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EastErn airways in-Flight

41 | autumn 2012

This is your complimentary in-flight magazine, to read now or to take home

viKings in amEricaa new look at the old question of European voyages across the atlantic

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:carol KirKwoodlitErary locationsoFFshorE outlooK supplEmEnt

Ensure compliance in your decommissioning programme As offshore decommissioning in the North Sea increases, it is becoming increasingly important that offshore operators and other stakeholder are aware of the legislation concerning these activities. Maintaining complete compliance and operational best practice is fundamental to the success of the decommissioning process.

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fàilteThaEasternAirwaysa’curfàilteairarluchd-cleachdaidhgulèirbhoBhreatainnagusanRoinnEòrp.

ThaEasternAirwaysammeasgprìomhlàn-sheirbheiseanadhairclàraichtenaRA.Thasinnandòchasgummeassibharseirbheis,andàchuid,cùramachagusbeaganeadar-dhealaichte–thasinnan-còmhnaidhtoilichteurbeachdanmunt-seirbheisagainn,ismuarn-iris,achluinntinn.Sgioba Eastern

croesoCroesoganEasternAirwaysmagazine,ibobuno’ncwsmeriaidymmhobrhanoBrydainFawracEwrop.

MaeEasternAirwaysymhlithyprifgwmnïauawyrennauynyDUsy’ncynnigamserlenlawnowasanaethau.Gobeithioygwelwchchifodeingwasanaethynungofalusacychydigbachynwahanol–rydynnibobamserynfalchogaeleichsylwadauameingwasanaethacameincylchgrawn.Tîm Eastern

bienvenueBienvenueàtousnosclientsdeGrande-Bretagneetd’EuropedelapartdeEasternAirwaysmagazine.

EasternAirwaysfigureparmilesprincipalescompagniesaériennesbritanniquesoffrantunservicedevolsréguliers.Nousespéronsquevousnoustrouverezattentifsàvosbesoins,aveccepetitplusquifaitladifférence,etsommestoujoursheureuxderecevoirvoscommentairessurnotreserviceetnotremagazine.L’équipe Eastern

welkom EasternAirwaysmagazineheetonzeklantenuitalleregio’sinGroot-BrittanniëenhetEuropesevastelandvanhartewelkom.

EasternAirwaysiséénvandeleidendeluchtvaartmaatschappijeninhetVKmetvolledigeserviceenregelmatigeverbindingen.Wijhopendatuonzeservicezowelalsattenteneenweinigverschillendzultervaren–wijkijkeneraltijdopuituwopmerkingentehorenoveronzeserviceenonsmagazine.Het Eastern team

velkommenEasternAirwaysmagasinetønskervårekunderiStorbritanniaogEuropavelkommen.

EasternAirwayseretavStorbritanniasledenderuteflyselskap.Vihåperatduvilværefornøydmedservicenvår–ogatdentilbyrdegdetlilleekstrasomerprikkenoveri-en.Visetteralltidprispååmottadinekommentarerombådeservicenogmagasinet.Eastern-teamet

OurcoverstorythistimeseesDrGraemeDavissearchingforanswerstotheintriguingquestionastojusthowfarVikingexplorerspenetratedintoNorthAmericalongbeforeColumbussetsail.

OnournewspagesyoucanreadabouthowEasternAirwaysstrivestoofferthebestservicepossible,withourincreasedfrequencybetweenNewcastleandAberdeen.

OurmotoringcorrespondentNormanBurrtakesaBentleyContinentaltoSainsbury’s,amongmoreglamorouslocations.

We’vealsobeenfindingoutjusthowCarolKirkwoodmanagestomaintainherreputationasthesmilingfaceoftheBBCmorningweatherforecast–evenwhenthedarkestthundercloudsaregathering.

DonaldTrump’smuchpublicisedgolfdevelopmentinAberdeenshirehasfinallyopenedandAlisonDanielswenttohavealook.

Wesampleanewkidonthesmallluxuryhotelsblock,inruralNorthumberland–includingthechanceforyoutowinyourownstaythere.

YoumightbeinterestedtohearabouttheliterarylinksbehindEasternAirwaysdestinations,whileourbeerwriter,AlastairGilmour,hasalsobeenonanAmericandiscoveryvoyage.

Onceagain,youcanwinabottleofEnglishwhiskyinourlatestbrain-teasingpuzzle,aswellasfindingoutaboutthemanwhoinventscardgamesforaliving.

Solet’sflywithEasternAirwaysandescapewithEasternAirwaysMagazine.

the eastern team

welcome to the eastern airways magazine. Do take your copy home and pass it round your friends and family!

Clyde Travel Management is a founder member of the International Marine Travel Group (IMTG) and together with our 14 global partners are one of the world’s largest marine and offshore travel providers. To our customers this means that we are able to source the most cost-effective marine and offshore travel solutions from all corners of the world, utilising the unique local knowledge and understanding of each specialist partner.This also enables us to seamlessly manage multi-location accounts with local expertise. Does your business have multiple worldwide locations? Would you like your travel managed centrally yet with local market knowledge?Let Clyde Travel Management and our IMTG partners connect you.

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Paul CronjeGeneral Manager

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EasternAirwaysin-flightmagazineispublishedforEasternAirwaysbyGravityMagazines,AbbeyBusinessCentre,AbbeyRoad,PityMe,Durham,DH15JZwww.gravity-consulting.come-mail:e-magazine@gravity-consulting.comTelephone:+44(0)1913832838Publisher:StanAbbottDesign:BarbaraAllenAdvertising:LizReekieTelephone:+44(0)7563796103e-mail:advertising@gravitymagazines.comPrint:BuxtonPress

©September2012.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthismagazinemaybereproducedbyanymeans,withoutpriorwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightowners.Althougheveryefforthasbeenmadetoensuretheaccuracyoftheinformationinthismagazine,neitherthepublisher,norEasternAirwayscanacceptanyliabilityforerrorsoromissions.ISSN:2044-7124Previouslyknownase-magazine,ISSN1477-3031.

EasternAirways,SchipholHouse,HumbersideInternationalAirport,Kirmington,NorthLincolnshireDN396YHCommunicationsManager:DarrenRobertsTelephone:+44(0)8703669669Reservations:+44(0)8703669100www.easternairways.comFormagazinecomments:e-magazine@gravity-consulting.com

16 going continental 28 viking saga32 coast anD castles

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07 business news What’shappeninginthebusiness

worldaroundEasternAirwaysdestinations

11 productnews Greatgiftsandmust-haveitems

forathomeoronthemove

23 bitterexperienceIt’saroundofdoublesforAlastairGilmour

36 bare essentials EasternAirways’networkmap,passengerinformationanddestinationguides

46 essential guiDe: literary locations

Allwithineasyreachofourdestinations

50 the last worDHarryPearsonisdoggedbyahound

competitions

19 puzzle page Solvethepuzzleandyoucould

winabottleofEnglishwhisky

49 country retreat Winafantastictwo-nightbreak

atNorthumberland’sEshottHallorDoxfordHall

features

12 gamesmanship SeanByrnerecreatesthe

challengesoftravelincardgames

16 on the roaD NormanBurrdrivesthenew

BentleyContinentalGT

20 carol kirkwooD Theweatherpresenterwhocan’t

helpraisingasmile

24 birDs-eye view Discoveryourself–andGenghis

theeagle–atYorkshire’sConistonHotel

26 trump that Themulti-millionaire’sgolfresort

finallyteesoff

28 the vikings VoyagesoftheScandinavian

raidersgetarevisit

32 northumberlanDBritain’sbestkeptseasidesecretisout

iFly easternairways.com

SHETLAND CALLINGIslands at the centre of the energy map

ANNUAL ENERGY SECTOR REVIEW 2012. AN EASTERN AIRWAYS MAGAZINE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

OFFSHOREO U T L O O K

special supplement

OFFSHOREOUTLOOK

Annualenergysectorreview2012

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eastern group acquires stake in humbersiDe airportManchesterAirportsGroup(MAG)hassoldits82.7percentshareholdinginHumbersideAirporttoEasternGroup,ownerofEasternAirways,foranundisclosedsum.

NorthLincolnshireCouncilwillretainitsminoritystakeinHum-bersideAirport,leavingMAGtoconcentrateonitsstrategyofmaximisingthegrowthopportunitiesatitsother,largerairports–Manchester,EastMidlandsandBournemouth.

Withannualpassengernumbersof275,000,HumbersideAirport’saviationactivitiesincludescheduledandcharterpassengerservices,freight,aircraftmaintenance,pilottraining,avarietyofotherspecialisedniches,andthesecondlargestairport-basedheliportservingtheNorthSeaoffshoreindustry,.

MAGChiefExecutiveCharlieCornish,said:“MAGhasbe-lievedforsometimethatthebestlong-termoperationalmodel

forHumbersideAirportwaswithanewownerthatcouldfocusontakingthebusinessforwardintothenextphaseofitsdevelopment.

“TheEasternGroupspecialisesinaviation-relatedactivitiesandwearedelightedthatourformercolleaguesattheairportwillnowhaveanewownerwhocanconcentrateondevelop-ingthebusiness.”

BryanHuxford,ChairmanofEasternGroup,said:“WearemakingastrategicfinancialinvestmentacquiringHumbersideAirport.Theairporthaspotentialforgrowth,andunderthepresentairportmanagementteam,supportedbyEasternGroup,willdevelopinaccordancewiththebusinessplanalreadyinplace.”

CouncillorLizRedfern,leaderofNorthLincolnshireCouncil,said:“Theairporthasafantasticbusinessparkwithhugepotential.ItslocationisperfectwitheasyaccesstotheportsandSouthHumberGateway–vitaltothefuturesuccessofourregion.” 

services increase between aberDeen anD newcastleEasternAirwaysisincreasingfrequencyandintroducingjetaircraftonpeakflightsbetweenNewcastleandAberdeen.FromOctober1,frequencyincreasesfromfourtofiveflightsaday,MondaytoFriday,witha50-seatEmbraerjetoperatingonsomepeaktimings.

EasternAirwayshasoperatedtheimportantservice,whichlinksthemajoroffshoreindustrycentreofNewcastlewithAberdeen,theUK’soil,gasandenergycapital.Theadditionalflightswilladdanextra1,700seatspermonthontheroute.FromNewcastle,afterthepopular0645departureforAberdeen,therewillbeanew0830departurenorthboundMondaytoWednesdayalongwith1700and1910servicesleavingNewcastleWednesdaytoFriday.

DepartingfromAberdeentherewillbeanew1745departureMondaytoFridayandadditional1545and1645departuresonThursdays,whichistraditionallyoneofthebusiestdaysforsouthboundflightstoNewcastle.ThechangesdeliveranhourlyThursdaydepartureschedulefrommid-afternoontoearlyevening.

“We’veplayedamajorrolesupportingtheNorthSeaoffshoreindustrywithvitaltransportlinksformanyyears,”saidKayRyan,EasternAirways’CommercialDirector.

“OurlatestexpansionofservicesfromNewcastledemonstratesourcontinuedcommitmenttoprovidingthebestbusinessschedulesforNorthEastoffshoreworkersandbusinesscommutersheadingtoAberdeen.”

JoanneLengMBE,DeputyChiefExecutiveattheindustrybody,NOFEnergy,said:“Thisisfantasticnews! Iamsurethoseinvolvedintheoilandgassectorinbothregionswillfindtheadditionalservicesofbenefit.BothAberdeenandNorthEastEnglandarekeyhubsfortheUKoilandgasmarketanditisessentialthatwemakemovingbetweenthetwocentresaseasyaspossible.

“Inthelongtermitbenefitsbothregionaleconomiesandensuresthatsupplychaincompaniescontinuetohaveaccesstonewbusinessopportunitiesbybeingabletoreachandservicetheirclientbasequickly.”

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Dedicated to aberdeenAberdeenhasjoinedthegrowinglistofUKcitieswithadedicateddestinationmarketingteam.

VisitAberdeenwillbefundedbyvariousbodiesincludingthecitycouncil,thecity’sBusinessImprovementDistrict,anditshotelassociation.

TheneworganisationisquiteseparatefromVisitScotlandAberdeenandGrampian,whichwillcontinuetopromotethewiderNorthEastScotlandregion.

Thebody’sfirstChiefExecutiveisSteveHarris,whoistaskedwithimprovingrelationsbetweenthepublicandprivatesectors,aswellasmarketingthecitydestination.

HesaidAberdeenneededtodomoretopromoteitself:“Ithinkthere’salottodo,totryandworkontheofferingandimprovetheofferingandworkitinsuchawaythatit’sreallyattractivetopeople,particularlypeoplewhohaveeasyaccesstous.”

nAthird50-seatEmbraer145regionaljethasenteredservicewithEasternAirways,takingitsfleetofEmbraerjetstofive,alsocomprisingtwoEmbraer135aircraft.TheaircraftwillflyonbothcharterandscheduledservicesfromUKandEuropeanairports.

nWhiskymadebyEngland’sfirstdistilleryin120yearshasswepttheboardataprestigiousinternationalspiritscompetition.TheEnglishWhiskyCompanyscoopedfourmed-alsincludingtwoSilverOutstandingandtwoSilverattheInternationalWineandSpiritCompetition,theOs-carsofthespirit’sworld.

win english whisky – see our puzzle on page 19.

The winner of a weekend for two at the pantone hotel, brussels (eastern airways magazine 40) was adrian norquoy, of bournemouth. winners of chapter 6 english whisky in our puzzle page were ian crawford and graeme craib.

cardiff convention centreTheWelshGovernmentandCardiffCityCouncilareexploringarangeoffundingoptionsfora£100million-plusconventioncentreandarena.Theconventioncentrewouldhaveacapacityof2,500,whiletheindoorarena,withacapacityof15,000,wouldtrebleexistingfacilities.

OnepossiblelocationislandatCallaghanSquare,inthecitycentre,alsoearmarkedforpossibleofficedevelopment.

OthersitesthatmighthouseoneorbothfacilitiesincludeSportVillageandlandneartheWalesMillenniumCentre,inCardiffBay,landaroundtheexisting5,000-seatMotorpointArena,andCardiffArmsPark.

one stop training shop opens for offshore workersThreeofNorthEastEngland’sleadingbusinessorganisationshavejoinedforcestocreateaone-stopshopforskillstrainingforoffshoreworkers.

ThecollaborationbetweenNewcastleInternationalAirport,AdvancedIndustrialSolutions,NorthEastSmallBusinessoftheYear2011,andglobaltraininggiant,MaerskTraining,willbemarketedunderthebrand,OffshoreTrainingNewcastle.ItwillseeanewtraininghubdevelopedattheAirport,offeringspecialistfiretrainingqualificationsforoffshoreworkers,whomayhavetodealwithfiresinextremeemergencies. 

ThisfacilitywillcomplementAISandMaerskTraining’srecently-launched60,000squarefootbespoketrainingcentreinNorthTyneside,whichprovidesonshoreandoffshore

trainingforthoseworkingonoilrigsorwindturbines,aswellasaraftofotherindustrial,engineeringandhealthandsafetycoursesendorsedbytheworld’sleadingtradeassociations.

Theprojectwilldeliverthousandsofpounds’worthofinvestmentintotheNewcastleAirportTrainingAcademy,withthefacilityaimingtoattractmorethan6,000delegatestotheregionperyearfromallovertheglobe.

VijayRangachari,ofMaerskTraining,inNewcastle,said:“Sectorslikerenewableenergyareexperiencingunprecedentedgrowthandhaveresultingskillsshortagesthatneedtobeplugged.That’swherethestate-of-the-artfacilitiesandcompletetrainingsolutionatOffshoreTrainingNewcastlewillhelpequiptheworkforcewiththeskillsthatareneeded.”

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visit the visa Desk before you flyby Murray Burnett

InternationaltraveliscrucialfortheUKoilandgasindustry,withagrowingnumberofenergyorganisationssettingtheirsightsonnewandemergingmarketseveryyear.

Organisationssendingpersonneloverseashavetonavigatethepotentialpaperworkpitfallstoensuretheirtravellerspossessthecorrectdocumentation,thatisvisasandvalidpassports.Ifnot,thereisarisktheirtravellerscouldbedeportedandreturnedtotheircountryofresidence.

Allcountrieshavedifferentvisaapplicationproceduresbutingeneralallrequireapplicantstoprovidethesamebasicelements.Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtothetraveller’svalidpassportwithaminimumofsixmonths’validity,acompletedvisaapplicationform,andtravellerphotos,alongwithsupportingdocumentsfromtheUKandtheinvitingcompany.Theymayalsoincludeanemploymentcontract,flightitinerariesandhotelbookings.

Ingrantingvisasweareatthediscretionofindividualembassiesastothetypeofvisagrantedanditsvalidity.Atalltimeswehavetorespecttherulesandregulationsforeachcountry,payingthemtherespectthatwewouldexpectfromnationalsenteringtheUK.

Mostcommonlyexaminedarethetraveller’sjobtitleandthepurposeoftheirtrip.Forthosetravellerswhosejobtitlesuggeststhattechnicaldutiesarefrequentlyorsometimesperformeditwillbemostlikelytheywillberequestedtoapplyforaworkpermitasopposedtoabusinessvisa,whichisallowedforconferencesandmeetingsonly.

AtMunro’sTravelGroup,weoperateanin-housespecialistvisadesk,whichprovidesadedicatedserviceofferingadviceandsupportthroughoutthevisaapplicationprocess.Thisensurestheswiftcompletion,lodging,trackinganddeliveryofvisassotherearenocostlydelays.

Weofferaprofessional,competentandqualityservicetopeopleintheenergysector,whomayencounterdifficultiesinobtainingvisasfortravel,particularlyatshortnotice.Ouraimistoensurethatthevisaprocedureispainlessandstress-freefortravellersandtoavoidtime-consumingandexpensiveerrorsforenergysectororganisations.

MurrayBurnettisManagingPartnerofMunro’sTravelGroupwhichprovidescorporateclientsintheenergyindustrywithatailoredtravelmanagementsolution.

P&OCruisescelebrated175yearsofheritagewitha“GrandEvent”initshomeportofSouthampton. 

Thecompany’ssevenshipswerewelcomedintoportbyship’sGodmotherDarceyBussell,whileHRHthePrincessRoyallaterreviewedthefleet

asitdepartedinformationtoadisplaybytheRedArrows.

Thiswasthefirstoccasiononwhichallsevenships–Adonia,Arcadia,Aurora,Azura,Oceana,Oriana,andVentura–withacombinedgrosstonnageof569,000tonnes,hadgatheredtogetherintheirhomeport.

Darcey takes her hat off to p&o

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Eastern Airways Full Page Autumn Issue 2012.indd 1 14/08/2012 14:26:37

Drinking chocolate

a round up of the latest must-have products

very tasty

Ithastobedecadenceinabottle!Chocolate-loverscanindulgeinanew,andslightlyunexpected,tasteexperience.

ChocolateShopisadeep,rubyredwineblendedwithrich,velvetychocolate.Invitingaromasofblackcherryanddarkchocolatecombineintheglassandcontinueonthepalatesurroundedbyhintsofsweetvanilla–andEasternAirwaysMagazinecanvouchforthat!

ThehighlyinnovativewineisajointventurebetweenCountyDurham-basedLanchesterWinesSales,andUSpartner,PreceptBrands.

ChocolateShopcanbeenjoyedonitsownandcanalsoaccompanystarters,maincourses,dessertsandhardcheeses.

www.chocolateshopwine.co.uk

There’sanewnameonthehighstreet,drawingon400yearsofheritage.TheEastIndiaCompanyhascomeupwithanewfoodgiftrange,includingteas,coffees,biscuits,jams,marmalades,mustardsandsweets.

Justoutisthecompany’sLapsangSouchongmustard,createdbyTheEastIndiaCompany’sfoodhistorianandmustardconnoisseur,RobinWeir,asheandhisteamlookedintotheflavoursandingredientsdiscoveredon

TheEastIndiaCompany’svoyages.

LapsangSouchongisanancientChinesetea,originatingfromtheQingdynasty,withadistinctiveflavourcreatedbythebitumanoussoiloftheregionaswellassmokingthelong-fermentedtealeavesoverpine. Thisnaturallyrich,smokyflavourwaschosenasitwasfoundtocomplementmustardperfectly.

www.theeastindiacompanyfinefood.com

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Thosewhoaren’tkeenonsoftdrinkscanenjoyasmartGermaninnovation:coldteathatdoesn’thavetobeginlifeashottea!

