The Tour of Britain 2009 sees two stages taking place in the south west of England which is the first in the Tour’s history. Taking place over eight days from 12th September 2009 and Somerset County Council and Devon County Council are working in partnership to bring the race to the region on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th September 2009. The full route will be announced on Tuesday 12th May 2009. The one stage in the south west last year saw 107,000 spectators and brought an extra £1.8 million spend. The extra day this year will build on the success of previous years and will be a much needed boost to the economy. The Somerset County Council’s Tour of Britain project manager comments ‘It is a privilege for Somerset and Devon to host two days of this world famous event and it is a great opportunity to put the spotlight on the region.”
Monthly Archives: April 2009
The hunt is on in Scotland!
Somewhere in Scotland, a £10,000 gold and diamond mouse is buried, a love token seemingly hidden by Robbie Burns for his lover, ‘Clarinda’. Letters and a painting that give clues as to its whereabouts are published on a web site. The race is on to solve the bard’s cryptic billet doux and unearth the precious jewel!
According to the creators of ‘Bequest’, Robbie Burns was given the keepsake by an unnamed Scottish Earl. During a journey around Scotland he hid it for the benefit of Agnes McLehose, the subject of his unconsummated love – the ‘Clarinda’ he wrote to as her ‘Sylvander’. The letters, giving the clues as to where it was buried, were intercepted by Burns’ wife Jean, and hidden. They have recently emerged from her armoire, bought at a furniture sale.
Whether the story is fact or fantasy, the mouse is a reality. In order to find it, treasure seekers must log on to a web site www.burnsbequest.co.uk, pay a nominal £10 fee and make their deductions from the letters published there by story creator John Keiller from Cromarty, who designs web sites when he isn’t reading Burns. Alongside the letters on the web site is a painting by Ross-shire pop artist Michael Forbes. The painting also contains clues which come and go during the life of the web site.
Bequest has been put together by Joe Gibbs, co-promoter of Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (7th & 8th August 2009), a whacky, independent festival of music and performing arts in the Highlands (Beauly, Inverness-shire), now in its sixth year. This year’s festival goers will get an advantage over other Bequest treasure hunters, as the final clues and version of the painting will be unveiled at the festival 72 hours before they appear on the web site.
Picture of the day: Kendal Parish Church
Today’s picture of the day is of Kendal Parish Church in Kendal, Cumbria. The central aisle of the church is 800 years old and additional aisles were added in the centuries that followed. In its heydey, the church accommodated a congregation of more than 1,000 worshippers.
Picture of the day: Llangorse Lake, Brecon
Today’s picture of the day is of Llangorse Lake near Brecon, Powys. This wonderful lake is the largest natural lake in South Wales and is a haven for wildlife, most notably the giant-crested grebe. The lake is also used for a multitude of activities, from fishing to sailing and other watersports.
Enjoy Ascot in style with Macdonald Hotels
The Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa, the nearest 4-star hotel to the Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire has special accommodation, entertainment and hospitality packages for racegoers during the Royal Meeting (16th–20th June 2009) ensuring guests are close to the excitement. Overnight accommodation with breakfast starts from £275 for two sharing a double/twin room on Friday and Saturday and £395 from Tuesday to Thursday.
Located within gated landscaped grounds, the hotel has played host to Ascot guests for over 100 years and continues to cater for top jockeys, owners and trainers during the week. Its bars and public areas abound with horse-racing memorabilia while most function rooms are named after famous Ascot horses or races.
A pre-race Champagne breakfast at £22.50 per person is also available for non-hotel residents from 7 – 11am on each day of the Royal Meeting, providing an ideal start to the racing day. A Royal luncheon is served from 11.45am until 2.30pm at £45, while in the evening there’s a range of dinner options with an a la carte menu prepared by the hotel’s AA Rosette team of chefs, plus live entertainment Tuesday – Friday. And for those preferring to dine outside there’s a smart roof terrace extending from the Hyperion Restaurant – all ensuring racegoers can enjoy ‘Royal’ treatment before or after a day at the course.
May Bank Holiday deals from Superbreak
Here are some May Bank Holidays deals just in from Superbreak:
3* Sachas Hotel – City Rooms, Manchester, £29.50pp
A location for shopping addicts, right in the centre of Manchester’s shopping precinct with all major department stores, theatres and restaurants a few minutes walk away!
3* Norbreck Castle (2 Night Offer & 2 dinners), from £65.00pp
Located on Queen’s Promenade, a short tram ride from Blackpool’s town centre. The hotel has a vast range of facilities from an indoor heated swimming pool to aerobics studio and beauty treatment rooms.
4* Radisson Edwardian Vanderbilt Hotel, London, 2 nights from £109.00pp
Located in a prime location within South Kensington, this fantastic offer is available now! Book this Radisson Edwardian Hotel and benefit from two exclusive discounts at Liberty’s and Hamleys.
3* Novotel, Leeds, 2 nights for the price of 1, from £43.60pp
This AA 3 star hotel is located in the centre of Leeds. Only a few minutes walk from the train station, shops, museums, theatres and nightlife!
3* Charlecote Pheasant, Stratford, 3 nights for 2, from, £83.34pp
Only a short distance from Stratford-upon-Avon and with easy access to Warwick. Hotel facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool and tennis courts.
3* The Yorkshire Hotel, Harrogate, 3 nights for the price of 2 £115.67pp Fabulous position in the very heart of the town, yet overlooking the Stray parkland and the famous Betty’s tea rooms. Harrogate has a wealth of shops, restaurants and bars, all are within a short distance.
Picture of the day: Columbia Road Flower Market, London
Today’s picture of the day is of Columbia Road Flower Market in Tower Hamlets, London. This is a gardeners’ paradise and an absolute must for anyone with green-fingered tendancies! Everying from herbs to flowering plants to trees – and much more beyond – can be found here.
Have you discovered Guernsey yet?
Guernsey’s 100 miles of coastline, with its mix of rocky headlands, sandy beaches and numerous shipwreck sites, is an explorer’s paradise in itself. It’s no wonder The Channel Islands, according to Expedia’s new monthly Travel Hotspots Barometer, was Britain’s holiday destination of choice in February. Discover Guernsey for yourselves with Red Carnation Hotels‘ fantastic all-inclusive packages from £302 per person, including two nights accommodation, return airfares from London Gatwick, breakfast, dinner and car hire.
Free Champagne offer from De Vere Slaley Hall Hotel
De Vere Slaley Hall Hotel, set in 1000 acres of Northumberland countryside, is the perfect setting for a well deserved break. And until the end of June 2009 you can enjoy a luxurious overnight stay with breakfast and a 3 course dinner from only £179 per room. Plus, to make your stay extra special you will receive FREE Champagne, chocolates and strawberries. To book, visit devere-hotels.co.uk quoting promo code ‘W17′.
Picture of the day: Golden Cross, Gloucester
Today’s picture of the day is of Golden Cross in Gloucester, Gloucestershire. This building is a fine townhouse from the Elizabethan era. It includes beautiful details such as ornamental panelling, and upper storeys which jetty out over the street. Today this beautiful piece of architecture serves as the Golden Cross pub and a shop.
