Just recently we’ve been looking for a new home here in the USA. Renting is expensive, I didn’t like the pool man and the refrigerator needed to be cleaned, so obviously we had to look for somewhere else, maybe a little more permanent. And of course there’s the problem of the nightgowns. I need a closet of a decent size for them, and probably another one for my robes, and that’s before we get to handbags, hats and everything else.  Space is useful, especially if you’re plus size like me (it’s good to be in scale with your surroundings) and have  a very large dog (have I mentioned him before?)  I also need space for husband, mother and two children, but that’s a different problem. Back to the nightgowns.

Apparently one of the great things about the USA is the choice of property, there are even a few bargains to be had right now. According to forbes.com some properties are going for less last years asking price: it’s now possible to pick up a 21,897 square foot Jacobean manor for only $60 million, not the $125 million it was valued at last year!

So what to choose?  A Beverly Hills estate modeled after the Palace of Versailles for only $125 million, but who wants an imitation?  Albermarle House in West Virginia is on the market for only $100 million and looks charming, but 300 acres might be quite a lot to maintain, so my vote would have to go to Aaron Spelling’s home in Los Angeles. At $150 million it’s the most expensive home in the USA, but since it’s coming up the Christmas I think the dedicated present wrapping room is pretty essential, don’t you? The entire floor which is given over to closet space should just about be enough for all the nightgowns.

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aveburyaerialAvebury, with all its Arthurian and mystic connections, is one of those places that can genuinely be called fascinating without any fear of travel writer’s hyperbole. Far less famous than its less impressive cousin Stonehenge, the Avebury stone circle is actually the largest in Europe and, again unlike Stonehenge, is completely accessible, both by road and by air. It is a place with a unique atmosphere and an ability to make hairs stand on the back of the most cynical of necks. As the site covers 28 acres it is difficult to appreciate it as a whole from the ground. Only by air can you appreciate the overall plan of the site, only on foot can you feel the atmosphere and touch the stones. Ideally you should do both. 
 Archaeologists tell us that prehistoric Avebury took shape over 600 years, eventually becoming a huge monument consisting of two small stone circles surrounded by  a large stone circle of at least 98 stones, some weighing more than 60 tonnes. This outer stone circle is surrounded by a ditch with a high bank. The circle of stones is visible from the air, but more striking is the huge ditch and its accompanying mound. Excavations have shown that the ditch is now only a third of its original 30 foot depth, while the earth work surrounding the circle would have towered a good twenty to twenty five feet above that, a huge project for people who had only primitive tools to mould their monument from the surrounding chalk. 

Stonehenge, which is now so famous that it is impossible to visit or fly over, would fit inside the Avebury circle approximately 130 times.   

Avebury suffered in the middle ages when local people found a way to break the huge standing stones and carried them off to incorporate in buildings. Other were virtually buried under the rubbish of the era, yet enough remained to leave the site impressive, and King Charles II visited it and walked up nearby Silbury Hill early in his reign.
 
Two avenues of stones completed the monument and linked it with others which (although no longer visible) made up a huge Neolithic complex, such that some have speculated that Avebury was the capitol of the country in prehistoric times.
 
The mystery of Avebury is its purpose. Although it is possible to find many astronomical alignments in relation to the stones, no-one is certain what the circle was for especially since at the time of its construction its most striking feature would have been the ditch and surrounding mound, not the stones themselves.  It is strange to think that when the Romans conquered Britain, bringing with them roads and other aspects of ‘civilisation’, the stone circle at Avebury was already unbelievably ancient, dating from around 2500 B.C
 
Later legends have associated Avebury with King Arthur, his father Uther Pendragon and the earlier kings. Geoffrey of Monmouth, the originator of many of the King Arthur stories does not distinguish between Avebury and Stonehenge. Given the age of the stones it does not seem surprising that if Merlin were to choose a place of great significance to declare the young Arthur King before all the lower Kings of Britian, Avebury may have been that place. Hence the stones take their place with Tintagel and Glastonbury in the Arthurian legend, fuelled further by the existence of  Merlin’s mound, where the legendary magician was imprisoned by the Lady of the Lake,  just a few miles away in the grounds of Marlborough college. Marlborough itself, one of the most ancient boroughs in Britain, supposedly takes its name from the hill or as it was known, Merlin’s Barrow.
 
We all learn about the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans in school history. We learn about the Norman’s, the War of the Roses, the Tudors, the Stewarts and onwards to modern times, but the ancient peoples of this island are largely ignored, their culture still shrouded in mystery.  Avebury is a site which reminds us of this islands long history, the builders of Avebury laboured long before Boadicea, before Rome, before even Homer, yet the monument remains relatively unknown, in the shadow of its smaller sister at Stonehenge.