UsablesGmbHhascomeupwitharealteayoucanmakebyjustpouringcoldwaterontoateabag.

Theteadrawsincoldwateranddevelopsitsfullflavourwithinabouteightminutes.

Theflavours–cherry-cranberry,andappleandvitaminC–tastenaturalandrefreshing

andalsocomewith“coolteafigures”,whichfastentothelipofthecup.

A200mlcupofcherry-cranberrycontainsonlyfivecaloriesandisfreeofartificialsweeteners,whiletwocupsofteawilldeliverhalfthedailyrecommendedintakeofvitaminC.

Availablefor€7.95atwww.usables.eu/buyandfromgiftandnoveltyshopsthroughoutEurope.

hot stuff from the east

pouring colD tea on hot Drinks

three bags in oneCrosskase–theBritishcompanythatalsoproducestheniftySolar15backpackwithasolarpanel–hasbroughtoutitsnewFusionlaptopbag,whichfeaturesthreebagstyleswithinonecompactpackage.

Withanabundanceofstoragespaceandseveraldedicatedpockets,theFusioniscreatedwithyouriPad,laptop,phoneanddocumentsinmind.

ItfeaturesballisticNylonconstruction,innerpaddingandanexternalflapforprotectionfromtheelementsandtheft.

TheFusioncomesinblackorsilverandretailsat£79.99.

Fromwww.crosskase.com,AppleandAmazon.

11

q&a: sean byrneIN

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Whenitcomestothegameoflife,Bristol-based

SeanByrneseemstobeontoabusiness

winner.Withhiswife,Chantal,fromAnnecy,

inFrance,Seanhasbuilthisownbusiness,

WildcardGames,designing,manufacturingand

sellinggames.HetalkstoStan Abbott,whose

familygothookedonthecouple’sfirstinvention,

Backpacker,acardgamethatreproducesthe

trialsandtribulationsoffootlooseworldtravel…

12

arithmanix The Ultimate Number GamePlayersracetoadd,subtract,multiplyordividethecardsintheirhandtogetascloseaspossibletotheArithmanixnumber.

backpackerThe Ultimate Travel GamePlayershaveto“traveltheworld”and“takephotographs”oftheplacestheyvisit.Pointsarescoredbygoinghome,butotherplayerscanthwartyourreturn,withbadadvice,visaproblems,sicknessandahostofothernasties.

What’syourbackground?Iamfromamarketingandmarketresearchbackground,workingwithdatabasesandsuchlike.

Whatgaveyoutheideaofbuildingacardgamesbusiness?Mymum’sfamilywasmassivelyintogames,thoughIcouldn’tsayIhavebeenintothegamingcommunity.

What’sthestorybehindyourfirstgame,Backpacker?Iwenttravellingfor18monthsafterleavinguniversityinSheffield–throughAsia,India,Nepal,Thailand,Australia–andcamebackthroughChinaandRussia,ontheTrans-SiberianRailway.IwasinRussiawhenYeltsinstagedhiscoup.ThenImetChantalandwewenttoeastAfricaandsawthegorillasinZaire,asitwasthen.

Ididalotofsmallerholidaytripswithher.HerskillislanguagesandshewasworkingintheEuropeansalesdepartmentofabiggardenfurniturecompany.Thenwebothjackedinourjobsandwewenttravellingfortwoyearsbecausewewerethinkingabouthavingkidsandwewantedtogetthetravelbugoutofoursystem.WewenttoSouthAmericaforsixmonths,WestAfricaforthreemonths,Asiaforayear.

InSouthAmericawemetsomanypeoplefromdifferentcountriesandplayedcardswiththemandtalkedabouttravelling.Ithought“peopleliketoplaycardsandgettomeeteachotherintheevening”andifyoucouldonlymakeacardgameabouttravellingthatdidn’tneedaboard…

Didyoustartdesigningitwhenyougothome?WhenwecamebackfromtravellingIwentbackintonormalworkbutIwasabitfedupafteracoupleofyearsandIdecidedtodosomethingabouttheidea.>>

“we neeDeD to finD carDs that representeD all the stuff that can happen to you when your are travelling.”

mapominoesThe Ultimate Geography GameAmoderntakeondominoesthatusescountriesinsteadofnumbers.AvailableinEurope,AsiaandAustralasia,Africa,theAmericas,andUKcounties.Adjacentgamescanbelinkedtocreateaworldgame.

astronautsThe Ultimate Space GameRacetoexploretheSolarSystem–andreturnsafelytoEarth!

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When Design and Construction are completed some say it’s “job done” – for us, it’s only the beginning.Magma Products is a dynamic commissioning and start-up specialist for the introduction of offshore hydrocarbons.

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win a pack of mapominoes europe

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IhadagroupoffriendswhomIfoisteditonforsixmonths.Wedesignedthecards,printedthemandstuckthemonexistingpacksofcards.Theideaistobeveryopenandencourageeverybodytothinkaboutnewwaystochangethegame.Wemadeupnewcardsthatweren’tinthegameoriginally,suchastheGrapevinecardandtheNearMisscard,bothofwhicharegame-changersbecausetheymakepeopleplayeveryoneelse’scardsratherthanjusttheirown.IhavesincefoundoutthatquiteafewofthemechanicsofsomeofthecardsinBackpackerexistinquiteafewothergames,butquiteafewthingsthatwe’vedevelopeddon’texistinanyothergames.WhatmakesBackpackerspecial?It’satravelgamewithcardsbutnoboard.ObviouslyyouneededtohavecountriesandyouneededtohavesomereasonforcollectingcountriesbutthenIknewIreallywantedtoencompassalltheexperienceswehadhadandwhattravellingwasallaboutandsoweneededtofindcardsthatrepresentedallthestuffthatcanhappentoyouwhenyouaretravelling.

Backpackerissosmallandportableandtheideaofpeopletakingthegameonabigtripforayearoutworks.Youdon’t

takeboardgamesonholiday,whichiswhenyouactuallyhavetimetoplaythemortimetokill,butyoucantakeBackpackerandothertravellersseethegameandbecomeinterestedinit.

Whatmadeyoudecidetogoitalone,ratherthanteamupwithanestablishedgamescompany?Idon’tthinkIeverentertainedtheideaoftakingittosomeoneelse.AgoodfriendhelpedmewiththeartworkandtaughtmesoIcoulddoquitealotmyself,andthenitwasjustacaseofjusttryingtogetitoutthere.

Howeasyisittomakealiving?It’shard,butI’mgettingthere:Ididn’tknowmuchaboutthegamesindustrybeforewecameupwithBackpacker.Nowit’stheonethatsellsthemost–allovertheworld.ItwentonsaleinNovemberorDecember2004.IhadsomemoneysavedfromworksobasicallyIpaidforthefirstprintrunofabout2,000.Itwasn’treallyanythingIknewaboutasmycareerwasaboutworkinginquitelargecompanies,solearningtopitchtopeoplewasaquestionoflearningasyougo.

Ittookaboutayeartosellthefirst2,000,soobviouslywewerelivingoffsavings

Wildcard Games is offering five copies of Mapominoes Europe – The Ultimate Geography Game, each worth £9.99. This fun, portable card game is about connecting bordering countries in Europe. It’s easy to learn and highly addictive. It has broad appeal to both children and adults and is ideal for taking on holiday. The game is cleverly designed so that you don’t need geographical knowledge to play, but playing rapidly improves your geographical knowledge.

Foryourchancetowinjustanswerthefollowingquestionandemailyouranswer,withMAPOMINOESinthesubjectfield,tocompetitions@gravity-consulting.comnolaterthanNovember23,2012.BesuretoincludeyourFULLcontactdetails,includingyournameandpostaladdress.GravityConsultingcompetitionrulesapplyandtheeditor’sdecisionisfinal.

Question: How many countries border Belgium? 

Ifyouarenotsure,theanswercanbefoundonwww.mapominoes.com

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butwegotareallybigorderfromWHSmithandBootsbygoingtotheToyFairatOlympiaandmadeasecondgame,Mapominoes,inwhicheachcardrepresentsacountryandhasconnectingcountriesoneitherside.

OnceIhadmadethisgamethatgotmeintoJohnLewis(whoweregreattodealwith)andwhenitdidwelltheytookBackpackeraswell,andotherstores,likeHamleys,followed.

Makingasecondgamewaskey:themoregamesyouhave,themorethebusinessbecomessustainable.Amazonisreallybigandabout20percentofoursalescomethroughthere.

Thekeywithgamesisthatifyougetthemintolargeretailersforayearorsoandmakesomesales,thenthesesalesgeneratemoresalesasthereare5-10,000ofyourgamesoutthereandotherpeopleseethem.Soonceit’sinthelargeretailersitbecomesself-sustainingandtherearenow50,000eachofBackpackerandMapominoesoutthere.

Wherearethegamesproduced?TheyareallprintedintheUK,atCartamundi,onCanveyIsland.

Whatareyouplansforthefuture?IhavetwonewgamesforChristmas,includingaPirateMemoryGame,inspiredbyasketchinLittleBritain.ItwillbecalledAarrr!…Probably!Theotheroneisagameinwhichyouhavetilesonafive-by-fivetilegridandyouhavetomovefromonesideoftheboardtotheoppositecorner.It’sreally“App-able”sowe’llprobablymakeanApptoo.

Willyouneedtotakeonstaff?Withthetwoofusthereisenoughresource,nottodoeverything,buttodothethingsthatareimportant.Youhavetoworkoutwhat’simportantotherwiseyouendupworkingtoolongandtoohard.

Anddidyoustartthefamily?Yes,wehaveagirl,eightandboy,ten.

win a pack of mapominoes europe

“We’dlikeyoutokeepitforawholeweeksoyoucanreallygetusedtothecar.”ThewordsoftheBentleypressofficeronproposingthatItestthelatestContinentalGT.

Generousthoughtheofferwas,hewasn’tactingoutofmerealtruism.Behindthesuggestionlayasoundbusinessmotive,becausethethrustofBentleythesedays,nowthatthefirmissolidlyembeddedintheVW-Audiempire,istosellcarsthatareapracticaldailyproposition.Notarichman’stoy,butarichman–orwoman’s–everydayvehicle.

Sheereconomicshavedriventhechangeofapproach.Overthelasttwodecades,asthecostofsafetyandemissionstestingrose,luxurycarmanufacturersfounditharderandhardertofundthedevelopmentofnewmodels.Moreover,thankstothesteadyimprovementinqualityandequipmentlevelsofmass-producedcars,thetopofferingsofmainstreambrandsbegantoeatawayatthespecialists’market.Onebyone,themotorindustry’smostillustriousnamesweretakenoverbylargergroups.

TheBentleymarque,whichVW-Audiacquiredin1998followingthebreak-upoftheRolls-Royce/Bentleycombine(BMWboughtRR),producedagrandtotalof414carsthatyear,mostlytheRR-derivedArnage.TomakeBentleyviable,theArnagebadlyneededasmaller,lessexpensivestablematethatwouldattractabroaderclientèle.

ThatfreshstartwastheContinentalGT,introducedin2003.ItsengineeringborenorelationtoanypreviousBentley,butthenamecertainlydid,havingdebutedonthelastBentleyfromtheancien régimetoofferanyrealindividuality,themuch-lovedR-TypeContinentalof1952-55.Thisfast,subtlysporting,luxurycoupéwashighlypraisedinits

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Dday–JamesBonddroveoneinThunderballandOnherMajesty’sSecretService.Itsnamesake’staskwastooffersimilarqualitiesina21stcenturypackage,andtoawideraudience.

Ithasbeenhugelysuccessful.TheGTcatapultedproductiontoapeakof10,000in2007and,althoughdemandwasbadlyhitbythe2008financialcrisis,thecompanyisnowbackinprofitandmorethan8,000carsarelikelytorolloutoftheCrewefactorythisyear.MostwillbeContinentalGTs,theremainderbeingvariantsoftheMulsanne,theallVW-grouptopmodelthatreplacedtheArnagein2010.

Findinghomesforallthesecarsmeansattractingcustomerswhohavenoknowledgeofthecompany’ssportinghistory,oranyinterestinit.Indeed,insomeemergingmarkets,theymayneverhaveevenheardofthename.AmodernBentleyhastostandonitsownmerits.

Toassessthis,IassembledatapubintheLakeDistrictthebroadestmixofwell-heeledpeopleIcouldfindinmy

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next time mr bond saves the world, he should do it with the

aid of a bentley continental, writes Norman Burr

addressbook.ItookeachindividualorcoupleoutintheBentleyinturn,thenwecomparednotesoverabeer.

DeryckownsacaravanparkandtwoMorgans,butarrivedinhiseverydaycar,nolessthana2008ContinentalGT.It’shissecondContinental,followingastringofMercedes,andhisenthusiasmforthemodelistotallyunanalytical.“Iloveit,justloveit,that’sallIcansay,”hegushed.Comparedwithhisexample,thelatestmodelfeaturesnumerousdetailimprovementsbut,parkedsidebysidewiththetestcar,themostobviousupdateisthesharper,moreaggressivegrille.

Phil(AstonMartinDB9,BMW3-Seriescoupé,Clubmans-classtrackcar)hasanengineeringsuppliesbusinessandwastheonlyoneofourgroupregularlyinvolvedinmotorsport.Hepreferredthemorehard-edgedfeelofhisAstonbutwasfullofadmirationforthewaytheteamatCrewehavecreatedacarthatstilllooksandfeelslikeaBentley,despitesharingalmostnocomponentswithitsforebears.

BillandJean(MercedesEClass,Ferrari308,FiatBarchetta,HyundaiSantaFé)areintoproperty.ThefirstthingBillwantedtoassesswasroadnoise,ashereckonsmanyexpensivecarsletthemselvesdownbadlyinthisdepartment.Despiteridingon20-inchalloysandlow-profiletyres,hegavetheBentleythethumbs-up.

BestprospectforaconquestsalewereCharlesandLorene(JaguarXF,Porsche911,MiniCountryman),whoownaninstrumentationcompany.Beingnearneighboursofmine,theytravelledwithmetothevenueandthusspentlongerintheBentleythananyoneelse.BythetimewegothomeIsensedthatthe911’stenureinthegaragecouldbeshorterthanplanned.LorenewassmittenandIdidn’tnoticeCharlesarguing.

EveryonelovedthewaytheContinental’scombinationof567hp,516lbftoftorqueandfour-wheeldriveallowsittakeofflikeUsainBoltwithoutsnaking,wheelspinordramaofanykind–0-60mphtakesjust4.4seconds,thoughit’sbestnottolookatthefuelgaugewhileyou’redoingit.Morenormaldrivingyields17-18mpg.

Powerissplit60/40infavouroftherearwheelsand,whenI

drovethecarinangeronmyown,itwaseasytoseewhy.Thecomplexsix-speedautomatictransmission,whichfeaturesfullmanualoverrideandapaddleshift,hasbothfrontandcentredifferentialsinunitwiththegearbox.Thisnecessitatesplacingthesix-litretwin-turboW12enginewellforward,sointight,slowcornerstheContinental’snaturaltendencyistoundersteer.Griplevelsareprodigious–onlyacompleteidiotorthelottery-oddsunluckycouldrunoutofroadinthiscar–butit’shappierifyoushiftdownaratioortwoandusethrottletobalancetheturn.ThisBentleyisnotacarthatdemandsinvolvementfromthedriver,butitcertainlyappreciatesit.

Tocompletemyweek,Ididallthethingseveryonedoeswithaneverydaycar.WenttoSainsbury’swithmywife.WenttoIkeawithmywife.Gavemystepdaughteralifttowork.Tookmy92-year-olddadforadrive–aformerRoverman,hefeltrightathomewiththewoodandleather.Wenttoagoodrestaurantandonthewayhomenegotiatedahorrendouscloudburst,completewithflashfloods.Drovetoameetingofmylocalcarclub.TrundleddowntheM6enjoyingthedistance-sensingcruisecontrol.Raisedthesuspensionandsoftenedthedamperstocopewithpockmarkedcitystreets.Playedwiththeheated,cooled,lumbar-adjusted,squab-lengthadjustable,everything-adjustableseats.Enjoyedtheintuitivelysimplesoundsystem.Struggledwiththesatnav,whichisjusttheopposite.Exploredthezoomablemoving-mapfacility–verycool.

Itmayseemstrangetocalla198mphcarsubtle,butthat’swhattheContinentalGTis.Ithasrealpresence,yetdoesn’tdrawacrowd.Itsdynamicabilitiesareremarkable,yetanycompetentdrivercanaccessthem.Itisquietbutnotsilent(norisitintendedtobe–ifyoudon’tenjoythemutedgrowlofaW12onfullsong,youhavenosoul).AddtothisalevelofrefinementalientoanAstonorFerrari,plusequipmentlevelsthatwantfornothingandfourexcellentseats(thoughlegroomistightintheback)andyouhaveacarthathascarvedoutanichealltoitself.

NexttimeMrBondsavestheworld,heshoulddoitwiththeaidofaBentleyContinental.Theevergreenspooklovedtheoriginal,it’stimehegotacquaintedwithitsspiritualsuccessor.

www.bentleymotors.com

“grip levels are proDigious – only a complete iDiot or the lottery-oDDs unlucky coulD run out of roaD in this car…”

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puzzle page by Yves Du Sault

welcome to the eastern airways puzzle page and your chance to win one of two bottles of chapter 6, england’s award-winning finest single malt whisky (also on sale in norwich airport duty free shop). www.englishwhisky.co.uk

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i am employed by the met office…and you deviate from what the chief forecaster says at your peril.

CarolKirkwood’schildhoodambitionwastobeaBluePeterpresenter–sheeventuallyjustaboutgottherebyspendingtenyearsbringingustheweatherforecastfromtheBluePetergarden,asthemeteorologicalfaceoftheBBCatbreakfasttime.

ThecircularlogicofhercareerisasourceofamusementforCarol,butthen–ashalfanhour’sconversationwithherhaveemphaticallydemonstratedtome–soaremanythings.

Hereisawomaninlovewithherjob,thepeoplesheworkswith,andwithlifeingeneral.Recognisedasthisyear’sbestTVWeatherPresenterintheTelevisionandRadioIndustriesClubAwards,herbroadcastingpeersobviouslylovehertoo:itisthefourthtimeshehasliftedthetrophy.

ItallbeganwithsomethingofaFamousFivechildhood,growingupwithfivesistersandtwobrothersinMorar,asmall,predominantlyCatholiccommunitybetweenFortWilliamandMallaig,whereherparentsranahotel.

“Itwasafabulouschildhood:alwayssomebodytoplaywithandsharetoyswith,”recallsCarol.“Andtheneighboursacrosstheroadhadanevenbiggerfamily–therewere12ofthemandweplayedgameslikeBritishBulldogorwe’dgooutandmakeupourowngames,climbtrees…OrplayMissWorld!

“Insummerthedaysweresolightandsolong,andwe’dgotothebeachforaswim.Mumhadaneight-tracktapeplayerinthecarandwe’ddrivetothebeachwiththeBeachBoysplaying.Itwasreallyfabulous,reallynice.Youkindoftookthingsforgranted:youwenttoschool,thensecondaryschoolandthoughmyparentsweren’tpushy,theywereintofurthereducationandencouragedus.”

AndsoCarol,néeMacKellaig,followedthewell-trodfamilypathtoEdinburgh’sNapierUniversity,whereshereadCommerce,specialisinginmarketing,economicsandaccounting.

“Myparentswereverykeen,inthatithadasecretarialthemeandIlearnedtotypeanddoshorthand.Andtheywereright:IstartedasasecretarywhenIgraduated.”

CarolrecallswritingtotheBBCwhenshewas12tosay

shewantedtopresentBluePeter.“Theysaid‘comebacktouswhenyouhaveadegree’.”CaroltooktheiradviceandendedupsigningfortheBBC’s“secretarialreserve”,whichwassomethinglikeanin-housetempingagency.

“IworkedonDrWho,Newsnight,Breakfast…IwoulddotwoweekstocoverforsomeoneanditwasagreatwaytoseethedepartmentswithintheBBC.”

