Page 18 - SASKATOONEXPRESS - February 9-15, 2015
Travel
Seven great family adventures in Britain’s countryside
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rom hiking its national parks to letting Situated in one of Britain’s most historic my taste buds do the walking on a grand locations, Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, tour of Scottish distilleries, I’ve had some Housesteads Roman Fort is just over a twogreat vacations in Britain over the years. hour drive from Edinburgh. In this dramatic If you’re planning on taking a vacation in hilltop setting with panoramic views, visitors Britain this year, Visit Britain has many ideas can explore the remains of the centurions’ barand destinations on offer. From exploring hisracks, including the oldest toilets in Britain. The toric sites to encountering wildlife and followrecently reopened museum houses a collection ing themed trails, Britain’s countryside is one of Roman artifacts and uses 3D models, film big adventure playground filled with fun for the and illustrations to bring the past to life (www. whole family. Visit Britain highlights 10 places english-heritage.org.uk). that you might consider taking in during your ***** British adventure. Test your agility at iSurvive, Cheshire, northTravel ***** west England: Walk on the wild side at Longleat Safari and Adventure Kids and adults alike will love the scramble nets, rope Park, Wiltshire, west England: swings, tunnels and climbing frames on the Confidence Did you know that Longleat, just 80 minutes by train Course at iSurvive in the Chester Lakes, a one-hour drive from London, was the first safari park outside of Africa? from Manchester. Take the fresh-air fitness challenge — One of Britain’s top animal attractions for more than 40 jump ditches and overcome obstacles on this one-kilometre years, this country estate is home to more than 100 speroute through the woods. Suitable for children seven years cies, from monkeys to meerkats, lions to lorikeets and old and up (www.i-survive.co.uk). wildebeest to warthogs. Take a Jungle Cruise past the ***** Gorilla Colony, witness the fastest animal on land in the Explore Sherwood Forest on two wheels, Nottinghamdrive-through Cheetah Kingdom, and feed the giraffes in shire, central England: the African Village. Visitors can also brush up on British Three hours from London by train is Sherwood Forest history at Longleat House (www.longleat.co.uk). Country Park, the largest area of woodland in the east Mid***** lands. Hire bikes at the visitor centre and choose from the Feed the red kites at Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor two family routes through this historic forest park, once the Centre, Ceredigion, west Wales: domain of the mythical Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Help conserve the national bird of Wales, the red kite, Its 3,300 acres are also home to Robin Hood’s hideout and by joining a daily feeding session at the Bwlch Nant yr Ari- adventure playgrounds (www.sherwoodpinescycles.co.uk, an Forest Visitor Centre in Ceredigion. Three hours by train www.forestry.gov.uk). from Birmingham, this expanse of woodland also features ***** gentle walking trails. Kite-feeding sessions are free (www. Hug a hedgehog in Powys, Wales: forestry.gov.uk/bwlchnantyrarian). Nearby, the National Good Day Out organizes a range of fun, educational Showcaves Centre for Wales offers great value, with entry activities that raise money for local causes, such as wildlife to 10 attractions with one ticket (www.showcaves.co.uk). sanctuaries and rescue centres. Spend a morning at Howey ***** Hedgehog Sanctuary, a 90-minute drive from Cardiff, Step back in time at Housesteads Roman Fort, Norwhere you will clean, feed, bathe — and even exercise — thumberland, northeast England: orphaned hoglets (hedgehog babies). Hedgehog Helper
PETER WILSON
Whatever your interests, whether touring a Scottish distillery or touring an ancient castle, you will find endless options to satisfy your passions across Britain’s diverse landscape (Photo by Peter Wilson) Mornings take place on dates throughout the spring (www. gooddayout.co.uk). ***** Design your own tourist trail, Belfast, Northern Ireland: What better way to travel than at your own pace? Pick up a Bunk Camper in Belfast, pack in the family and set off to explore the rugged coastline of Northern Ireland. Stop where you choose and wake up to stunning views. Bunk Campers come fully equipped with gas sinks, a dining area, cooking utensils, beds, heating and electricity and showers/ toilets in some vehicles (www.bunkcampers.com).
