Quirky Traveller's Tales

In the fourth of the ‘Challenge Zoë’ activities for The Kendal Courier I had a sailing lesson with Outrun Sailing, based in Bowness on Windermere, on England’s longest lake in the heart of the Lake District.  Here’s the original of the article that originally appeared in the magazine.

“I can’t find the wind …” There was a slight note of hysteria in my voice as I wafted the wheel from side to side with no visible effect.  “Don’t worry – it’s gone away so let’s just relax and enjoy the view.” So said Simon, the totally chilled instructor for Outrun Sailing, where you can get RYA certified, charter a yacht for a celebration or organise a business day out.  I was having a couple of hours’ tuition to brush up my skills.  I love sailing on Windermere and used to race every Sunday, but hadn’t been out for ages. 

We took a nippy zodiac out to the mooring near Windermere Marina and got on board ‘The Adventurer’, a sleek 32 foot yacht with plenty of space to move around and a good sized cabin.  Simon gave a safety briefing that included what to do if he fell over – “don’t panic!” – then we motored out into the lake.  Simon demonstrated how to use the winches for the sheets (ropes) and gave a quick lesson in the quirky nautical terminology that all sailors like to baffle land-lubbers with.

It was an overcast afternoon but the morning’s rain had cleared and there was a light breeze. We hauled the two sails up - I’ve always found it difficult to know which way to turn a boat to make the most of the wind but Simon explained it all really clearly and soon we were slipping across the lake at a fair rate of knots.  With a large wheel which responded smoothly to the touch it was easy to steer the yacht.  There can surely be no lovelier place to spend time on the water than Windermere, with its little green isles, wooded shores, luxury Victorian houses and the glorious Lake District fells hovering above it all.

As we meandered from side to side along the lake, I got more confident and started to enjoy that wonderful sensation of being at one with the elements.  The rain held off and the skies gradually brightened.  Tacking, when you zig-zag from side to side to catch the wind, can seem annoying to those who love to go in a straight line and zoom along – but for those of us who like to take our time, with a light zephyr helping along, it’s a great way to enjoy the scenery.  And if there is a strong wind blowing then it can be both  fast and exhilarating – and occasional dangerous!  Not the case today …

Eventually we had to turn back; and it was then I got a tad panicky as I tried to find the elusive breeze.  The sun had come out and the wind had dropped completely.   Simon said, “Just relax. There’s nothing we can do – it’s the Zen of Sailing …”

So we sat back and enjoyed the scenery, birds wheeling overhead, a graceful ferry taking visitors around the lake and children shouting with glee as they paddled about in kayaks. Eventually the breeze picked up again and we slowly made our way back to shore, relaxed and invigorated by the little adventure on the water.

Read about the three previous Challenges: fun Tank Driving at Holmescales,  brilliant Golf Lesson at Carus Green and conquering a Lakeland Climbing Wall

Mölle harbour in Skåne, Sweden

I’ve never been there but the first impression of the quaint fishing harbour of Mölle on the west coast of Skåne, Sweden, is that I am in some New England seaside village.  Maybe it’s the old wooden houses painted in white with traditional red roofs which overlook the ever-changing ocean twirling and swooshing along its stone walls and sandy beaches.  Originally a prosperous fishing community in the 19th century, the village is now a popular holiday destination, with many Swedes having holiday homes in the area.  It has an elegantly relaxed air to it, with expensive yachts, speed boats and little dingies jostling side by side in front of quirky gift shops and cafes.  Majestically lording it over the scene is the historic ‘Grand Hotel’.  Built in 1909, it’s the perfect place to sip cocktails on the terrace after a refreshing swim.

Nearby Kullaberg Nature Reserve has a really dramatic coastal landscape. Its peninsula location makes it a big attraction for climbers from around the world and it has some excellent walking and bike trails.  I visited during the summer and had great fun abseiling down a (small) cliff and wandering through the beautiful countryside.   For a historic treat we visited the ancient city of Helsingborg with its impressive old Tower and beautiful palace overlooking Danish islands.  Not too far away is Ystad where Wallender struggles manfully to solve the numerous murders that take place with more regularity than in that other idyllic area, English Midsommer.  Maybe he needs to go to Mölle and just chill – I can highly recommend it.

