Ocean View Magazine - August 2014

OCEAN VIEW Interiors, Lifestyle, Food, Sailing, Cruising and so much more...

Issue 7 Volume 14 2014

FREE

It’s Time To Enjoy An Ocean View OCEAN VIEW 3

2 OCEAN VIEW

Welcome For three very happy years of my life, I lived in Cornwall. Beach jogs, winter surfing, massive scoops of clotted cream ice cream and steaming pasties were part and parcel of life in the West Country. So it’s an absolute delight to have those memories evoked in chef Sam Gardom’s Cornwall feature in this issue, in which he explores hidden coves, beaches and a beautiful catch from the depths of Falmouth Harbour.

We also travel a little further from home, to the far shores of Barbados where we discover a wealth of fun activities and safe places for families with children to enjoy a summer break. If you’re looking for a more active holiday, we show you how you can walk in the footsteps of the Pharaohs along the Nile Valley, exploring the world’s ‘greatest open-air museum’ Luxor and discovering the fascinating history of Ancient Egypt.

Last month we published an extract from David Charles Manners’ new book Limitless Sky and in this issue we dig deeper, finding out the story behind the books and his fascinating insights into life and travel.

We’ve got a wide variety of holiday ideas and destinations for you to fawn over in this issue, so get your tablet/mobile or good old fashioned notebook out and get planning your next trip!

Barbados page 16

Zoe Thomas Editor

OCEAN VIEW 3

We’re moments 4 OCEAN VIEW

We’re timeless

W

www.egypt.travel

We’re Egypt

See you on a Nile Cruise LUXOR - ASWAN

OCEAN VIEW 5

ISSUE 14, Volume 7 2014

Contents

OCEAN VIEW Interiors, Lifestyle, Food, Sailing, Cruising and so much more...

Issue 14 Volume 7 2014

FREE

It’S tIme to enjoy An oCeAn VIew OCEAN VIEW 3

Cover Image: The Nile, Egypt www.gotoegypt.org www.egypt.travel

Ocean View Magazine Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk Commercial Director: Simon Skinner simon@lifemediagroup.co.uk Operations Director Clare Fermor clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk Advertising Sales Lottie Dowdeswell lottie@oceanviewuk.co.uk Editor: Zoe Thomas zoe@lifemediagroup.co.uk Production Manager: Harriet Weston harriet@lifemediagroup.co.uk Design Assistant Amy Watson amy@lifemediagroup.co.uk Accounts: Amelia Wellings: amelia@lifemediagroup.co.uk Subscriptions: Linda Grace linda@lifemediagroup.co.uk Published by: LMG SE LTD Park View House 19 The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3YD 01323 411601 Printed by: Gemini Press Unit A1 Dolphin Way, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 6NZ 01273 464884 All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Ocean View Magazine do not necessarily represent the view of Life Media Group LTD. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Ocean View Magazine assume no reponsibilty for any damage, loss or injury arising from the participation in any offers, competitions or advertisment contained within Ocean View Magazine. All prices featured in Ocean View Magazine are correct at the time of going to press.

Copyright Life Media Group 2014 ©

6 OCEAN VIEW

8.

14.

16.

24.

28.

40.

34.

36.

44.

50.

57.

Aquariums: Aquarium Architecture are specialists in bespoke luxury aquarium design Spending It: We have picked some of the latest sunglasses that will keep you looking cool this summer Barbados: On the West Coast of Barbados, coral shore beaches of fine white sand stretch along a blue-green sea Recipes: Mouthwatering dishes for al fresco summer dining Egypt: Located in the northeast corner of Africa on the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt offers an easy escape to paradise just a five hour flight from London Hotel Review: Len Mansfield and his wife review Holiday Inn Winchester prior to a cruise from Southampton Interview: Ocean View’s Editor, Zoe Thomas speaks with David Charles Manners, Author of ‘Limitless Sky’ about his life changing experiences Weekend Breaks - Torquay: Torquay makes up a stunning part of the south west stretch of coastline affectionately dubbed the English Riviera Variety Cruises: More and more experienced as well as first-time cruise travellers are discovering the amazing value of small ship cruising Cornwall: Sam Gardom takes a trip with friends to Cornish hamlet St Anthony A Day Out in Nice: 5 things to do in the French Riviera’s bustling capital

OCEAN VIEW 7

Aquarium Architecture

Aquarium Architecture are specialists in bespoke luxury aquarium design. Here, Ocean View takes a look at their range of sercvices With offices in London and New York City, and operatives based across the globe, Aquarium Architecture can operate internationally within short time frames.

Each aquarium installation is bespoke, ensuring both a personal and professional service is delivered. All the materials and livestock are hand-selected to complement the desires of the client.

Aquarium Architecture prides itself on its depth of knowledge, quality of service and tailored approach to luxury aquarium design. We work closely with interior designers, architects and engineers to provide the highest standard in design. An understanding of space, light and design aesthetics enables a seamless translation of the client’s vision into a living piece of art .

8 OCEAN VIEW

We offer a wide range of services to provide the comprehensive delivery of bespoke aquariums from the initial consultation through to an ongoing maintenance service.

With a diverse portfolio, ranging from residential bespoke aquariums with vibrant coral reefs to large commercial ones housing imposing sharks and striking jelly fish, with each package tailor-made to suit any budget and time-frame.

Luxury Townhouse Aquarium Hampstead, London Built from special optically clear glass, this luxury aquarium installation holds over 5000 litres of water and accommodates over 200 marine fish, providing the desired unique focal point at this exquisite home.

Reinforced using a high grade steel collar and clad with Italian granite, the glass fish tank fits elegantly into the interior of this London residence. The tank is situated on the basement floor overlooking a large Japanese garden, offering a relaxing oasis away from the main living area.

Luxury Townhouse Aquarium - Hampstead, London

Chaobaby Jellyfish Tank - Sheffield, UK Weird and wonderful with varying colours, this aquarium is the largest privately owned jellyfish tank in the world. Holding 50 moon jellyfish, with a 5,000 litre system, it was hand built and made from cast acrylic. The jellyfish aquarium creates an interesting, unique and show stopping feature within Chaobaby’s Sheffield restaurant.

Richmond Residence - Richmond, London With a holiday home in Hawaii, this client wanted something from his tropical paradise to be brought back to his Londonbased dwelling in Richmond. Holding a water system of 1,000 litres, the bespoke aquarium contains an exotic and colourful array of tropical saltwater aquatic life, all sustainably sourced from coral and aquatic farmers. Framed with a sleek ebony-etched opaque glass from Germany, the aquarium really adds something particularl to this interior. Working alongside Uber Interiors, a stunningly inviting living area was created for this home.

River View - London Bridge, London ‘Floating’ full-wall aquarium design in London. Aquarium Architecture was commissioned to create a ‘full-wall aquarium’ in this City of London residence overlooking Tower Bridge. The clever disguise of the aquarium creates an illusion of a free-floating installation, offering a seamless minimalist facade.

Opting for a full coral reef based on a Red Sea ecosystem, this aquarium holds over 10,000 litres and spans an area of over 240 sq ft. Under the watchful eye of the Aftercare Team, this aquarium is a show stopper.

Chaobaby Jellyfish Tank - Sheffield, UK

Richmond Residence - Richmond, London

River View - London Bridge, London

OCEAN VIEW 9 River View - London Bridge, London

Luxury Townhouse Aquarium - Hampstead, London

10 OCEAN VIEW

Feng Shui - Paris

OCEAN VIEW 11

www.garmin.co.uk

G a r mi n

t ival

Fe s

rou

ng

is p

children’s walks · walks from rails · ramblers walks · ex4 1 0 2 R E B O T C O 7 ds 24 TO 2 i p on alk ploration walks · history walks · nature walks · foodie W sor o t f t h e Is l e o f W i g h walks · nordic walking · dawn chorus walks · children’s walks · walks from rails · speed dating walk · ramblers walks · exploration walks · history walks · nature walks

The UK’s biggest walking festival! www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk facebook.com/isleofwightwalkingfestival @IWWalkingFest

12 OCEAN VIEW

gF

es ti

val

exodie en’s lers alks

t !

Carnivore - Brooklyn, New York Dark and moody, this freshwater aquarium installation in New York hosts 17 red belly piranhas. This popular Brooklyn restaurant wanted something to reflect and represent the idea that all who go to this restaurant go to eat top-class meat.

