No. 2: February 2004
TRYING TO KEEP HIS HEAD
As we write STEVE THOMAS is back in the jungles of Borneo, his second home. He's being abandoned in the midst of Sarawak where he's setting off in search of the truths of head hunting, and to see if the tradition could possibly still exist with remote tribes.
Providing he doesn't lose his head, he'll be continuing on to Penang for the Hindu Thiapusm festival and a spot of mountain biking before saddling up for the Tour de Langkawi international bike race.
A few short days back in Wales will see him preparing for a late February visit to South Africa, where he'll be along for a major mountain bike race along the Cape, a ride off Table Mountain, through the Winelands and ending with a ride in the worlds biggest mass participation bike race (with 35,000 other riders), the Cape Argus Tour.
Keep track of things and mail Steve should you be interested in any words or pictures.
Contact: Email: steve@imageadventure.co.uk; Website: www.imageadventure.co.uk
A HARD DAY'S KNIGHT
On a recent visit to France, TERRY MARSH was admitted as a Chevalier de la Commanderie du Saulte-Buchon for his literary services to the Champagne region. With gong and certificate to prove it, he is now obligated to drink champagne until he can drink no more. Sounds like a fair challenge……
Next visit is to Norway, to try out cross-country skiing. Let's hope the skis have brakes. And then it's down under for a few weeks in Australia, during which time he hopes to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge crossing, spend some time in log cabins around Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, visit the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the familiar haunts of Kings Canyon, Ayers Rock, the Olgas and the fabulous west coast from Margaret River to Monkey Mia.
Contact: Email: terrymarsh@wpu.org.uk; Websites: www.countrymatters.net/www.countryimages.info.
BUSTLING BAZAARS AND BEDOUIN CAMPS
Enough of grey skies and wet rock! Sunny skies beckon. TONY HOWARD and DI TAYLOR are off to Palestine and Jordan this spring, to meet old friends in bustling bazaars and laid-back Bedouin camps whilst updating their Middle East guidebooks. Plus, of course, grabbing some time for climbing and trekking and discussing new projects at the invitation of Middle East travel organisations. Meanwhile, work is almost finished on their revised guide to Classic Walks and Climbs in Romsdal, Norway and, looking ahead, other projects are under discussion for later in 2004 to a remote corner of Egypt and to jungle-clad Nagaland in north east India, where they have been developing new treks for their Tourism department.
Contact: Email: nomads@n-o-m-a-d-s.demon.co.uk; Website: www.nomadstravel.co.uk.
A NORTHERN LIGHT
JON SPARKS is heading north to Finland in early February, to investigate winter activities around Iso-Syöte and Ruka, close to the Arctic Circle. Cross-country and downhill skiing will both be on the agenda and Jon is planning to try kick-sledding and a number of other activities. He also aims to photograph the Northern Lights. Photography is definitely top of the agenda on this trip, but Jon is aiming to return to Finland several times in the next year, in winter and summer, with writing also in mind.
Jon 'warmed up' for Finnish winter temperatures with a mountain-biking trip to the Cowal peninsula in Argyll, which obligingly served up some stunning frosty days. When things get a little more temperate he will be busy in Wales, putting the finishing touches to 'Scrambles and Easy Climbs in Snowdonia. This is a follow-up to the very successful 'Scrambles and Easy Climbs in The Lake District', which is already being reprinted.
Contact: Email: jsparks@dircon.co.uk; Website: www.jon-sparks.co.uk
ON (AND OFF) THE PISS/TE
ALF ALDERSON will be immersing himself fully in the bitter grip of winter over the coming months, with ice diving and off-piste skiing in the Rocky Mountains and Alps, all finished off nicely with a stay at Raffl's St. Antonhof in the eponymous Austrian resort. The hotel is renowned for its wine cellar, which after the ice and snow will be a welcome bolt hole.
Contact: Email: alf@alfalderson.co.uk; Website: www.alfalderson.co.uk.
