THE RHS HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW
This July the UK’s largest gardening event will, for the first time, feature A World of Gardens. The RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show will have an area dedicated to international gardens of countries and regions of the world from Switzerland to the Caribbean. Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Director General Sue Biggs says: ‘I can’t imagine a better way to represent the unique beauty of a country than through a garden.’

Every summer the flower show features gardens specially created for the event. This year there will also be a combined rose and floral design marquee under the theme Romance and Roses.

Fruit, vegetable and herb growing will feature in a special Grow Your Own area. As well as admiring the displays, visitors can shop for thousands of plants as well as picnic in the grounds or eat at the different restaurants set up for the event

The annual show is held in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, King Henry VIII’s favourite and most richly decorated palace. All of his six wives came to the palace and most had new and lavish lodgings

An exclusive Preview Evening is held on 2 July with live music and a fireworks display. Tickets cost from £58 (£53 for RHS members). On 3 and 4 July the show is open to RHS members only, then until 8 July it is open to all. Admission costs from £14.50 to £32.50. Each full paying adult may bring two children under 17 free of charge.

Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AT
Tel: +44 20 7649 1883
+44 121 767 4063 (ticket sales for overseas visitors)
Website: www.rhs.org.uk

Post from VisitBritain

LONDON CALLING - 2012 CITY OF LONDON FESTIVAL
The City of London Festival this summer celebrates its 50th anniversary with the theme City of London – Trading Places with the World and performances from internationally acclaimed stars in historical locations in the Square Mile.

During the five-week festival (24 June–27 July) visitors will be able to attend world première performances of music and dance including works by composer Tansy Davies for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a landmark piece performed by English National Ballet in St Paul’s Cathedral. There will also be free family events and 300 free piano lessons on 50 Golden Street Pianos placed across the City.

Composer Samuel Bordoli will produce live music sculptures at Tower Bridge and the Monument. Sir Colin Davis will conduct the London Symphony Orchestra in Berlioz’s Grande Messe des Morts in St Paul’s Cathedral (25–26 June), and guitarist John Williams will commemorate the Festival’s jubilee year with a recital similar to the one he gave at the first City of London Festival in 1962.

The Festival will also be promoting and nurturing wildflowers across the City and at the closing event in Paternoster Square (27 July) visitors can try City honey taken from the Festival’s rooftop beehives.

The annual festival will, for the first time, be preceded by a four-day Celebrate the City event. From 21 to 24 June this will offer guided City walks and talks, events at the Livery Companies and an open-air performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture in Guildhall Yard. There will also be family entertainment at the Cheapside Fayre on 23 June, activities at the Barbican Centre and Museum of London, and music in many of the City’s churches

Alderman David Wootton, the Lord Mayor of the City of London and Patron of Celebrate the City, says: ‘The City of London is the foremost international centre for financial, professional and business services, but it is also a treasure trove of history, architecture and art.’

Dr Richard Chartres, Bishop of London and Patron, adds: ‘During Celebrate the City, the Diocese of London’s City churches will welcome visitors from around the world with a vibrant programme of cultural events and increased access to their impressive and varied architecture’

Celebrate the City, 21–24 June
Website: www.visitthecity.co.uk/culture2012
The City of London Festival this summer celebrates its 50th anniversary with the theme City of London – Trading Places with the World and performances from internationally acclaimed stars in historical locations in the Square Mile.

During the five-week festival (24 June–27 July) visitors will be able to attend world première performances of music and dance including works by composer Tansy Davies for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a landmark piece performed by English National Ballet in St Paul’s Cathedral. There will also be free family events and 300 free piano lessons on 50 Golden Street Pianos placed across the City.

Composer Samuel Bordoli will produce live music sculptures at Tower Bridge and the Monument. Sir Colin Davis will conduct the London Symphony Orchestra in Berlioz’s Grande Messe des Morts in St Paul’s Cathedral (25–26 June), and guitarist John Williams will commemorate the Festival’s jubilee year with a recital similar to the one he gave at the first City of London Festival in 1962.

The Festival will also be promoting and nurturing wildflowers across the City and at the closing event in Paternoster Square (27 July) visitors can try City honey taken from the Festival’s rooftop beehives.

The annual festival will, for the first time, be preceded by a four-day Celebrate the City event. From 21 to 24 June this will offer guided City walks and talks, events at the Livery Companies and an open-air performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture in Guildhall Yard. There will also be family entertainment at the Cheapside Fayre on 23 June, activities at the Barbican Centre and Museum of London, and music in many of the City’s churches

Alderman David Wootton, the Lord Mayor of the City of London and Patron of Celebrate the City, says: ‘The City of London is the foremost international centre for financial, professional and business services, but it is also a treasure trove of history, architecture and art.’