AfteraperiodwiththeBBCinScotland,followinghermarriagetoamanshe’dmetatuniversity,Carolfollowedhernewhusbandsouth,eventuallysettingupherownrecruitmentandmanagementconsultancyinCheshire.

ThenafriendaskedifshewasstillinterestedinbeingapresenterandsheeventuallygotajobwithHTV,presentingaprogrammecalledTheGuide,lookingatwhatwascomingup.“ThenIhadacontentiousprogramme,whichIdidn’tenjoy–TalkingIssues.Ididn’tenjoyitasmuchasotherprogrammesIhaveworkedonasitwasallaboutprovokingpeopleandthat’snotme.SowhentheWeatherChannelcameknockingatthedoorintheUKandmyagentaskedmetogoalongtoanaudition,Itooktoitlikeaducktowater.IdidituntiltheycloseddownintheUK.”

CarolmovedseamlesslytotheBBC.“Ihavebeentherefor14andhalfyearsandIabsolutelyloveit.”Herworkincludes,besidesBreakfast,regularappearancesontheOneShow,TheWeatherShowandotherprogrammes.

“Notwodaysarethesame:theweatherisahugeresponsibilityandthereisalottakein.IamemployedbytheMetOfficesowediscusstheweathermanytimesadayandyoudeviatefromwhatthechiefforecastersaysatyourperil.

“ButIgettogotofabulousplacesliketheOlympicParkorWestminsterBridge,fortheJubilee.IhaveflownwiththeRedArrowsandlearnedtolandahelicopterinastormovertheNorthSea.”

She’sbeentowedalofttoviewcloudformationsintandemhangglider“withnothingbetweenmeandeternity”andhashereyeonaparachutejump.

“IlovemyjobandIworkwithpeoplewhomIreallyenjoy

interview: carol kirkwooDIN

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extreme weather events have been arriving like proverbial buses lately, but the face of uk weather forecasting keeps on smiling. Stan Abbott talks to carol kirkwood

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“Thejetstreamisoneofmanyfactorsthatdriveourweather.Thejetstreamisafast-movingriverofairaroundsixmilesupintheatmosphere,whichmarksthedividinglinebetweenwarmandcoolerair.Thereisagreatdealofenergycontainedwithinthisboundary.Theatmospheredoesn’tlikeimbalancesinenergyandtriestoevenitselfout.Thisiswhatwe,onthesurfaceoftheEarth,seeas ‘weather’–heatandmoisturebeingredistributedintheformofwet,dry,coldandhotweather.  

“Thesamejetstreamcanalsogiverisetoverydifferenttypesofweather.Forexample,whiletheUKwasexperiencingitswettestJuneonrecord,theUSwasexperiencingheatwaves.Thiswasallduetothepositionofthejetstream.

“Otherbig‘weather-makers’,suchasElNiñoandLaNiñathatweoftenhearabout,alsocontributetotheweatherthatweexperiencearoundtheworldandthereisagreatdealofresearchgoingonabouthowallofthesefactorsinteractwitheachother.Itissafetosay,though,thattheyareallmethodsbywhichtheatmospheretransportsenergyaroundtheglobeandsotheyallcontributetomaking ourweather.

“Wehaveagoodunderstandingoftheeffectsofthejetstreamonourweatherpatternsbutforecastingthesechangesfarinthefutureisoneofthegreatchallengesformeteorology.AttheMetOfficewehavesomeoftheworld’sbestscientists lookingatthisandmanyotherfactorstohelpbuildourunderstandingoftheatmospherethataffectsusallsomuch.”

DonaldAlexander,Carol’srescuecat,isnotundulyimpressedbytheallthescience.NorforthatmatterdoesheknowhehasaScottishmoniker,butforCarol,it’sanimportantpartofherlife.“IlovebeingScottishbutmyjobasitstandsmeansIhavetobehereintheSouthEast,andIlovelivinghere.Ihavethebestofallworlds.”

Thesedays,mumlivesinBlairgowrie,soreturnstoMorararerare.Herlargefamilyhasbequeathedher,shesays,“millionsofnephewsandnieces”,aswellasagreatnephewandgreatniece,thankstohersister,who,at60,isadecadeaheadofCarol,whohasnoplanstodrawthecurtainonherweathercareerforsometimeyet.“Iamhappydoingtheweatherandalltheopportunitiesitbrings.I’mdefinitelynotreadytoretireyet!”shelaughs.

“Inthemeantime,spendingtimewithfamily,friendsandthoseIlovemakesmehappy.Iloveallmusicandhaveareallyeclectictaste,butmyfavouriteisBryanAdams:heevensentmeoneofhisCDs!Ilikethesnow;Ilikethewind;Ilikesittinginthegardenwithabook–anythingfromaromanticnoveltoKaneandAbel.”

Isfameaburden?“Mymum,whois86,issometimesaskedifshe’sproudofmeandshesays‘Iamproudofallmychildren’.Forme,it’snicetoberecognisedandnicewhenpeoplebothertosaysomethinglike‘IfeelIknowyoubecauseyouareinmyroomeveryday!’.”

Indeed.

workingwith.Thereisalotoflaughterintheoffice,whichreallyraisesyourspiritsbeforegoingonair.”

Bythetimeshesmilesonair,Carolhasalreadybeenupsinceaboutthreeinthemorning,whenthetaxipicksherupfromherBerkshirehome.ItwasevenearlierfortheOlympics.“BythetimeIamonairthreehourslaterIamawake…ItryinmymindtogotobedateightbutatninethirtyIamthinking‘whatamIgoingtoweartomorrow?’.Iusedtobeabsolutelydiligentaboutgoingtobedearly…AtthemomentIamalwayssleepdeficient.”

Theanti-socialhoursmeanCaroldoeshersocialisingatlunchtimes,whichworkswellwithhermarriedfriendswhohavechildren.“ButwhenIwenttotheOlympicopeningceremonyandIwasupfor24hours.Iwasdeadonmylegs.”

DotheresponsibilitiesandchallenginghoursmakeCarolfearher“MichaelFishmoment”.Carolimmediatelyleapstothedefenceofthemanwhofamouslyassuredusahurricanewasn’tontheway.ShestressesFishdidnotgiveinformationthatwasincorrect.“Therewasn’tahurricane.Wehadhurricanestrengthwinds.Wedon’tgethurricanesintheUK.Sotechnicallyhewascorrect.

“Idon’tfearmyMichaelFishmomentbecauseeverythingwedocomesthroughtheMetOffice,withthebestavailableinformationatthattime.AnditisaFORECASTattheendofthedayandit’snotwritteninstone.It’sdonewiththebestofourabilityandthesuper-computeraswell.

“Ithinkforecastsaremoreaccurateandthewaytheyaredeliveredhaschangeddramaticallyovertheyears–asindeedhavethegraphics.”

MichaelFishmomenttheremaynothavebeen,butCarolhaslosthernecklaceonairandshediddeclare,onalivebroadcastfromRoyalAscotwithChrisHolland,“IamsohungryIcouldeatahorse”.

AndthentherewasthehoaxTweeterwhodupedherintodescribingawetdaywithanunusualtermthatturnedouttohaveafarlessinnocentmeaninginstreetslang.

“Wedidn’tgetanyactualcomplaintsbutsomeonee-mailedtosaytheirteenagechildrenhadnearlychokedontheirCornflakes,”laughedCarol,whorecallshavingtorelivetheincidentonGrahamNorton’sshow.

Otheraspectsofthejobaremoredignified.“IwasgivingatalktotheWomen’sInstituteinSandringhamandPresidentwastheQueen.Shesattwofeetfrommeandit’ssoweirdhavingthemonarchlookingatyoufor25minutes.It’soneofthosesurrealthingsthathappeninyourlife.”

Thisyear,ofcourse,forecastinghasn’tbeenalljoy.Ingeneral,saysCarol,audienceresearchshowsthatpeoplewanttoknowifit’sgoingtobecoldwhentheygooutandwillitrainwhentheycomehome.But,withintimeconstraints,greaterdetailisbroughtinwhenrelevant,andearlierthisyearpartofthatdetailwastheunusuallocationofthehighaltitudejetstream,tothesouthoftheUK,drawingastreamanddepressionsandtheirassociatedrainacrossthecountry.

“There’sawholedepartmentintheMetOfficelookingatthejetstreamrightnow,”saysCarol,whoasksformoretime,beforecomingbackwiththisdetailedaccount.

carol kirkwooD: twitter anD the jet stream

“i think forecasts are more accurate anD the way they are

DelivereD has changeD Dramatically …”

make mine a Doublebitter experience with Alastair Gilmour

two iconic pubs in two days in two ‘new’ cities – and that’s just the half of it…

Weloveacoincidence.Take,forexample,thehorseracingresultsthatthrewupLemonPie(10-1)andMeringuePie(11-1)onthesameday,returningahealthydollopofjustdessertsforhungrypunters.Andtomakeamealofthisserendipity,downatFolkstoneyoucouldaddTinzapeasatoddsof9-2tothewinnings.(Thenovicegamblershouldnotethatcoincidences,bytheirverynature,arefewandfarbetween,sotheyshouldbeapproachedwithcaution.)

So,imagineourdelightatshowingsomevisitorsaroundtheCrownPosadainNewcastleandproudlypointingoutthatit’sthecity’ssecond-oldestpub,then24hourslaterbeingtakenonatourofPJClarke’s,thesecond-oldestpubinNewYork.Coincidencewithakick.

PJClarke’sfirstopeneditsdoorsin1884andthisvenerableManhattaninstitutionhassincebaskedinacolourfulhistory,entertainingthefamous,theinfamous,andeveryoneelsewhoappreciatestheambianceofarealsaloonbar.

SimilarlywiththeCrownPosada.It’soneofthenation’sfinesttraditionalwateringholesandwerecallthebizarresightofTheFastShow’sPaulWhitehouse,CharlieHigsonandMarkWilliamslinedupatthebar–althoughthatpalessomewhatwhenabartenderatPJ’sinformsusthatit’swhereJohnnyMercerwroteOneForMyBaby.

BuiltnearNewcastle’sQuaysidein1880astheCrown,thestorygoesthatanearlyownerhadaSpanishmistressandaddedthesuffixPosada–aninnorrestingplace–inherhonour.Thepairofloversaresupposedlycommemoratedinthestainedglasswindow,butas

thesewereoriginalsdesignedbyGeorgeJosephBaguley,hemusthavebeensomethingofasoothsayer–oracreatorofcoincidence.Furthermore,herPre-Raphaelite-styledemeanorsuggestsmiserytothenth-degreeandishardlytheconductofastarry-eyedseñorita.

Butaskoneofthebarstaff–particularlyAndy–forapottedhistoryandthey’remorethanhappytotrotoutthetalesandrunthroughthebeerofferinginmouthwateringfashion.

“Wouldyoulikemetoshowyouaround,sir?”saysWilliam,ourPJClarke’sbartender-come-guide,asheratherunnervinglyopenedthedoormarkedMenontotheoldestsetofurinalswe’deverclappedeyeson.Heproudlyconfirmsthepublicbar’sprimaryfunctionasasocialequaliser“wherethenewsmakerrubsshoulderswiththeCEOsittingnexttotheironworker”.

“Andthisisthefamoustablenumber20,”herevealswithaflourish.Anupholsteredbench-typeseatsitsinashallowbrickalcovebehindachequered-clothedtable.“Nomatterhowbusyitwasinhere,thisiswhereFrankSinatrawouldsit–andMarilynMonroeandJackieOnassis.”

ApaintingonthewallglowswithamontageofcelebritiesfromRat-Packerstobaseballstarsandpoliticians.Intraditionallymisogynistbar-roommanner,thepay-phoneisoutofordersocustomerscanneitherringout,northeirwivesringin–allpre-mobile,ofcourse–thewives’beerwindow(theequivalentofour“snug”)standsopen,thebrokencigarettemachineremainsbroken,andtheashesofoneofitsfavouritepatronsrestinpeacebehindthebar.PJ’sfamousjukeboxplaysFrank,

Buddy,EllaandSting.

WealternatebetweenthelocalBrooklynLager,anall-toolaid-backlunchtimepint,andGooseIslandIPA,aparticularlyhoppybeerfromChicago.IntheCrownPosadathepreviousday,itwasJarrowRivetCatcher,whichoriginatesaroundthesamedistancefromthepubthatBrooklynBreweryliesfromPJ’sWest63rdStreetaddress.

Thesad-lookingSpanishmistressgazesvacantlydownfromhervantagepoint.What’sonhermind?AstheimmortalFrankwouldhavesung:

We’redrinkingmyfriendTotheendofabriefepisodeSomakeitoneformybabyAndonemorefortheroad.

Coincidence?Notabitofit.Let’scallitdivineintervention.

AlastairGilmourisafreelancejournalistandisavailableforabeeratthedropofahat.

Tablenumber20

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There’ssomethingmorethanalittledisarmingaboutlookingoutoftheLandRoverpassengerwindowandseeingterrafirmajustametreaway.Surelyitshouldbebeneathus,notbesideus,likethis?

Ihadn’tpreviouslyappreciatedjustwhatasmartpieceofequipmentatop-of-the-rangeLandRoverDiscoveryactuallyis,butherewewere,fourofusonboard,andthewheelsofthevehicleseemedfirmlystucktotheground,eventhoughitsbodywastiltedtoonesideat45°ormore.

“OhmyGod,ohmygod,ohmygod!”incantedZoe,whoseturnitwasbehindthewheel.Thecalmingvoiceofourinstructor,Mick,gentlycoaxedherroundtheobstaclecourse,partofacorporateactivitieschallengedayinthegroundsofConistonHotel,NorthYorkshire.

IunderstoodwhereZoewascomingfromwhenitwasmyturnatthecontrols.Thisnear£40,000machineismorelimpetthancar!Ithappilytakesmeupanddownstaircases,throughariver,upa45°inclineandoveraseriesofprotrudingtreetrunks.Isay“takesme”:it’ssosmartthatitevenappliesthebrakesasyougodownhill.Thatleavesyourbrainfreetowatchtheinstruments,includingtheonethattellsyouexactlyhowmuchloadandgripyouhaveoneachofyourfourwheels.

ZoeandIwereamongjournalistsandYorkshirebusinesspeoplesamplingConiston’soffer.It’saplaceIhadpreviouslydrivenpastmanytimesbutonlynowwasIseeingwhatIhadbeenmissing.Thehotelmayberelativelynew(22ofits50roomsareverynew),butitstandsin1,400acresofmaturegrounds,setaroundabeautiful24-acrelake.BesidestheLandRoverExperience,thegroundsarealsohometoapremierCPSAClayPigeonshootandafalconrycentre,aswellasfacilitiesforgolfdriving,archery,mountainbiking,walkingandother

activities.ItallbelongstoMichaelandEthneBannister,MichaelbeingacousinofSirRogerBannister,thefirstfour-minutemiler.

Alsoonthemorning’sprogrammewereclaypigeonshooting,archery,andfalconry.Theclaysdidn’tgosowellforme,asIwascarryingashoulderstrain,butwithabitmorepractice,IreckonImadehavemadetheOlympicsteamwiththearchery.Well,aboycandream.

AndthenitwastimetomeetMarkPriestley,oneofConiston’sresidentfalconers.AndwhatMarkdidn’tknowabouthuntingbirdswasn’tworthknowing.

HetalksusthroughhowtheworldlooksthroughtheeyesofGenghis,aSaudiArabianeagle.Hepointstoadistantfield,amileawayonthehorizon.Genghiswouldspotarabbitinthatfield,saysMark.“Butthatdoesn’tmeantosayhewilltryandcatchit:hehastoweighupthefoodbenefitagainsttheenergyhewouldusecatchingit.”

Thegreateyesightisn’tjustaboutdistance,however.It’saboutfieldofvisionandtheextraordinaryspeedatwhichhawkscanprocessmovement(whereweseeonesimplemovement,thehawkwilldiscernseveraltimes

asmanyindividual“photographicframes”.

Andthenthere’stheultra-violetvision:didyouknowforexample,thatwhenyouseeakestrelhoveringoverthemotorwayverge,he’snotlookingforsmallrodents.He’sactuallylookingforultra-violetevidenceintheformeroftheurinetrailsleftbysmallrodents.

Allofthisisacurtain-raisertoactually“working”withtheeagle.Markwantsustounderstandthatweareworkingwithahighlyintelligentveryefficientkillingmachine.AkillingmachinewhoseesMarkashisequal,hishuntingpartner,butcertainlynothisbiggestbuddy.

Holdingthechickenbaitinleather-glovedhand,it’snomorethanananosecondbeforetheeaglehaslanded.Aquiteawesomesightwhenjustsoclose:itjustaboutedgedtheLandRoverexperience.

www.theconistonhotel.com

ConistonHotelisnorthwestofSkipton,45minutesfromLeedsBradfordAirport.Besidesitscorporatedays,itisapopularvenueforweddingsandotherparties.

EasternAirwaysfliestoLeedsBradfordfromAberdeenandBristol.

Stan Abbott tries some team-building activities courtesy of the family of the world’s first four-minute miler...

Discovery Day chez bannister

25OPPOSITEclockwisefromtop:shootingclays;champagnewithaview;puttingtheDiscoverythroughitspaces;autumncoloursonConiston’slake;theeaglehaslanded–GenghiswithtrainerMarkPriestley;ahelpinghandatarchery.

Donald trump’s major golf development at menie, aberdeenshire, has never been far from the headlines in the six years since he bought the land. Alison Daniels was at the long anticipated opening of this challenging new links course

trump’s hole in one

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Playinganewgolfcourseforthefirsttimehasbeenlikenedtotakinganewlover.Atfirstsight,therollingcurves,lushlandscapesandmanicuredgreensoftheTrumpInternationalGolfLinksmayappearbeguiling,butitconcealsmanyunexpectedchallenges.Itis,byturnscapricious,comforting,confidenceinspiring,contradictoryanddownrightcruel.

Thecourseissetinsuchspectacularscenery,withpracticallyeveryholdaffordingvistasovertheNorthSea,thatitalmostseemsapitytopickupaclub.

Thatsaid,thecourseisdesignedto

delight,challengeandfrustrateboththeweekendroughhackerandthemostskilledprofessional.

TheTrumporganisationhasalreadyploughedmorethan£100millionintothecoursedevelopment,layingtenacresofgrasspathwaysbetweengreensandtees,carvingout95bunkerstocatchtheunwaryandevenusingthesamegrassmixonthegreensandsurroundingareastoensureatightlie.EverysingleaspectofthecoursehasbeendesignedtomeetDonaldTrump’saimofbuildingthefinestlinkscourseintheworld.

Thesixthholeexemplifiesthisethos,

asitwindsthroughtoweringdunes,scrubbyheathers,pastaburnandmarshlandthatishometonativeorchids,withthefairwaysaffordingunrivalledseaviewsandthegreennestlingamongthedunes.Aboldapproachoffersthechanceofaneasybirdie,butthecourseisonethatpunishesmistakes.

ThePar4twelvecasuallydeceives,withthegreenlocatedinasmallvalleyprotectedbyaseriesofdeepbunkers.Thefinalholeisthelongestandperhapsthemostchallenging,beingadifficultPar5thatcomesinat518to651yardsdependingonthechoiceoftee.Thepanoramaoverthe

Thethirdhole.PhotoBrianMorganPhotographycourtesyofTrumpInternational

cityofAberdeenofferslittleconsolationforadoublebogey.

Thefirstphaseofthedevelopmentincludesanimpressivedrivingrangecoveringalmost23acres,adedicatedshortgamepracticearea,puttinggreenandafullyequippedclubhouse,completewithbistroandshop.Thereareevencabinetsstockedwithcolddrinksandconfectioneryatstrategicpointsalongthecourseforthosewhoseenergyhasbeensappedbythemarramgrassrough.

Asecondcourse,five-starhotel,holidayhomesandhousingwereoriginallyplannedforthesitebutattheopening,TrumpconfirmedthatthesewouldonlybestartedwhenandifplansforawindfarminAberdeenBayareabandoned.