For more info on this fascinating area check out Visit Sweden.

It takes a smart traveller to realise that you don’t have to jet off to exotic locations, battling check-in and the dreaded jetlag to experience a little luxury. If it’s wonderful spas you are looking for, boutique hotels like no other, or truly top class food, it is all here hidden away in the UK. Well we think it’s a good idea to keep much of it a secret so shh! Don’t tell anyone and here are a few of the luxury spots that we have discovered which are too good to tell everyone about.

Treglyddins Cottage by Latitude 50

1. Stay in a Luxury Holiday Cottage in Cornwall

Whether you are sneaking away for a luxury weekend with your other half or taking the whole family, you will be able to find a great luxury holiday cottage in Cornwall. We love Latitude 50, who have some great holiday cottages on offer like Treglyddins is a wonderful house that sleeps 8, has its own swimming pool and is a pleasant 5 minutes walk from the shops in Rock. It boasts a beautiful garden, decked patio area for al fresco eating on warm summer evenings and for cooler nights, an inglenook fireplace with wood-burning stove. If you are a smaller party try the cute Pentire Cottage, which is a fairytale cottage with all modern luxuries and the most gorgeous of gardens. And the real luxury? There is no one to disturb you and you’ll never miss breakfast not matter how late you decide to lie in!

Daylesford Organic Farm Shop

2. Visit Daylesford Organic Farm, Gloucestershire

Treat yourself to some delicious organically grown goodies in the Daylesford Organic Farm Shop, from artisan baked bread to freshly cut flowers, to jams pickles and preserves and so much more.  For the best deep relaxing massages, heavenly facials and some simply divine yoga and Pilates classes we recommend you get booked in at the Hay Barn Spa, which is just next door. Daylesford does have everything  – treat yourself to a cookery course and take that luxury feeling home with you as you recreate delicious seasonal dishes for years to come.

3. Stay in ‘Rosie’ the Gypsy Caravan in Dorset

Rosie the Gypsy Caravan

Surrounded by horses and chickens and stunning views of the Dorset countryside you can enjoy this beautiful restoration of a 1934 Gypsy Caravan at The Old Forge. Rosie is cosy and romantic and everything is set out to cater for your every comfort. Breakfast is included and the hosts Tim and Lucy have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming and helping guests to feel most at home.

4. Dine at The Ledbury, ranked 14 in the World’s Best Restaurants.

The Ledbury Restaurant

 It is no small accolade to be ranked as number 14 in the world and for that we are very grateful to have The Ledbury here on home turf. It is a truly world class restaurant guaranteed to give you a proper fine dining experience. Head Chef Brett Graham is both talented and creative and it shows through in huge measure in his food.  From Roasted Scallops with Fennel, Liquorice and Elderflower, to Dover Sole with Thyme Milk Skin, Mussels and Roast Cauliflower, to the Brown Sugar Tart, with Poached Grapes and Stem Ginger Ice Cream, we are sure you will savour every mouthful.

5. Charter Your Own Motor Yacht for the Day

Yacht Charter – Outrun Sailing, Lake Windermere

Live the lifestyle of the Riviera right here in lovely Britain and charter your own yacht for a day and maybe even a night too. You will have everything you need on board so you can just enjoy lapping up the ultimate of luxury, whilst your very own skipper takes care of everything. Step off for lunch and even stay overnight to make the experience one to truly remember.

These are just a few of the many wonderful luxury experiences just waiting to be discovered throughout the UK.  Get out this summer and see what others you can uncover …

This post is brought to you by Latitude 50, who have a wide  selection of great holiday cottages in North Cornwall.

You’d have to have had your head in the sand for a very long time to of missed the news the Olympics are coming!  The hype around them has been huge, with the critics concerned about astronomical costs and possible problems, whilst keen sporting fans and those with tickets are simply excited at the prospect of getting to witness one of the greatest sporting events on earth!

