web booking facilities. Cabins will also be bookable in blocks of four hours for pre- and post-flight chillouts. Prices for four hours start at £25 and overnight from £40, at www.yotel.com.

ANGRY ARMY

As 40,000 members of England’s Barmy Army laid siege to Brisbane last week, angry cricket fans slammed “chaotic” security arrangements around the city’s Gabba stadium.

Few fans arriving at the stadium were aware that backpacks had been banned, and hundreds missed the first overs of the opening day while queuing to transfer belongings to airport-style plastic bags. The Barmy Army’s official trumpeter was ejected for smuggling in his instrument.

Many England fans, some of whom have spent more than £7,000 on their three-month Australian odyssey, watched the cricket from Brisbane’s bars after failing to secure tickets.

BERGS AHOY

Catch them while you can. A spectacular clump of icebergs that has broken away from the Ronne Ice Shelf, in Antarctica, is providing New Zealand with another natural tourist attraction. One of the huge blocks, big enough for sightseeing helicopters to land on its flat plain, has been visible from Dunedin, South Island — the first time this has occurred since 1931. Helicopters Otago (www.helicoptersotago.co.nz) is running six trips a day at £175pp to the bergs, which are now 60 miles offshore.

But hurry if you want to catch a scene worthy of an Attenborough documentary — oceanographers say they may be gone by Christmas.

CHILL OUT FOR LESS

It may seem a long way off, but if you act now, you can save money on next August’s Big Chill festival. The mix of music and mellowness, in the grounds of Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, is holding 2006 prices for an early release of 5,000 tickets, with adults at £120 and children at £60. Call 0870 066 7733 or visit www.bigchill.net.