ThevagariesofAberdeenshire’sweatherlendanadditionallayerofcomplexitytothecourseanditisquitepossibletoexperienceblusteryshowers,brilliantsunshineandhorizontalrainbeforegettingthroughtheoutwardnine.

TheCEOoftheProfessionalGolfersAssociation,SandyJones,believes

thatthelinkswillalmostcertainlyplayhosttomajortournamentsinthefuture,withboththeRyderCupandtheOpenbeingmootedforadecadeahead.Heenthused:“It’scleartomethatthisisgoingtobeagreatvenue–soyouhavethebasishereforagreattournament.”

DonaldTrump–neverknowinglyunderstated–hasrepeatedlydescribedthecourseasthegreatestintheworldandithasreceivedglowingreviewsinthegolfpress.GolfWorldrankedit

eighthinitstop100UKandIrishCourses,thehighestnewentryandaheadofsuchstalwartsasthisyear’sOpenvenueRoyalLythamandStAnne’s;Wentworth;Gleneagles’King’sCourse;andTheBelfry.OnlythegiantsofScottishgolf–Turnberry,MuirfieldandStAndrew’s–outrankedthenewcomer,amarkofdesignerMartinHawtree’soutstandingachievementinperfectlyaligningnatureandartificeintoacoursethatremainschallenging,yetenjoyabletoplay.

DonaldTrumpperformstheopeningceremony.PhotocourtesyofNewsInternational

every single aspect of the course has been DesigneD to meet DonalD trump’s aim of builDing the finest links course in the worlD.

www.trumpgolfscotland.com

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next year sees the airing on the history channel of mgm tv’s vikings. it will be just the latest and biggest manifestation of growing interest in europe’s viking history: a history that Dr Graeme Davis argues was simply ignored by subsequent “empires”, including the roman catholic church…

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AthousandyearsagotheVikingsdominatednorthernEurope,andopeneduproutesthatstretchedasfarasAsiaandAmerica.

Itstartedwithasingleinvention–theVikingship.Suddenly,aroundthemiddleoftheeighthcentury,thelumberingvesselsoftheancientworldwerereplacedbythemostamazingshipseverseen.Theoldstyleofbuildingaroundaheavyframewasreplacedbywhatwecallclinker-build,thetechniqueofoverlappingplanksbuiltupfromakeeltoformthehull.Theresultisashipthatislight,fast,manoeuvrable,quicktobuildandatthesametimebothocean-goingandyetwithadraftshallowenoughforriveruse.WiththeseversatileshipstheVikingssetouttomeettheworld.

BeforetheVikingagetheNorsepeopleofScandinaviamadelittleimpactonhistory.Overnightthenewshipscreatedanewbrandofexplorer,thevik-ingsor“creekpeople”,thosewholivedaroundacreekwhereashipcouldbeberthedandwhoexploitedtheopportunitiesthenewshipsoffered.TheVikingagewasneverastate-led,nationalexpansionbutrathertheadventuresandmigrationsofthecrewsofcountlessindependent,smallships.TheVikingswerecertainlyattimespiratessetonpillage,buttheywerealsomerchantsandmercenaries,and,later,colonistsandnation-builders.Theywereasvariedastheindividualswhowenta-viking.

TotheeasttheVikingstravelledthelengthofthegreatriversofRussia–theDonandtheVolga–reachingtheBlackandtheCaspianSeas.Theirenergyknewnobounds.Thered-headedVikingsfoundedthefirstRussiankingdomandgaveitthenameRusmeaningred,thenametheSlavsusedtodescribetheVikings.InConstantinopletheybecamethemostloyalandmostfearedVarangianguardsoftheByzantineemperors.

VikingssailedtheMediterraneanandreachedJerusalemwiththeCrusades.Furthertotheeast,theyturnedupasmerchantsinBaghdadandTehran,whilein913ADtheymadearaidonBakuwithanenormousfleetof500ships,carryingoffplunderfromthecityandthesurroundingareaandpenetratingasmuchasthreedays’marchinland.IntheraidonBakuwecanglimpsesomethingoftheviolenceofVikingpiratevoyages,andalsotheVikingspiritofself-confidencethatledthemtolaunchthisexpeditionsoveryfarfromhome.

IntheiradventuresintheeasttheVikingsexploredtheknownworldofEuropeanRussiaandlookedbeyondtoAsia.Itisaremarkableachievement–yetinthewesttheydidsomethingevenmoreamazing.Here,theirvoyagingtookthembeyondthelimitsoftheknownworld,outintotheunknown,acrosstheNorthAtlanticandtotheAmericancontinent.In1000AD–astrikingdateforastrikingevent–theVikingslandedinAmerica.Theachievementwaspossiblebecauseofthe“steppingstone”islandsacrosstheNorthAtlantic.

AVikingshipdepartingfromsouth-westNorway–aroundmodernBergenorStavanger–couldmanageavoyagetoOrkneyorShetlandinaround24hours.HeretheVikingsestablishedpermanentsettlements,swampingthepeoplesalreadylivingthere.TheseNorthAtlanticislandbasesbecametheirtransitlounge.SouthtookthemdowntheeastcoastofmodernScotlandandEngland,pasttoday’sAberdeenandNewcastleandtothecitytheymadetheirEnglishbase,York(Jorvík).South-westtookthemdownScotland’swestcoast,toIrelandandtothecitytheyfounded,Dublin.Butthemostexcitingroutewastothenorthandwest.

ItwasabravecrewthatfirstventuredintotheunknownwatersbeyondShetland.Theirfirstlandfallwas

theFaroeIslands,andtheseAtlanticislesquicklybecameaVikingcolony.Incontrastwiththeireasternvoyagestheywentnotaspiratesortradersbutinsteadasfamilygroupswiththeirlivestockandalltheyneededforanewlife,fleeinganovercrowdedandoppressiveNorway.FromtheFaroeIslandsanotherjumpwesttooktheVikingstoanewland,itssouthshoredominatedbyagreatice-cap,thelandtheynamedIceland.Thefirstexplorerswerequicklyfollowedbythesettlers,andwithinafewyearsthefertilelandofIcelandwasapportionedbetweenVikingfamilies.

IttookaspecialindividualtopushtheVikingsyetfurtherwestacrosstheice-strewnNorthAtlantic.ThemanwasEiriktheRed.AsagatellsusheleftNorwayinahurry“onaccountofsomekillings”andhisearlycareertookhimaroundtheVikingNorthAtlantic–OrkneyandShetland,Scotland,Dublin,theFaroesandfinallyIceland.Itseemshewasnicknamed“thered”notforhisred-hair–whichmanyVikingshad–butforthetrailofbloodheleftbehindhim.He

didn’tstaylonganywhere.UltimatelyevenIcelandexiledhim.Aftermonthsoflivingthelifeofanoutlawwithapriceonhishead,heandhisgang,withnowherelefttogo,hitontheideaofaspeculativevoyagetothewest.

WestfromIcelandistheice-boundeastcoastofGreenland,withoutproperanchorageandwithoutarableland.DesperationdroveEirikaroundCapeFarewell,Greenland’ssoutherntip,andtothediscoveryofakinderfaceofGreenland,onthewestcoast.EirikcalleditGreenland–perhapstoattractsettlers,butalsosimplyasadescriptionofthestunninggreensofthesummersedge-meadowsofGreenland,whichfillthestripoflandbetweentheseaandtheicecap.

FromGreenlandtotheAmericanlandmassisjustanothershorthop,thisonemadenotbyEirikbutbyhissonLeif.Asagatellsusofthediscoveryandsettlementofthisnewworldandofencounterswiththepeoplelivingthere,andusesthenameVinland.ForVikingsfamiliarwiththewildNorthAtlanticandtheArcticthisworldseemedpleasantandfertile.HeretheVikingsbothvisitedandsettled.TwoVikingsettlementshavesofarbeendiscoveredinAmerica–oneonBaffinIsland,oneontheislandofNewfoundland,bothontheroutesouthtokinderclimes–andthereiseveryexpectationofmoresettlementsbeingfoundinAmericaaswearenowactivelysearchingforthem.OtherVikingremainshaveturnedupinmanydozensoflocationsintheCanadianArcticandasfarsouthastheUSstateofMaine.We’refindingevidenceoffourcenturiesofVikingsettlementonGreenlandand

fromthroughoutthisperiod,evidenceofvoyagingonwardstoAmerica.

EveryfewyearsthestoryoftheVikingsneedsanewtellingtoreflectnewdiscoveriesandabetterappreciationofjusthowmuchtheyachieved.OncetheVikingswerehardlyrememberedinhistoriesoftheCaspianregion;nowtheirraidsareregardedasamajorinfluencethere.OnceitwaspossibletosaythattheVikingsindeedvisitedNorthAmericaandevenbrieflysettled,butthatsomehowitdidn’tmuchmatterbecauseitchangedlittle.NowitisreasonabletoseetheVikingsaspre-ColumbustravellerstoAmericawhomadevisitsforaroundfourcenturies.

TheideaofVikingsettlementinNorthAmericadidnotsiteasilywithaviewofworldhistorywithColumbusandsubsequentSpanish,BritishandFrenchconquestoftheAmericasatitscore.NordoideasofVikingimpactintheeastfitmorerecentpresentationsofnationalhistoryinRussiaandtheCaspianRegion.TheVikingshavebeenmarginalised.Today’schallengeistoputthembackinthecentre–andthatisincreasinglyhappening,withthereappraisalofartefacts,DNAstudiesandlinguisticresearch,forexampleintoNorthAmericanIndianlanguagestolookforanddatetheentryofNordicwords.

DrGraemeDavisisaResearchFellowattheUniversityofBuckinghamandauthorofVikingsinAmerica,publishedbyBirlinn,inpaperback(ISBN:978-1841589596)andKindleeditions(freepreviewavailableatAmazon).

two viking settlements have so far been DiscovereD in america – one on baffin islanD, one on the islanD of newfounDlanD…

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vikings near you VikinghistoryoftheBritishIslesdatesfromthelateeighthcentury.TheestablishmentofVikingruleinmuchofEngland–calledtheDanelawandcomprisingmostofEnglandnorthofalinefromLondontoChester-wasfollowedbytheCanutedynastyofVikingkingsofEngland.Eventheeventsof1066canbeseenasaVikingpowerstruggle–VikingHaraldGoodwinsoninvadingEnglandfromthenorthandVikingWilliamtheConquerorfromthesouth.

IntheBritishIslesourVikingpastlivesoninourgenes,inplacenamesandinthelocaldialectsofnorthernEnglandandofScotland.InShetland,rulefromScandinaviacontinueduntilthe15thcenturywhiletheNorse-influencedNornlanguagetherecouldstillbeheardinthe18thcentury.

HerearesomeremindersofourVikinghistorynearEasternAirwaysdestinations.

ShetlandremembersitsVikingheritageeveryJanuaryintheUpHellyAafirefestival,whichincludestheburningofareplicaVikinglongship.ShetlandMuseum(inLerwick)hasVikingartefactsandmanyVikinglecturesandevents.

TheLewisChessmenfromTheWesternIslesarenowintheBritishMuseum(London)andMuseumofScotland(Edinburgh)–theMuseumnanEilean(Stornoway)carriesinformationabout

theirdiscoveryontheIsleofLewis,whilethereisacarvedwoodenmemorialwheretheywerefound,atUigBay.

JorvíkVikingCentrebringstolifetheVikingheritageofYorkwithinoneofBritain’smostsuccessfultouristattractions–notonlycanyouseeVikingYorkbutyoucanalsohearitandsmellit!MostEnglishregionalmuseumsincludeVikingexhibits,includingDurhamMuseumofArchaeology,theGreatNorthMuseum(Newcastle)andNorwichCastleMuseum,whichhasagalleryforAnglo-SaxonandVikingfinds.InWalesmostVikingfindsareintheNationalMuseumWales(Cardiff).

Vikingremainsincludeacollectionof59burialmoundsatIngleby,Derbyshire–findsfromexcavationsthereareintheDerbymuseum.Vikingmeetingplaces,calledthings,arefrequentlyrememberedinBritishplacenames,includingThynghowe,inSherwoodForest,aswellasDingwall,Highland,andTingwall,Shetland.

Norway’soutstandingVikingexhibitistheVikingShipsMuseum(Oslo).ForvisitorstoStavangertheMuseumofArchaeologyisnottobemissed.

InBelgium,theSTAMmuseum,Ghent,remembersVikingraids,asdoestheAzerbaijanHistoryMuseum,inBaku.

TOPLewisChessmenABOVEVikingShipMuseum,OsloBELOWDiscoverCoppergatereconstructedexcavationatJorvikVikingCentre,York

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Time was when the Northumberland Coast was described as Britain’s best-kept seaside secret: a miles-of-virgin-golden-sands secret known to few people south of the River Tees, or even the Tyne.

Things, however, have been slowly changing over the last decade and perhaps the biggest game-changer has been the popularity of the multi-million pound Alnwick Garden, created by Jane Percy, Duchess of Northumberland.

Now people are visiting the coastline and its hinterland in sufficient numbers to trigger investment in all the other facets of the tourism infrastructure: revamped pubs and restaurants that keep tourist-friendly hours; longer seasons at other attractions; and new hotels, specifically of the boutique genre.

My most recent trip to this part of the world took advantage of these changes, with indulgent, relaxing nights at each of Eshott Hall and Doxford Hall. Both recent additions to the new small luxury hotel portfolio being assembled by Robert and Gina Parker (story and review, page 35; competition, page 49).

Seventeenth century Eshott Hall was formerly the home of the Bainbridge family, founders of the eponymous department store, reputedly the world’s first and now a John Lewis’s, in Newcastle. It is surrounded by mature woodland, including towering Wellingtonia and a lush

fernery, used for outdoor woodland weddings.

Like those at its sister hotel at Doxford, 30 minutes further up the A1, its grounds are home to threatened red squirrel. Though these were only in evidence at the latter, where the endearing Cyril the squirrel has a regular route across the patio, adding excitement to afternoon tea (a wonderful collection of fresh home-made scones and cakes at either venue).

On a previous visit to these parts I had taken a trial flying lesson from the little airfield at Eshott and this is a great way to really get a handle on the geography of these parts. We took a 20-minute late evening drive along my earlier ten-minute flight path, to the fishing village of Craster, the nearest Northumberland can offer to “Cornish cute”.

The brisk 30-minute walk to the haunting ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle is one of my favourites and one that I had last done in driving rain. This would be the first time I would do it in the dark, however, the objective being to witness Peace Camp, a huge Cultural Olympiad installation, comprising an encampment of glowing tents and recordings of love poetry. We were among the last to witness this intriguing spectacle before it fell victim to a brisk breeze, leaving hundreds who had driven a good deal further than us more than a little frustrated and disappointed. Moral: don’t erect your tented art installation on an exposed headland.©

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The solitary beaches and historic splendour of england’s northernmost county have been, until recently, known only to a few. but not any more, as Stan Abbott reveals

>>

DunstanburghCastle>>

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TherevampedJollyfishermanpubatCrasterhasbeendoingbrisktradeevenwithoutanationalartseventonitsdoorstep–eversinceformerNewcastleFalconsrugbyplayerDavidWhiteheadacquireditlastyearandbroughtinchefsJohnBlackmoreandRichardSim(thelatterfromAlnwickGarden).Thenew,enhancedgastro-pubmenu(appropriatelypriced)stillretainsthecrabsoupwithadashofwhiskyforwhichtheJollyFishermanhaslongbeenrenowned.Butthepubhasabandonedthegrumpyserviceandfrustratinglyshorthoursforwhichitwasalsonotorious.

AnothermenufavouriteistheCrasterkipperpaté,fromthesmokeryjustovertheroad,whoseownseafoodrestauranthasnever,inmyexperience,adheredtoitspublishedopeningtimes.CrasteralsoboaststheShorelinecafé,runbyDavid’ssister,Joanne,andtheMickOxleyartgallery,featuring,amongotherworks,theowner’sowndramaticNorthumbrianseascapes.

Craster’slittleharbourthesedaysboastsonlyonecommerciallobsterboat,butuptheroadatSeahousesisadifferentstory,thisbeingthenearestNorthumberlandgetstoaseasideresort,withitsfishandchiprestaurants,holidaycampsandsouvenirshops.

MostboatsinthebusyharbourthesedaysplythefewshortmilestotheFarneIslandsorferrydiverstoexplorethereefswheresomanyshipshavefounderedovertheyears.IvisittheFarneIslandsatleastonceeachyearandtrytomakethisduringtheArcticternnestingseasonastovisitInnerFarneatthistime(chickshatchinearlyJune)isthebestclose-to-natureexperienceIknow.Beak-proofheadgearisamustasyoupasstheterns’nestsatyourfeet,enrouteforthecliffhomesoftheshags,cormorantsandrazorbills,ortowatchthepuffinsbeingmuggedfortheirsandeelcatchbymaraudingblack-headedgulls.

Outsidethenestingseason,youcanstillenjoyclose-upviewsoftheUK’slargestAtlanticsealcolonyormarvelatthebraveryofGraceDarlingintherescueofcrewfromthedoomedship,Forfarshire.ThefullstoryofGrace’sshortlifeisexcellentlytoldintherevampedmuseumtwomilesuptheroadatBamburgh,dominatedbyitsmassivecastle,nowhometosurelythemost

desirableapartmentsinallNorthumbria.

BamburghnowbelongstothefamilyofLordArmstrong,theVictorianindustrialist,whocreatedCragside,themagnificentAlpine-stylecountryhouse,setinruggedgroundsoutsideRothbury,afewmilesinland.WithArmstrong’singenioushydraulicsandthepioneeringelectriclightsofJosephSwan,thisissurelyamongthejewelsinthenationalTrustcrown.

Thistime,however,ouritinerarytookustothetinybutperfectlyformedvillageofLowNewton,afewmilessouthofSeahouses,wherewhitewashedcottagesembracethevillagegreen.Wesatandwatchedfamiliesplayingongoldensandsandintheglassy,Mediterranean-bluewaterswithintheharbourreef.TwoofthecottageshousetherebornShipInn,hometofinefoodandevenfinerbeer,brewednextdoorinathirdcottage.Wetimedourvisitwell:thepubwasshuttingthefollowingdaytoaccommodatePrinceCharles’svisittothemicrobrewery.IhopehetriedtheSeaWheatandShipHopAle!

IncontrasttothegrandeurofDunstanburghandBamburgh,PrestonTower–justroundthecornerfromDoxfordHall–isaperfectlyformedandneatlyrestoredpeletower,whoseroofaffordsviewstotheCheviotsorthecoast.

BackatDoxford,coupleswererelaxingincosygardencorners,intheextensivelibrary,orinthespa,withitstwowhirlpoolbaths,saunaandsteamroom.AperfectendtoadayontheNorthumbrianRiviera!

EasternAirwaysfliestoNewcastle,justashortdrivefromtheNorthumberlandcoast,fromBirmingham,Cardiff,AberdeenandStavanger.

Northumberland’scoastlineboastsmanyothersitesbesidesthosementioned,includinghistoricBerwick,HolyIsland,EarlGrey’sgardensatHowickandthenearbyIronAgeexcavationandreconstruction,WarkworthCastle,theharbourtownofAmble,andthevastsandsofDruridgeBay.www.eshotthall.co.ukwww.doxfordhall.comwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragsidewww.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands

Clockwisefromtop:PrestonTower,Craster,PuffinsonFarnelsand,DoxfordHall,EshottHall,BamburghCastle,TheShipInn

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where we stayeDOurNorthumbriancoastaladventurewasbasedatEshottHall,nearMorpeth,andDoxfordHall,nearAlnwick.Eshottprovidedeverythingyoumightexpectfromamodestlysizedcountryhouse,withdiligentattentionfromthestaff,ledbymanagersLauraBlakeyandAnnabelGarven.Ourroom’shighlightwasanelegantroll-topbathtub,positionedcentrallynearthefootofthebed.Bycontrast,theflatscreenTVwasdiscreetlyattachedtoabracketonthewall.Anamuse-boucheofwatermelonsoup,olivesandwasabipeaswasanenjoyablecurtain-raisertoamenudrawingfromboththekitchengardenandthelocalarea,includingcrabtortellinianddeliciousWallingtonbeef.