It is likely that in the future this monument, like Stonehenge, will be fenced and protected. We suggest you visit while you still can.

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dromolandcastleWhat could be more magical or romantic than a night spent in a castle?  Ancient fables of battles won and lost, heroes and villains, love and despair surround every castle.  Its history becomes part of the fabric of the building, evoking an atmosphere charged with romance and creating the perfect backdrop for any special occasion.  Place that castle on a remote Irish coastline and the scene is set for a night to remember.
Finding that special castle hideaway doesn’t have to be just a wild romantic notion.  Companies such as Celtic Castles specialise in castle holidays.  From the privacy of a self-catering set up to the out-and-out luxury of a castle hotel, there are castles for you to stay in throughout Ireland.  So, if you were toying with the idea of whisking your lover away for an intimate weekend, here are a few to whet your appetite.
 

Ballyhannon Castle

Located just a twenty minute drive from Limerick City, and ten minutes from Shannon International Airport, Ballyhannon Castle is a self-catering medieval castle available for hire for a minimum two-night stay.  The nearby village of Quin has all the local amenities you will need, including shops, pubs and restaurants.  Base yourselves here and you can explore the wild beauty of Ireland’s west coast.  You will find a balanced mix of peace and quiet but the area’s attractions are also easily accessible.  Activities such as fishing, horse-riding, golf and walking are all available locally. 

Forget the tardis, stepping through the medieval archway of Ballyhannon Castle will transport you back in time six hundred years.  The castle was built in 1420 by the MacNamara clan for the Hannons as a reward for their loyalty and service.  For two hundred years the Hannons found sanctuary at Ballyhannon, but by the mid-1600s they had been dispossessed by Cromwell and the castle passed to his supporters and was eventually sold on to English settlers.
 

Ballyhannon Castle still retains an authentic feeling of history.  Furnished with antiques, historic features such as oak-beamed ceilings, a winding stone staircase and flagstone floors still remain.  If this is all starting to sound a little too 15th Century for you, then don’t worry.  Ballyhannon Castle has been discretely kitted out with all mod-cons, including under-floor heating.

 

There are three double bedrooms here, and each of them has a four-poster bed.  There is a small twin bedroom that would be suitable for kids.  And if you do decide to bring your family along, it is worth bearing in mind that Ballyhannon Castle also has a dungeon!

 

Rates for hiring the castle depend upon the season and length of stay but prices start at EUR1500.

 

Dromoland Castle Estate

Dromoland Castle is the last word in luxury.  One of Ireland’s supreme castle hotels, Dromoland delivers service that is second to none whilst the estate itself offers every amenity guests could wish for.

 

Dating from the 16th century, the castle is fine example of Renaissance architecture and at one time was the royal seat of the O’Brien clan.  1962 saw its transformation from castle to hotel.  Located just outside the village of Newmarket-On-Fergus, guests come here from all over the world to be pampered and relax in the Castle’s luxurious and historic surroundings.

 

Many historical features remain and each room is individually furnished and decorated to ensure each guest enjoys a unique experience.  The facilities at the Castle are second to none.  With its own estate and Country Club, guests can enjoy sporting activities such as fishing, riding, archery, clay-pigeon shooting and mountain-biking.  For those seeking a less active getaway, there is a spa with a full menu of treatments and a steam room.

 

For golfers, the Estate has its own 18-hole course on which to test your skills and expert tuition is on-hand should you decide your game could do with a little professional fine-tuning.

 

Rates at Dromoland Castle vary depending on room type and season but prices start from EUR225 per night.  A full list of accommodation options and prices is available on line.

 

Who Should I Take With Me?

As a holiday destination, Ireland has something for everyone.  Outdoor pursuits are great for families and kids will never get bored, add to that the novelty and excitement of staying in a castle and you’ve created the perfect family break.

 

Alternatively, if you are marking a special occasion, then the beauty and history of a castle holiday in Ireland is a great choice.  Long walks along windswept cliffs, curling up with a book by an open fire and ancient rooms with four-poster will make it a holiday you will never forget.
Find out more: www.celticcastles.com
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oxfordOxford is a fascinating City – and unlike it’s rival Cambridge, Oxford IS a city – the distinctive Cathedral is a part of Christchurch college – a strange hybrid between private College chapel and public Cathedral. Like Cambridge Oxford is famous for it’s Colleges, for their sporting triumphs and for their music, so much so that religious services at the Colleges (Evensong is a good example) are often regarded by visitors as tourist attractions. If that’s not your sort of thing, you might enjoy a rather more leisurely day out amongst the dreaming spires – floating gently along the Thames with a stop at a historic hostelry on the edge of the City.

