UK Archives - Page 5 of 58 - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Holidos and Don’ts beach safe

24th June 202524th June 2025 funtime65

The radio piece pricked my mind, about my daughterie going missing yards from our seaside home, to put out our informational Holidos and Don’ts beach safe.

With this British island baking on the hottest day of the year at the weekend our beaches became blocked with day trippers.

And on one beach,West Wittering in Sussex on the English south coast, on one day 40 children went missing with all thankfully found.

Porty time

Just like the Daughterie some half an hour after going walkabout from our then-home in Portobello, Edinburgh’s city beach.

Thankfully, of course, Porty was our patch with both her and us knowing the lay of the land, our neighbours, and they knew her.

But if you’re new to a beach then the likelihood is you won’t.

And your little prince or princess will slip your leash for just a moment and set your heart racing.

Listen up

These days, of course, there is advice aplenty at hand so don’t be too proud to follow it.

The first thing to do is get your bearings and agree a meeting spot if your little one gets detached from you.

Perhaps take a photograph too of all of you at the beach.

So that if the worst happens then those looking for Kiddo can see what they look like and what they’re wearing.

Make sure too that both yourselves and your children have their mobiles with them and that they’re charged.

Which in the case of today’s youngsters and many adults shouldn’t be too difficult.

While some beaches even give out wristbands so kids can put their details and telephone number and address on.

And if it goes wrong

Flag it up: Red flags mean don’t go near the water

Of course the best-laid plans gang aft agley as the great human observer, bard and fellow Scot Robert Burns opined.

So know who to report your missing child to.

And the Coastguard is on 999 which too many people don’t know.

With that in mind too another thing to flag up is flags.

With red flags naturally an alert that swimming is prohibited.

While a yellow drapes indicate moderately hazardous conditions.

The good news, of course, is that it is extremely rare that you will not be reunited with your child within a short time.

While strangers are for the most part friends that you just haven’t met yet.

I scream for ice cream

Which was what one caller found when their toddler was found at an ice cream van.

Where a kindly family had protected the lost boy and bought him an ice lolly.

With said lad, in a world of his own, only concerned that they hadn’t got him an ice cream.

Out of the mouths of children.

And something alas we can’t advise on in our informational Holidos and Don’ts beach safe.

Countries, UK

Athens of the North’s unfinished republic

10th May 202510th May 2025 funtime65

And Happy Republic Day to the 149 out of the 193 countries free of monarchies and a shout-out from Athens of the North’s unfinished republic.

Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, has long been a contradictory city.

Auld Reekie, on account of the smell in the Old Town.

Or the Athens of the North, styled to reflect the part The Scottish Enlightenment played in European culture in the Middle Ages.

Which is to take us to where we are today, Calton Hill atop and looking over Edinburgh’s Old and New Town.

Scotland’s Parthenon

And where we are joined by a hundred-strong group of fellow Our Republic supporters.

In front of Scotland’s National Monument, known colloquially as ‘Edinburgh’s Disgrace or ‘Scotland’s Folly.’

The columns which were built to resemble the Parthenon in Ancient Athens.

The memorial stands in tribute to the Scots Fallen from the Napoleonic Wars.

And it is poignant to be here in the week that’s in it when we marked 80 years since Victory in Europe.

Edinburgh’s Grace

Appointment at the Palace: Holyroodhouse

But Edinburgh’s Disgrace? Well, the columns were erected out of public donations which ran out.

Meaning that it remains unfinished.

There is of course something beautiful to the unfinished.

As only the divine creation could be considered complete.

Unfinished symphony: La Sagradia Familia

Which would account for Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

There is of course a symbolism too about an incomplete work such as in the Martin Luther statue in Washington DC.

Which will only be finished when true civil liberties have been achieved.

Friends across the water

The same might be argued for Scotland’s National Monument and its aspiration to be The Athens of the North.

On a day when God shines sunshine on Edinburgh we stand at the Monument’s pillars.

And hear the argument for a republic and the abolition of the monarchy.

The Scots cite the Declaration of Arbroath, the template for the US Constitution and Robert Burns and A Man’s A Man For ‘A That.

And brithers be and sisters too as Catalans, Bahamians and Jamaicans take the stage and sing and rouse the faithful.

Redemption song

We bring the curtain down with a rousing anthem, Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry, sung with gusto by Rue Cooper.

And wish the Jamaicans well for their Autumn referendum to give themselves the right to instal their own head of state.