Eshottguestswholikeaspotofanglinghaveaccesstoatwo-milestretchoftheRiverCoquet,nowoneofEngland’sbestsalmonrivers.Forthosewhoserelaxationisdefinedmorebymassageandsweetaromas,guestsenjoypreferentialratesatDoxfordHall.

Doxford’spersona,underthestewardshipofDavidHunter,isquitedistinctfromthatofitssmallercousin.Theoriginalbuildingwasdesignedintheearly19thcenturybythecelebratedNewcastlearchitect,JohnDobson,whodesignedthecity’sworld-famousGreyStreet.Ahundredyearslater,theshippingmagnate,LordRunciman,addedanewwingfeaturingfinewoodcarving.Hislegacyincludessomefineseascapesandshipmodelsthatstilladornthehotel.Thehotel’sRuncimanrestaurant,however,isnamedinhonourofthejoiner,GeorgeRunciman,whocreatedtheelegantoakstaircaseandother

featuresunderthenownerBrianBurniewhofamouslydonatedtheproceedsofthehotel’ssaletocancercharities.

Thehotel’snewownershavetastefullylinkedtheoriginalhallwiththenewerelementstocreateamid-sizehotelwitharangeoffunctionrooms,setingroundsthatincludeakitchengarden,mazeandwoodlandwalks.

TheRuncimanrestaurantdidnotdisappoint:Iparticularlyenjoyedthepaellawithrabbitbeignéstarter,whilethemedleyofdessertswasamongthemostappetisingIhaveencountered,withsucculentflavoursofrosewater,staranise,brandysnapand,ofcourse,chocolate.

Forachancetowinatwo-nightbreakateitherEshotttorDoxfordHallseeourcompetitiononpage49

bamburgh, DominateD by its massive castle, now home to surely the most Desirable apartments in all northumbria.

our Destinations

ScheduledRoutes

CharterRoutes

CodeshareRoutes

welcome to our

bare essentialsHereyoucanfindinformationonourroutes,fleet,passengerexperienceandahostofsuggestionsforwhattodowhenyouarriveatyourdestination.

jetstream 41

18aircraftSeats29passengersTwoturbopropenginesWingspan19m(60ft)

Length20m(63ft)Typicalcruisingspeed,280knots,at20,000ft

saab 2000

EightaircraftSeats50passengersTwojetpropenginesWingspan24.3m(81ft)

Length26.7m(89ft)Typicalcruisingspeed,370knots,at28,000ft

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embraer erj135

TwoaircraftSeats37passengersTwoturbofanenginesWingspan,20m(65ft)

Length26m(86ft)Typicalcruisingspeed,450knots,at35,000ft

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ThreeaircraftSeats49/50passengersTwoturbofanenginesWingspan,20m(65ft)

Length30m(98ft)Typicalcruisingspeed,450knots,at35,000ft

the fleet

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brussels

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AfterbookingyourEasternAirwaysflightviaatravelagent,theairline’swebsiteorin-housereservationscallcentre,youwillhavenoticedthatEasternAirwaysusese-tickets.Itwasinfactoneoftheairlinestopioneerticketlesstravelovernineyearsago.Queuesatcheck-inareshortandtheprocessisswiftasistheexperiencethroughthesecuritychannels.Thisispossiblethankstoaground-breakinginitiativecalledFastTrack,whichisavailableatAberdeen,LeedsBradford,Southampton,EastMidlands,Newcastle,Glasgow,andisadedicatedsecuritychannelforEasternAirwayspassengerstouseandavoidbusyairportterminalsecurityqueues.WithEasternAirwaysoperatingthelargestnumberofscheduledservicesfromAberdeen,adedicatedbusinessloungeisavailableforallitscustomersflyingfromtheairportandislocatednexttoitsdeparturegates.ExecutiveloungeaccessisalsoofferedatGlasgow,Birmingham,LeedsBradford,Bristol,Norwich,SouthamptonandCardiffforpassengerstravellingonfullyflexibletickets.Asyouboardyouraircraftyouwillnoticewehaveafleetofliveriedvaletbaggagecartsforyoutoplacelarger

essential travel

passenger experience

stamping out Disruptive behaviour Whilethevastmajorityofpassengersflyinggloballybehaveimpeccably,thereisagreaterawarenessofisolatedincidentsofdisruptivebehaviour,alsoknownas“airrage”.Whilethisisn’tamajorproblemforEasternAirways,thesafetyandsecurityofourpassengersandcrewisournumberonepriority.Wedon’twantourcustomerstoexperienceanybehaviourthatmakesthemfeeluncomfortable,orbeputinasituationthatcompromisessafety.Disruptivebehaviourcanincludesmoking,drunkenness,aggressivebehaviourorabusivelanguagetowardsacustomeroramemberofcrew.Ourcrewsarefullytrainedtodealwithanyincidentofthistype.Disobeyingacommand,whichislawfulbyacrewmember,iscommittinganoffenceundertheUKAirNavigationOrder.Offenderswhopersistentlymisbehaveonaflightwillbehandedtotheappropriateauthoritiesonarrivalandmayfacearrestandaheavyfineoruptotwoyearsimprisonment.SevererestrictionswillalsobeplacedontheirfuturetravelwithEasternAirways.

itemsofhandluggagebytheaircraftsteps.Yourhandluggagewillbeawaitingyouonthevaletbaggagecartatyourdestinationairport.Onceonboard,ourhighlytrainedcabinattendantsofferafriendlyandpersonal-isedin-flightserviceincludingcompli-mentarydrinksandbrandedsnacks.Onarrivalouraircraftallowforquickdisembarkation,enablingpassengerstomaketheirwayswiftlyonwardsthroughtheterminals.

Ouraimistomakeyourtravelaspleasantanexperienceaspossible.Haveanenjoyabletrip.

air travel shoulD be more of

a pleasure anD less of a chore

essential goings on…

new concert hall for stavangerStavangeropensthedoorstoitsnewconcerthallinSeptember.

LocatedbytheseainSandvigå,700metresnorth-westofthecitycentre,andformingtheveryheartofthedevelopingBjergstedMusicPark,thenewhallwasdesignedbyMedplanASArkitekter,winnerofanopeninternationalarchitecturalcompetition.

Itboaststwoauditoriawithassociatedwardrobes,rehearsalroomfortheStavangerSymphonyOrchestra,afoyerwithrestaurant,caféandbars–andgreatviews–andalargeamphitheatreforoutdoorconcerts.Bothhallswillbeequippedwithadjustableacoustics.

Thevenueisconstructedsothatitwillbepossibletohaveaphilharmonicconcertinonehallandarockconcertintheother–atthesametime.

TheaimistoturnitintooneofNorway’sforemostarenasforrockconcertsandmusicaltheatreshows.

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worlD class event for worlD class arenaInDecembertheGlasgowWorldCupGymnastics–theUK’sonlyroundoftheprestigiousWorldCup–movestothespectacularnewCommonwealthArenaintheeastofGlasgow.

AfteraselloutinnauguralWorldCupin2011,GlasgowissettingitssightsonhostingthebiggestandthebestroundofthecontestonDecember8whenthetopeightmaleandfemalegymnastsintheworldwillcompete.ThisyeartheeventwillfeaturetwomixedsessionsmeaningthattheoverallWorldCupchampionswillnotbeknownuntiltheverylastrotation.

www.glasgowworldcup.com

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house musicNovemberseesthereturnoftheNorthumberlandMusicFestivaltothreeofNorthumberland’sfinestcountryhouses.

Amonghighlightsatthefestival–hostedbyGuyzanceHall,DoxfordHallandEshottHallfromNovember9to18–willbeOperaNorthandCheetham’sSchoolofMusic,alongsideperformancesofclassicalandtraditionalmusicandtheever-popularGilbertandSullivan.

OperaNorth,makingitsfirstvisittoNorthumberlandformanyyears,regularlytourstovenuesacrossthecountry,withproductionsin2012includingMozart’sDonGiovanniandPuccini’sMadameButterfly.ThecompanywillperformatEshottHallonNovember9and10,presentingsomeofthebestofitsrepertoire,includingRossini,VerdiandMozart;theaward-winningLiquidArchitectureChamberEnsemblewillperformSchubert;andCheetham’sSchoolofMusicwillpresentthreeoutstandingyoungstudentsandaninternationalconcertpianist.

Music-loverscanspendthenightatEshottHallandtakeadvantageofanexclusiveOperaBreakforonly£50perpersonbedandbreakfast,inadditiontotheticketprice.www.nmfestival.com

OperaNorth

frame on

SouthamptoncelebratesitsfifthannualFilmWeekfromOctober27toNovember4withaneclecticmixoffilmsincludingfeatures,documentaries,shorts,artists’movingimage,music,archiveandheritageaswellastheThirdAnnualYouthFilmFestival.

Film-makersandfilmexpertsalsogettheopportunitytosharetheirthoughtsandexperiencethroughworkshopsandmasterclasses.

www.southamptonfilmweek.com

enchanting proDuction in perthshire

THE RENDEZVOUS GALLERY100 Forest Avenue Aberdeen AB15 4TL Tel 01224 323247

www.rendezvous-gallery.co.uk info@rendezvous-gallery.co.uk

‘boats in snow’ oil on board (detail) ‘Chinese lanterns’ oil on canvas (detail)

‘Time and Tide’an exhibition by

Stephen Shankland rpand

Kelly-anne Cairns8th – 22nd September 2012

king sizeD exhibitionCurrentlyshowingatBirminghamMuseumandArtGallery,alongsideaselectionofitsownEgyptiancollection,isPharaoh:KingofEgypt–anationaltouringexhibitionfromtheBritishMuseumwhichexploresthelivesoftheancientkingsofEgypt.

Over130BritishMuseumobjectsspanningover3,000yearsofhistory,featureintheexhibition–someofwhichhaveneverbeenseenoutsideofLondon.ItisthelargestUKloanofEgyptianartefactsundertakenbytheBritishMuseumandincludessculpture,jewellery,palaceornamentation,papyriandfuneraryobjects.

TheexhibitionrunsinBirminghamuntilOctober14.

www.bmag.org.uk

Ticketshavegoneonsaleforthetenthanniversaryproductionofthemulti-awardwinningsoundandlightshow,TheEnchantedForest,inPerthshire.

PerthshireBigTreeCountry’spremierevent,thisyearentitledFLOW,willreturntotheautumnalsettingofFaskallyWood,nearPitlochry,fromOctober5-27.Using

thenaturalenvironmentasthebackdropforatraditionalsonetlumièreshow,thisyear’sshowhasbeendevelopedthroughanewartisticcollaborationbetweenlightingdesignerSimonWilkinson,sounddesignerandcomposerRJMcConnellandDundee-basedvisualartistsDalziel+Scullion.

www.enchantedforest.org.uk

GoldplaqueofAmenemhatIVmakinganofferingtoAtum.©TrusteesoftheBritishMuseum

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Airport+4767031000www.avinor.no/en/airport/stavanger

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle. Onward connections to Bristol, Durham Tees Valley, East Midlands, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton, Wick

Tourist/LocalInfo+4751975555www.regionstavanger.com

stavanger

where Norway’sfourthlargestcityliesonthecountry’ssouth-westcoast.Theairportisjustninemilesoutoftownandisservedbyaregularshuttlebus.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfoonbackpage.

visitPulpitRock–anaturalrockformationthatoverlookstheLysefjord;NorwegianPetroleumMuseum,Kjeringholmen,4001Stavanger.

stay atTheClarion,ThonMaritim,SkagenBrygge,allinthecitycentre;SolaStrandHotel,onthebeach,neartheairport.

shop atKvadrat,Norway’sbiggestshoppingcentreisjust7milessouthofStavanger.

Drink at Dickens,Skagenkaien;Newsman,Skagen14.

eat at SjøhusetSkagen–specialisesintraditionalNorwegianfood;Tango,NedreStrandgate.

coming upNorthSeadiversexhibition,NorskOljemuseum,ongoing;NumusicFestival2012,Sep26-29;TheGreatNorwegianComedyFestival,Oct3-7.

PetroleumMuseum

Airport090070000+3227537753www.brusselsairport.be

Eastern Airways flights direct to Southampton

Tourist/LocalInfo+3225138940www.brusselsinternational.be

brussels

MagritteMuseum

where Lessthan20minutestothecitycentrebytrain.Busstationbelowarrivalshall,taxisavailableoutsidearrivals.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfoonbackpage.

visit HôteldeVilleandtheGrandPlace;AtomiumandMiniEurope,northBrussels.[René]MagritteMuseum,PlaceRoyale.

stay at PantoneHotel,PlaceLoix;RoccoForteHotelAmigo,ruedel’Amigo;TheHotel,boulevarddeWaterloo.

shop at RueduBailli,JeuduBallemarket,PlaceJourdan(famousforitsfriterie)

Drink CaféBelga,PlaceFlagey;ÀLaMortSubite,rueMontagneauxHerbes.

eat atL’IdiotduVillage,LesMarolles;LeTaverneduPassage,LaGaleriedelaReine;BonsoirClara,rueAntoineDansaert;ParkSide,AvenuedelaJoyeuseEntrée.

coming upBrusseliscious2012year-longseasonofculinaryevents;Art@Europarl,artworksfromall27EUcountries,Parlamentarium,EuropeanParliamentVisitorCentre,untilOct31;PosySimmonds,EssentiallyEnglishexhibition,BelgianComicsCentre,untilNov25.

bare essentials

Destinationsyour guide to eastern airways destinations – how to get there and where to go and what to do when you get there...

AnexhibitionofgreenstonecarvingsdescribedastheCrownJewelsofNewZealandMaoricultureisrunninguntilNovember4attheCaptainCookBirthplaceMuseum,Marton,Middlesbrough.

“Mauri”features22carvings,calledHei-Tiki,thatarewornaroundtheneck.ThoseintheexhibitionhavebeencreatedbyTeKaha,oneofNewZealand’smostinfluentialandrespectedcontemporarygreenstonecarvers.

CaptainJamesCook,famouslyborninMarton,wasprobablythefirstEuropeantoobtainaHei-TikiwhenhevisitedNewZealandinOctober1769.

whereTwentyfourmilesnorthwestofLerwick,Shetland’sprincipaltown,andfivemilessouth-westofSullomVoeoilterminal.ThevillageofBraeisabouteightmilestothesouth.Forhirecarvisitwww.boltscarhire.co.ukorcall01595693636(noon-airportfacilities)

visit Mareel,Lerwick;MuckleFlugga,Unst,thenorthernmosttipofBritain;ShetlandMuseum,Lerwick;Jarlshof,Grutness(bothmainland).

stay at BustaHouseHotel,Brae;SaxaVordResort,Unst;OrcaCountryInn,Sandwick.

shop at ShetlandFudge,Lerwick;Jamieson&SonKnitwear,Lerwick;ValhallaBrewery,SaxaVord.

Drink at MidBraeInn,Brae;TheLoungeBar,Lerwick;KilnBar,Scalloway.

eat at BustaHouseHotel,Brae;Monty’sBistro,Lerwick;SaxaVordResort,Unst.

coming upShetlandWoolWeek,Oct8-14;ShetlandAccordion&FiddleFestival,Oct11-15;PeerieWillieJohnsonGuitarFestival,Oct26-28;ShetlandFoodFestival,Nov2-11;ChristmasCraftFair,Nov9-11.

Airport01806244900

Frequent daily charter service to Aberdeen, operated by Eastern Airways for the Integrated Aviation Consortium

Tourist/LocalInfo01595989898www.visit.shetland.org

shetlanD scatsta

ShetlandWoolWeek

whereTotheeastofthetown.Taxisandcarhireareavailableattheairport.Noweekendflights.MackinnonSelfDrive:01851702984.

visitStornowayMuseum,FrancisSt;StornowayFishSmokers,ShellSt;WoodlandsCentre,LewsCastlegrounds;AnLanntairArtsCentre,KennethStreet,Stornoway.

stay atHotelHebrides,Tarbert;RoyalHotel,CromwellSt;ScaristaHouse,westHarris;AubergeCarnish,Uig.

shop atCallanishJewellery,PointSt;This’nThat,CromwellSt;BorghPottery,Borgh(20miles).

Drink atClachanBar,NorthBeach;HebrideanBar,SouthBeach;WhalersRest,FrancisSt.

eat atDigbyChick,BankSt;GoldenOcean,CromwellSt;Thai,ChurchSt.

coming upStKildaCollections–the80thAnniversaryoftheevacuationofStKilda,StornowayMuseum,untilOct30;MarkSteel,AnLanntair,Sep28;ScottishOpera,LaTraviata,AnLanntair,Oct25.

Airport01851702256www.hial.co.uk/stornoway-airport.html

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen. Onward connections to Bristol, Durham Tees Valley, East Midlands, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton, Wick

Tourist/LocalInfo01851703088www.visithebrides.com

stornoway

StKildans,1886

where OnemilefromthecentreofWick,half-an-hour’sdrivefromThurso.MainbusandrailstationsareneartoWickcentreservingmostplacesinCaithness.TrainstoThursoandInverness.PostbusoperatesThurso-Wick-Airport.Carhire:Dunnetsoffersairportpick-upanddrop-off,01955602103.

visit WickHeritageMuseum;StFergusGallery,SinclairTerr;PulteneyDistillery,HuddartSt.

stay at AckergillTower;MackaysHotel;TheBrownTroutHotel,StationRd,Watten,nearWick.

shop at JohnO’Groats(pottery,knitwear);RotterdamSt,Thurso(20miles).

Drink at Ebenezer’s,Mackay’sHotel;WetherspoonsandCampsBar.

eat at Borddel’Eau,MarketSt;LeBistro,Thurso;Captain’sGalley,Scrabster(22miles).

coming up WeddingFayre,Oct28&ChristmasSpecialMarket,Dec2,CastleofMey;ChristmasBazaar,WickAssemblyRooms,Dec1.

Airport01955602215www.hial.co.uk/wick-airport.html

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen. Onward connections to Bristol, Durham Tees Valley, East Midlands, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton, Stavanger, Stornoway

Tourist/LocalInfo08452255121www.wicktown.co.ukwww.visithighlands.com

wick

CastleofMey

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Airport08700400006www.aberdeenairport.com

Eastern Airways flights direct to Bristol, Cardiff, Durham Tees Valley, East Midlands, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton, Stavanger, Stornoway, Wick.

Tourist/LocalInfo01224288828www..aberdeen-grampian.com

Airport08718821121www.newcastleinternational.co.uk

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff, Stavanger. Onward connections to Stornoway, Wick

Tourist/LocalInfo01912778000/01914784222www.visitnewcastlegateshead.com

newcastle

where Sevenmilesnorth-westofthecitycentre.Metroraillinkeveryfewminutestothecity,GatesheadandSunderland.Half-hourlybusservice.Taxifaretocity,approx£12.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfoonbackpage.

visitDiscoveryMuseum,BlandfordSquare;GatesheadQuaysfortheBalticandSageGateshead.

stay atSandmanSignature,Gallowgate,Newcastle;JesmondDeneHouse,Newcastle;LumleyCastle,Chester-le-Street.

shop at JulesB,Jesmond;Cruise,PrincessSquare,Newcastle;VanMildert,SunderlandandDurham.

Drink at CrownPosada,theSide;Florita’s,CollingwoodSt;TheForth,PinkLane.

eat at Zen,CourtLane,Durham;Blackfriars,Newcastle;CaféLive,LiveTheatre,Newcastle,LeRaaj,ChesterMoor.

coming upBlackfriarsChocolateWeekend,BlackfriarsRestaurant,Newcastle,Oct12-14;TynesideIrishFestival,Oct18-28;JuiceFestival,variousvenues,Oct26-Nov4;BBCRadio3FreeThinkingFestival,SageGateshead,Nov2-4.

aberDeen

where Sevenmilesnorth-westofthecitycentre,offtheA96.Regularbusesintothecitycentre.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfobackpage.

visit AberdeenMaritimeMuseum,Shiprow;TalboothMuseum,CastleSt;RendezvousGallery,ForestAve.

stay at RoxHotel,MarketSt;SkeneHouseHotelsuites,variouslocations;anyofThistle’sthreehotels.

shop at Juniper(gifts,jewellery),BelmontSt;AberdeenAntiqueCentre,SouthCollegeSt.