On our last visit we forced ourselves to just such a journey – short flight to Oxford Kidlington, taxi to board the Bacchanalia, a delightful motor launch, and a gentle trip North crossing Port Meadow to the ancient village of Godstow. No excuse is needed to follow the route which is delightful, but if you need some cultural motivation for your relaxation take refuge in the fact that this was the route travelled by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) and Alice Liddell and her sisters. Throughout the journey he would tell the stories which eventually came together to form ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Alice through the looking-glass’.
The most Northerly point of the journey is the village of Godstow. There we viewed the
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Port Meadow, North of Oxford

ruins of the ancient priory on the banks fo the Thames and visited ‘The Trout’. This remarkable Inn (pub really doesn’t do it justice) is just the sort of thing you would expect to find in Oxford – old and deeply picturesque. Sitting on the banks of the Thames right at the lock, ‘The Trout’ is home to ducks, fish and most noticeably peacocks, who perch (if that’s the word) on the roof, and more improbably in the trees, and yell to each other in the most alarming tones. A great place to visit but beware the queues – the place is often very crowded and service can be extremely slow.

Just across the river are the ruins of Godstow priory. This is famous as the last resting place of Roasmund the Fair, the lady who gave her name to the rose, Rosa Munde. She was the mistress of Henry II and was left behind in England when he travelled to do battle with his son. Legend has it that the King kept her safe in a tower surrounded by a maze, but when he left England his jealous Queen, the famous Eleanor of Aquitaine, found her way through the maze and murdered Rosamund. According to legend the king then ordered a splendid tomb to be built at Godstow but this was destroyed by a Bishop who visited twenty years later and thought that the virtual veneration of Roasumnd he found was inappropriate. He ordered her remains taken outside the walls and so the ghost of Rosamund is said to walk the side of the Thames, still seeking rest……
We didn’t see Roasumnd on our trip, but we had a great time aboard the Bacchanalia. We hired the launch for a half day and enjoyed good food and champagne as we pottered along. The smallest of our party was around 5, and even she had a great time looking at the many ducks, birds and other wildlife along the way. If you have longer or a more important occasions to celebrate, you might like to have Sunday lunch (or saturday dinner if you are staying the night) on board the ‘Rosamund the Fair’. This is a purpose built narrow boat restaurant which travels the Oxford Canal around Banbury, which is a little to the North of Kidlington airport, as opposed to Oxford itself which is to the South. We haven’t tried it ourselves, but we plan to. This day out is sutiable for everyone, from the old (there is very little walking) to the young (life jackets are provided on the Bacchanalia) and although the scenery along the route is not dramatic, it is extremely pleasant and very relaxing. Although a flight to Kidlington from anywhere in the South East may not seem very challenging, it is precisely this sort of trip which you can use to acclimatise your family to travelling with you. The flight is short and, if it has to be called off because of the weather, you can make the trip by car. Children especially do not understand when trips they were looking forward to are cancelled, and they don’t really care that the weather is not within your control. Too many abandoned trips can really put them off flying, so it’s best to ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN B. Even if it’s nothing more than a visit to Wycombe’s TGI Fridays for a really big ice cream, or a visit to the local cinema.

http://www.rosamundthefair.co.uk/

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inverness_castleEnjoy a friendly atmosphere of Inverness and bask in highland hospitality at its finest. You can choose to stay at a bed and breakfast, an economy hotel or live in the lap of luxury at one of the four star establishments. There are also many guest cottages that you can rent for a day, a few days or even longer.

The Scottish countryside around Inverness has much to offer every visitor. The spectacular mountains, the tumbling rivers and the magical islands have everything you need for a relaxing vacation. Whether you want your days filled with action-packed adventure or you want to explore the history and culture of the area, Inverness has everything you need.

The castles of the highlands are not to be missed. Cawdor Castle in Nairn, a short distance from Inverness lets you enter a fairytale land that you only read about. This castle was built in 1370 and features superb gardens, a golf course, nature trails, a gift shop, restaurants and a picnic area. Inverness is an excellent base from which you can tour the outlying areas. In July, the Inverness Highland Games attracts thousands of visitors bringing a dramatic increase to the population of 41,000.
Urquhart CastleUrquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness is one of the largest castles in Scotland and although it is in a fair state of ruin, it does offer spectacular views of the Loch.

If you prefer to stay in the city, you can choose to tour the city yourself. Cross the suspension bridges that cross the River Ness and see the beautiful flower displays that have won the city the award for having the Best Large Town in the 1996 Bloom of Britain. The Ness Islands offer you solitude from the hustle and bustle of life in the city Across the river on the little bridges, you can visit Bught Park. At Floral Hall you can see an extravaganza of fish and flora as well as a waterfall. There are three golf courses for the golf enthusiast to tee off from. When in Scotland, you have to try the golf courses in the home country of this sport.