Rue knows her audience and adapts Robert Nesta Marley’s words to accommodate Calton Hill, Edinburgh.

And bathed in the light we consider Athens of the North’s unfinished republic.

And promise to build a new future and return here when the work is finally all done.

Countries, Deals, Music, UK

London’s Theatreland

1st May 20251st May 2025 funtime65

Leave your troubles outside, in here life is beautiful… in London’s Theatreland with dream-makers Keith Prowse Attractions.

And, yes, there was a smile on my face when we whooped and danced in the aisles to Beautiful: The Carole King Story.

Until the mobile started pinging with complaints from the neighbours back in Ireland about our kids’ house party.

And the Earth moving under their feet.

The Emcee from Cabaret was right, of course, a musical night out is the perfect escape from normal life.

And London Theatreland is an alternative fantastical world.

Populated by the likes of Orpheus, MJ, the Phantom of the Opera and Elphaba and Galinda.

Bad, Mad, Wicked or Ghostly

Beautiful: Jesse Mueller in Washington DC

It is one of the many benefits of being a travel professional to be invited to the world’s biggest stages.

And I am eagerly anticipating what Broadway trailers the American Travel Fair have in store for us next month in Chicago.

So whether your tastes are Bad, Mad, Wicked or Ghostly then package up your troubles.

Maybe it’s because you’re a Londoner

And sign up for a deal with a musicals tour operator who is always worth an encore… Keith Prowse Attractions’ Bargain Londoner.

You’ll stay at the 3-star hotels like the Royal National, President Hotel or St. Giles, ideal for stretching your budget without compromising on the experience.

Sample Package:
MJ The Musical! – Travel between 16 June 2025 – 18 June 2025 | From €287pps

2 nights at the 3* Lancaster Gate Hotel (room only)
Grand Circle Seats to MJ The Musical at The Prince Edward Theatre

While the Great Value Londoner balances quality and cost with 4-star hotels.

Such as the Copthorne Tara, Holiday Inn Kensington or DoubleTree by Hilton, all hand-picked for superb service at an affordable price.

Sample Package:
Hadestown! – Travel between 01 November 2025 – 03 November 2025 | From €343pps

2 nights at the 4* Copthorne Tara Hotel with breakfast
Balcony Seats to Hadestown at The Lyric Theatre

And because you are a cut above, maybe try out the Touch of Class Londoner.

Step up your stay with stylish, service-led hotels and top seats in 4-star luxury at hotels.

Like The Royal Horseguards, Park Plaza Victoria or St. James’ Hotel with breakfast included for a refined London adventure.

Wicked entertainment

Sample Package:
The Phantom of the Opera! – Travel between 26 August 2025 – 28 August 2025 | From €439pps

2 nights at the 4* St. James Hotel with breakfast
Stall Seats to The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre

And as ever there is a class above even that, the Posh & Pampered Londoner.

With the ultimate indulgence with stays at London’s finest 5-star hotels, such as The Savoy, The Royal Garden or The Mayfair Radisson.

Sample Package:
Wicked! – Travel between 19 June 2025 – 21 June 2025 | From €777pps

2 nights at the 5* Royal Garden Hotel with breakfast
Best Seats to Wicked at The Apollo Victoria Theatre

Just make sure that you don’t leave your kids in charge of a ‘free house’ at home as you party on in London’s Theatreland.

Countries, Food & Wine, UK

Vintage England

14th April 202514th April 2025 funtime65

And with news that the vineyards will have moved north in Europe by the end of the century a look today at Vintage England.

And because we know while some of us drink alone that’s it’s better with a group then Solos Holidays cover your bases.

Solos have a new two-night escorted break to discover the vineyards of the Surrey Hills, an hour from London.

The wine-lovers’ trip begins with a dinner at the four-star Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel, nestled in the North Downs.

Sommelier time is here

You will be joined by an award-winning wine tutor and sommelier.

To guide you through immersive visits to Albury Vineyard.

Albury has made a name for itself for its still rosé and sparkling wines.

And Denbies Wine Estate, England’s largest single-estate vineyard.

You’ll sample exclusive tastings, the chance to meet the growers and expert insights into English winemaking.

Hurray to Surrey

A two-night Taste of Surrey Hills Vineyard tour departing on 24 September, costs £645pp.

It includes a double room for sole use with private facilities.

A charcuterie lunch on day two, breakfast & dinner with wine and beer daily.

And a welcome drink and information evening.