Drink atTheMonkeyHouse,UnionTerr;PearlLounge,DeeSt;TheGlobe,NorthSilverSt;TigerTiger,ShipRow;BalaclavaBar,LochSt.

eat at Simpson’sHotel,BarandBrasserie,QueensRd;Prohibition,LangstanePl;StageDoorRestaurant,NorthSilverSt;Cinnamon,UnionSt;Manzil,KingSt;PaulaMcEwen,GreatWesternRoad.

coming upImpressionsofMedievalAberdeen,AberdeenMaritimeMuseum,untilNov11;RSNOSeason2012/13opener:VadimGluzman,AberdeenMusicHall,Oct4;ScotlandvTonga,EMCRubyTestMatch,PittodrieStadium,Nov24.

RendezvousGallery BlackfriarsChocolateWeekend

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Airport08444815555www.glasgowairport.com

Eastern Airways flights direct to Stavanger

Tourist/LocalInfo01412044400www.seeglasgow.comwww.glasgow.gov.uk

glasgow

where AroundeightmilesfromthecentreofGlasgow.Regularshuttleservicetocentrelinkingmainrailstations.NearestrailstationPaisleyGilmourSt,onemile,easilyreachedbytaxiorbus.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfobackpage.

visit TheBurrellCollection,PollockCountryPark;KelvingroveArtGalleryandMuseum,ArgyleSt;theMackintoshHouseattheHunterianMuseumandArtGallery,UniversityAvenue.

stay at RadissonBlu,ArgyleSt;GrasshoppersPenthouseHotel,UnionSt;SaintJudes,BathSt.

shop at StarryStarryNight(retro),DownsideLane;Relicsantiques,DowansideLane;IJMellis(cheeses),GreatWesternRd.

Drink atTheBierHalle,GordonSt;ÒranMór,ByresRoad;RioCafé,HyndlandSt.

eat at Balbir’s(Indian),ChurchSt;UnbiquitousChip,AshtonLane;Brel(Belgian),AshtonLane;Tchai-Ovna(teahouse),AshtonLane.

coming upRembrandtandthePassion,majorexhibition,TheHunterian,Sep15-Dec2;Glasgay!,variousvenues,Oct13-Nov10;GymnasticsWorldCup,CommonwealthArena,Dec8.

Kelvingrove

Airport01325332811www.durhamteesvalleyairport.com

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen. Onward connections to Stavanger, Stornoway, Wick

Tourist/LocalInfo01642729700/264957www.visitmiddlesbrough.com

Durham tees valley

where FivemileseastofDarlingtonand10mileswestofMiddlesbrough.ThereisaregularbusshuttletoDarlingtonrailstation,6milesawayonmainlinetoScotlandandtheSouth.TaxifaretoDarlingtonapprox£8.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfobackpage.

visit mima(MiddlesbroughInstituteofModernArt)CentreSquare;Locomotion,theNationalRailwayMuseumatShildon;Hartlepool’sMaritimeExperience,HistoricQuay.

stay at RockliffeHall,HurworthonTees;WalworthCastle,nearDarlington;HeadlamHall,nearDarlington;CrathorneHallHotel,Yarm.

shop at Psyche,LinthorpeRd,Middlesbrough;TheHouse,YarmHighStreet;Leggs,Skinnergate,Darlington.

Drink at GeorgeandDragon,Yarm;BlackBull,Frosterley.

eat at Sardis,Northgate,Darlington;DunCowInn,Sedgefield;TheOrangery,RockliffeHall.

coming up Mauri,exhibitionofgreenstonecarvings,CaptainCookBirthplaceMuseum,Middlesbrough,untilNov4;Metadomestic:contemporarydesignandcraft,mima,untilNov23.

mima

Airport01652688456www.humbersideairport.com

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen. Onward connections to Stavanger, Stornoway, Wick

Tourist/LocalInfo01482486600www.visithullandeastyorkshire.comwww.visitlincolnshire.comwww.yorkshire.com

Airport01132509696www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen, Bristol. Onward connections to Stavanger, Stornoway, Wick

Tourist/LocalInfo01132425242www.leeds.gov.ukwww.leedsliveitloveit.comwww.yorkshire.com

humbersiDe leeDs braDforD

whereFifteenmileseastofScunthorpe,20milessouthofHull,16mileswestofGrimsby,30milesnorthofLincoln.RegularbusservicestoHull,Grimsby,Scunthorpe,DoncasterandSheffield.BarnetbyStationthreemilesfromairportwithIntercityconnectionsviaDoncaster.ApproxtaxifaretoHull£26.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfo,backpage.

visit MuseumsQuarter,Hull’sOldTown;TheDeep,Hull;LincolnCathedral;FerensArtGallery,Hull.

stay at ForestPinesHotel,Broughton;CaveCastleHotel,Brough;BestWesternWillerbyManorHotel,Willerby;TheWhiteHart,Lincoln.

shop at BailgateandSteepHillarea,Lincoln;HenriBeene(Menswear),Abbeygate,Grimsby.

Drink at TheWig&Mitre,SteepHill,Lincoln;YeOldeBlackBoy,HighSt,Hull.

eat at FigsRestaurant,Cleethorpes;BrackenboroughHotelandRestaurant,Louth;WinteringhamField,Winteringham;PipeandGlass,SouthDalton,Beverley.

coming up Glimmer:InternationalShortFilmFestival,Hull,Oct4-7;HullFair,Oct5-13;HullComedyFestival2012,variousvenues,Oct19-Nov4.

where Ninemilesnorth-westofLeedscitycentre,sevenmilesfromBradford.RegularAirlink757busfrombusandrailstationstoterminal.Taxitime20-25mins.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfoonbackpage.

visitRoyalArmouries,Leeds;LeedsCityMuseum,MillenniumSquare;NationalMediaMuseum,Bradford.

stay at DoubleTreebyHilton,Leeds;RadissonBlu,TheHeadrow,Leeds;theNewEllington,Leeds;Dubrovnikboutiquehotel,OakAvenue,Bradford.

shop at RetroBoutique,HeadingleyLane,Leeds;HarveyNichols,Briggate,Leeds;VictoriaQuarter,Leeds.

Drink at BabyJupiter,YorkPlace,Leeds;FudgeBar,AssemblySt,Leeds;Haigys,LumbLane,Bradford.

eat at Mumtaz,ClarenceDock,Leeds;BrasserieBlanc,SovereignSt,Leeds;UjalaTandoori,ManvilleTerrace,Bradford.

coming upIlkleyLiteratureFestival2012,Sep28-Oct14;LoveArtsFestival2012,Exploringtheconnectionsbetweenthearts,mentalhealthandwellbeing,Leeds,Oct2-29;LeedsInternationalFilmFestival,Nov1-18;ThoughtBubble2012,Leedscomicartsfestival,Nov11-18.

TheDeep VictorianQuarter

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Airport08712827117www.bhx.co.uk

Eastern Airways flights direct to Newcastle

Tourist/LocalInfo08448883883www.visitbirmingham.com

Airport08713344444www.bristolairport.co.uk

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen, Leeds Bradford. Onward connections to Stornoway, Wick

Tourist/LocalInfo03333210101www.visitbristol.co.uk

birmingham bristol

where Sixmileseastofthecity,offJunction6oftheM42.ConnectedbyfreeAir-RailLinkmonorailsystemtoBirminghamInternationalStationfortrainstoBirminghamandCoventry.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfoonbackpage.

visit BirminghamMuseumandArtGallery,ChamberlainSq;MuseumoftheJewelleryQuarter,VyseSt,Hockley;Cadbury’sWorld,LindenRd,Bournville.

stay at HotelIndigo,TheCube;RadissonBlu,HollowayCircus,Queensway;Marriott,HagleyRd;StayingCool,Rotunda.

shop atSelfridges(Bullring);HarveyNichols(Mailbox).

Drink at Bank,BrindleyPl;TheTapandSpile,GasSt;TheMedicineBar,CustardFactory;TheBoilerRoom,VyseSt.

eat at SanCarlo,TempleSt;PeppersRestaurant,BishopsgateSt;Opus,CornwallSt.

coming upPharaoh:KingofEgypt,BirminghamMuseum&ArtGallery,untilOct14;HorseoftheYearShow,NEC,Birmingham,Oct3-7;BBCGoodFoodShow,NEC,Nov28-Dec2.

where Eightmilessouth-westofBristol.Coachserviceapproxhalf-hourlytocitycentre,journeytime30mins.£6return.AlsolocalservicestoWeston-super-Mare.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfoonbackpage.

visit EgyptGallery,BristolCityMuseum&ArtGallery,QueensRoad;SSGreatBritain,GreatWesternDockyard;BlueReefAquarium,Harbourside.

stay atAztecHotel&Spa,AztecWest,Almondsbury;No38Clifton,Georgianmerchant’shouseinClifton.

shop atCliftonVillageandParkSt;StNicholasMarketsandBroadmead;MallGalleriesatCribbsCauseway;CabotCircus.

Drink at ZeroDegreesaward-winningmicro-brewery,ColstonSt;TheElbowRoomPoolandLoungeBar,ParkSt.

eat at Pieminister,StokesCroft;MichaelCaines,CollegeGreen;Culinaria,ChandosRoad.

coming up BristolHalfMarathon,startandfinishHarbourside,Sep30;ChristmasMarkets,Broadmead,Nov9-Dec22;EnchantedChristmasatWestonbirtArboretum,Nov30-Dec23.

Airport08719199000www.eastmidlandsairport.com

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen. Onward connections to Stavanger, Stornoway, Wick

Tourist/LocalInfo01332255802/08444775678www.visitderby.co.ukwww.experiencenottinghamshire.com

east miDlanDs

whereTwelvemilesfrombothDerbyandNottingham,justofftheM1junction24.RailstationsLoughborough,LongEaton,NottinghamandDerbyareashortbus/taxiridefromEMA.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfoonbackpage.

visit NottinghamContemporary,WeekdayCross;TalesofRobinHood,MaidMarianWay;ElvastonCastleCountryPark,Derby;QUADgallery,cinema,cafebarandartsworkshop,CathedralQuarter,Derby.

stay at LaceMarketHotel,HighPavement,Nottingham;CathedralQuarterHotel,StMary’sGate,Derby.

shop at PaulSmith,MiddlePavement,Nottingham;TheArtisan’sStudio(gifts,jewellery,artwork),Arnold,Nottingham.

Drink at YeOldeTriptoJerusalem,belowNottinghamCastle;TheWaterfront,CanalSt,Nottingham.

eat at LochFyne,KingSt,Nottingham;RedHotBuffet,GooseGate,Nottingham.

coming up NottinghamComedyFestival,variousvenues,Sep21-30;GooseFair,ForestRecreationGround,Nottingham,Oct3-7;RobinHoodGameandCountryShow,NewarkShowground,Oct13-14.

GooseFair Bullring BlueReefAquarium

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Airport01603411923www.norwichairport.co.uk

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen. Onward connections to Stavanger, Stornoway, Wick

Tourist/LocalInfo01603213999www.visitnorwich.co.uk

Airport08700400009www.southamptonairport.com

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen, Brussels. Onward connections to Stavanger, Stornoway, Wick

Tourist/LocalInfo02380833333www.visit-southampton.co.uk

Airport01446711111www.cwlfly.com

Eastern Airways flights direct to Aberdeen, Newcastle.

Tourist/LocalInfo08701211258www.visitcardiff.comwww.southernwales.com

norwich southamptoncarDiff

whereThreemilesnorthofthecity.Hourlybusserviceintothecitycentre.ApproxtaxifaretoNorwich£7.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfoonbackpage.

visit NorwichCathedral,TheClose;NorwichCastle,ElmHill;SandringhamEstate,Norfolk;NorwichPuppetTheatre,Whitefriars,Norwich.

stay at TheMaidsHeadHotel,Tombland;DeVereDunstonHallHotel&GolfClub,IpswichRd;MarriottSprowstonManorHotel&CountryClub;BarnhamBroomHotel&Spa,HoninghamRd.

shop at Jarrold’s,LondonStreet;SohoHip,Pottergate;GingerLadiesWear,Timberhill.

Drink at TheFatCat,WestEndSt;TheAdam&Eve,Bishopgate;TheWinePress,WoburnCourt,GuildhallHill;TheLastWineBar,StGeorgesSt.

eat at Tatlers,Tombland;MamboJambo,LowerGoatLane;Umberto’sTrattoriaItalia,StBenedictsSt.

coming up TheUniversityofEastAngliaAutumnLiteraryFestival,untilNov30;TheFirstModerns:ArtNouveau,fromNaturetoAbstraction,SainsburyCentreforVisualArts,untilDec2;NorwichBeerFestival,StAndrew’sHall,Oct29-Nov23.

where Fivemilesnorthofcity.ParkwayStationbesideterminal,threetrainshourlytoSouthamptonandLondonWaterloo.Buseshourlytothecity.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfoonbackpage.

visit SolentSky,HallofAviation,GilbertRoadSouth;MaritimeMuseum,TownQuayRd;SpinnakerTower,Portsmouth.

stay atTheWhiteStarTavernandDiningRooms,OxfordSt;DeVereGrandHarbourHotel,WestQuayRd;MontaguArms,Beaulieu;ChilworthManor,Chilworth;Carey’sManor,Brockenhurst.

shop at WestQuay,citycentre;BargateCentre,EastBargate;Antiquesquarter,OldNorthernRd;GunwharfQuays,Portsmouth.

Drink at TheDolphin,OsborneRoadSouth;TheFrogandFrigate,CanuteRd;Ocean&Collins,Vincent’sWalk.

eat at OliveTree,OxfordSt;P.O.S.H.Queensway;ThePurbani,Botley.

coming up RetracingtheUnsinkable–OpenExhibition,SouthamptonCityArtGallery,untilOct14;AutumnPumpkinFestival,RoyalVictoriaCountryPark,Oct13;WelshNationalOpera,LaBohème,MayflowerTheatre,Oct31-Nov3.

where TwelvemileswestofCardiff,10milesfromJunction33onM4.Raillink,everyhour,connectsairporttoCardiffCentralandBridgend.ForcarhireseeEuropcarinfoonbackpage.

visit CardiffCastle;WalesMillenniumCentre,CardiffBay;CardiffBayVisitorCentre‘TheTube’,HarbourDrive;NorwegianChurchArtsCentre,CardiffBay.

stay at PeterstoneCourt,intheUskValley;StDavid’sHotel&Spa,HavannahSt,CardiffBay.

shop at StMaryStreetforspecialistshops;SplottMarket(weekends),SEofcitycentre.

Drink atPenandWig,ParkGrove;ParkVaults,ParkPlace.

eat at Champers,StMary’sStreet;LaFosse,TheHayes;BosphorusTurkishRestaurant,CardiffBay.

coming up CardiffDesignFestival,Sep28-Oct13;CardiffMusicFestival2012,WalesMillenniumCentre&othervenues,Oct4-7;CardiffHalfMarathon,Oct14;RugbyInternationalAutumnSeries:WalesvArgentina(Nov10),Samoa(Nov16),NewZealand(Nov24),Australia(Dec1),MillenniumStadium.

CardiffCastle TheFirstModerns:ArtNouveau AutumnPumpkinFestival

literary locations

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Next year sees the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – hot on the heels of 2012’s bicentenary of Charles Dickens and the World Shakespeare Festival, creating a thirst for literary tours – or literatours, if you will. Our essential guide to literary Britain looks at the growing trend for literature lovers to travel the nation in search of their favourite authors’ home towns and the places they drew their inspiration from.

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literary locations

essential guiDescotland

ann cleevesThey’vebeenfilmingatwo-partTVdramabasedoncrimewriterAnnCleeves’sfournovelssetinShetland.CleeveswasbroughtupinthesouthofEnglandandnowlivesinNorthumberland.ButhertimeworkingatthebirdobservatoryonFairIsle,whereshemetherhusband,wastheinspirationfortheShetlandbooksandtheirhero,JimmyPerez,fromFairIsle.WhereTVgoes,touristswillsurelyfollow!Nearest Eastern Airways airport: Scatsta

sir compton mackenzieBorninHartlepoolandeducatedatStPauls’andOxford,ComptonMackenziewasnonethelessanardentScotsnationalist(aco-founderoftheScottishNationalParty)andisbestrememberedforhistwoScottishcomedies,MonarchoftheGlenandWhiskyGalore,thelattersetontwofictionalislands,basedonBarraandEriskay,whereashipcarryingten-shillingnotesranagroundduringthelastwar.Mackenzie’splot,ofcourse,replacescurrencywithwhiskyandwasimmortalisedinfilmin1949.YoucanstillseethehousehebuiltonBarra,Suidheachan.Hisgraveisalsoontheisland.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Stornoway

stuart macbriDeStuartMacBrideistoAberdeenwhatIanRankinistoEdinburgh.AndDetectiveSergeantLoganMcRaeistoMacBrideasInspectorRebusistoRankin.JuraMaltWhisky,whichsupportedtheacclaimedcrimewriteratitswriters’retreat,hascreatedaself-guidedtrailoflocationsintheMcRaenovelsaroundtheGraniteCityandfanscanfollowthemathttps://foursquare.com/jura_whisky.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Aberdeen

rabbie burnsScotland’snationalpoetdiedin1796,agedjust37,buthislegacyisreckonedtobeworth£3millionadaytothenationaleconomy.HewasborninacottageinAlloway,nearAyr,nowpartoftheBurnsHeritageTrail.OthertraillandmarksincludetheBrig‘O’Doon,theBurnsHouseMuseumatMauchlineCastleandotherplacesfromKilmarnock,southtoDumfries.http://tinyurl.com/8tgx6caNearest Eastern Airways airports – Glasgow and Newcastle

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LibraryatAbbotsfordHouse,homeofSirWalterScott

sir walter scottThecelebratedauthoroftheWaverleynovelsisarguablytoScottishfictionwhatBurnsistothecountry’spoetryandhiswonderfulhome,atAbbotsford,nearMelrose,intheBorders,reopensafteralongperiodofclosureforrepairs,nextsummer.Inthemeantime,anewvisitorcentrehasjustopenedandfeaturesScott’soldvisitors’books,withnamesincludingDickens,OscarWilde,CharlotteBrontëandUlyssesSGrant.AtGilsland,neartheborderofCumbriaandNorthumberland,youcanseethePoppingStone,whereScottissaidtohaveproposedtoFrenchémigréeMargaretCharlotteCharpentierafterawhirlwindcourtship.TheymarriedinCarlisleCathedral.Nearest Eastern Airways airports – Newcastle and Glasgow

north of england

Dame catherine cooksonInterestinvisitingthebirthplaceofthecountry’smostpopularauthorwasatitshighestwhenherstoriesoflifeandstruggleonpoverty-strickenTynesideweretelevised.SomuchsothattheBoroughofSouthTynesidedubbeditself“CatherineCooksonCountry”.Youcanstillfollowanorganisedtrailofherbirthplaceandotherhaunts,aswellasanextensivecollectioninSouthShieldsMuseum,includingherDictaphone,variousawardsandherplaits,noless.NewcastleUniversity’sHattonartgalleryisfundedbyagenerousdonationfromthetrustsetupbytheauthorbeforeherdeath.Nearest Eastern Airways Airport – Newcastle

bram stoker’s whitbyWithitsimposingcliff-topabbeyandseamistsdrenchedinfolklore,WhitbywastheatmosphericinspirationforBramStoker’sDracula.Foraguided-tourwithextrabite,youcanvisittheBramStokerDraculaExperience.TheBramStokerInternationalFilmFestivaltakesplacefromOctober25-28atWhitbyPavilion.UnsurprisinglythetownispopularwiththeGothmovement–WhitbyGothWeekendrunsfromOctober31toNovember5.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Durham Tees Valley

the brontë sistersThewindsweptgritstonemoorsoftheYorkshireandEastLancashirePenninesweretheinspirationfortheclassicworksoftheBrontësisters,Charlotte,EmilyandAnne.TheParsonagemuseumatthevillageofHaworth,nearKeighley,isthebestplacetostartapilgrimageandyoucanwalkfromheretoTopWithensfarmstead,reputedlytheinspirationforWutheringHeightsandJaneEyre.Foratimeyoucouldalsovisitamuseumatthesisters’birthplaceinThornton,Bradford,butthisisnowaprivatehouse.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Leeds Bradford

beatrix potter’s lake DistrictBeatrixPotterspentmanychildhoodholidaysintheLakeDistrict,anareathatwasahugeinfluenceonherlaterwriting.SquirrelNutkinsailedonDerwentwater,whileHawksheadwasthesettingforTheTaleofJohnnyTownmouse.YoucanvisitherhomeatHillTopFarm,Sawrey,whichshelefttotheNationalTrust.Brockhole,TheLakeDistrictvisitorcentre,wasthehomeofBeatrix’scousinEdithandyoucanmeetPeterRabbitetalattheWorldofBeatrixPotterinWindermere.Nearest Eastern Airways airports – Newcastle, Durham Tees Valley and Leeds Bradford