If you like cycling, you can rent a bicycle and try the Great Glen Cycle Route spanning the 24 miles from Inverness to Fort William. On the way you will pass by Loch Ness, where you just may catch a glimpse of the famous Nessie. You can also reach Loch Ness by taking a bus tour along a very scenic road that passes through many small villages. Stop at the scenic viewpoint at 1162 feet, from which you have a breathtaking view of the loch and the mountains.

The Landmark Heritage Park is one of the favorite attractions for families located on a 30 acre ancient pine wood. There is entertainment available here for all age groups, such as a visual show, a giant adventure playground, a fun forest maze and a roller coaster ride on a runaway raft.

There is a wide array of museums and art galleries to visit. The adventurous minded can try their hand at cliff climbing, sailing or canoeing. Shopping is pure delight with all the different specialty and craft stores to choose from. You certainly won’t go hungry with the many pubs and restaurants to choose from. Whether you want a light snack or dine in elegance, you will find it here in Inverness.

Make the decision to stay for a while and soak up the friendliness of the residents. You will be glad you did because you will make lasting friendships that will keep drawing you back to Inverness.

http://www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/inv-area.htm

http://www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/inv-area.htm

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goodwoodThe UK is home to a number of sporting events which are more than they seem. More than simply sport and more than simply an event, they are places to see and be seen, bastions of fashion and the social season. One event which has long been on this list is Glorious Goodwood, a series of race meetings held at the end of July. A sister event, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is also taking its place on the social Calendar.

Horse racing has taken place at Goodwood since 1801. Glorious Goodwood, comprises a number of famous flat races such as, the Nassau Stakes and the Sussex Stakes, 2 of the UK’s small number of group 1 flat races which attract the best horses and the highest prizes. The race track is challenging as well as beautiful and Glorious Goodwood is one of the highlights of the UK’s racing calendar.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the UK’s premier motorsport events. It began in 1993 and is not a circuit race, but a hill climb a classification which makes the event for more intimate than other major race events. The Festival of Speed is scheduled to be part of the international motorsport calendar and as a result attracts many drivers and teams, for example from Formula 1, and is usually an excellent opportunity to see a Formula 1 car up close.  One of the other most popular attractions is the Supercar Run for road-going supercars, which has been running since 2000. It is now common for speciality car manufacturers to show off their latest sports model, including newly released mass-produced sports models and working concept models. Other popular attractions  are  replicas of the Wacky Races cars,and the air displays which usually include the Red Arrows.

More details are available on the Goodwood web site at http://www.goodwood.co.uk

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 alderney_blond_hedgehogIf you love beaches, and uncrowded spaces,  the island of Alderney may be the ideal destination for you. Surrounded by long spectacular stretches of sand, Alderney is one place where you can be sure that children are safe, and you’ll find nothing in the sand or rock pools that nature didn’t put there. Longis Bay, guarded by a wall left over from the German occupation of the island, is one of the safest. The wall provides protection from the northerly wind and the water is the warmest around the island. Forty Seven miles from the UK and only eight miles off the coast of Normandy, Alderney is three and a half miles long and one and a half miles wide. The population of around 2400 lives mostly in the single town of St Annes.  Seafood abounds and the annual seafood festival is well worth a visit. Alderney is also home to a number of prominent tax exiles from the UK who take advantage of the islands proximity, gentle climate, friendly tax regime and privacy.  Although owing allegiance to the Crown, the island, like the other ‘Channel’ islands is outside the EU.  
As well as stretches of sand, Alderney is a haven of peace and tranquillity famous for its birds and plants which appear on the islands highly collectable stamps,. Most famous is the ‘blonde’ hedgehog, a beautiful animal with beady black eyes, creamy spines and a complete lack of fleas!The history of Alderney is equally fascinating. From Neolithic beginnings to the islands unusual association with the UK,  Alderney has a unique history. In the last war German Occupiers forced all the islanders to abandon their homes, a situation which would have seen the demise of many communities. Alderney has risen again largely due to the determination of the 2000 plus residents and now, despite a high cost of living, enjoys a low tax environment which makes the island attractive as a tax haven. 

Alderney Events.

Alderney is only a short ‘hop’ away across the channel and makes an easy day, or even lunch trip from the southern UK.  It is an excellent destination for private planes and yachts and the annual seafood festival, held in May each year (10th to 18th May in 2008) is well worth a visit.

Alderney Week, from the 2nd to the 10th of August, is the islands most popular festival, with a  genuine carnival atmosphere.

Alderney airport was built in 1938 to serve all the Channel islands. Information about the airport and its facilities can be gained from the Airport Manager – Keith Webster:  Tel +44 (0)1481 822624 – Fax +44 (0)1481 823005.

www.visitalderney.com

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