Denbies Sparkling Vineyard Train Tour and exclusive wine tasting tour, Albury Vineyard tour and exclusive tasting.

The 50-minute Denbies will takes you at a leisurely pace to some of the most beautiful viewing points in the vineyard.

While the Albury version is a 1 and a half to two hours tour with a guided walk and a gazebo tasting session as your final reward.

Support your local grape

Little wine drinker me: And a toast to you too

For those British patriots out there it’s a chance to support Vintage England and its wine market.

It is only growing in popularity and quality with the beautiful Surrey landscape an added allure.

And even more so in the heart of England by the turn of the century.

When it could well be the centre of the wine industry as France fries under the warming Earth.

Countries, Ireland, UK

Zephaniah Day a paean to poets

13th April 202513th April 2025 funtime65

And I know what I’ll be doing every April 12 from now on… celebrating Zephaniah Day a paean to poets.

London Hansworth’s Brunel University set the day up to immortalise the great dub poet, born here.

Although better known as a son of Birmingham where he grew up.

And fans of his writings, including very much this Edinburgh Fringe poet, will want to take in a major exhibition ‘The Brighter Flame’.

Featuring his work and life story, and displayed in different locations like Victoria Square and Snow Hill Square.

While a mural of The Great Orator has been unveiled in Handsworth Park.

A world poet

And while Zephaniah is writ large in Britain’s two biggest cities.

In truth, Zephaniah’s poetry travelled the world as indeed did he, spending his final days in China.

The dreadlocked rasta was quick to say in his lifetime how differently poetry was perceived around the world.

Peak of his form: Peaky Blinders with Cillian Murphy

And on a much-replayed appearance on the Jonathan Ross chat show he relayed that in countries like Jamaica and India.

The public would come up to him and say show us what you’ve got.

Before responding to Ross’s invitation and launching into Overstanding on the show.

Ode to our national bards

The whole world, of course, comes together in verse every March 21 to celebrate the UNESCO World Poetry Day.

But right across the globe nations celebrate their countries’ own poets.

With those of a Scottish disposition and its diaspora raising their Burns Days on January 25 to a world level.

And the Irish marking James Joyce on Bloomsday every June 16.

While the Welsh mark the day when Dylan Thomas first read Under Milk Wood in 1953 with his own say.

Dear England

That there isn’t an actual day celebrating an English National Poet would seem a careless omission.

And you can take your pick from Shakespeare, Wordsworth or Keats.

Although we’d humbly suggest Zephaniah Day a paean to poets.

Countries, Food & Wine, UK

Creme de la creme

7th April 20257th April 2025 funtime65

And we’re bigging up one of the best tourist attractions anywhere for their record-breaking choc… just one of the reasons why Cadbury World is la creme de la creme.

Cadbury, in the village of Bourneville (yes, it does exist) Birmingham, have just brought out a 3ft Creme Egg, the size of a penguin.

No, not the chocolate ones but the Emperors.

Cadbury World’s eggstraordinary achievement is timely with Easter just around the corner.

And there are probably few better places to spend it than this land of pure imagination.

With its 14 chocolately zones.

We’ll Parrot that

Pecking order: Looking for the Mini-Eggs

Kids and big kids can get into the holiday spirit and help Mr Cadbury’s Parrot and his co-presenter search for the Missing Mini-eggs.

In the stage show from Saturday 5 to Sunday 27 April.

And meet with the aforementioned Parrot and Freddo and the Caramel Bunny.

And take Afternoon Tea in a private area of the Cadbury World Cafe conservatory.

Chocolate tea

Chocs away: Everyone happy at Cadbury World

Now this is when it really pays off to be a kid.

With chocolate, naturally, to the fore in the Child Afternoon tea.

With a selection of finger sandwiches with ham, cheese and jam fillings all served along with crisps.

But and here’s what we’ve been waiting for, a variety of Cadbury-inspired cakes including rocky road, chocolate brownie, mini-donut with chocolate dipping sauce and fruit skewer.

All accompanied by a choice of hot chocolate or fruit juice.

And adults too

Not that the adults get left out with their own Afternoon Tea.

Where you can indulge in scones, rocky road and chocolate brownies, decorated with freeze dried raspberries and dusted with chocolate.

Sandwich fillings include salmon and cream cheese, ham and cheese and egg mayonnaise with watercress.

Accompanied by a roast vegetable tartlet and sausage roll.

And a choice of hot chocolate, coffee or a selection of teas.