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midlands and east anglia

D h lawrenceYoucandownloadanapp(http://empedia.info/maps/18)tohelpyouexploreLawrence’sEastwoodandvisitmanyofthelocationsthatfeaturedinhisbooks.TheBlueLineTraillinksDurbanHouseHeritageCentrewiththefourLawrencefamilyhomesinEastwoodandsixotherLawrence-relatedsites.TheUniversityofNottinghamishometotheLawrencearchive.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – East Midlands

shakespeare country, warwickshireThereareplentyofreasonstovisitthebard’sbirthplaceofStratford.Thetown’sShakespeareTrailisdetailedathttp://tinyurl.com/92met8tandtakesinthefarmhousewhereShakespearewasbornin1564.TheShakespeareCentrelibrarynextdoorcontainssomeoftheearliestbooksprintedinEnglish.TheRoyalShakespeareCompanycurrentlyproducesplaysinTheCourtyardTheatrewhiletheRoyalShakespeareTheatreandSwanTheatreareclosedforrefurbishment.NearbyareAnneHathaway’sCottageandMaryArden’sHouse(thebard’smother).The146-mileShakespeare’sWayrunsfromStratfordtoLondon’sGlobeTheatre.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Birmingham

lewis carroll’s oxforD ThefamedauthorofAlice’sAdventuresinWonderlandtaughtmathsatChristchurchCollege.HebuiltupgreatfriendshipswiththeDean’sdaughtersanditisAliceLiddell,theyoungerdaughter,whoissaidtobetheinspirationbehindhismagicalstories.Besidestouringthecollege,visitors canseetheshopwhereAliceLiddellusedtobuysweets.TheMuseumofOxfordhassomeofAlice’spersonalitemsondisplay,firsteditionbooksandtheoriginalillustrations. TheUniversityMuseumofNaturalHistoryhasstonestatuesofanimalsthatinspiredtheauthor,mostnotablythedodo.CarrollalsospenttimeinSunderlandandyoucanseeastatueofthewalrusinthecity’sMowbrayPark.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Birmingham (and Newcastle, for Sunderland)

norwich, unesco city of literatureNorwichisthefirstEnglishcitytobeawardedthestatusofUNESCOCityofLiteratureandoneofonlysixcitiesintheworldwiththepermanentaccolade.TheawardwasgiveninrecognitionofNorwich’ssensationalliterarypast,fromthefirstbattlefielddispatch(1075)tothefirstwomanpublishedinEnglish(JulianofNorwich,inthe15thcentury).Thecityisalsohometothelargestconcentrationofpublisheddissenters,revolutionariesandsocialreformers,includingTomPaineandAnnaSewell.ItwasnamedtheUK’sfirstCityofRefugeforpersecutedwritersin2006.TheNorfolk&NorwichMillenniumLibraryboaststhehighestnumberofvisitorsandusersintheUK.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Norwich

south of england

jane austen’s bath OnJanuary282013thecityofBathwillmark200yearssincethefirstpublicationofJaneAusten’sPrideandPrejudice.AustendevoteesheadforHampshirewhereJanewasborn,toBathwhereshelivedanddrewinspirationforPersuasionandNorthangerAbbey,andtoDerbyshire,hometoChatsworthHouse,akaDarcy’sPemberleyLodge.Bath’sperfectlypreservedGeorgianarchitectureislittlechangedfromthestreetsdepictedinNorthangerAbbeyandPersuasionandtheJaneAustenCentreishousedinaGeorgiantownhousejustafewdoorsdownfromwheresheoncelived.Nearest Eastern Airways airports – Bristol and Southampton (East Midlands, for Chatsworth)

eniD blyton’s DorsetThisyearmarksthe70thanniversaryofEnidBlyton’smuch-lovedFamousFivebooks,mostlysetinidyllicDorset.Anumberofnewattractionshavebeenlaunched,includingaFamousFivethemedtreasurehunt.BlytonenjoyedherholidaysinDorset,particularlyPurbeck,andvisitedthreetimesayearforover20years.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Southampton a a milne’s ashDown forestAAMilnewasahumouristandplaywrightwhoisrememberedforhischildren’sbooks,featuringWinnie-the-Pooh.WhenMilnewasjusteightyearsoldhisfirstarticleappearedintheschoolmagazine,describingawalkingtourofSussexandAshdownForest.TheForestbecamethesettingforMilne’sstoriesinspiredbyhissonandhistoyanimalsandinityoucanfindthesettingofmanyofChristopherRobinandfriends’adventures.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Southampton

wales

Dylan thomasWales’smostcelebratedpoetlivesoninSwansea’sannualDylanThomasFestival,fromOctober27toNovember9(thisyear’sline-upwillbeannouncedinSeptember).Besidesitsexhibitions,theDylanThomasCentre(www.dylanthomas.com)alsoproducestwotrailguides,onearoundlandmarksinSwanseaandtheGower,andtheothertolocationsinwestWales,includingLaugharne,wherehewroteUnderMilkWood.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Cardiff

norway

jo nesbøAlthoughOsloandBergenprovidethemainfocusforJoNesbø’sHarryHolecrimethrillers,Stavangeralsofeatures,mostnotablyinthehighlyacclaimed,TheLeopard.ReadthebookthatdetailsHole’srecallfromexileinHongKongtohelpsolveagruesomemurder.Youcanimagineyourownlocationsinthefjordsandmountainsthatareashorthopfromthecity.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Stavanger

belgium

tintin in brusselsAlthoughTintin’sadventurestakehimtothecornersoftheglobe,hiscreatorGeorgeRemi(Hergé)onlygottovisitthemlateinlife,havingspentmostofhistimeinhishomecityofBrussels,wherehewasborninEtterbeek.AfewofTintin’sadventurestakehimnofartherthanhisbackyard.TheCastafioreEmerald issetatCaptainHaddock’sestate,wherethearrivalofoperasingerBiancaCastafiorecreateschaos.TintinandAlph-ArttakesplaceinthecriminalunderbellyoftheBrusselsartscene.Nearest Eastern Airways airport – Brussels

Shakespeare’sbirthplace,Stratford

Comicstripwall,Brussels

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win a northumberlanD break EshottHall,nearMorpeth,andDoxfordHall,nearAlnwickarebothclosetoNorthumberland’sexquisitecoastlineandtothebeautifulcountrysideofEngland’smostnortherlycounty.TheyarewithineasyreachofNewcastleAirportandtomakeyourstaymoreenjoyable,ourcarhirepartner,Europcar,willprovideacomplementaryvehicletowhiskyoufromNewcastleAirport.

eastern airways flies to newcastle from aberdeen, birmingham, cardiff and stavanger

Ourprizewinnerandtheirguestwillbeabletospendtwonightsatonehotel,oronenightineach,withdinnertakenateitherhotel.TheprizewillbesubjecttoavailabilityandwillnormallyexcludeSaturdaynights.EasternAirwaysflightstoNewcastle,whererequired,areincluded.Foryourchancetowinthiswonderfulshortbreak,justanswerthefollowingquestion.

WhichcelebratedarchitectdesignedDoxfordHall?

Sendyouanswertocompetitions@gravity-consulting.com,with“Northumberlandcompetition”inthesubjectfield.Pleaseprovidename,addressandphonenumberandtheflightnumberanddateofyourlastflightwithEasternAirways.OrsendonapostcardtoGravity,ImexBusinessCentre(Bizspace),AbbeyRoad,PityMe,Durham,DH15JZ.ClosingdateNovember23,2012.

PrizetobetakenbyMay31,2013.Termsandconditionsapply.Prizesarenottransferable.TheEditor’sdecisionisfinal.EmployeesandcloseassociatesofEasternAirwaysandGravityConsultingmaynotenter.

eastern airways magazine has teamed up with two delightful country house hotels in northumberland to offer one lucky reader and their companion the chance to win a two-night stay, including dinner on one night.

Doxford Hall isjust30minutes’drivenorthofEshottHall.Thecoreofthehotelisa19thcenturymasterpieceofthecelebratedNewcastlearchitect,JohnDobson.Thehotelandits31bedroomsareallfinishedtotheveryhigheststandards,withfreeWiFiandviewsacrossthegardensandwoodlandfrommanybedrooms.Thehotelhasapoolandspawhichincludesfivetreatmentrooms,offeringawiderangeofexclusivetreatmentsandtherapies.HeadChefPaulBlakeyandhisteamalsoboastanAARosetteforthehigheststandardsofcreativecuisineintheGeorgeRuncimanRestaurant.www.doxfordhall.com

Eshott Hall isadelightful19thcenturyboutiquecountryhouse,setinwoodedgrounds,halfanhour’sdrivefromNewcastleAirport.Eachofits11ensuiteroomsisindividuallydesignedanddiningisspecialexperience.HeadChefChrisWoodandhisAARosette-winningteamusefresh,locallysourcedingredients,manyofthemfromthehotel’sownkitchengarden.Thebreakfastmenuincludeslocallysmokedsalmon,fromCraster,orkippers,fromSeahouses.www.eshotthall.co.uk

for more information on both hotels see our feature, pages 32 -35

Doxford Hall

Eshott Hall

Theagriculturalcommunityisnotgenerallythoughtofaslyrical,yetinthenamingoffoxhoundsthereisarichpoetry.Thelistsofthenamesofdogsathoundtrailingevents,orenteredinthecaninesectionatlocalshows,rolldownthepagelikeromanticverse:Hamlet,Harkaway,Talisman,Tarquin,Tailer,Dalesman,Gallant,Guardsman,Clarion,Palmer,Grafter,RangerandSergeantarethesortofnameshuntsmengivetotheirdogs.

Thebitches’namesaresofterandifanythingevenmoreresonant:Honey,Haze,Clover,Cloudy,Beeswing,Moonlight,BashfulandRelishareafewI’vecomeacrossdowntheyears.MostrecentlyIhadanencounterwithastrayladyfoxhoundwhosesingularnameIwasn’ttolearnuntiltheverytheendofourrelationship.

ShewasstandingintheentrancetomydrivewhenIcamehomefromafriend’shouseoneSaturdaynight.Itwasaroundthehourthatwasonceknownas“closingtime”andsincetherewasafairchanceofpubtrafficpassingbyontheroadoutsideIthoughtthesafestthingforthedogwastobringherintomygarden,shutthegateandphonethelocalhunttocomeandcollecther.

Thetroublewasthatagardenfenceisnotmuchobstacletoarangyhoundthatspendsitsworkinglifeleapingoverwalls.Theminutethegatewasshutthedoglollopeduptoitandhoppedover.Iwentoutandbroughtherinagain,andthesequencewasrepeated.AfterthreeroundsIdecidedtorevisemyplans.I

wouldbringthedogintothehouse,shutthedoorandthenphonetheHunt.

IfyoueverfindyourselfinasimilarsituationIwouldadviseagainstthiscourseofaction.Shewasacharmingandobedientanimal,butlikemostfoxhoundsshewasasfarremovedfromadomesticdogasAttilatheHunwasfromyouraveragehuman.TheminuteIusheredherintothekitchenallhellbrokeloose.Withinasplitsecondshewasstandingontopofthecookerwithhernosestuckinacasseroledish.Ushereddownfromthere,shelandedbrieflyonthefloorbeforejumpingontothediningtableandrunningthefulllengthofit,apparentlysenttrippingontheexoticscentofbananas.

Atthispointmyowndog,asmallerbreedofFrenchhuntinghound,camescamperingintotheroom.Hehadbeenalertednodoubtbythesmell.Becauseithastobesaidthatinmattersofpersonalgroomingthefoxhoundwasfarfromladylike,afactsheconfirmedwhenshe

finallyclattereddownfromthetableandrelievedherselfinsuchavoluminousmannerIthoughtImightneedsandbagstosavethesittingroomcarpet.

Mydogisnormallyinquisitivetothepointofobsessiveness,butatthesightofthefoxhoundonthetableheturnedtailandranaway.HadhepossessedopposablethumbsIbelievehewouldhavelockedhimselfinthebathroom.Asitwas,Ilaterfoundhimpeepingfrombehindthesofalikeafirst-schoolermenacedbyDaleks.

LeavingthefoxhoundrunningriotinthekitchenIwenttophonetheHunt.Irangsixdifferentnumbersbutgotnoreply.Anothertip:ifyouaregoingtogivesanctuarytoamisplacedfoxhound,trynottodosoonthedayoftheHuntBall.

OftherestofthenightandthebalefulhowlingandtherankstinksthatdisfigureditIshallspareyouthedetails.EventuallyattenthenextmorningIraisedtheMaster.Halfanhourlateramanintweedtrousersandatattersallcheckshirtrangthedoorbell.“Peevish?”heaskedwhenIopenedit.“Well,”Irepliedtestily,“I’vehardlyhadawinkofsleepand…”ThemancockedhisheadtoonesideandstaredatmeasiftryingtojudgewhetherIwassaneornot.“Noooo,”hesaidslowly,“Ithinkyouhaveoneofourhounds.That’shername,Peevish.”

HowmyguestcamebysuchamonikerI’lllikelyneverknow,butIshallprobablyfindmyselfwonderingaboutiteverytimeIlookatthestainontheporchrug.

hounDeD by a Dog of a namethe last worD with Harry Pearson

“she was charming ...but like most foxhounDs she was as far removeD from a Domestic Dog as attila the hun”

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annual energy sector review 2012. an eastern airways magazine special supplement

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this publication is produced as a supplement to eastern Airways Magazine. eastern Airways is one of the uk’s leading independent airlines and, thanks to its strategic connections from Aberdeen and stavanger, an important player in the offshore energy sector.

Copies of this supplement have been produced as a stand-alone publication and distributed by Nof energy, the leading business development organisation for companies involved in the uk oil, gas and energy sectors.

www.easternairways.comwww.nofenergy.co.uk

Published for eastern Airways by Gravity Magazines, Abbey Business Centre, Pity Me, Durham, Dh1 5JZ. www.gravity-consulting.com tel: +44 (0)191 383 2838.

Publisher: stan Abbott Design: Barbara Allen

Advertising: liz reekie telephone: +44 (0) 7563 796103e-mail: advertising@gravitymagazines.com

Print: Buxton Press

IssN: 1477-3031 © september 2012

froNt CoVer lerwick’s recently expanded Greenhead Base – ideal for supporting projects offshore. A licensed decommissioning pad is in the foreground.

eastern airways magazine is delighted to bring to you this special supplement, presenting our annual review and forecast of the energy sector with specific reference to what’s happening offshore.

welcome

this supplement is produced and distributed in partnership with Nof energy, the business development organisation with more than 400 members in the oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables sector.

eastern Airways serves no fewer than 12 destinations from Aberdeen, the uk’s energy industry capital. these include the important link to stavanger, Norway’s oil industry centre and our codeshare service with Azerbaijan Airlines, to Baku, while our partnership with emirates, also offers fast connections to Dubai and other Middle east energy centres, via Newcastle.

the dedicated shuttle service from Aberdeen to scatsta, operated by eastern Airways on behalf of the oil industry’s Integrated Aviation Consortium, makes us also the major carrier of oil industry personnel to shetland, whether to the sullom Voe oil terminal, or for onward helicopter transfers.so we are also pleased to have worked with Promote shetland to bring a special feature on how the uk’s most northerly islands are gearing up to take advantage of new opportunities, as well as highlighting the lifestyle and leisure opportunities to be enjoyed there.

the eastern airways team

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news update

Is there black gold in them thar waters? that’s the question on faroese lips as the Cosl Pioneer drilling rig nears the final phase of a four-to-five month operation in faroese waters. fingers are crossed that the Brugdan 2 deep well in faroese waters, operated by statoil, in partnership with exxon Mobil and the faroese company, Atlantic Petroleum, will strike oil. A further statoil well will be sunk in 2014.

Previously seven wells have been sunk in faroese waters, identifying

evidence of an active oil system but no commercial discoveries.

faroese law currently requires any oil from its waters to be refined in the islands. whether that requirement is upheld or if oil and gas are transported instead to sullom Voe is likely to become a political question, depending on the size of any find. But any find would ease the faroese economy’s dependence on its deep sea fishery and inshore salmon farming. www.foib.fo

n local Government secretary eric Pickles has green-lighted Moorland energy’s plans to construct a gas processing facility at the edge of the North York Moors National Park. the ryedale Gas Project includes developments near thornton-le-Dale, together with underground pipelines to the well head in the national park and to the National transmission system.

n More than 50 jobs are to be created on teesside as essex-based Global Marine energy opens it first North east office. the company is the world’s largest independent provider of subsea power cable installation and services.

n Proserv has landed deals to support two new North sea field developments, worth £6 million. the company is supplying a new electro-hydraulic multiplex subsea control system, along with associated topside and subsea interfaces, for talisman’s Clyde platform, along with topside and subsea manifold controls for an unnamed operator in the southern North sea.

n lundin Petroleum is expecting to publish new reserves estimates for the giant Johan sverdrup field, off Norway, early next year. Currently these are put at around 3.5 bn barrels.

n hire torque ltd (htl) has brought out its own mobile App to help customers find the answers to any queries they might have about torque. the App has three key features – flange bolting patterns, torque calculation and measurement conversion – and is available for Android and Apple devices. htl boasts one of the largest hire “fleets” of bolt-torquing equipment in europe, back up by 24-hour on-call support.

faroese fingers crossed for oil

viking spreads out across the seas Viking seatech, global specialist in mooring design and engineering, has launched a new positioning service, complementing the Aberdeen-headquartered company’s extensive portfolio of marine services, including mooring, inspection, maintenance and rig support.

Viking seatech is also rolling out its new manpower business across bases in Aberdeen, stavanger, Perth, Australia, and singapore. Plans are also well-advanced to open offices in Indonesia and houston, for the Gulf of Mexico.