This concept led them to commission an aquarium full of ravenous, fearsome, typical James Bond meat-eating piranhas on the prowl for the best, most delectable, mouth-watering meat. Dark and moody, this Amazonian freshwater installation is home to 17 red belly piranhas and holds a system of 2,500 litres of water. It’s certainly an experience when it comes to feeding time!

Carnivore - Brooklyn, New York

Feng Shui - Paris A number of different custom fish tanks were installed in this residence. In the basement, a sushi room houses two aquariums, one containing red belly piranhas and the other African cichlids in a lake environment. Two small “Nano” reef aquariums were also installed in one of the children’s bedrooms. The aquariums perfectly compliment the Feng Shui design of the residence, combining all five elements of the Chinese science to bring wealth and prosperity into the home.

Frieze Art - New York Odd yet extremely beautiful, spontaneous yet realistic...This work of art was produced by aquarium designers Aquarium Architecture in conjunction with French artist Pierre Huyghe to originally showcase in the Frieze Art Fair 2010.

It was later relocated to the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Huyghe was to present an aquarium for a marine ecosystem performance. He created a fictional narrative for crabs to enact by filling this aquarium with Mars-like red rock and assorted crabs, including a giant hermit crab that had taken a bronze cast of Brancusi’s Sleeping Muse as its new home. The crab took on a curious and almost comical quality as it scurried around the aquarium.

Feng Shui - Paris

OCEAN VIEW 13 Frieze Art - New York

1 2

3

Summer Sunglasses Ocean view select the latest sunglasses to keep you looking cool this summer

4

5

7 6

14 OCEAN VIEW

SPENDING IT 8 9

10

11

12

13

14

15

1. Twisted Soul Mens Tortoise shell Clubmaster Sunglasses, £9.99. www.blueinc.co.uk 2. Sunglasses Shop, Ralph by Ralph Lauren, £60, www.sunglasses-shop.co.uk 3. Lands’ End Sunglasses, £14.95, www.landsend.co.uk 4. Sunglasses Shop, Miu Miu, £201, www.sunglassesshop.co.uk 5. Dune Philly, £29, www.dune.co.uk 6. Red Herring Sunglasses, £15, www.debenhams. com 7. Sunglasses Shop, Italia Independent, £149, www.sunglasses-shop.co.uk 8. Oliver Bonas Cat Eye Sunglasses, £18, www.oliverbonas.com 9. Large Oversized Sunglasses, £9.95, www. whatsabouttown.com 10. Ray-Ban tortoiseshell metal Men’s sunglasses, £105, www.visionexpress. com 11. Unisex Gold with Pink Mirror Top Gun Aviator Sunglasses, £20, www.sunglassjunkie. com 12. Balko Matte Latte Front, £285, www.olivergoldsmith.com 13. Heston Eton silver metal men’s sunglasses, £55, www.visionexpress.com 14. Unisex Clear Crystal Festival Wayfarer Sunglasses, £18, www.sunglassjunkie.com 15. Unisex Top Gun Foldable Aviator Limited Edition Sunglasses, £25, www.sunglassjunkie.com

OCEAN VIEW 15

Barbados…Feel The Joy of Life On the West Coast of Barbados, coral shore beaches of fine white sand stretch along a blue-green sea

A local’s guide to… nightlife Entertainment in Barbados starts in St. Lawrence Gap. A wander through The Gap reveals a number of nightclubs and bars, catering to all musical tastes.

Try the Reggae Lounge, an open-air nightclub allows clubbers to dance the night away under the stars, surrounded by natural, tropical vegetation. The club offers a wide range of music, from reggae and calypso to mellow music and Rhythm and Blues.

16 OCEAN VIEW

Barbados may be known as ‘Little England’, but there’s something distinctly un-British about average daily temperatures of 26ºC, turquoise waters and subtropical flora and fauna. Its nickname stems from the fact that this 166sq km block of coral limestone was – up until quite recently, under British rule (1600s1966). Today, the beauty of Barbados lies in its vibrant mix of different cultures, which include English, African and West Indian – all coming together to create a unique island identity. The people of Barbados, known as Bajans, are known for being passionate, expressive people with a real joy for life, art, dance and food. Now it’s your chance to come and experience the joy of island life for yourself…

A Place to take the Family With its soft sand beaches, calm Caribbean

waters and child-friendly hotels with kids clubs, Barbados makes for the ideal place to go with your children in tow. Here, you can spend your days relaxing beneath a parasol on the beach, watching the kids splash around in the shallows, chasing lizards and catching crabs. Or, you can leave those pristine beaches behind and head out for a family adventure at one of Barbados’ many exciting visitor attractions.

Barbados Wildlife Reserve Here you can roam freely through the wildlife reserve, observing animals at close range in their natural environments.

Kids will love seeing the Barbados Green Monkeys, which have cheeky and inquisitive natures (so much so you’ll need to keep a tight hold of any handbags!). A huge variety of brightly coloured birds can also be spotted, including flamingos, parrots and

peacocks. You can also explore the reptile house, which is full of snakes, iguanas, turtles and tortoises.

The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is located in the parish of Saint Peter, Barbados. It occupies four acres of mahogany forest near the top of Farley Hill.

Welchman Hall gully Step back in time and see what the island would have been like 300 years ago before any major developments. Welchman Hall gully is a tropical forest full of natural history and exotic plants. Here you can hike through the jungle on your own expedition.

The Jolly Roger More of a party than a cruise, the pirate schooner Jolly Roger 1 offers sightseeing along the coast with the added bonus of a rope swing, a ‘walk-the-plank’, a conga

dancing to samba music, and barrels filled with rum. Great for little kids and big kids alike.

Leaving from the heart of Bridgetown daily.

Food for the Soul Bajans take their food and drink heritage very seriously. Families pass down recipes from generation to generation, fusing tastes, cultures and ingredients to produce imaginative dishes with traditional roots.

You’ll find plenty of restaurants on the island, with more than 100 from coast to coast. Themes range from fine dining to relaxed beach cafes, with a range of cuisines on offer from all over the world – all with a Bajan twist, of course.

Fresh seafood is a must-try and one local delicacy is flying fish with cou-cou, the national dish of Barbados. Each Friday the

A local’s guide to… dining out Fish Pot – this gorgeous little restaurant is located in the parish of St. Lucy in the very north of the island. Head here for lunch and enjoy the long, scenic drive up the west coast. The restaurant is perched right on the seaside and makes for the most breath taking views of the bluest blues of the Caribbean Sea. Best picks: the catch of the day is always fabulously fresh and delicious. Reservations strongly suggested.

OCEAN VIEW 17 River View - London Bridge, London

village of Oistins holds a fish fry where you can choose your meal from a variety of vendors, sit back, enjoy the food and soak up the atmosphere.

Barbados is thought to be the birthplace of rum, and this sweet golden tipple is now famous across the globe. The history of Barbados’ rum is celebrated every year at the island’s Food and Rum festival, which sees local and international chefs descend upon the island to cook up a storm for four days in November.

Thurs 20 Nov – Sunday 23 Nov 2014.

Get Stuck into Sports Barbadians are avid sportsmen and sportswomen, who have a passion for a wide variety of activities, including horseracing, polo, water sports, road tennis, golf, track and field, football and – most especially, cricket.

Golf at the five top international courses For those who want to play golf while visiting the Island, Barbados has some of the region’s most luxurious and breathtaking courses and has received unprecedented attention from golf aficionados.

Barbados Golf Club: In June 2000, Barbados’ first championship public golf

A local’s guide to… activities Stand up paddle boarding – this is relatively new to Barbados and is gradually gaining in popularity.

Makes for a different day at the beach as you paddle from bay to bay over unbelievably crystal clear water.

If you’re not one for too much sun exposure, try the sunset paddles, which actually make for the most striking silhouette photos.

18 OCEAN VIEW

BARBADOS

A local’s guide to... hidden beauty Harrison’s Cave – this is actually not hidden, but is a true gem. Even as a local, I still visit Harrison’s Cave whenever the opportunity arises.

The beauty of the caves is truly mind blowing and the guided tour on board the tram is enlightening and gives some good insight into the intricacy of nature.

OCEAN VIEW 19

BARBADOS course opened. The course, which was created in 1974, was re-designed by architect Ron Kirby, one of the most respected and experienced golf course architects in the world. Kirby reconstructed the 18-hole, par-72 golf course to be fair and challenging, yet pleasurable and relaxing.