Donkeys on the beach at Mablethorpe

We’re not adverse to a bit of sporting fun ourselves, but if like us you didn’t get tickets – don’t despair! You can catch some of the best events on telly and we are here to help you out with other ways that you can make use of that time and still have brilliant fun! So, check out the events that you want to watch and then take a look at some of the quirky and interesting alternatives to the Olympics that we have discovered…

1.  Visit Some Great English Pubs

The Trout Inn, Oxfordshire

 There is nothing quite like a good British Pub in the summer, so why not visit a few with wonderful gardens? The combination of a good pint of ale or a chilled glass of wine and some salty snacks, surrounded by the murmur of good pub conversation can’t be beaten. Here are a few of our absolute favourites, all with great outside space:

The Trout Inn, Oxfordshire, has a wonderful garden and overlooks the Thames. Just lovely, especially if the sun’s shining.  The Faltering Fullback, London, has a great decked out door area, with lots of flowers and greenery too. This is a proper old-fashioned boozer, but has a good Thai kitchen as well. Perfect on a sunny day and sports are often shown here too.  Buddle Inn, Isle of Wight – has a huge garden with great views to the sea. Their list of real ales is impressive and their food is pretty excellent too

2. Discover Wainright’s Walks in the Lake District

The Lake District – photo by eGuideTravel

 What could be a better time to get out and walk in the beautiful Lake District? Discover why Alfred Wainwright loved it so much and uncover his stunning walks using his equally impressive guides. There are plenty of routes to choose from and most of his walks are available online, or you can buy his beautiful pictorial guides as books and take these with you. Have a look at late cottage deals and see if you can pick up somewhere great to stay whilst your there.

 3. ‘Hang Ten’ On A Surf Trip to Cornwall

Surfing – photo by True Places

Surfing is great fun, not too expensive and pretty much anyone can try it. It’s a brilliant family activity too – the kids will probably be standing up way before you and they are sure to enjoy watching mum and dad get wobbled around in the waves! Fistral beach in Newquay is a good beginners spot, but if you want to beat the crowds try Holywell Bay, it’s a little less well known and can be less busy. Why not check out late availability cottages and find yourself a lovely spot to stay and make your surfing trip a good break away.

4. Go Ape! In The Forest of Dean

 Why not uncover your wild side and go for a treetop adventure in the Forest of Dean. This is a really quirky and fun day out, that will bring you lots of laughs and get you out of your comfort zone, as you climb high wires and traverse through the tree-tops on this high-up assault course. It’s brilliant fun!

5. Have A Go At Sailing In Norfolk

You don’t actually have to be an expert to get lots of pleasure out of this wonderful maritime activity. Norfolk has a whole host of sailing schools where you can hire little dinghies or make up part of the crew on a larger boat. Don’t forget to chat about the day’s adventures with a drink in a good seaside pub afterwards- after all this is half the fun!

6. See The Lone Twin Boat Project

The Lone Twin Boat Project

If physical activities are not really your bag then how about taking advantage of the many other cultural activities happening around the country to support the Olympics. As part of the London 2012 Festival there will be events all over the country from art, comedy, dance fashion, film food, music and performance. Were going to make sure we see the ‘Lone Twin Boat Project’. Last year a team of boat builders took donations from the public of the Southeast and with incredible skill and the help of some brave volunteers have created a seaworthy vessel. Check out the London 2012 Festival website for details of where you can see it

7. Catch Some Comedy in Cardiff.

Also as part of 2012 Festival is Laurence Clark’s Comedy Show, in Cardiff, where he will pose the question why do people call disabled people inspirational for just getting on with everyday activities?! It promises to be really funny, totally disarming and hugely refreshing, whilst making fun of the reach for the sky mentality – Clark talks about just getting on with life instead. This one will make you laugh ‘til your sides hurt.

8. Bounce Stonehenge! On The Artist Jeremy Deller’s Amazing Art Piece.

Also as part of Festival 2012, the Artist Jeremy Deller has created a wonderful interactive sculpture that is touring the country. In this playful piece that is sure to capture the imaginations of children and irreverent adults alike, we, the public, get the chance to bounce on a full size replica of the countries most famous historical artefact. Brilliant!

9. Visit the real Stonehenge

Stonehenge – photo by Litas World

One of the things that gets people all hot under the collar when it comes to the Olympics is the sheer sense of history surrounding the games, well why not carry this theme on and explore some of Britain’s great historical sites? You could visit the real Stonehenge in Wiltshire – just remember not to try to bounce on this one!

This post was brought to you by Late Lettings who specialise in the best late availability holiday cottages in the UK and beyond!

The Rough Guide to The Titanic by Greg Ward

THE TITANIC: The Legend – The Controversies – The Awful Truth … this is the jacket blurb on the cover of Greg Ward’s excellent Rough Guide to the The Titanic – what really happened on the Titanic, before, during and after the tragedy that struck a hundred years ago.  It’s impossible to avoid the name of that ship at the moment; it’s more potent news than any footballer’s infidelity or X-Factor judge’s faux pas.  Having watched with increasing confusion and disappointment, Julian Fellowes’  TV series, heard passengers’ letters and stories out on the radio, read reams of copy in the daily and Sunday newspapers, seen endless tweets and FB mentions, NOT booked my ticket for the 3D remake of the Cameron film and managed to avoid the macabre Titanic parties being held around the country … you might have thought that reading a book about the disaster would be the last thing I’d choose to do.

But actually, it’s possibly the very best way to get to grips with the enormity of what happened in the tragedy that cost the lives of 1,514 people and has affected so many more in the ensuing years.  Although this book comes under the Rough Guide imprint, it actually reads more like a historical documentary. Questions answered include:

• Why was she built in the first place?
• What were the warning signs before she had left harbour?
• Did the band really play on as the ship was sinking?
• Who fired the gunshots as the lifeboats were loading?
• Were third class passengers locked below decks, unable to escape?
• Was it really Women & Children first?
• What happened during the rescue attempts?
• If the Titanic was ‘unsinkable’ why did she never complete her maiden voyage?
• What was revealed during the trial and subsequent investigation?

By following the chronological events we gradually get more involved with this story that demonstrates human fallibility and the lessons that were ignored.  Very near the start of the tale we learn of a number of errors that happened before the Titanic set sail to American – had they been addressed earlier would the ship have still sunk?

One of the elements of the book that really adds to our understanding of the life and times of the early 20th century are the information boxes, contemporary adverts, diagrams, statistics and fascinating facts scattered generously throughout the book.  The ‘Miracle of ‘Wireless’ explains how Marconi’s invention helped catch Dr Crippen, the infamous murderer, and played a key role in the drama – not always in the most positive way.  In  ’A Floating Menagerie’ we learn that there were between twelve and fourteen dogs on board, three of which are believed to have been saved and discover the truth about the ‘pet pig’.

Survivors on the Carpathia c/o Greg Ward

Mini-biographies of key players, victims and survivors in the disaster bring a poignant realism; chief designer Thomas Andrews, millionaire John Jacob Astor IV, the ‘Unsinkable Molly Brown’, the mythic Stoker and even a ‘real-life Jack and Rose. Captain Smith’s conduct before, during and after the sinking, is dissected in anatomical detail.   The question of to what extent he should bear or share responsibility is possibly one of the best analysis there is on this controversial subject.  Step by step the reader gets taken through the awful events of the iceberg collision, the realisation of imminent death, the scramble for life and the eventual rescue of the lucky 710 survivors by the Carpathia and other ships.

Bringing the story up to date, Greg Ward looks at the more recent discovery of the wreck and expeditions to explore the remains and attempts to safeguard the site.  The book explores and answers many of the ‘Questions, Controversies and Conspiracies’ and the role the Media has played, not only in reporting the accident but in creating the mythical story that The Titanic has become.

If you’d like to find out more, visit Greg Ward’s Blogtanic and visit Titanic Belfast, where the ship is brought to life in a new interactive exhibition arena at the Harland & Wolff shipyard, birthplace of RMS Titanic.