On it like a bonnet

You’re a character: At your Afternoon Tea

Kids will be encouraged too to get out your best headwear… and we’d be on it like a bonnet for the Easter bonnet parade.

And over the bank holiday weekend you can egg-splore all of Cadbury World’s chocolatey zones with an egg-cellent Easter Egg trail.

No wonder then that everybody from Roald Dahl to our own wee brown-eyed Daughterie have passed through their doors over the year.

It’s why Cadbury World is la creme de la creme.

The Character Afternoon Tea + Entry to Cadbury World comes in at a mouth-quenching £39.95 for adults (over 16s) and £34.95 for kids (2-15).

And if you’re anything like Daddy’s Little Girl you’ll never want to leave.

Like Cadbury itself, Bourneville and Birmingham are at the heart of everything.

In the middle of England and accessible by all transport routes.

Countries, Ireland, UK

Oh My Godot… Ireland 70 years of Beckett

31st March 202531st March 2025 funtime65

Oh My Godot… Ireland 70 years of Beckett and the renowned surrealist play in true style by marking it twice.

On the occasion of the Nobel winner’s birthday, his work will be reprised across April 12 and 13.

And then on Good Friday, April 18 and 19, to commemorate the Agreement that brought peace to the North.

In Enniskillen where the great playwright went to school.

Godot, famously described as a play where nothing happened twice was of course groundbreaking at the time.

And forced itself onto final year school syllabuses where students were glad to find a literature accessible and funny.

Pawn in the game

Check it out mate: The Beckett celebrations

Our friends in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, have put on a free programme which would have met with the old bespectacled dramatist’s approval and Vladimir and Estragon’s to

Building on ten years of success of the Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival (2012 – 2022) OMG! will feature two upland theatrical performed readings, six in-conversation events and an immense town-sized game of chess.

Now if you hadn’t heard of The Happy Days International Beckett Festival then you’ll be glad you’ve visited here (obvs).

The Festival specialising in deepening its literary heritage work on Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde within Enniskillen and Co. Fermanagh.

With both having attended school in Enniskillen sixty years apart.

Part of the landscape

OMG! will be bookended by outdoor rural landscape performances of Waiting For Godot.

For which audiences will be taken by bus to secret locations, making their way through fields, meadows and hillsides to the performance sites.

A 3.5m Tree for Waiting For Godot sculpture by Sir Anthony Gormley, commissioned by Creative Director Seán Doran, will be installed at Little Dog mountain in County Fermanagh.

And the transnational Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark.

On the mornings of the two weekends, Oh My Godot! will celebrate Beckett’s chess-obsession by playing out twelve ceremonial chess moves across the streets of Enniskillen town.

Using a large, 32-piece sculpted bronze Beckett Chess Set by artist Alan Milligan and featuring the chess-related characters from ‘Waiting for Godot’.

Countries, UK

Bit of a history with Scotland’s best North Berwickety

22nd March 202522nd March 2025 funtime65

It’s held its position as No1 spot in the country to live and I’ve had a bit of a history with Scotland’s best North Berwickety.

Of course, I’d little interest in the future when I holidayed with my cousins as a kid in East Lothian 50 years ago.

Or what half a century’s time would look like.

Well, the golf course which frames the burgh is untouched since my early thrashings there.

Marine life

On the right course: North Berwick Golf Club

And the grand Marine Hotel, the scene of my parents’ Golden Wedding Anniversary, looks out on the golfers’ efforts.

What the Marine guests would have made of the eight-year-old lad’s attempts at the Royal & Ancient Game is anyone’s guess.

But it was an achievement in itself that I was allowed to complete the course after hitting said cousin around the head with my backswing.

I walk North Berwick Golf Course every day now since being moved back to Scotland after 13 years an Irishman.

With Herself locating us to within spitting distance of the Outlaws.

Birds and birdies

I scream for ice cream: The Daughterie outside the Seabird Centre

Today’s North Berwickety, my nickname, on account of its retirement home reputation, retains its old Scots coastal town image.

But like many coastal towns old shops have given way to cafes and kerching shops.

The most scenic being in the Seabird Centre which looks out onto Bass Rock.

Home to thousands of gannets whose poo gives it its white colour.

And you can sign up for a boat tour out to the rock and Fidra island from the harbour.

Now if you’re a hiker North Berwickety is right up your street, on the John Muir trail (ask an American as he’s the father of their national parks).

Or climb the Law, the old Scottish name for hill, which may be only 650ft but is rocky and challenging.