Apes Hill Club: One of the newest championship golf courses in the Caribbean, enjoys a prime location at almost 1,000 feet above sea level in the centre of Barbados. With lush grassland, coral stone quarries, wooded ravines and sparkling lakes, the course is as much in accord with its natural surroundings as it is an exciting challenge for golfers.

Sandy Lane Golf Club: The prestigious five-star Sandy Lane Resort added two 18-hole courses in 2001 for a total of 45 holes of championship golf. Sandy Lane now ranks among the top golf resorts in the world. The two new courses were designed by world-renowned Tom Fazio,

A local’s guide to… beaches Harrismith Beach – hidden away in the parish of St. Philip, Harrismith Beach is not easy to get to, but worth it. Overlooking the beach are the ruins of an old stone great house (better admired from the outside), which makes for a lovely photo backdrop.

Access to the beach is via an old stone staircase, which leads the way to a small but stunning and deserted beach. Swimming is not advisable as the Atlantic Ocean is not as friendly as the Caribbean Sea, but you will be able to take a dip in the natural pools at the shore.

20 OCEAN VIEW

OCEAN VIEW 21

An extraordinary ocean race to a most extraordinary island The Governor’s Cup is an exhilarating downhill dash from Simon’s Bay, South Africa to James Bay, St Helena Island.

THE NEXT RACE IS DECEMBER 2014. " THE GREATEST OCEAN RACE YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF." Yachting World

"Start planning immediately and get prepared for three holidays of a lifetime, all in one – the race, the beautiful island and its delightful people, and the luxurious voyage back on the RMS St Helena."

Billy Leisegang, Manager, False Bay Yacht Club

OPPOSITE: Views of the Kremlin, Moscow, Russia ABOVE: The River Neva, St. Petersburg,

For more information: Tel: +290 22158 Email: enquiries@tourism.co.sh 22 OCEAN 34 VIEW www.sthelenatourism.com

103949.001 ESH Yachts and Yachting Full Page Ad(FIN).indd 1

01/11/2013 10:19

BARBADOS

are located on a luxurious tropical estate, replete with beautiful homes amid lush landscape.

Royal Westmoreland Golf & Country Club: Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, this superb 18-hole championship course has established itself as one of the Caribbean’s finest, with the front and back nine holes offering contrasting challenges, stunning scenery, a constant view of the sea and a succession of “feature holes.”

Top Gear Festival For petrol heads, the two day Top Gear festival is not to be missed.

Here, you can watch Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May go head to head in the drift challenge, see Lewis Hamilton take to the track in his Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 car, and watch drivers take in the classic To Gear challenge of car football.

A local’s guide to… traditional food Pudding and souse – this is a Saturday staple and if you really want to experience Barbados the local way, this is must try. Souse is pork meat pickled in lime juice, cucumber and onion, while pudding is grated breadfruit stuffed into the intestine of the pig. If you’re truly daring or don’t enjoy pork, also try the pickled seacat (octopus), which is considered a delicacy.

OCEAN VIEW 23

ESSENTIAL RECIPES

The Great Summer Party We love little summer get-togethers. Mostly they’re spontaneous, as you can never guarantee the weather.

We want to encourage you to get outside, entertain and impress your friends, but do it with ease, where you as the host also get to enjoy the sunshine and the free living. Here are some ideas that work well for us and that we’re always getting asked how to do.

Calarami and Chorizo Salad Serves 2 1 squid, sliced thinly 200g (7oz) fresh chorizo, diced 300g (approx 12) parboiled new/baby potatoes 100g (3 cups) washed rocket leaves (arugula) 50ml olive oil 1 lemon Salt and pepper For the pesto: 2 bunches basil, trimmed with stalks removed 50g (½ cup) pine nuts 50g (½ cup) grated parmesan 150ml extra virgin olive oil Salt to taste 1. Bang all the pesto ingredients into a food processor and blend well. Taste and add some more salt, cheese or pepper to taste.

2. Get the pan on, nice and hot. Add a glug of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon.

Toss and fry the potatoes until golden and crisp. Add a pinch of salt and pepper halfway through. Take out and allow to rest in a bowl.

3. Keeping the pan hot, toss in the chorizo and fry for a minute, then add in the squid and fry for another two minutes, tossing in the pan. Return the potatoes into the pan and stir everything together. Next add a dollop of the basil pesto and stir. Dish up into your favourite bowl and throw some fresh rocket on top. If you fancy it, add some freshly grated parmesan and some lemon zest.

4. If you’ve been growing edible flowers, add some for decoration and colour.

24 OCEAN VIEW

“We want to encourage you to get outside, entertain and impress your friends”

OCEAN VIEW 25

ESSENTIAL RECIPES

Pork and Sage Burgers with Celery Salad Celery salad ½ cucumber, peeled, deseeded and sliced 1 green apple, diced 1 head of celery, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons whole almonds or walnuts, crushed For the dressing 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 3 tablespoons rapeseed oil 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Salt and pepper 1. Grab an old jam jar, place all the dressing ingredients inside, and shake, shake, shake it! Voilà – dressing done.

2. Combine all the salad ingredients into your favourite bowl, add the dressing and stir everything around to marry the flavours.

Makes four big burgers or six smaller ones 700g/1.5lb pork mince 100g/3.5oz bacon lardons Small handful sage, chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely diced 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon Worcester sauce 1 egg Salt and pepper Garnish 4 to 6 slices smoked cheddar cheese 4 to 6 crispy iceberg leaves 2 tomatoes, sliced Sliced gherkins 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard 4 soft flour baps 1. Begin by frying your lardons in a hot pan and rendering the fat out until they become crispy and brown. Next throw in the sage and fry with the bacon for a further minute.

2. Drain off excess fat and place to one side.

3. Grab a large bowl to make up your pork mix. Crack in the egg and add all ingredients, including the sage and crispy lardons; season with plenty of salt and pepper. Mix together well, getting your hands nice and meaty!

Divide the mix into four or six portions. Make round balls of mince and gently pat them flat to form burger patties. If you have time, pop them into the fridge for half an hour so they firm up a little.

4. Pan fry gently for around four to five minutes on each side, turning only once. Don’t be too fussy. To prevent dryness, use a spoon to baste them in their juices. Don’t forget to put smoked cheese on top near the end of cooking.

5. Build each burger with mustard, mayonnaise, crispy cold lettuce, fresh tomato and gherkins. Then tuck in with celery salad, corn on the cob and cold cider!

26 OCEAN VIEW

OPPOSITE: Pork and Sage Burgers with Celery Salad

Crab Cakes Crab is healthy, sustainable, tasty and eaten around the world – steamed, boiled or fried.

My favourite are these coconut Thai crab cakes with sweet chilli ginger sauce. Yum! serve 4 to 6 450g (1 lb) white crabmeat (drained well to squeeze out any juice) 3 eggs or 2 large eggs 160g (1¼ cups) breadcrumbs, blended until fine 100g (1 cup) dried desiccated coconut 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce 1 lime, zested and juiced 3 lime leaves, chopped, or 1 stalk of lemongrass, thinly sliced (often you’ll find these frozen in Asian stores) 1 tablespoon ginger, grated 1 small red chilli 1 clove garlic 3 scallions (green onions), chopped Coriander, chopped Flour for coating Oil for light frying (vegetable is best) FROM TH E AUTHOR S OF THE SURF CA FÉ COOKBO OK

After releasing their first title The Surf Café Cookbook, Jane and Myles transformed a rundown cottage into a contemporary beach house. In Surf Café Living, they share a wealth of design and style inspirations along with resourceful ideas for hosting friends and family. This book is all about stress-free, flavoursome entertaining. It will inspire you to invite guests around for brunch, throw an impromptu barbecue or take the next step and host a dinner party filled with music, tasty food, flowers and friends.

3. Serve while warm with sweet chilli dipping sauce on the side.

Surf Café Living explores everything from keeping bees and harvesting herbs to sourcing the perfect vintage treasure for your home. Taking his cue from the changing seasons, talented chef Myles shows you how to prepare mouth-watering dishes such as Calamari And Chorizo Salad, Veggie Noodle Soup, Pan-Fried Skate, Spatchcock Chicken With Salsa Verde, Cola Pulled Pork, Chocolate Raspberry Tart and Homemade Marshmallows. In these pages you’ll learn how to make upcycled cushion covers, inventive party decorations and campfire coffee too.