Bill Bayliss, Group Chief executive, pictured above, said: “evolving at pace and maintaining momentum is what drives our global success. we have a firm commitment to quality, security, the environment and health and safety. stavanger is the main base for the company in Norway, as well as the centre of its global research and development programme, pioneering new technology to make operations safer and reducing downtime thereby saving clients time and money. Viking seatech, Norway also has operational bases in kristiansund and Mongstad. www.vikingseatech.com

Cosl Pioneer

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forthcoming events

n rio oil & Gas, Brazil, september 17-20. www.riooilegas.com.br

n the 4th saudi Arabia International oil and Gas exhibition (sAoGe) in Dammam, september 24-26. www.saoge.org

n subsea Asia, kuala lumpur, october 3-5. www.subseaasia.org

n Gastech Conference and exhibition, excel, london, october 8-11. showcasing the latest innovations, technologies and developments across the gas value chain. www.gastech.co.uk

n North sea offshore wind, hallmark hotel, hull, october 9-11. Conference and business brokerage Norwegian and overseas inward mission. www.b2match.com/nsow2012

n sPe russian oil and Gas, All russia exhibition Centre, Moscow, october 16-18. Conference and exhibition with leading russian and international experts. www.reedexpo.com

n Advanced engineering uk 2012, NeC, Birmingham, November 7-8. Bringing together manufacturers and top tier customer groups with their supply chains across some of the uk’s highest-growth advanced engineering sectors. www.advancedengineeringuk.com

n european Autumn Gas Conference, Intercontinental, Vienna, November 13-14. twenty-seventh summit for the european gas community. http://eagc2012.eventreference.net

n the 9th Annual North sea Decommissioning Conference November 21-22, Aberdeen – evaluating decommissioning strategy to ensure a safe and effective programme. www.decomworld.com/nsd/

n subsea Pipelines Integrity Management Conference, london, December 7. www.subseauk.com

n subsea 2013, Aberdeen exhibition & Conference Centre, february 6-7. www.subsea2013.com

n offshore Mediterranean Conference and exhibition, ravenna, Italy, March 20-22. More than 10,000 visitors for nearly 40 countries will attend. www.omc.it/2013

n Pe offshore europe, Aberdeen exhibition Centre, september 3-6, 2013. one of europe’s premier industry events.www.offshore-europe.co.uk

renewables

n siemens says that part of a £2.3 billion contract, in partnership with Dong energy, to make 300 wind turbines will be carried out in hull, raising expectations that the engineering giant will go ahead with a £210m wind turbine facility at Green Port hull, expected to create 700 jobs.

n scotland’s Pentland firth and orkney water regions have been designed a new marine energy park to test renewable energy devices. the park

will incorporate the existing european Marine energy Centre, in orkney.

n scotland’s renewable energy output increased by 45 per cent in the first quarter of this year, compared with the same period in 2011. uk government figures showed scotland generated 4,590 gigawatt hours of renewable energy in the first three months of 2012. the country aims to generate the equivalent of 100 per cent of its electricity needs from renewables by 2020.

tackling poverty in kenya renewable world has launched a new project in collaboration with kenyan-based organisations osienala, restech and Access:Collective, to tackle poverty in the lake Victoria region, by providing solar-wind systems to isolated fishing communities. this will enable fishermen to refrigerate their catch and negotiate a higher price. the renewable energy systems will also provide power to pump water for drip irrigation, enabling farming of high value crops, increasing income as well as improving health and nutrition. www.renewable-world.org

core valuesthe Centre for offshore renewable engineering (Core) initiative, led by tees Valley unlimited, forecasts a total investment of £110 billion in the sector in the uk by 2020 and aims to work closely with the industry to maximise the benefit to uk companies.

the initiative hopes to be part of the new offshore wind Programme Board (owPB), being established this autumn to implement the findings of the offshore wind Cost reduction task force. It will also implement a skills Action Plan to address issues in advanced manufacturing sector; including engaging with schools, colleges and training providers. www.teesvalleyunlimited.gov.uk

Dong energy’s horns rev 2 offshore wind farm off the coast

of western Jutland

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over the next decade it has been suggested that the planned invest-ment could be around £100 billion, the equivalent of an olympic Games every year.

up to 70,000 jobs might be created and 6,000 turbines – up to 180 metres high and with rotors 150 metres across – sited off the uk coast. But although the country has as much offshore wind capacity already installed as the rest of the world put together, the figures are hardly breathtaking.

there are fewer than 600 offshore wind turbines in the uk and slightly more than that number in construction, with about 3,200 people employed in the sector.

offshore oil and gas knowledge and skills will be essential for the success of the industry, which is facing many of the same difficulties as the North sea pioneers faced more than 30 years ago, including high costs and unknown risks.

with a strong oil price and swift financial returns in that sector, it is hard to per-suade companies to transfer the focus from oil and gas to an industry with high

capital costs and so many unanswered questions about the economics.

Another new industry that has the capacity to significantly extend the life of North sea oil fields, carbon capture and storage (CCs), is edging towards a landmark development.

the Government’s CCs Commercialisa-tion Programme will, subject to state Aid clearance, support commercial scale CCs with £1bn in capital funding to stimulate the early development of the supply chain for CCs.

speaking during a visit to the weyburn field, in saskatchewan – where there is an international collaborative scientific study underway to assess the techni-cal feasibility of Co2 storage – stuart haszeldine, Professor of carbon capture and storage at the school of Geoscienc-es, university of edinburgh, said that all the big uk projects involved in the competition were along the eastern sea-board of the uk, from Peterhead to the firth of forth, teesside and Yorkshire.

“People are anticipating that at least one of these, and perhaps up to three,

will go ahead and that will be the first seed of a whole new industry, which will extend the life of the North sea.

“It will bring in different skills to the North sea and will use similar infrastruc-ture, but a lot of people offshore will be able to do something slightly different, whether it is enhanced oil recovery with carbon dioxide, or straightforward carbon dioxide storage.

“first indications of a decision will be made by the Government in early october and then we will know about two or three projects going forward to feeD (front end engineering and design) studies. these will be decided by the end of this year and a couple of those should start operating by late 2015 or early 2016.

“weyburn is one of the world’s first carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery projects. It is a world leader and shows clearly how you can use carbon dioxide to produce additional oil. the weyburn field was a giant field and it has had is lifetime extended and another ten per cent of hydrocarbons extracted by injecting Co2 .”

wind gathering strengththe offshore wind boom, which offers so much promise and has

been lauded as scotland’s next industrial revolution, has still

not gathered quite enough puff to take off, writes graeme smith

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uk energy industry:

good, and getting better…

graeme smith reviews the uk energy sector’s performance over the past 12 months and gets his crystal ball out to assess where the industry is heading…

legislation to give him the ability to introduce a Brown field allowance, a further tax allowance relating to fields already in production, or projects in and around fields already in production. It is expected that these will encourage incre-mental developments and preserve existing infrastructure.

“we have had good and constructive engagement with the Government on that throughout this year,” said Mr webb. “And we are now waiting on an announcement as to when that is going to come forward. of course, the sooner the better.”

Mr webb said other factors that had led to the significant production fall included unplanned stoppages as operators ensured the integrity of their aging infrastructure, and a po-litical dimension, with the major gas producing rhum field, a joint venture between BP and Iranian oil, closed because of Iranian sanctions.

Another potentially major boost in the Budget was pro-vided by the Government’s pledge to enter into contracts with companies operating in the uk North sea to provide greater certainty over the level of tax relief that will be avail-able for decommissioning expenditure.

that is now in the consultation phase and appears to be on schedule for legislation to be in place in next year’s finance Act.

when finalised, it will free up billions of pounds for capital investment in the North sea by changing the regime for the posting of security for decommissioning from a pre-tax to a post-tax basis.

the investment will bring new developments that will have huge benefits for the economy – but finding the expe-rienced personnel to work on these projects may be a problem.

Jo McGregor, Director of recruitment agency McGregor Consultants, which focuses on specialist personnel, said it was already a challenge.

“we are incredibly busy, both domestically and internation-ally, trying to find suitably qualified personnel with experi-ence,” she said.

the firm’s clients are international operators focusing on senior upstream personnel.

“there are simply not enough people with the expertise re-quired, so there is significant competition and, as a result, the day rates are constantly rising,” she said.

“we can carry out benchmarking for a client and a matter of months later it has all changed.

“the North sea is extremely busy and Aberdeen-based office roles, as well as offshore opportunities, are proving challenging to fill at the moment.

“london, where many of the companies are focussed on >>

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there is an air of optimism in the oil and gas industry in the uk. A recent report by oil & Gas uk highlighted how, after a Budget which shook confidence to the core in 2011, constructive engagement between the Government and the industry over the past year has succeeded in promoting investment and increasing the reserves planned for recovery.

this has created valuable supply chain business, will earn billions of additional revenue for the public purse and has boosted high-skilled employment – although the downside of that is a severe skills shortage that is making it hard to fill many posts.

the same report highlighted the “immense scale of the con-tribution made by the uk oil and gas industry to the wealth and wellbeing of this country”.

It paid £11.2 billion in corporation tax last year, 25 per cent of the uk total, supports an estimated 440,000 jobs across the country and still produces enough oil and gas to satisfy half the country’s demand for energy.

It is a major export earner and the uk’s largest industrial investor – as well as a powerful engine for renewed growth in the economy. But if the 24 billion barrels that might still be recovered are to be brought ashore, then not only must the dialogue continue, but the Government will also have to act.

one of the main findings of a new study by Professor Alex kemp, the noted petroleum economist, is that while the positive 2012 Budget measures will encourage the develop-ment of substantial numbers of new fields over the longer term, further incentives are needed – including for incre-mental projects in mature fields, to ensure that maximum recovery is achieved.

that is essential for the uk economy. the £11.2 billion corporation tax of last year was boosted by the £6 billion corporate and payroll taxes paid by the supply chain, and the oil and gas produced saved the uk £40 billion in energy imports.

however the tax revenues were not as great as anticipated, as a result of an unexpected 19 per cent decline in produc-tion.

“the production figures are very worrying,” said Malcolm webb, Chief executive of oil & Gas uk.

“last year was not good, this year is no better and I think the reasons are twofold. they are in part the inheritance of fiscal instability, because last year we saw the lowest number of new barrels coming onto production we have seen in an awful long time.

“A very small number of fields came on-stream last year and there are not a great number coming on this year either – and that dates back to the terrible fiscal instability of 2006–2009.”

In this year’s Budget, the Chancellor introduced enabling

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international operations, is also growing busier and busier. It is the main financial centre and the industry has grown organically, with companies that started off small having expanded.

“we have been fortunate to have been with several of these small companies since the beginning and have grown with them.”

she said that key to the company’s success was develop-ing a close relationship with both the clients and the profes-sionals they represented.

“the operators are all different and it is up to us to under-stand their individual cultures and find people who will fit into those. for me, personality is as important as technical ability in some cases, because in many of these companies

the teams are small and they have to be able to fit into that team.

“we have to have our finger on the pulse and be aware of when projects are ending so we know when people are available, because obviously we can’t take people from one client and give them to another during a contractual term. we are also looking ahead to find our guys new positions as their contracts come to an end.

“All my colleagues in the office can travel anywhere they want to see clients, and the places they have been include kenya, egypt, south Africa, Brazil, tunisia and the usA. we really encourage them to do so because it makes such a difference to be able to see the environment in which the guys work.

“we are incredibly busy trying to find suitably qualified personnel…”

“we have had good and constructive engagement with the government…”

Jo McGregor, Director of recruitment agency McGregor Consultants

Malcolm webb, Chief executive of oil & Gas uk

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kshetlandat the heart of thingsthe shetland islands once lay at the heart of the viking trading

routes and colonies of the north atlantic. with renewed vigour in

the prospecting of the atlantic margin, west of shetland, the islands

are once again at the very heart of the oil and gas industry’s future.

with 30 years at the cutting edge of oil and gas technology, not to mention a burgeoning interest in wave, tidal and wind power, the islands have both the expertise and people to complement their geographical advantages.

Promote shetland, which “does what it says on the tin” for the islands’ tourism offer, as well as to encourage inward investment and migration, is responsible for telling the world about shetland.

And the messages are very much positive ones. Alongside the islands’ experience in oil and gas, their potential in renewables, and their geographical

advantages in supplying and supporting the new Atlantic oil and gas developments, they can also boast:

• the ideal location and expertise for decommissioning work in the uk North sea sector

• excellent ports and harbours

• A dynamic political environment with scope for grant support to industry, and

• some of the uk’s fastest broadband speeds, with fibre optic cable links to the uk, faroe Islands and Iceland.

But all this counts for so much more

when people can enjoy living where such economic advantages can be found. so the icing on the cake is that the latest halifax Bank of scotland survey shows shetland also enjoys the best rural quality of life in scotland.

shetland residents live longer, enjoy better health, education, and employment opportunities – and suffer less crime.

Add to that the highest number of state of the art leisure centres per head of population in europe, a clean environment and a close-knit, caring community and life in shetland looks good. >>

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Our approved medical examiners and occupational health team aim to meet all off-shore medical requirements, including health

surveillance, top-side and diving medicals, and return to work examinations. Our Clinic is fully equipped for all your medical needs, including drug and alcohol testing, routine biometrics and exercise testing to industry standards.

We welcome individuals and business enquiries, and offer private general practice and travel health services in addition to our

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info@newcastlepremierhealth.com.www.newcastlepremierhealth.com

Newcastle Premier health, lower Ground floor, eldon house west, regent Centre, Newcastle upon tyne, Ne3 3Pw

future prospectswhen the Chancellor announced, in his March budget, £3 billion in new tax allowances for the development of large and deep oil fields in the North Atlantic, this followed less than a week later by faroe Petroleum’s announcement that it intended to drill the North uist well, 78 miles west of the islands.

Chief executive Graham stewart said: “the North uist prospect offers significant resource potential and is in close proximity to a number of important discoveries on the Atlantic Margin Corona ridge, including rosebank and Cambo.”

Drilling is being carried out for faroe by BP exploration, a company whose relationship with shetland goes back to the very beginning of North sea oil.

that announcement was followed by news that the international group, subsea 7, had won the £170 million contract for the complex Cheviot pipeline project, east of shetland.

BP, of course, operates the sullom Voe oil terminal, which is still the biggest in europe and which is now looking towards

a new lease of life. It is investing heavily in the future, notably in the second phase of the giant Clair field, west of the islands, the biggest in uk waters, and in the refurbishment of schiehallion.

BP and its partners – shell, ConocoPhillips and Chevron – are proceeding with the £4.5 billion Clair ridge project, the second phase of development of the giant Clair field, west of shetland.

Bob Dudley, BP’s Group Chief executive, said: “the efficient management of giant fields such as Clair, using state-of-the-art technology to manage complex reservoirs and increase oil recovery, is an important element of BP’s strategy

and one of the key drivers that we see generating value in BP’s upstream business.”

the Clair ridge project, which will install two new bridge-linked platforms with the capability to produce an estimated 640 million barrels of oil, is planned to come on stream in 2016 and to extend production from the greater Clair area to 2050.

In addition to the 600 people already working on the project, it will provide hundreds of uk engineering, drilling and oilfield services jobs over the field’s life. the Clair partners have also announced the successful appraisal of an extension to the Clair field – south west Clair – confirming the overall Clair field complex’s status as the uk’s largest hydrocarbon resource, with more than seven billion barrels of oil and gas.

the appraisal well also encountered a significant new hydrocarbon column in an overlying reservoir horizon, which is expected to support further development of the greater Clair field area in the future.

earlier this year, BP and its partners also announced plans for the £3 billion

Clair field

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redevelopment of the schiehallion and loyal fields, west of shetland. BP will use the latest technology to maximize recovery from the fields.

then there is the total’s laggan-tormore project, landfall for which is close to sullom Voe. the £2.5bn project will bring gas to sullom Voe from 125km north west of shetland for processing, and then piping south to the mainland markets. total is also aiming to open up the west shetland basin to further development.

local assetsof course, the offshore sector in shetland is not just about the big names of the industry. local companies have the technical capability to tackle any project, large and small. highly trained, experienced staff are crucial to any industry, but especially so in shetland with its range of local conditions.

the expertise developed and carefully honed in oil and gas and the marine field generally have already been brought to bear on decommissioning, project management and the renewables industry.

leading the way for many years has been Peterson sBs (PsBs), which boasts decades of experience of

working with some of the biggest names in the North sea oil industry, placing the company in a position to handle the management of major decommissioning and maintenance projects, as well as the full range of marine services.

PsBs was also responsible for handling the inward shipping, movement and erection of the Burradale windfarm’s generators.

Companies like shetland Composites are already fully involved in the renewables industry, with fred Gibson’s lerwick-based company building the prototypes for Pelaimis’s tank testing, as well as many other objects in GrP, kevlar or carbon fibre.

the historic lerwick firm of Malakoff can handle complete renewable power installations, notably a revolutionary multi-source generation service for the island of foula.

Ze1 Global brings together Malakoff and three other companies with a range of experience in marine, hydrocarbon and renewables operations, with a view to developing renewables as a major priority.

unst, the most northerly shetland island, is home to the Pure project, offering a one-stop-shop for small-scale

renewables projects, including wind, solar, biomass, biogas and hydrogen. the island also boasts a brewery and saxa Vord.

originally built as a home-from-home for the families of the rAf personnel manning the nearby radar station, saxa Vord has been transformed into a warm, comfortable and welcoming base for people wishing to explore, discover, understand and enjoy all that unst and shetland have to offer.

the complex boasts self-catering houses, a hostel, restaurant and bar. saxa Vord and unst regeneration Growers enterprise were winners in the latest highlands and Islands tourism Awards Best supplier Partnership category, building on the previous year’s shortlisting in the Dining out experience category.

Among others that draw visitors to the special shetland landscape, is Busta house hotel, at Brae, a few miles south of sullom Voe. owner Joe rocks is reporting good tourist business this summer, with visitors attracted by the 16th century laird’s house at the head of quiet loch, or voe. Besides great food, the hotel also boasts its very own ghost.

www.shetland.org/energy

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lerwick harbour is continuing to develop its deep-water infrastructure to service the sector’s changing and future requirements.

As Britain’s “top Port” – lying 60° north, on the same latitude as st Petersburg and Anchorage, Alaska, and nearer to Norway than london – the shetland Islands harbour might appear remote, but it is perfectly positioned to support the offshore industry’s marine operations in the northern North sea and the increasingly busy frontier area, in the Atlantic.

the port authority recently awarded a contract for the construction next year of another deep-water facility at Greenhead, a 75-metre quay extension, dredged to nine metres. while multi-purpose, it is expected to primarily handle oil-related vessels.

It follows hard on the heels of the adjacent 100-metre-plus Berth 7, most of which was completed ahead of schedule in early 2012, to accommodate vessels servicing a major North sea subsea project.

sandra laurenson, lerwick Port Authority’s Chief executive, said: “Berth 8 was already in our proactive strategy, but the timing reflects the increasing use of the port by larger ships, including diving support and construction vessels – a marked trend in recent years – and the immediate, successful operation of Berth 7.

“the number of oil-related vessels arriving in the first half of 2012 was up 43 per cent, compared with the same period in 2011, with the tonnage rising 77 per cent.

“there are positive signs of further significant projects requiring support at the harbour in the next few years, with

west of shetland likely to be a particular feature.”

the door to the ongoing enhancement of facilities was opened by a £12 million dredging project to deepen the port, improve access, and reclaim land for future development, completed in 2008. More than £20 million has been invested in new infrastructure and improvements in the last four years alone.

lerwick is a leader in decommissioning installations, both in marine support for work offshore and dismantling, recycling and disposal of structures and equipment onshore. Peterson sBs and Veolia environmental services handled total’s frigg modules support frame, weighing almost 8,800 tonnes, at lerwick and are currently undertaking a share of a multi-field subsea disposal contract for hess.

the port authority is undertaking the procurement process for a centre of excellence for decommissioning at Dales Voe, where it has an exclusivity agreement with Norway-headquartered Af Decom offshore uk, to create a facility with a 24-metre deep quay. the scottish Government and highlands and Islands enterprise are each set to contribute up to £5 million.

the potential for the harbour to be involved in the renewable sector continues to be examined by the Port Authority.

Its active marketing of the harbour’s capabilities to the energy sector includes participation with others from shetland at the All-energy and offshore europe exhibitions in Aberdeen, attendance at the recent oNs exhibition in stavanger, and membership of Decom North sea and energy North.

www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk

shetland’s deep harbourlerwick harbour is into its fifth decade of supporting the

offshore oil and gas industry’s’ activities – exploration,

development, production and, now, also decommissioning .

Aerial view of Dales Voe Base, with site expansion

already underway

Shetland’s long marine tradition, vast tidal and wind resources, and decades of experience in the North Sea oil industry makes it ideally placed to tackle both the new world of renewables and the servicing and decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations. It’s also one of the most welcoming, well-equipped, exciting and comfortable rural environments in the UK. As a place to live and raise a family, somewhere to work, somewhere to do business – it can’t be beaten. When it comes to energy – Shetland has it all.

Find out more at www.SHETLAND.org/energy

ENERGY: SHETLAND HAS IT ALL. THIRTY YEARS’ CUTTING EDGE EXPERIENCE IN OIL AND GAS. IN SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST DEMANDING CONDITIONS. SOON TO BE THE UK’S RENEWABLE POWERHOUSE USING EUROPE’S BEST WIND, WAVE AND TIDAL RESOURCES. ALREADY HOME TO THE CONTINENT’S BIGGEST OIL TERMINAL. NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN GAS PRODUCTION AND OIL EXPLORATION. STATE-OF-THE-ART MARINE FACILITIES, CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE BIGGEST VESSELS. NEAREST UK DECOMMISSIONING SERVICES TO THE MAJOR NORTH SEA AND ATLANTIC FIELDS. BUT BEST OF ALL, A PLACE AND PEOPLE TRAINED, READY, WELCOMING AND WILLING TO WORK. WITH YOU.