Dr Richard Chartres, Bishop of London and Patron, adds: ‘During Celebrate the City, the Diocese of London’s City churches will welcome visitors from around the world with a vibrant programme of cultural events and increased access to their impressive and varied architecture’

Celebrate the City, 21–24 June
Website: www.visitthecity.co.uk/culture2012

Photo copyright VisitBritain

Post from Visit Britain

Excitement Grows in Run-up to Titanic Belfast Launch

With just three days to go until the opening of the world’s largest Titanic attraction - Titanic Belfast in Northern Ireland - international interest in the new visitor experience is soaring.

The finishing touches are being put on the iconic six-floor building and its surrounding plaza with over 50,000 tickets already having been pre-booked from over 20 different countries including Canada, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.

Northern Ireland’s newest visitor attraction features a unique architectural design influenced by several maritime themes, including ice crystals, ships’ hulls and the insignia of the White Star Line, the owners of the Titanic. Over 3,000 shards make up the building’s impressive exterior while the plaza includes the world’s largest outdoor map of the northern hemisphere, tracing Titanic’s route across the Atlantic.

The new 15-tonne ‘Titanic’ sign – the same weight as Titanic’s main anchor – dominates the building as visitors approach. Laser-cut and made from eight, 30mm-thick solid steel plates, the 4.5m-tall, 15m-long sign is the same length as the private promenades that were available on RMS Titanic’s most expensive accommodation, the First Class Parlour Suites.

“The effort that has gone into making Titanic Belfast not only an impressive physical spectacle, but also an amazing experience inside, has been simply immense,” says Tim Husbands, CEO of Titanic Belfast. “Everything about this project, from the Titanic sign, to the use of breathtaking technology to bring Titanic’s story alive, has been designed to give Belfast an attention grabbing, international attraction.”

In conjunction with the opening of the new Titanic Belfast visitor attraction, the Titanic Belfast Festival will take place from March 31 until May 2012 and will include plays, tours, exhibitions and talks all themed around the Titanic. Commemorations for the lives lost on the anniversary of the ship’s sinking will take place from April 14 to 15.

About Titanic Belfast

· See attached Titanic Fact Sheet for further information on the Titanic, the new visitor centre and Belfast’s ship building heritage

· Titanic Belfast officially opens Saturday, March 31, 2012

· Features nine interpretive and interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Titanic, as well as the city and people that made her.

· Visitors will learn about the construction of RMS Titanic and the wider story of Northern Ireland’s industrial and maritime heritage.

· Other features include temporary exhibits, a 1000-seat banqueting suite, education and community facilities, catering and shopping space, and a basement car park

· Further information on events and festival surrounding Northern Ireland 2012 is available ondiscoverireland.com

Photo copyright Anne Gordon

Post from Ireland Tourism

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR FLOWER LOVERS

In Holland from April 5 – October 7, 2012

FLORIADE 2012 – VENLO (A once in a decade event)

More than 100 exhibitors will together pay tribute to horticulture. The park comprises five unique worlds: themed zones connected by wooded areas. Worlds in which you will see, feel and experience nature in a constantly changing way. www.floriade.com

Photo copyright Anne Gordon

Posted on Thrsday, 22 March, 2012

BEAUTIFUL SPRINGTIME IN HOLLAND
If you want to witness the Dutch love for flowers, there are several places you can go:

Keukenhof: 7 million flower bulbs are planted in the park Keukenhof. Gardens and four pavilions show a fantastic collection of: tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, roses, carnations, irises, lilies and many other flowers. Keukenhof is by far the most impressive international flower exhibition you’ll ever see.

Floriade: a world horticultural expo held in a different town every ten years. Enjoy the most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees and fruit and vegetables. Mark your agenda, because the next Floriade takes place in Venlo in 2012.

Flower Parade: the most amazing flower parade in the world. 50 enormous floats and cars richly decorated with flowers form a flower parade that drives along a 40 kilometer route. This visual feast is visited by hundreds of thousands of people.

Floating Flower Market: Holland’s best known flower market is located in Amsterdam. Merchandise is displayed on floating barges along the Singel canal,. The great variety of flowers make it one of the most colorful places of Amsterdam.

FloraHolland: the flower auction in Naaldwijk is the largest cut flower and plant auction house in the world and is responsible for over 90% of Dutch trade in those products. The second largest auction house is VBA Aalsmeer. You will have to get up early but then you’ll be able to experience the excitement of the flower auction from a vantage point and with English commentary.

Photos copyright Anne Gordon

Posted by Anne Gordon on Tuesday, 20th March, 2012

The Grand Canyon

LEARNING AND LODGING ADVENTURE IN THE GRAND CANYON
The concessioner at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Xanterra South Rim, has teamed up with the non-profit Grand Canyon Field Institute to again offer its two-night “Learning& Lodging Adventure.”

“The Learning & Lodging program is an economical and memorable way to experience Grand Canyon National Park beyond the viewpoints,”said Bruce Brossman, director of sales and marketing for Xanterra South Rim. “Grand Canyon Field Institute instructors do a terrific job of bringing the Canyon’s history and famous geology alive, and leaving participants with a broad and thorough understanding of the reasons this park is so special.”

Available now through Feb. 26, 2013, the package includes two nights of lodging in Yavapai West Lodge or Maswik South Lodge, two breakfasts, two boxed lunches, one dinner, coupons good for discounted gift shop purchases, reading materials and two days of hiking and touring in the company of an instructor from Grand Canyon Field Institute. The minimum age to participate is eight, and there is a maximum of 10 participants per program.
The program is offered once every week with participants arriving on Sunday and departing on Tuesday afternoon. Blackout dates are Memorial Day weekend, May 27 – 29; Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4; Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 25-27 and the winter holiday period from Dec. 16 through Jan. 8, 2013.
The rate now through Nov. 6 is $450 for one adult, $700 for two adults and $229 for children eight through 16. Additional adults in the same room are $275. From Nov. 11 through Feb. 26, 2013, the rate is $380 per adult, $630 for two adults, $229 per child and $275 for each additional adult in the same room.
For more information or to reserve the package, call toll free 1-866-471-4435 or 928-638-2485. Additional details about the program can be found online, but packages can only be booked by calling.
Xanterra also operates El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge and Thunderbird Lodge on the rim and Phantom Ranch on the floor of the Canyon. In addition, the company operates interpretive motorcoach tours, restaurants, gift shops and mule tours.
Additional information can be found by visiting www.grandcanyonlodges.comor calling toll-free 1-888-297-2757 or 1-303-297-2757 from outside the United States. Additional information about the park can be found at www.nps.gov/grca.

Photo copyright Anne Gordon

Posted by Anne Gordon on Friday, 16th March, 2012.

THOSE WERE THE DAYS...

                         A F R I C A

SUITABLE TRAVEL ATTIRE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF R.C.F. MAUGHAN 100 YEARS AGO IN HIS BOOK "WILD GAME IN ZAMBEZIA" !
"For marching, or daylight work nothing, to my mind, is so satisfactory as a shirt or "jumper" of improved khaki-coloured, sun-resisting cloth, about the same thickness as good quality khaki, the same colour, and worn over a cotton or silk-and-cotton under-shirt; with this a pair of easy buttonless breeches, fashioned somewhat after the style of football knickers, of the same material, will be found very comfortable, and are secured by a stout belt provided with a small pouch for carrying a lancet, a small quantity of permanganate of potassium in case of snake-bite, and other small necessaries.  The extremities should be clothed in putties and light but well-made ankle boots.  The "jumper" should be made with a pad 3 or 4 inches wide down the back to protect the spine from the sun; it should be collarless, provided with waterproof pockets.  As soon as the wearer's arms are able to bear the sun's rays without discomfort, he should get out his scissors from a well-furnished housewife, and cut off the sleeves above the elbow. "

R.C.F. Maughan
"Wild Game in Zambezia" 
Published in 1914

There will be more on the suitable evening attire for the travelling man who ventures out into the African bush, in future blogs!! 

Posted by Anne Gordon on Friday, 16th March, 2012



 The two faces of Pa, the Cook Islands

 AN ECO-TOUR ON THE COOK ISLANDS WITH HERBALIST PAPAAPAIIKOEIAKU TEURUAAA (PA FOR SHORT)

Within minutes of our arrival for an eco-tour with Pa, the Cook Islands herbalist had taken exception to my companion Amanda's T-shirt. "That symbol disturbs me" he said pointing at the "Day of the Dead" skull emblazoned across its front. "It's not a loving symbol Amanda and I would like you to take it off. " But it was not quite as bad as it sounded. Pa was happy to provide an alternative. After much haggling when Amanda refused to make a swop, but offered to turn the T-shirt inside out or back to front to keep the peace, Pa gave us a huge infectious grin, the matter was dropped, a prayer was recited, and off we went on our eco-tour.



Pa and Amanda on the Cook Islands

Pa, 72 years old, a herbalist and mountain guide - and from all I had heard, a very successful one-man publicity machine for the local promoters of the Cook Islands - was dressed in little more than a pair of baggy shorts, with spliced palm fronds fastened to his arms and legs. He had a bunch of flowering thyme stuck behind his one ear and a tattered frangipani blossom behind the other. 

Not only was our Cook Islander a respected herbalist among the locals and visitors, he was also a darling of celebrities. 

Pa's shampoo remedy on the Cook Islands

Dread locks in skinny strands knotted here and there covered his head. Taking a prickly red fruit from a nearby bush he squeezed the juice over his head. "It's the best shampoo you can use" he said. Pa claims to have cures for virtually every ailment including cancer and we sampled a plethora of traditional medicinal cures on a walk that took us along winding dirt roads, through the bush, across streams and to the foot of craggy mountains covered in dense jungle foliage. 

Honeymooners, Maria and Robert on the Cook Islands

Honeymooners Maria and Robert from New Zealand persevered to the very end while we, Amanda and I, left a little earlier and duly got lost.

Images copyright Anne Gordon

Posted by Anne Gordon on Monday, 12th March, 2012.