MAKING VOWS
Having sworn her allegiance to the King of Wines and been honoured - like Terry Marsh - as a Knight of the Commandery of Saulte-Bouchon, GILLIAN THORNTON is now duty bound to drink champagne at every opportunity. The privilege was bestowed in January at a colourful ceremony in the vaulted cellars of Chateau Bligny near Troyes in the Aube department.
When she's not fulfilling her champagne vows, Gillian is currently researching possible destinations for behind-the-scenes features at UK visitor attractions - especially those which are grandchild-friendly. Any suggestions from PRs welcome. She's also doing destination pieces for self-catering holidaymakers - UK and worldwide - so again, any suggestions from PRs will be gratefully received, especially if there is the possibility of a facility trip.
Her French travels will be continuing apace this year - more details to come in the next Bulletin - and she is happy to consider commissions for French destination pieces, activity breaks, or brochure copy. Gillian also has a growing library of original colour slides if anyone needs images.
Contact: Email: gillian.thorntons@btinternet.com; Telephone 01582 468771.
NO MONA LISA
MARI NICHOLSON has just returned to Thailand from Cambodia and, of course, Angkor Wat which was stunning. She says: "I thought it might be like seeing the Mona Lisa, which has always disappointed me as it's association with chocolate boxes and joke pix has deprived it of its glory, but no. It was awesome!" Mari also took the opportunity to take a trip on the big lake there and to visit a floating fishing community - a great sit-down experience after two days of temple visiting, climbing hundreds of sandy steps in 90 degree heat.
Before that, Mari visited Phuket and stayed at the new Elephant Camp run by Siam Safari on the lines of a Kenyan bush camp. Simple, natural and great. David Attenborough and crew had just left: they filmed there for an upcoming programme. Mari was responsible for nominating the Elephant Help Clinic as the BGTW's Best Overseas Project of the Year, which they won.
"Here in S.E. Asia the big problem is the avian 'flu which has devastated the chicken farming industry. It is heart-breaking to watch the farmers crying as their livelihood goes under the machete, and in countries like these, who knows if the compensation will ever filter down to them."
Hua-Hin/Cha'am on the sunshine coast of the Gulf of Siam goes from strength to strength with a new Sheraton being built to join the two Marriotts, a Hilton, an Evason, a Hyatt and the lovely Dusit Hotel - very Thai, very Dusit. It's probably the Spa capital of Thailand now with every hotel having its own spa, and others opening in town almost daily. Great way to spend money!
Mari returns to the UK on February 18th. She's open to commissions of course, on any of these countries.
Contact: Email: mari@traveljournalist.co.uk.
LAP DANCER
JEANNINE WILLIAMSON has just returned from Finnish Lapland where she travelled around with traditional transport of husky teams and reindeer before moving on to snowmobiles and having a crack, not literally she hastens to add, at rally driving on a frozen lake. Accommodation included a wilderness cabin with no electricity, and an igloo, so Jeannine is delighted to write about her experiences for anyone who is looking for an Arctic outdoor adventure piece.
Closer to home Jeannine has been learning to dance the tango in Seville and researching city break articles on Luxembourg and Leipzig. Turning to general feature writing, Jeannine has just been appointed editor of the 'Portman magazine', a lifestyle publication (eating out, property and interiors, people profiles, arts, motoring, fashion, beauty, events, general news etc) covering London's Marylebone/Portman Estate area. So she'd like to be added to the mailing list of any PRs with clients in this area.
Contact: Email: Jeannine@motcombemedia.demon.co.uk.
PHOTOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING
NICK JENKINS has just returned from giving a ‘Lifelong Learning’ course on landscape and outdoor photography to the good burghers of the Isles of Scilly. What an amazing location; dramatic granite outcrops, beautiful white sandy coves and beaches, remote Iron Age and Celtic remains, very friendly locals and…………….huge skies!!