Catch of the day

Getting the band back together: The Blues Brothers in tow

Pubs may be a bit staid but The Ship Inn on Quality Street serves good fish and is a good stop-off after your walk and quieter around lunch.

Of the famous people who have taken the air in North Berwickety, well you’re reading him, of course.

But equally former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has taken up residence here.

While former Ryder Cup captain Catriona Matthew is a proud daughter of and clubmaker Ben Sayers hailed from the toon too.

As does Rory Farge, Scotland rugby co-captain.

Me and Robert Louis Stevenson

Window shopping: Herself checking out dresses

Robert Louis Stevenson holidayed here and there is a pictorial tribute to the Treasure Island writer on the main street.

And if it’s good enough for those illuminaries it’s good enough for us all.

Now here’s hoping that we pull off a threepeat for next year on the Times list.

And in the meantime I’ll carry on adding to my bit of a history with Scotland’s best North Berwickety.

America, Countries, Flying, UK

Fly me for a reason let that diversion be Scotland

21st March 202521st March 2025 funtime65

There are randomly some winners from the Heathrow shutdown, with a precious few saying fly me for a reason let that diversion be Scotland.

We learned from the many interviews with travellers of parties from New Orleans who had intended on coming up north from London.

And that this had saved them a journey.

Of course, not to make light of the hundreds of thousands of travellers who have been inconvenienced by the disruption caused by the fire at the airport.

But we’re reminded of visitors to this isle being rerouted to Scotland an age ago and causing a mighty stir.

Crazy Horses of the air

Exit doors,here,here and here: The Osmonds

The Osmonds were at Beatlemania height when they visited Britain in 1972.

And teeny heart-throb Donny recalled: ‘After our first flight into Heathrow, we were banned from further landings there.

‘When part of a balcony collapsed beneath the amount of fans who had shown up.

‘Gatwick wouldn’t take us either, so we had to fly to Scotland and take a train down to London.’

While Donny was big there was and never has been anyone as big as Elvis Presley who was also rerouted to Scotland.

Return to sender

When on March 3, 1960 The King‘s plane touched down in Prestwick, south of Glasgow for refuelling.

On his way back from American military camp in West Germany he was met by 200 screaming fans.

They’d heard on the grapevine of a VIP arriving in their backyard.

And took a punt that it might be Sgt Presley.

It’s now or never

Lieutenant Colonel Ed Miller recalled: ‘I remember it well. I got the job as Sgt. Presley’s escort.

‘Probably because I was a professional musician before the war.

‘He was an extremely pleasant, sincere young man who took the time and trouble to speak to everyone he met’.

Now, those weary travellers who have found themselves unwittingly redirected from Heathrow to Scotland are right to feel sorry for themselves.

But at least they can say that they have followed in the footsteps of The Osmonds and Elvis Presley.

And maybe others might want to say… fly me for a reason let that diversion be Scotland.

Countries, Europe, Sport, UK

Le Tour de (Little) France in Edinburgh

19th March 2025 funtime65

Everyone’s going cycling crazy here as we gear up for Le Tour de (Little) France in Edinburgh.

And it’s about temps too as Scotland and France’s links go back centuries through the Auld Alliance of its royal families.

With the ‘Jocks’ nickname for Scots even emanating from the French name Jacques for the-then monarch James.

With the area by the Royal Infirmary where Mary Queen of Scots’ French entourage are said to have stayed… Little France.

Wee Tour de France

The news that Scotland’s capital will host Le Départ 2027, the start of the biggest annual sporting event in the world is trés grand.

And a ringing endorsement for Scottish cycling which has a rich legacy.

Stretching back to King of the Mountains Robert Millar right up to multi-Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy.

The only regret is that my old colleague, Commonwealth Games competitor and cycling and sports journalist Richard Moore is no longer here to see it.

Le Grand Départ is then un grand deal.

And judging by past visits to British shores, in London and Yorkshire, it will bring in hundreds of millions in tourist mullah.

Where in Edinburgh the world’s top cyclists will whizz by will be released in due course.

Hooray for Holyrood

But we would expect the City of Edinburgh and Le Tour to want to showcase the Athens of the North.

And the riders to fly around Holyrood Park where this cyclist travelled daily on his bike to work.

From Edinburgh’s beach town Portobello, home, of course, of our own Sir Chris.

So, Le Dieu willing I’ll be on the streets in two years and Sir Chris will too to cheer on Le Grand Départ.

As we get the wheels turning for Le Tour de (Little) France in Edinburgh.