This book is dedicated to making your house a home and filling it with great friends, family and – of course – delectable food.

These also go well with Asian pickled vegetable salad and a glass of cool Chardonnay.

ABOVE LEFT: Crab Cakes

ISBN 978-0-9567893-6-5

9 780956 789365

L I V I N G

Surfers Jane and Myles Lamberth are living their dream – running a bustling seaside café, creating a gorgeous home and enjoying the coastal lifestyle that goes with it. Surf Café Living is their second book, and here they once again serve up delicious, easy-to-make recipes with an emphasis on fresh, organic, seasonal produce.

C A F E

2. Make the cakes, place on a tray and pat them flat. Allow them to firm up in the fridge for an hour or so. When ready to cook lightly coat in flour and shallow fry until golden.

S U R F

S U R F C A F E L I V I N G 1. Halve the breadcrumbs and blend in a food processor with all the other ingredients. Blend until it forms a maleable consistency. If it’s still too soft keep adding the breadcrumbs until the consistency becomes easy to form small round cakes, about the size of a golf ball.

C O O K I N G , E N T E R TA I N I N G A N D L I V I N G B Y T H E S E A

By Jane and Myles Lamberth

UK £17.99 EUROPE €19.95 USA $24.95 CANADA $27.95 AUST $34.95 INC GST SOUTH AFRICA R275

Surf Cafe Living, published by Orca Book Publishers, £17.99 www.orcabook.com

OCEAN VIEW 27

28 OCEAN VIEW

Walk in the Footsteps of the Pharaohs Along the Nile Valley Located in the northeast corner of Africa on the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt offers an easy escape to paradise just a five hour flight from London

OCEAN VIEW 29

L

ocated in the northeast corner of Africa on the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt offers an easy escape to paradise just a five hour flight from London. Home to colossal ancient monuments, expansive desert landscapes, the world’s longest river and the stunning Red Sea Riviera resorts, the timeless tourism destination of Egypt is steeped in rich culture, attracting travellers to its glittering golden shores since classical times.

A cradle of civilisation, Egypt offers a vast collection of cultural experiences spanning thousands of years of history. With its sand-covered tombs, bustling bazaars and souks peppered with exotic wares, multitude of museums housing an array of well-preserved artefacts, and of course the lush Nile Valley with exquisite Pharonic temples and waterside tombs basking on its fertile sun-kissed banks, Egypt brings out the explorer in everyone.

Nile Cruise Surrounded by cinnamon dunes and tropical vegetation, a Nile cruise is the ultimate 30 OCEAN VIEW

gateway to experience authentic Egypt.

Wake to the soft light of the morning sun reflecting off the sparkling river and witness the continued practice of age old traditions unfolding in front of you: fishermen casting their nets, farmers tilling their land, intimate feluccas sailing to secluded islands at a lazy pace alongside floating water buffalos and ancient monuments representing millennia of history standing proud along the river banks.

Flowing from South to North, the river Nile has been the lifeline of Egypt since ancient times; a source of life and prosperity bringing fertility to the soil and creating a valley where communities have thrived from the earliest times. Acting as the country’s main artery; the mighty river is a vessel along which the riches of one of the oldest civilisations in the world are easily accessible to most holidaymakers.

In addition to ancient sites, typical cruise itineraries will include a traditional Galabeya Party, and optional excursions such as an afternoon of felucca sail around

Kitchener’s Island, a botanical paradise, and a visit to the celebrated Temples at Abu Simbel.

Luxor In Luxor, once an Ancient Egyptian capital and known today as the world’s “greatest open-air museum”, visitors can discover a wealth of world-class wonders. From the replica tomb of the famous boy king, Tutankhamen, in the renowned Valley of the Kings to the magnificent sunset views at the majestic temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor, and the celebrated temple of Queen Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon, Luxor is a paradise for all culture vultures.

Divided by the Nile into the East Bank and West Bank, Luxor held a place of great cultural significance to the Ancient Egyptians, symbolising life and death respectively. Where the East Bank thrives as a bustling modern city draped with emerald flora, the West Bank is home to well-known preserved necropoli and beautiful mortuary temples such as The Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Workers Village and

Karnak Temple Complex is made up of temple over the years. Statues and reliefs Temple of Medinet Habu. three main temples, several small temples from Tutankhamun, Queen Hatshepsut, Situated on the ancient site of Thebes, and a sprinkle of outer temples hemming Ramses II and Amenhotep III can all the Valley of Kings is an impressive ancient the perimeter of the grounds. Celebrating be seen etched across the walls, tracing burial ground for many of Ancient Egypt’s the achievements of generations of ancient years of great Pharonic lineage, while the well-known rulers. Secluded within a wadi builders over a period of 1,500 years, it was Mummification Museum further into the formed over millennia by rainfall and one of the Ancient Egyptians’ most sacred city presents all visitors with an insight into water runoff, the site is home to 63 tombs, sites and still today the size, complexity and the art of mummification. While mummified including those of King Tutankhamun and diversity of the structure remains unmatched Ramses IV. anywhere else in the world.

Located close-by, the resting “Where the East Bank thrives as a Whenever you go, Egypt is place of the wives of Pharaohs characterised by its year-round as well as princes, princesses and bustling modern city draped with sun and warmth, as the sun shines various members of the nobility, emerald flora, the West Bank is home for 11 hours during the summer, the Valley of the Queens lies with temperatures reaching 39°C, hidden away in a remote ravine. to well-known preserved necropoli and and eight hours in winter, seeing Painted with scenes depicting beautiful mortuary temples” temperatures averaging 26°C. All Queen Nefertari being guided this sunshine, combined with Egypt’s by gods, Queen Nefertari’s tomb fascinating cultural history, makes in the Valley of the Queens is this the ideal place for a cultural getaway animals are a unique collection to the renowned as one of the most beautifully this Autumn. museum, visitors will also discover the preserved in the country. tools, embalming materials, amulets, coffins Rich with chronicles of the past, the For more information, please visit: and Canopic Jars that were used as part of Temple of Luxor stands as testimony to the www.egypt.travel, or check out the UK the preservation process. enduring legacy of Egypt’s history. A walk Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ Home to the Temple of Amun - the through the complex reveals the contribution LoveEgyptUK largest place of worship ever built – the of many pharaohs in the construction of the OCEAN VIEW 31

A Place to Stay Before Setting Sail

W

e could say the car park was a bit of a hike to the reception area, however you can of course (as we did) drop your bags at reception before parking. On the plus side, the car park is huge and secure – so no problems there.

We were treated with a very warm ‘good day’ from the reception staff, who were so friendly but at the same time wonderfully professional, working from what can only be described as an impressively modern, bright area.

Of course, it’s one of those hotels – you could be anywhere in the world. But despite its uniform décor and familiar Holiday Inn logos, there is a certain feeling of freshness as the light streams into the whole open plan foyer through wonderful panoramic 32 OCEAN VIEW

Len Mansfield and his wife review Holiday Inn Winchester prior to a cruise from Southampton

windows. And after a long stuffy car journey, what could be better than settling down at the American style bar for a round or two?

After a refreshing drink, we made our way upstairs and were certainly not disappointed when we entered our clean, sharp styled bedroom, which had quality fittings and modern décor. One could not help notice the detail in the modern interior design and colour coordination.

At dinner time we were escorted to the bar and after a well prepared cocktail, on to our table where we were promptly supplied with water and a wine list whilst we leisurely chose our food from the surprisingly high quality and imaginative menu. The food itself was

prompt and hot, the standard much better than we expected from a four star hotel.

We both selected the same starter: smoked salmon which was presented in a french style, absolutely delicious, followed by lemon sole and scallops in a filou pastry, I could have eaten this dish all night .... and sea bass for my wife which was (so she says) equally delicious. Our deserts were again French-based recipes, and as we spend a lot of time in France we were obviously critical. Luckily, if anything they were as good as any we have ever enjoyed in France!

Our wine waiter certainly knew his stuff, although after much deliberating we settled for the house wine, which was again high quality and excellent value for money. We

both decided we would happily come to this hotel just for the food alone.

After our very sound, quite nights sleep, on a very comfortable large bed – it was time for breakfast. We were spoilt for choice, with both continental or full English options available, including bags of fruit and various cold meats and cheeses.

This Hotel was not only good value for money but a must for those who want to see the lovely town of Winchester. It is of course an ideal option for those who are travelling from Southampton on a cruise. The hotel also offers transport to the docks for your departure, which we were pleased to take advantage of.

Holiday Inn Winchester,Telegraph Way, Morn Hill, Winchester, SO21 1HZ www.hiwinchester.co.uk OCEAN VIEW 33

Limitless Sky Ocean View’s Editor, Zoe Thomas, speaks with David Charles Manners, Author of ‘Limitless Sky’, about his life changing experiences

“People talk very tritely about travel changing their lives – but this really was a journey that completely changed my life”

34 OCEAN VIEW

David Charles Manners – accomplished Why did you decide to write Limitless author, composer, performer, set designer Sky? and yoga teacher, has spent the last 21 years Limitless Sky slots into my first book, In of his life living between the South Downs The Shadow of The Crows, which describes and the Bengal Himalayas, where he runs a a journey I undertook alone in my 20s when charity helping underprivileged, ‘forgotten’ I went to India, travelling from one coast to people on the Indian subcontinent. the other, driven by a desire to find the place David has recently published his second where my dad grew up. book Limitless Sky, which documents his It was driven by childhood imagination first meeting with a Nepalese shaman in the – all my bedtime stories were based around foothills of the Himalayas – a wise old man his family’s life in India. I got to the point who changed his life by teaching him the where I wanted to go and see this for myself. practical and ancient philosophy of tantric But also to find out the truth about my yoga. Through a Great Uncle Oscar, series of gruelling “What I discovered was that who was a childhood initiations, David hero of mine. He was her whispered stories were was taught to a tea planter and my true, and that he did in fact aim to live fully grandmother used to and joyfully with tell me secret things have a family, and he had purpose, and to Uncle Oscar that taken a local princess as a wife” about acquire selfthe rest of the family knowledge without said were untrue. So at self-interest. By this point, I wanted to find out what really sharing his incredible story and insights, happened. She had said that he’d taken local David hopes that we, too, may benefit from wives, and had children that he would hide his jhankri’s lessons. under the floor when Europeans came to In this exclusive interview with Ocean visit. His house was on the route up the hills View, David reveals his motives for writing from Dajiling up to Mount Everest, so all the book, ponders the purpose of travel and the expeditions would go past his way – he describes the intoxicating, overpowering entertained people like George Mallory and beauty of India…. so forth.

INTERVIEW

And so I went to find what was left of his life. I thought I’d just find his grave, which was all my grandmother asked – ‘bring back a stone from Uncle Oscar’s grave’. But what I discovered was that her whispered stories were true, and that he did in fact have a family, and he had taken a local princess as a wife. And the people there told me the same thing: that when expeditions got to Mt Everest, he’d hide his family under the floor.

The Church of England in India wouldn’t marry mixed blood relationships, so to keep up appearances, to show his face in the club, he had to keep his wife and children hidden away.

Making this discovery and finding out that I had 30 plus blood cousins still living on the family estate, opened up a whole new world for me. Part of that new world was discovering the Tradition, up in those hills.

That was a very unexpected route, which I’d never imagined but it gave me access to depths of their culture, that hill culture which is very distinctive in the hills around Darjeeling and Kampur, in the East. Because of this blood connection, it gave me access

that, if I’d been an ordinary tourist heading through with my backpack, I would never have had access to.

People talk very tritely about travel changing their lives – but this really was a journey that completely changed my life.

He [the jhankri] gave me permission to write about it. It’s taken me a long time, because this all started 25 years ago. I didn’t think I could write about it because it seemed so personal. It’s an extraordinary thing to go through.

Is it difficult writing about such personal experiences?

To be honest when I first wrote the book it wasn’t so personal. But the publisher said they wanted more of me in it – my personal journey. So it wasn’t simply passing on the lessons I was taught but actually describing the route that I had to undertake.

Writing has always been a passion, since I was very very small. I used to run away a lot from school, I was very unhappy. Right from infant school. I used to run all the way home, which was a long way. I’d go and

“to evoke a foreign atmosphere in a country that many people would probably never visit, is very challenging but also very satisfying”

hide in a tree-house at the end of my garden, thinking that no one would ever find me – but of course I’d be found and then dragged back to school. I had a headmistress who decided I had some ‘issues’, as they were called. She sat me down and said: ‘don’t worry about the lessons today, I just want you to write me a story’. So I wrote the story and filled a whole textbook with it, and she entered it for a competition. I got third prize.

That was really a light-on moment. I realised this was something I could actually do.

OCEAN VIEW 35

INTERVIEW

“There’s something about India – it’s a very tough place to travel in, but there’s something about it that makes you have to go back”

36 OCEAN VIEW

For years I used to write stories for nobody but my brother. He used to hate them. He wanted stories about trains and cars, which didn’t interest me at all.

Did the writing process diminish or enhance your memories in any way?

I find writing about my experiences enhances them. Having to find language to convey a sense of place, to evoke a foreign atmosphere in a country that many people would probably never visit, is very challenging but also very satisfying – especially when people say that they feel it’s worked.

Particularly with this personal journey, putting some of it into words was more emotionally difficult than I thought. The

sensual experience in India is so intense because everything is working at once in a way that I’ve not yet found anywhere else I’ve been. There’s an intensity to life in India. An intensity that smelt, and all the senses are on fire. It sort of becomes addictive. I’ve heard other travellers talk about this. There’s something about India – it’s a very tough place to travel in, but there’s something about it that makes you have to go back.

It’s not always a pleasant sensation but there is nowhere I’ve been that I feel more alive than in India.

What first captivated you about the idea of travel?

The stories played a major part in that,

OCEAN VIEW 37

Cappadocia

The Stunning Taskonaklar Rocky Palace The stunning Taskonaklar Rocky Palace is in fact a collection of ancient village houses and natural caves that were transformed into a boutique hotel in 2006 – a truly unique space where every stone, arch and chimney represents Cappadocia’s fascinating history.

Hewn from the very rocks of the region, Taskonaklar is part of the magnificent land of Cappadocia and provides a unique base from which to explore this one-of-a-kind area. Subterranean spaces, rustic walls, stone archways and luxurious decor combine to make this hotel a destination in its own right.

Mauritius island The hotel is in a perfect location to discover the area, to connect to trekking and hiking paths or start pedalling with a mountain bike, since it’s located in Uchisar, at the top of the Pigeon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to it dramatic volcanic landscape filled with underground caverns, fairy chimneys, monasteries and rock-hewn churches.

38 OCEAN VIEW

www.taskonaklar.com

INTERVIEW

because to know that ancestors and close family had gone on extraordinary adventures made it possible for me to do the same. It planted the seed that the world was actually accessible. I had a family that was very passionate about stories – about passing on the family history. That was very important because it fired my imagination. It gave me a hunger for the world, for different cultures.

Some of my relatives had extraordinary experiences. Some not so great – I had a great uncle who was eaten by cannibals in Papa New Guinea. But it didn’t put me off at all. There was a romance about travel.

What’s the best way to gain a sense of fulfillment from travelling?

It sounds obvious in a way, but put aside your preconceptions. I’ve observed it many times when Western travellers, particularly going East and to South America, have a certain level of cultural condescension with the assumption that, because generally we live in clean tidy places, the places that are not clean and tidy are somehow lesser. And yet, I learnt very quickly on my first journey that the only way to find the pleasure in the experience was to put aside all those cultural preconceptions, and put away the fear. Because I recognised that I was getting quite anxious that things were so different.

But in fact I have found across the world, wherever I have been, that if you are open to experience other people’s culture and to communicate with local people, people are extraordinarily warm and generous and eager to share their version of the world.

For somebody who hasn’t travelled widely, that would be my principal advice I think.

Connect with the local people and put aside your preconceptions.

Has your experience of travel changed now that you practice the Tradition?

Yes, I think my experience of travel has changed because of what I’ve been taught.

Particularly during the initiation part of it, I had to challenge my preconceptions, and face my fears in many different ways. That made me very confident. I used to be very

shy – I was brutally bullied at school and I was very timid and socially awkward. I didn’t actually think I’d survive my first trip because I was so overwhelmed, and it was so far from everything I was used to.

But what I’ve learnt about understanding myself, accepting myself, resolving the conflicts that I had with myself and with the world, travel has become far richer, and putting aside my own fear has been the major thing for me. I’m now much braver at communicating with people, being willing to step into someone else’s world. Some of the crazy things I had to do in there – I was blindfolded and put in a cave for days on end, left alone so I couldn’t hear or see. It really pushes all your buttons. After going through those sorts of things, nothing else seems quite so scary anymore. If I can do that, I can handle a crazy local market or whatever it is. Also, it’s given me far greater faith in human nature. Because of this legacy of bullying and other stuff, I was very anxious and fearful of people. These years of teaching have really unravelled that, which means that I am more able to connect with people.

It’s true that people are by nature warm and generous.

Do you think being alone offers a different experience of travel?

Travelling alone offers a very different experience. There are benefits to it and there are other things that aren’t so great and at the end of the day there is great pleasure in having somebody you can say ‘oh, remember when that happened, what do you think about that?’, but travelling alone is good for a writer because – if you only have your pad, or your journal to get it all out and describe it, explore what it’s provoked for you, that’s really great. I would recommend it to anybody who actually wants to write about travel – they need to go alone. It intensifies the experience. It forces you to have to engage with other people and not just your travel buddy.

You can order a copy of Limitless Sky from Random House www. randomhouse.co.uk/editions/limitlesssky/9781846044458 To find out more about David’s charity, please visit www.sarva.org.uk OCEAN VIEW 39

Panoramic view ofVIEW Torquay Harbour 40 OCEAN

Discovering the English Riviera

By Lu Wright

OCEAN VIEW 41

Weekend Breaks - Torquay

R

enowned for its sandy beaches and Mediterranean feel, Torquay makes up a stunning part of the south west stretch of coastline, affectionately dubbed the English Riviera. Coves, palm-lined promenades and blue-flag beaches are just some of the attractions on offer. Visitors can choose from 19 beaches during their stay, offering some fantastic panoramic views. With a beach for every seaside lover imaginable, there are also a number of coastline activities on offer, ranging from water-sports for the more adventurous souls to sun-bed hire for those wanting to achieve that ultimate summer glow.

To many a dog lover’s delight, most of these beaches are also canine friendly – however, if you are looking for a secluded spot to take in the never-ending coastline, you could try Hollicombe beach, which hosts an impressive garden and is typically dog-free.

Many of the beaches are known characteristically for their red sand and overhanging cliff faces, which make the area feel distinctly unique. For visitors searching for something entirely exclusive, there is Kents Cavern, a striking natural cave waiting to be explored just a few footsteps away from Meadfoot beach. Thought to have been inhabited by prehistoric man, these natural caves are a protected national monument and host rich and stunningly beautiful geological formations of stalagmite. If natural history doesn’t interest you, you could take a short ferry journey and venture across to Dartmouth, an area itself famous for its beauty.

Perhaps the most celebrated attraction is Dartmouth Castle, a fortress that has presided over the old town for more than 600 years. Located near the mouth of the river Dart, this ancient stronghold overhangs the water like something out of a fairy-tale. For those wanting to

Beach Huts Beach huts and cafe at Corbyn’s Beach

Chestnut Avenue allows diners to really appreciate why this resort is affectionately known as the English Riviera. The Bay Brasserie boasts ceiling to floor windows and an impressive terrace that allows customers to take in the coastal view.

For those interested in literature and the works of Dame Agatha Christie, Torquay is furthermore a key location. The famed crime writer was born in Torquay and to this day many flock to the area to visit landmarks associated with her. In honour of her achievements, Torquay has since made a one-mile stretch that includes ten related landmarks, aptly named ‘The Agatha Christie Mile’. For those looking for something of a fun day out, there is also the whole miniature world of Babbacombe Model Village. This award winning miniature world is set in four acres of gardens hosting full sound effects as well as animation. Visitors will find hundreds of realistic miniatures that span every architectural era possible, as well as a crazy golf course that is included in the admissions charge. If you are a shopaholic by nature then head to Fleet Walk, home to 140,000 square feet of retail outlets. With over 400 parking spaces, this area is perfect for a little spot of retail therapy. If you prefer the enchantment of a local market there is also of course The Market Forum and Union Square, which both host a number of individual outlets and stalls. If you are looking for the best view of Torquay after your shopping spree, there is the opportunity to ride the English Riviera Ferris Wheel, which allows for a 360 degree view of the bay from 40 lit up gondolas. Whether it is any of these attractions or perhaps something else that attracts you to the beautiful coastline of Torquay, the area will not disappoint with its sandy shores, seaside cuisine and outstanding natural coves.

“If you are looking for the best view of Torquay after your shopping spree, there is the opportunity to ride the English Riviera Ferris Wheel, which allows for a 360 degree view of the bay from 40 lit up gondolas”

42 OCEAN VIEW

experience the true magic of this location, there is also a river boat that takes visitors from the town quay directly to the castle, allowing for some truly picturesque waterside photographs along the way.

If the quintessentially English side of you is also looking for a bite to eat, Torquay will not disappoint with the ‘Hanburys Award Winning Fish and Chips’ shop located on Princes Street. This Fish and Chips outlet boasts some of the finest seaside cuisine in the area, with a takeaway and restaurant option available. If you prefer a more international menu, The Bay Brasserie in

OCEAN VIEW 43

44 OCEAN VIEW

Luxury is Exclusivity When it comes to unlocking true luxury, exclusivity is the key

OCEAN VIEW 45

46 OCEAN VIEW

SPONSORED FEATURE - VARIETY CRUISES

Mini Guide to Kea • Kea is close to the Greek mainland but many tourists pass it by on their way to busier destinations.

• Kea used to be known as ‘Hydroussa’ – the ‘Water Island’ due to the many springs and natural fountains that were found all over the island.

• There is an ancient statue here carved out of stone resembling the lion that, according to Greek mythology, chased off the water nymphs that were killing the island’s women.

• The island has a prehistoric settlement called Agia Irini in Vourkari.

• It is also home to one of the last oak forests remaining in the Cyclades island complex.

F

loating hotels with 2,000 cabins, casinos, nightclubs and water parks onboard might be a great option for an all inclusive family holiday, but a super cruise liner can’t offer the peacefulness and exclusivity that a luxury small ship cruise can provide.

Onboard a Seafarer mega-yacht, you’ll only have to share the ship’s beautifully crafted spaces with 50 or so other passengers, giving you ample chance to relax privately, or to socialise when you so desire. A good staff to passenger ratio also means that everybody gets a first-class service throughout the voyage.

Greek Island Hopping Sail across azure deeps from island to island, discovering the dramatic coastlines of the Greek Islands. Greece has long been a popular yachting destination thanks to its 300 days a year of sunshine, fair sailing winds and of course its unforgettable natural beauty and ancient history.

If you’re keen to put the days of backpacking and hitchhiking behind you, you can now island hop in a rather more luxurious way: from the comfort of one of Variety Cruise’s sleek mega yachts. These 25-cabin vessels have the feel of a private yacht without the multimillion-pound price tag, so you can enjoy the luxury you deserve without having to be a Hollywood A-lister.

Informal and friendly, these cruises offer well-appointed air conditioned en-suite cabins, spacious public areas with bars, lounge and restaurant plus ample sun decks to relax, sun bathe and take in the scenery.

Wile away sun-drenched days wining and dining al fresco on the deck, or dive in from the yacht’s swimming platform and snorkel in secluded coves. Explore small islands off the beaten tourist track at your own leisurely pace, and visit unspoiled gems such as Kea, Folegandros and Kythnos. As well as visiting some of the lesser known islands, you will also get to see some of the more famous destinations such Mykonos,

Santorini, Patmos and Crete.

Mega yachting also comes with the added bonus of getting more excursion time, with only short distances between each destination. No more endless days at sea! Each crossing will even allow time for swim stops and the occasional beach BBQ. There will also be plenty of time for you to go ashore to explore historic ruins, discover village markets, wander across stunning landscapes, and relax on golden sands.

What to expect onboard Cruising on a mega yacht is like being a guest onboard a billionaire’s private vessel. You’ll find smart spacious cabins, all with en-suite facilities with bath or shower, windows or portholes, TV and air conditioning. You will also find an indoor lounge, and outdoor lounge, a sundeck and a bar, and a swimming platform. The food is excellent with a daily changing menu offering a choice of dishes with vegetarian options. Most meals are table service but OCEAN VIEW 47

WDDP

SPONSORED FEATURE - VARIETY CRUISES

Mini Guide to Santorini • Santorini is actually a group of islands consisting of Thíra, Thirassiá, Asproníssi, Palea and Nea Kaméni in the southernmost part of the Cyclades.

• The islands surround the crater of a giant, active volcano under the sea.

• Santorini is world famous for its white-washed houses, blue domed roofs, warm weather, good beaches and brilliant sunshine • The archeological site at Akrotiri, one of the highlights of a visit to Santorini, is believed to have been an urban center that became a major port for the Minoan civilization around the seventeenth century B.C.

48 OCEAN VIEW

some are buffet. All Greek cruises are halfboard, allowing time for one meal a day in a local harbour-side taverna.

As you might expect the service is immaculate, always present but unobtrusive.

Naturally you get to meet and talk to the Captain and senior crew. There are organised shore excursions or you can simply make your own agenda for visits – a member of the crew will point you in the right direction.

A more environmentally-friendly way to cruise It’s a sad fact that as the holiday world becomes an ever smaller place, naturally beautiful landscapes are being spoiled by mass market tourism. Because of their small, unobstrusive size, small ship cruises can go off the beaten track without impacting the local environments or communities.

Seafarer offers three different itineraries operated by leading yacht cruise specialist Variety Cruises: The Jewels of the Cyclades – Explores the wonderful island group of the same name on the 25 cabin, traditionally styled motor sailor

Galileo with weekly Saturday departures all summer.

The Aegean Odyssey Cruise – Heads east across the Aegean all the way to the Turkish coast with the opportunity to visit ancient Ephesus, as well as Patmos, Samos, Santorini. You sail on the sleek sail cruiser Panorama II. Classical Greece – Sailing on the ultramodern yacht Harmony V, combines Mykonos and Santorini, with Crete and the Peloponnese coast exploring some of Greece’s best known ancient wonders like Mycenae and Epidavros.

Prices for 7 nights start at just £1195 plus £165 port taxes and charges with flights and transfers available from an extra £295 pp.

There are special offers on selected dates saving up 25% off the cruise fare, whilst even bigger savings are available to Variety Cruises Club Members who have cruised with the company before. www.seafarercruises.com

WDDP Ocean View 13 19/12/2012 10:12 Page 1

Sanderson

Cole & Son

Orla Kiely

Harlequin

OCEAN VIEW 49

A Summer’s Weekend in Cornwall

Chef and food blogger Sam Gardom takes a trip with friends to Cornish hamlet St Anthony, where they discover a relaxed pace of life by the sea

Summer is well and truly here, bringing with it memories of endless sunshine and the sticky-fingered freedom of childhood nostalgia. It was time to leave the hot press of the city and escape for a few glorious days, so after corralling some of my nearest and dearest into the car, we set off for the south. The car was hot and cramped with the four of us and our haphazardly packed luggage, but as we barrelled down the M5 towards the Cornish coast, nothing could dampen our spirits.

Five hours on the road passed quickly in a haze of summer-themed retro classics and half remembrances of sandy toes, BBQs and endless crab hunts as we passed through Devon and into Cornwall, the roads eventually narrowing into the tree lined

lanes of the Lizard peninsula.

This most southerly point of England, with its green hills and secret coves, is one of the most peaceful and beautiful parts of our green and pleasant land. A place where

Helford River. After a long journey, the grey stone farmhouse with its little walled garden was a welcome sight. Exhausted, we fell asleep that night to the sounds of the tide lapping at the rocky shore; our worries were forgotten and all seemed right with the world.

Nothing quite compares to waking to the gentle scent of a salty ocean breeze so, after a hearty breakfast we hired an 18ft pilot boat from the kind folks at Sailaway St Antony – the owners of the cottage – and as the summer sun beat down, we set off to explore the rocky coastline, beaches and creeks of the peninsula.

Tying the boat to a buoy in the deep blue waters of Falmouth bay, we took a dip in the ocean, diving from the cabin of the boat

“This most southerly point of England, with its green hills and secret coves, is one of the most peaceful and beautiful parts of our green and pleasant land.

50 OCEAN VIEW

time moves slowly, where the locals are friendly and the stresses of life seem to melt away into the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

We were staying at St Anthony, a hamlet nestled in the crook of the headland of a small tidal estuary that runs parallel to the

and rising to the surface grinning and spluttering in the cool water. The hot sun glittered on the calm surface as we set off into the Helford river and, with a bottle of rum and dreams of piracy, we happily clambered barefoot around the sun-baked timbers of the boat as it pottered slowly along, stopping occasionally to explore the little sandy beaches with their craggy rock pools and shells of sunken fishing boats – blissfully happy with the freedom the boat provided.

After spending most of the day on the water, we rocked up sun-blasted and salty next to a little jetty in the village of Helford, belonging to a pub called the Shipwrights. Shinning up a ladder into the beautiful terraced beer garden, we found ourselves some shade and, furnished with some of the local brew, we sat looking out towards the sea.

Thoughts of food had begun to creep

into our dreams of a pirate’s life on the ocean deep, but of course we had been so distracted by our adventure we had nothing to cook. However, at that moment a little boat landed on the slipway next to the pub. It was some of the local fishermen returning with the day’s catch: huge truggs loaded with iced seawater and filled to the brim with the ocean’s bounty. I approached the men to find out if they might have something for sale. Beaming, they said of course, what did I want? They pulled the lids off their catch, revealing amazing black cod, sole, sea bream and wriggling crabs and huge scallops. I settled on a few sole, some bream and a bag full of the juicy scallops and was staggered when the bill came to just £15!

We finished our beer and set off back around the headland with our slippery haul safely stowed in the cool box. When we arrived home, the barbeque was alight

Sam Gardom is a chef, writer and passionate traveller whose years of professional experience and love of exploring new places has taken him all over the world, eating drinking and enjoying local cultures and traditions.

In this column he will share with you a snapshot of his travels and some of the amazing recipes and produce he encounters on the way. @SamGardom www.FeastBlog.co.uk

OCEAN VIEW 51

and with the fish prepared and the scallops shucked and sautéed in garlic butter over the flames, we sat down to a fishy feast.

The wood smoke-infused fish and sweet scallops with a simple salad and some crusty bread and local cheese made for the perfect end to the day and as we sat round the fire as the sun went down and peace and contentment reigned supreme.

The generosity of the Cornish people and the wealth of amazing ingredients – not just amazing fish but beef and lamb raised on the salty grass of the Cornish coast and the amazing local cheese and of course the ice-cream – made for one gastronomic delight after another and for the length of the holiday the barbeque was almost never extinguished. Cornwall had welcomed us and with the perfect combination of great weather, amazing food and the company of great friends. I can remember few times in my life when I have been so utterly contented, and all this on our very own doorstep.

Recommendations Sailaway St. Anthony www.stanthony.com A beautiful and friendly collection of holiday homes for all budgets, gorgeous setting with sail & motor boat rental service .

The Shipwrights, Helford www.shipwrightshelford.co.uk Wonderful riverside pub with a friendly staff, a good selection of local ales, terraced beer garden and views of the estuary. Also accessible by boat.

Roskilly’s Farm www.roskillys.co.uk Fully working organic dairy farm producing some of the finest Ice creams and fudge Cornwall has to offer. With great café/ restaurant live milking demonstrations and many other family friendly activities on offer.

52 OCEAN VIEW

OCEAN VIEW 53

Take Your Holiday Home With You Capture stunning images with the new SIGMA dp2 Quattro compact camera

The freshly redesigned dp2 Quattro from SIGMA preserves holiday moments with breathtaking, full-bodied realism, so weary travellers can relive and share their lifechanging experiences with friends and family when they get home.

Technology to get excited about If you’re a gadget fanatic at heart, you’ll be impressed by the new dp2 Quattro’s proworthy specs – which rival those found on

premium interchangeable lens cameras used by enthusiasts and professionals.

The newly developed image sensor captures a broad range of light wavelengths, and enhances colour, tone, richness and depth to a greater level than any of SIGMA’s earlier versions. In fact, the sensor captures twice as much resolution compared to conventional colour sensors – that’s equivalent to 39 megapixels.

So what does this mean for your holiday

snaps? If you’ve ever tried to take a photo of a breathtaking sunset only to find that somehow the rich reds and golds didn’t turn out quite so breathtaking, then you’ll know the frustrations of digital photography. With the SIGMA dp2 Quattro, each image you take is so information-rich that the outcome will be true to the real colours and contrasts you saw at the time – allowing you to truly preserve the majesty of each moment.