Nick says: "I seem to be spending more and more time giving courses these days, both to organised groups and to individuals. They are tremendous fun and the sense of achievement when someone thanks you for ‘unlocking the secrets’ of what their camera can do for them (when mercifully released from Program mode) is immense. If anyone is interested in learning more about the courses I give, they could do a lot worse than check out my website on www.freespiritimages.com.
"I am also still working flat out on bringing out three landscape photography books this year – details to follow when firmed up, but they will cover Wales as a whole, and the landscapes of both Saint Dwynwen in Anglesey (Welsh Patron Saint of lovers) and the Reverend Francis Kilvert, a 19th century diarist/curate, who spent many years around Clyro and South Radnorshire."
Contact: Email: nick@freespiritimages.com.
TIM'S TIMETABLING TALE
TIM LOCKE is currently updating the annual Thomas Cook Independent Traveller's Guide to Europe by Rail (of which he is the editor). This is a huge guidebook covering Europe country by country, as rail routes (with expert timetabling guidance from the Thomas Cook European Timetable team). Tim is always interested to hear of any major new attractions accessible by rail, as well as good accommodation aimed at budget travellers.
He is hoping to make a short trip or two in February and/or March (possibly Stockholm and Florence - but not yet confirmed): any offers of accommodation always appreciated.
Also updating parts of the Thomas Cook Independent Traveller's Guide to Britain and Ireland (also aimed at budget travellers), with a short trip to Dublin planned in February or March.
Contact: Email: timlocke@tesco.net.
NO BUTTS PLEASE
PAUL MANSFIELD is currently toiling through the snow in Scotland, and by the time you read this will hopefully be learning how to Curl during a weekend break in the Trossachs. Since the Brit women's team won a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Curling has taken off in a big way. It may not be the new rock 'n roll, but it looks like fun, and Mansfield is convinced there's a story in there somewhere.
After that it's on to Glasgow 'to see if it's still the kind of place you can get head-butted for talking with an English accent', to quote his un-named editor, followed by a few other UK trips: to Nottingham - which won two big tourist awards last year - Derry and West Sussex.
At the end of March he'll be in Sarajevo - scene of another rare UK Olympic triumph when Torvill and Dean struck gold there, as they say, in the 1984 Winter Olympics. Since then rather a lot has happened in Bosnia, of course, and Mansfield will be taking particular care not to get his head butted for talking in a foreign accent during a weekend on the town.
Contact: Email: PAULMANS1@aol.com.
SOMEBODY HAS TO DO IT
DONNA DAILEY and MIKE GERRARD have just finished writing pieces about Malaga, Cork, Mississippi and Arizona but have put away their passports for the moment while they concentrate on Britain. They will soon be enjoying a gourmet dinner at Castle Ashby in Northants, eating watercress in Winchester, joining a foodie tour of the Lake District, researching several stories in Liverpool and visiting the National Birds of Prey Centre near Gloucester. All this for pieces they are writing for the Sunday Times, the Times, the Mail on Sunday, the ViaMichelin travel website and Quicksilver magazine. Mike will also soon be going to Des Moines to make a programme for Radio 4 about Bill Bryson. Somebody had to.
Contact: Email: mail@mikegerrard.com/donna@dailey99.freeserve.co.uk.
CRUISE TRAVELLER
The pomp and ceremony of January's Queen Mary 2 launch meant 10 radio and three television interviews in two mad days for Cruise Traveller editor SUE BRYANT, including a spirited debate on Radio Four's Today programme with a rabid anti-cruiser. Now, Sue is desk-bound again, getting the February issue of the magazine off to the printer.
Future cruise trips planned include seven days in the Scottish Highlands, hiking by day and relaxing on a small, luxurious ship by night, a week in the Aegean on a square rigger, and a cruise in the Med, with testers aged four and six, to check out the children's facilities on board.
Cruise Traveller will have a stand at Destinations (C50 in the Caribbean section at Earls Court, February 5-8) and Sue will be giving a talk on adventure cruising in the Meet the Experts Theatre at 12.00 on Thursday February 5, the opening day of the show. All visitors are welcome.