Cam Hutchinson & Friends:
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Johnny rehab and sheep tricks
By RJ Currie hree signs Johnny Manziel needed rehab: 3. Wanted to hear Virginia coach Tony Bennett’s latest album; 2. Thought a read option was an audio book; 1. Said the Stanley Cup is coming home to Toronto. l A record 2.7 million Canadians took in the Eugenie Bouchard-Maria Sharapova Aussie Open quarter-final. Of those, 99 per cent were males ages 18-35; the rest like tennis. l Orange News says Beijing police questioned a man who rode the subway wearing a watermelon mask. All they got was his name, rank and Mosaic Stadium seat number. l Quarterback Tom Brady’s wife, Gisele Bundchen, graces the front of the latest British Vogue. You can’t beat that coverage. l The Bloomington (Calif.) High School girls basketball team lost a game 161-2. This is one time everyone will remember who scored the losing basket. l How about the drama surrounding the Winnipeg Jets? Throw in Humphrey Bogart, and you’d have the Kane Mutiny. l The Carl’s Jr. Super Bowl ad where model Charlotte McKinney walks naked through a farmers market has drawn fire for using sex to sell burgers. Two thoughts: a) Nonsense! b) Burgers? l During the Murray-Berdych Aussie Open semi-final, ESPN appraised the engagement rings of their respective fiancées. Good news for Berdych: he won the battle of rings. Bad news for Berdych: he lost the engagement. l I refuse to join the lineup of people piling on embattled Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. I’ll stop a yard short. l Singer Kenny Rogers delayed a centre-court match in Melbourne by taking too long on a reported bathroom break. Note to the Gambler: You’ve got to know when to hold it. l According to a recent study, referees under six feet tall call more penalties than refs six feet and over. This puts a whole new spin on playing a man short. l A Tennessee orthodontist set a record by catching 41 footballs one-handed in a minute. No surprise really; you should see how fast my orthodontist can extract clients’ wallets. RJ’s Groaner of the Week A new viral video features Pet, a 10-month-old Scottish Highlands sheep that thinks she’s a border collie. I kid ewe not.
Views of the World
NBC’s Brian Williams found bin Laden, ready to take on ISIS single-handedly
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anice Hough, on police in Aspen citing Lance Armstrong for failing to report an accident, after he allegedly hit two parked cars after a party, and getting his girlfriend to say she was driving: “Liestrong.” l Despite wishful thinking from Craig Simpson of Hockey Night in Canada, I don’t think the Leafs are going to catch Buffalo in the standings. l TC Chong, on the Atlanta Falcons pleading guilty to piping in fake crowd noise while the opposition has the ball on offence: “The way they played this past year, it would have been more appropriate to pipe in laugh tracks from Seinfeld.” l Why did Ben Heenan sign with the Colts? As one radio talking head said: “His gut told him Indianapolis was the right team.” That’s a lot of talk. l Torben Rolfsen, on the Philippines becoming the call-centre capital of the world: “And still Mayweather and Pacquaio have trouble communicating.” l Bill Littlejohn, on Tom Brady giving his MVP truck to Malcolm Butler: “Not bad, considering three days earlier Brady didn’t know who Malcolm Butler was.” l An Uberfact: Holding money in your hand reduces pain. That means I’m going to have to stick with Tylenol. l Two teams entered the Brier playdowns in Newfoundland. Brad Gushue and the other guy played a best-of-five to pick the winner. That’s like the Ducks and Sabres playing for the Stanley Cup. l From Rolfsen: “NBC News anchor Brian Williams recanted his story about coming under fire on a helicopter in Iraq. He now says it was Lance Armstrong’s girlfriend.” l From Hough: “Anyone but me want to see Lance Armstrong play against Brian Williams in a rousing game of Liar’s Dice?” l Did you know Carey Price has more shutouts in this calendar year than the Leafs have wins?
l From Littlejohn: “Richard Sherman will reportedly have Tommy John surgery. During his rehab, physiotherapists will monitor his bitch count.” l From Rolfsen: “The big winner at the Super Bowl was the University of Phoenix — huge recruiting weekend right before National Signing Day. l From Hough: “I hear that Pete Carroll was supposed to throw out the first pitch at a Mariners game. But fans are asking Seattle management if Marshawn Lynch can just run the ball in instead.” l Chong, on Brigham Young University signing Motekiai Langi, a 6-foot-7, 410-pound teenager: “How does a growing kid get that big? If ever becomes a Seahawk, look forward to Feast Mode.” l I read that 40 per cent of women have thrown shoes at a man. Can you imagine annoying Imelda Marcos? l From Rolfsen: “Discovery’s Shark Week may have got the highest exposure of any brand during the Super Bowl telecast, and they didn’t spend a dime.” l I think the Right Shark was pretty cool too. l In Las Vegas you could make a wager on whether Katy Perry would show cleavage during her halftime performance. The odds were stacked on her showing some, with only a handful betting she wouldn’t. l Hough, on a truck carrying frozen chicken colliding with a truck carrying bees near Palm Springs, California, with both vehicles catching fire: “Both drivers escaped, but beware of imminent sales featuring heavily discounted honey barbequed chicken.” l Did you know Sandie Rinaldo, the weekend anchor for CTV, is 65? I didn’t either. l I’m thinking Brian Burke must look like the Cheshire Cat when the Leafs are playing. l Rolfsen, on the Jets scratching Evander Kane against the Canucks because he wore sweats to a team meeting. “Hey, in Vancouver that’s called business casual.”