Pre-set Colour Modes also help to enhance rendering and contrast to best suit each scene you shoot. For example, “Sunset Red” emphasises red colour rendering to express scenes such as sunsets more impressively. True artistic expression has become easier than ever.

A camera worthy of an adventure The dp2’s compact, streamlined body is made from magnesium alloy, which is lightweight and yet solid enough to withstand the inevitable bumps and grazes that come with exploring the great outdoors. When you’re off on an adventure, lugging a bulky DSLR with a range of lenses and other accessories around with you can pose limitations and stop you reaching places off the beaten track.

Often, it’s those secret, difficult-to-access places that provide the best subjects for

54 OCEAN VIEW

Sponsored Feature

photographing. With the dp2 Quattro, you don’t need any lenses as it has its own built-in high quality 30mm F2.8 lens, which has been improved three high refractive index glass elements, which essentially means all types of optical aberration will be minimized, resulting in sharp and stable performance whether you’re on a speedboat, a mountaintop, or a busy city street.

No fuss, no worries The Quick Set Menu consists of the eight

most commonly used functions, such as ISO and White Balance, which can easily be displayed by pressing the QS button.

Using the Selector, the Front Dial and the Rear Dial, change of the settings can be made in no time. So while the camera might produce professional-looking photos, you don’t have to have a photography degree to use it.

While there is a manual focus option for those who want full control, the auto focus (AF) mode features two modes: the ‘9 point select mode’, which can select the desired

focusing point from nine different frames, and ‘free move mode’, which can move the desired point as you like. “Face Detection AF” prioritises focus on the face of the subject when detected by the sensor – so you can hone your street photography skills and really capture the characters of the people you meet and see on your worldly travels.

Wherever you choose to go this summer, and whatever you find on your way – be sure to capture your experiences forever with this high quality compact digital camera from SIGMA. Visit www.sigma-imaging-uk.com to find out more.

www.sigma-global.com

OCEAN VIEW 55

price £

Competition

WIN!

Optical hardware binoculars

You could win:

1. Visionary FieldTracker Emerald 8x42ED binoculars worth £299.99 2. Visionary Wetland 8x42 binoculars worth £99.99 3. Visionary Wessex 8x25 compact binocular worth £54.99

FIRST PRIZE

SECOND PRIZE

Thr Visionary Fieldtracker Emerald 8x42ED is a top of the range binocular for birdwatching, nature, travel and general observation. The lenses are fully multicoated and the prisms features nauturephaseTM coating to give incredibly clear and vibrant images even in low light. A case and a comfort strap are included.

£99.99

Visionary Wetland 8x42 binocular The Visionary Wetland is one of the most popular birdwatching and general purpose binoculars in the UK. Featuring 8x magnification and 42mm objective lenses for great all round performance and clear viewing from dusk to dawn.

Case and strap are included.

Visionary binoculars and telescopes are manufactured and distributed by Optical Hardware Ltd and are available from stockists throughout the UK and Ireland.

For more information and a list of stockists please visit www.opticalhardware.co.uk or www.facebook.com/opticalhardware

THIRD PRIZE £54.99

Visionary Wessex 8x25 binocular The Wessex is a lightweight and compact 8x binocular giving great all-round performance. Case and strap are included.

When you’ve got it, simply email the answer with the subject line ‘competition’, to linda@lifemediagroup. co.uk. Alternatively, send a postcard with the page number to Linda Grace, 1 Swan Business Centre, Swan Barn Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2BY. Don’t forget to include your contact details so that we can let you know if you’re one of our lucky winners!

56 OCEAN VIEW

£299.99

Visionary Fieldtracker Emerald 8x42 ED binocular

To be in for a chance of winning just answer this simple question:

Which French city did we visit this month?

A. Paris B. Cannes C. Nice

Closing Date: 30th September 2014 Winners will be drawn from correct answers a week after the closing date. Good Luck!

A Day Out in Nice 5 things to do in the French Riviera’s bustling capital by Zoe Thomas When I had to go to Nice recently for a twoday work trip, I couldn’t resist going one day earlier to give myself time to explore the city. Nestled halfway between starstudded Cannes and the Italian border, Nice acts as the international gateway to some of the more high-end resorts along the coast.

Holiday-makers tend to fly into Nice airport before hiring a helicopter (the Riviera’s equivalent to a taxi) to Cannes, St Tropez or Monaco – but personally, I’m keen to discover what Nice has to offer beyond its proximity to these luxury resorts.

With just a few hours to play with, I decide the best option is not to draw up a

tight schedule of sightseeing (which will surely only result in disappointment when I can’t fit everything in), but to meander my way around the city at a leisurely pace, discovering things as I go. And here is what I discovered…

A VIP experience on a Private beach

Ok, so I knew time would be limited but how could I visit a Mediterranean city and not take a dip in its sparkling blue waters?

Nice has a gorgeous stretch of coastline with the pebbly beaches mostly divided into private areas – although you can find plenty of free, public space too if you prefer to

economise. I chose to splash out and pay £20 for a spot on the Beau Rivage, which earned me a cushioned sun lounger at the water’s edge, plus a fresh, fluffy white towel and waiter service. After a quick dip in the beautiful sea (a bit chillier than it looked!), I sprawled out on my lounger and ordered a salad for lunch. While the bowl was generous, the price tag was very ‘Riviera’, at €15.

Explore Modern Art

From wondering around the city’s main square – Massena Square, bordered by Baroque palaces and paved with chessOCEAN VIEW 57

board slabs, you will notice that Nice is quite hot on modern art. You’ll find abstract sculptures all over the place: hidden in parks, alongside roads and, of course, in some of the city’s famous art museums. Take a look around the Musee d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemprain for a heady dose of New Realism and Pop Art.

Flower Market

Providing it’s not Monday, you will find a wonderfully colourful and fragrant flower market at Cours Saleya the famous promenade in de South West part of Vieux Nice. Soak up the hustle and bustle of this beautiful market before heading to an adjacent square where you will find food stalls selling hot snacks, olives, bread and fresh fruit vegetables.

People watch in Cafes

On your travels around the city, don’t neglect to sit and watch the world go by.

People watching can tell you so much about a place and its inhabitants: you’ll catch people unguarded, getting on with their own daily lives in this busy city.

There are plenty of cafes to choose from in every square in Nice – nearly all of them with outdoor seating. In Massena Square there’s always something going on, from live music and singers to street performers and acts.

Take a walk to the port

If you don’t mind walking for a few miles from the city centre, head east along the famous Victorian promenade to the old town, up a fair few steps and through some pine woods (not forgetting to stop and admire the panoramic views of the city), and you’ll find yourself at Port de Nice, where you can gawp at all the dazzling super yachts. This side of town feels more peaceful, and you can sit on the harbour wall watching the hustle and bustle of boats being fixed and prepared for voyage.

58 OCEAN VIEW

M

P j

V

Y a c a

W o

I

* d s Im

Martello Park

Living at Martello Park

Inside our Show Home

Make Summer 2014 the best yet!

Purchase a superb new home at Martello Park, just a stone’s throw from the beach Visit www.bloorhomes.com to find out more

Choose from one of our tailor-made incentives available: • Help to Buy* – purchase your home with as little as a 5% deposit • Home Exchange* for a hassle free move

Your dream home by the sea could be here waiting for you. Built to a high specification with good-sized bedrooms, stylish kitchens and contemporary bathrooms. Visit us at Martello Park this weekend and discover how we can make your dream come true.

With the fantastic Help to Buy* or Home Exchange* Schemes.

It’s now even easier to move to a new home at Martello Park

Martello Park Sea Road Felixstowe Suffolk IP11 2EJ

Tel: 01394 270661

Marketing Suite and Show Homes Open 10:00am – 5:00pm Daily *Help to Buy and all Bloor Homes’ incentives and schemes are subject to terms and conditions and are available on selected developments and selected plots only. Help to Buy is only available on developments in England, up to the value of £600,000 subject to contract, status and eligibility. Prices and availability correct at time of going to press. Terms and conditions apply.

Images are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict any particular plot.

OCEAN VIEW 59

martellopark@bloorhomes.com www.bloorhomes.com/martello-park

Book a Viewing Online

O

2 OCEAN VIEW