Sue also has regular travel features and a monthly travel page in the top-selling, upmarket parenting magazine, Junior. News of any travel products for posh family holidays is always appreciated.
Finally, Sue can usually place stories on her two other specialities: quirky business travel ideas and products, and any unusual or in-depth angles on Mediterranean destinations.
All offerings to sue@suebryant.eclipse.co.uk; Telephone: 020 8987 2750. For more information on Cruise Traveller magazine, please visit www.cruisetraveller.co.uk.
DESTINATION TULLY
If you're visiting the Daily Telegraph Destinations Show, don't miss the Sundays - either 8th February at Earls Court in London, or 29th February at the NEC in Birmingham. CLIVE TULLY will be speaking in the 'Meet the Experts' Lecture Theatre about his extraordinary experiences as the journalist crew member of "Spirit of Cardiff", the 33ft Rigid Inflatable Boat which during its four-year life amassed more world records than any other offshore powerboat in history.
But speaking engagements and TV documentaries aside, Clive is keen to point out to anyone out there wearing an editorial hat that he still functions as a journalist, specialising in travel and outdoors clothing and products, and travel features generally.
Contact: Email: clive@clivetully.com; Telephone: 01508 570183; Website: www.clivetully.com.
NOT JUST HORSING AROUND
Whoa: back: is there anyone out there... anyone, that is, that wants to saddle JOHN RULER with work of an equestrian nature? Having written on horse riding holidays for some 30 years, I am now tackling more general features, from shrimping on horseback to Britain's bridleways and how Dalmatian dogs are once more running beneath sporting carriages. Want to know more - then just let me know. And how about a book on equestrian London, from where to ride to the capital's working horses?
Contact: Email: rulered@btinternet.com.
FLOWERS,COWS AND LENTILS - A HEADY MIX
News of JOHN CURTIN's horticultural exploits harvesting rainwater (pretty easy in the UK) and building catchment areas, has travelled as far as New Mexico and is being treated with some amazement by the desert residents. In February, he turns his attention to agriculture and gets a flavour (literally) of heritage beef breeds and turkey farming in Norfolk. This is followed by a short break in Dublin and then a week walking from Le Puy on the Chemin de St Jacques starting April 16th. Maybe lentils will be on the menu.
In between he's working on a series of walks for a train company, property features and market news.
Contact: Email: curtinjg@yahoo.co.uk; Telephone: 020 77381461; Mobile: 07919 446473.
I'M A TRAVEL WRITER, LET ME OUT OF HERE
TONY KELLY and his young son are planning a trip to see Jordan - not the model with enormous breasts who is hiding in the Australian jungle, but the Middle Eastern country, where they will camp in the desert and visit Petra. Before that they are visiting Egypt, on a family tour of ancient sights in Cairo and Luxor. They have also just returned from Bulgaria, where they learnt to ski in the Rhodope Mountains.
While his son is at school - even the children of travel writers have to go to school sometimes - Tony is at home working on a new guidebook to Mallorca.
Contact: Telephone: 01223 892553; Email: tony@tonykellytravelwriter.co.uk; Website: www.tonykellytravelwriter.co.uk.
WIND AND WHEELS
Local work has been keeping FELICITY MARTIN near home this winter - wading over snowy mountain passes and cycling down icy forest tracks. She’s been revising a North Perthshire Walks guidebook due for reprint, and writing features (some would say creating more hot air) on weighty topics like wind farm proposals and the current public consultation on the future of Scotland’s national forests.
Latest assignments include writing promotional material for a newly formed activity operators group in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and a soon to be launched map of cycle routes in Highland Perthshire.
Perthshire Big Tree Country’s Autumn Colours campaign, for which Felicity wrote a series of ten weekly features as well as leaflet and website copy, was a great success. Following on from that she is preparing to do similar work for this year’s Spring Fest (see www.perthshirebigtreecountry.co.uk).
Contact: Telephone: 01764 684454; Email: felicitymartin@sol.co.uk.
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