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UNESCO Europe Spa Towns

29th July 202130th July 2021 funtime65

They’re extra-spacial, our thermal favourites, now officially UNESCO Europe Spa Towns.

Eleven towns were selected to represent Europe from Britain, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Italy and the Czech Republic.

Bath time

Bath, naturally flies the flag for the UK… it’s in the name.

And in Germany where they’re known as Bad as in Baden Baden, Bad Ems, Bad Kissengen.

As well as Baden bei Wien in Austria.

Czech these springs

We’ve lain back and thought of Western Bohemia In the Czech Spa Triangle of Karlovy Vary, Frantiskovy Lazny and Marianske Lazne

Italy boasts Montecatini and France Vichy.

While, of course, Spa in Belgium just had to be included.

As we owe the Belgian town for bestowing the name for our favourite health-giving relaxation.

Water of life

Water is, of course, the source of all life and our spas but the Belgians are all too aware of its devastating force too.

And our friends at the European Historic Thermal Towns Association revealed how they had worked hard and held their breath to see if Spa would be hit.

The original Spa

Spa though was blessed, perhaps because of its status as a healing centre.

With its qualities recognised as far back as Pliny the Elder.

He sayeth: ‘This water purges the body, cures fevers, and dispels calculous affections.’

Royal seal of approval

While King Henry VIII’s physician Agostino introduced the monarch to the waters… and dare say he needed it.

It was no surprise then that his descendant Charles II should take exile here from Cromwell.

His warts and all skim could have used some treatment.

Spas, while popular with the rich and famous are not their preserve.

And I happily joined the Great Unwashed in Marianske Lazne.

Though I did indulge myself by bathing in King Edward VII’s bath.

Forgotten somewhere?

So congratulations to UNESCO Europe Spa Towns.

Although this doesn’t let UNESCO dumping Liverpool off its Heritage List or https://visitbelgium.comyears before the reconstructed Renaissance City Dresden.

Countries

Sláinte World Whisky Day

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Scotland has cornered the market so much we even claim the name ‘whisky’ or ‘scotch’ but let’s share the love. Sláinte World Whisky Day everyone.

So onto a history story here.

Our preeminence in the biggest selling place in the world, America, is down to Prohibition days.

Yes, the Far East is a much sought-after market too where this northern bit of Britain is also widely acknowledged.

But while we all know, and laud, the major whisky (or whiskey if you like) countries what of the others who love the golden nectar?

Boks on the rocks

Bain’s: The only commercial whisky distillery in Africa

South Africa: For those who know, and love, the country they might be surprised to hear that SA has a global award-winning distillery.

But then Andy Watts, the Master Distiller at Bain’s Cape Mountain whisky, knows his uisge beatha.

I’d wager that a people who put ice in their wine have their whisky on the rocks.

Belgian blend

Belgium: Yes, you’ll not be surprised to see that the Belgians have only made their dab at whisky, Gouden Carolus, beer infused.

My old friend Tom, of the Hopperie in Ieper who proudly declared that he sold only beer, hundreds of labels, and could give you tasting notes, would not be amused.

Mind you he’d probably have a whisky-infused beer.

Probably the best

Denmark: It’s probably the best-preserved secret in the world.

We are reliably told that Stauning Whisky combines malted barley and malted rye.

And that fans of American whiskey will go for this. Probably!

Dams and drams

Netherlands: Back to the Low Countries for this one, That Boutique-y Whisky Company Millstone.

And the Zuidam distillery produces a six-year-old single malt which if you like your dram with a cinnamon tang will be right up your street.

Dutch barmen who instinctively use their wee plastic knives to scoop off frothy heads would need retraining.

Swigging in the valleys

Wales: It’s one of life’s mysteries (or whisky’s) that Wales is the odd man out of Celtic countries with no ‘water of life’ heritage.

Their water is surely just as God-given as the Scottish and Irish wet stuff.

And having spent a year in Cardiff I can vouch that Our Lord’s tears fall more plentifully there than anywhere else on Earth.

Brecon Beacons drop, Penderyn Welsh Gold, has vanilla infusions.

Sláinte World Whisky Day

And a whisky cocktail you say…. try this whisky sour.

Culture, Europe, Sport

My Sporting Weekend – masked fans

16th May 202016th May 2020 funtime65

Sports supporters have long had a gallows sense of humour and it’s hardly surprising the Covid-19 crisis has thrown up the masked fan.

Enterprising businessmen and clubs have been busy marketing masks with their team’s crests and colours.

And they have been snapped up by fans who are never left wanting when it comes to the latest merchandise.

The Belgians have been leading the way.

In Brussels Molenbeek have face masks going with club logos which reportedly fetch €7 a piece.

And champions Club Brugge, Liege’s Standard and Ghent’s KAA have been weighing into the initiative.

With charity a major beneficiary.

Which isn’t surprising as the Belgians remain one of the most empathetic nations in the world.

On account of their challenging history… In Flanders fields and https://visitbelgium.com.

The craze has caught on too in the UK with some of the less fashionable clubs to the fore.

So a shout-out to Bournemouth, Dundee United and Dumfermline.

Ja beauty

Yellow peril: Borussia Dortmund. www.bundesliga.com

The Germans are kicking off again today with the eyes of Europe taking a greater than usual interest in the live afternoon game Borussia Dortmund v Schalke.

Dortmund fans are renowned for their passionate support.

But alas their ‘Yellow Wall’ of fans at the Westfalenstadion will be bare as the game will be played behind closed doors.

If I need to pick a side it would be Dortmund because if the small gesture from a visiting Borussia reporter.

Who handed out small crested Borussia pins to the Press Box for a European match at Celtic Park.

If it was a subtle way of getting the Glaswegians on their side and subconsciously reducing Celtic’s chances it failed… the Scots won.

Schalke though have their passionate fans too, none more vociferous than Greta who almost converted me.

On a boat cruise down the River Elbe in Dresden Dresden’s renaissance and https://www.dresden.de/en/tourism/tourism.php. Dresden too have their storied club Dynamo.

For more on the Bundesliga https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga and Germany https://www.tourism.de.

Gone fishing

You’ll need a bigger boat

I hope you’re staying alert on the court and the golf course now that Boris Johnson is allowing the English to get out there playing.

If you’re in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you’ll have to keep your clubs and racquets in the shed for now.

But we can all get our fishing rods out.

On our first summer holiday, to the Algarve, myself and The Scary One went out with a local boatman for a spot of fishing.

No sooner had we dangled our lines in, and I’d caught a tiddler, than we had to head back.

She only needed a toilet break! It was either that or searching out the nearest island… Madeira!

Portugal, as I’ve been keeping you informed, is ahead of the curve and ready to welcome us all back… if we’re healthy.

They’re encouraging watersports, with safe distancing so that’s surfing and angling then.

Which you’ll find in Portugal Centro Secret Portugal and https://www.centerofportugal.com.

While when everything is normal again in Quinta do Lago then you’ll be able to hone your golf skills.

At the Paul McGinley Golf Academy https://www.quintadolago.com/en/golf/academy/ and https://www.google.ie/amp/s/jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2020/03/28/sportugal-2/amp/.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS