Let’s Get AwayMay 2012by The Abergavenny Chronicle

With theAbergavennyChronicle

FREE

02 ● The Spring Issue ● May / June

Let’s Get Away

Probably thelargest outdoortent display in

Wales!

0845 4093510www.campingandkitecentre.co.uk

Raglan Garden Centre, Old Abergavenny Road, Raglan NP15 2BH5 minutes off the A449 at Raglan

Follow us on Facebook!

● Open 7 days a week April toSeptember

● Full range of accessories● Calor and Camping Gaz Supplier● Friendly help and advice● Free and easy car parking● Camping trailers to hire or buy● Sevylor Kayaks for sale● We sell kites too!● New for 2011 - Vango Airbeam

Inflatable Tents

nav) to reach Ca' Savio around mid-afternoon.Tired? Yes, but the locals were kind enough to help

us to our feet when we toppled out of the car in aseated position with our knees locked.

Camping Ca'Savio is a large, bustling park withsuperb pools, a relaxed atmosphere and great beach, allset in a nice stretch of woodland. It's got everything achild could want. And it has midges, too. Hungry ones.

The food on site is extraordinary and seriouslygood value, whether it be the basic pizza andcanteen-style diner, or the more upmarketrestaurant. But venture off-site and you'll find evenmore impressive fare. The restaurants on the maindrag are all of great quality and the seafood is to diefor.

The kids were over the moon with the swishpools and play areas. But it was the kids' clubs thatwere a Godsend. My youngest turned seven on thefirst night of the holidays and three superblyenergetic and helpful girls from the Funstation cameto say hello - bearing chocolate cake.

Now friends for life, Elora spent her morningsand afternoons taking part in all manner of activitieswith her new pals, while her older brother had a ballwith the club for older kids.

The family highlight was most definitely the visitof the pirate ship to the beach. It chugged into thebay like something from a Johnny Depp film andhauled aboard families from the shallows beforeheading out to sea for a battle with a rival. There wasmuch face-painting, swash-buckling and chucking ofwater, and my daughter loved every minute of it.

Our first few days were very much campsite-based, spent lounging on the golden sands, paddlingin the clear blue seas, and generally enjoying ourcomfortable, woodland-based mobile home. Then wefelt ready for some proper luxury.

We had arranged to spend some time in the twomajor tourist cities easily accessible from Ca'Savio.

First was Verona, where we spent the night in thestunning, highly recommended city centre apartmentResidence Il Vicolo, and dined at the superb AnticoCaffe Dante, where we all made appreciative noisesand sighed when we finished.

Then it was Nabucco at the amphitheatre, whichdespite the bites, was all I could have wished for.

But our dreams really came to life when we

headed on to Venice. Our base was the superblyopulent Ca'Sagredo Hotel, which offers some of thebest views of this wonderful city imaginable. We tookin a moonlit gondola ride, kissed under every bridgein the city and dined in style.

Despite our best efforts, we even picked up somelocal knowledge, thanks to a very thorough andinformative walk with an excellent local guidearranged by Liaisons Abroad, who greased the wheelsof our trip magnificently.

There was more culture to be digested as well,during a visit to Musica a Palazzo, where we weredelighted by the performance of love duets in anextraordinary candle-lit palace.

But our absolute highlight was thanks to thequeen of the Il Ballo del Doge, Antonia Sautter. Thedesigner responsible for the masked carnival thatrepresents Venice's hottest ticket invited us to herstudios where, despite our protestations, we soonfound ourselves coerced into playing dress-up.

You know those out-of-body experiences? I hadone while standing by a canal, having my phototaken by tourists, dressed as Louis XVI. My partnerwas Marie Antoinette. And the kids were a maskedprince and princess. I have never had so much funwhile wearing tights.

I also fell in love with the islands that dot Venice.Murano, Burano and Torcello are soothing,picturesque and beautiful, and to follow inHemingway's footsteps and dine at Locanda Ciprianion the tiny Torcello was an unparalleled joy.

After what was genuinely the time of our lives,we took the ferry back to Punto Sabbioni, and then a10-minute bus ride back to the campsite for anotherfew days of sunbathing, swimming and ice cream.

The kids laughed, my good lady drank theplentiful wine, and I read books and scratched myankles.

Dave Mark discovers the joys - and midges - of aluxury camping trip in Italy.

We're sitting in the best seats imaginable at Verona'smagical amphitheatre: front and centre for a lavishperformance of Verdi's classic Nabucco.

My partner and the kids are dressed to the nines andgoose-pimpled with excitement. We've dined out in one ofVerona's finest restaurants and, later on, we're headingback to an apartment so attractive I want to lick the walls.

I've got the lot. My soul should be soaring up towardsthe blue velvet night sky.

But no. I'm grinding my teeth. I'm corrugating mybrow. And I'm using every ounce of willpower I possess tokeep my hands in my pockets. Why? The midges got me.They found me a week ago, on day one of my Italianadventure. Word spread that I was tasty. I now feel like abuffet.

So as much as I'm in the process of ticking somethingoff my bucket list, what I really want to do is pull down mysocks and give my ankles a good going over with a spoon.

There's the first note to self. If you're planning thiskind of twin-break holiday, be aware that no amount ofluxury during the five-star long weekend can eclipse the'hardships' you are likely to endure during the campingelement.

Still, I'm a grumbler by nature. And as my family keeptelling me, the bites weren't that bad really. In all honesty,my two weeks in the Adriatic gave us precious little togrumble about.

Even the journey from our home in Lincolnshire wasless gruelling than we anticipated. Kia loaned us a 4x4Sorento and it truly ate up the miles. The teenager and thesix-year-old in the back actually had room to move for achange, and the sound system meant that everybody hadmore to listen to than me saying "God, this is so boring"for 1,000 miles.

We took a night ferry from Dover to Calais, getting acouple of hours' sleep among the curious collection offellow midnight travellers, before ploughing on throughLuxembourg, Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland (itmay not have been in that order - I just followed the sat-

Tale of two Italian cities - and

03● The Spring Issue ● May / June

Britian ● Overseas ● Days Out ● Attractions ● Weekend Breaks

Motorhome & Caravan Accessory SupplierAir Suspension Kits for AL-KO & Many Others - Pumps - Seat Swivels

cbe Modular Electrical Ftgs. - Plumbing Ftgs. - Taps - Much More Online

Marcle Leisure - Much MarcleHerefordshireContact: 01531 660797Web: www.marcleleisure.co.uk

Come and Visit our Camping & Caravanning Club(Certified Site) in the Beautiful Black & White

Village in Eardisland!We have 2 acres of grassy flat field

Tourers £5 per night

NEW for 2012!Shepards Hut

(Ring for details)

Tel: 01544 388 687 | 07710 639 504

a campsite

Travel facts:David Mark was a guest of Keycamp whichoffers self-catering holidays at 99 parcs across10 European countries, including Sardinia,Austria and Croatia, plus the USA.

Seven nights' self-catering in early May in athree-bedroom mobile home with decking fortwo adults and up to four children at Ca'Savioparc starts at £238, accommodation only. Ferrycrossings and fly-drive packages can bearranged though Keycamp at a supplement.

Keycamp reservations: 0844 406 0319/www.keycamp.co.uk

Italian specialists Citalia offers three nights'B&B from Aug 28 at five-star Ca'Sagredo Hotel,overlooking Venice's Grand Canal, from £573including return flights ex-Gatwick. Free nightfor stays of three nights or more between July1 and 13 and July 16 and Aug 31.

Citalia reservations: 0844 415 1956/www.citalia.com

In Verona, Residence Il Vicolo(www.residenceilvicolo.com) offers one andtwo-bedroom self-catering apartments,

sleeping up to six, from e60 to e180 per night,including aircon/heating and bath towels/linen,kitchen equipment.

Liaisons Abroad offers opera tickets andbespoke arrangements in Verona and Venice andother European cities, including personalisedguided walking tours and restaurant bookings.

Liaisons Abroad: 0207 808 7330 orwww.liaisonsabroad.com

Key facts - Venetian Coast■ Best for: A relaxing family

break enlivened withmoments of culture andsophistication.

■ Time to go: Early summer,but the weather is lovely formuch of the year.

■ Don't miss: A trip to AntoniaSautter's workshop and anight at the amphitheatre.

■ Need to know: There arequite a lot of toll roads inthe area, so keep plenty ofchange in your pocket ifyou're out driving.

■ Don't forget: Your midgerepellent!

Investing in antiquesWhether you are buying with the aim ofmaking a profit or simply adding to your owncollection, antiques can be a very soundinvestment.

While fashions will change and prices fluctuate,there are two attributes that will ensure that anitem sells well whatever the climate - quality andscarcity.

I’ve been fascinated by antiques for manyyears and love nothing more than

uncovering a bargain or coming acrosssomething that I simply have never seen before.

My collecting began when I was a small boyand my father gave me a rather playworn Dinkytractor that he had been given as a child. I loved itand it was quality.

It was diecast metal and heavy. And despitebeing half a century old, it was complete - it still isas the picture shows..

While this particular example might only beworth a few quid - although it is priceless as far as

I’m concerned - there are some that are worththousands of pounds.

Dinky toys first appeared in 1934 whenMeccano Ltd, based in Liverpool, introduced a lineof modelled miniatures. They continued to beproduced until 1979.

Because production ceased during the waryears, Dinky can be split into two distinct periods -pre-war and post-war.

Pre-war Dinky toys were cast from an impurealloy and often they have suffered from zinc pest,known as ‘fatigue’.

Examples that survive without fatigue are

likely to fetch a significantly higher price. Scarictyis also a factor, whatever the age.

Some models were produced in vast numberswhile others were made in small quantities. Thebest example would be the much sought-after 28series vans which were painted with the decals ofvarious businesses, some of which are rarer thanothers.

In 1994 a van advertising Bentalls departmentstore fetched a record £10,125 at Christie’s inLondon.

This record stood until a Dinky No.22d vanbearing the name W.E. Boyce, a cycle shop on theArchway Road in Highgate in the 1930s, sold atVectis auctioneers for £17,000.

While these examples are extremely rare, thereare plenty of other models that are worth a bob ortwo. Even the more common ones sometimes hadslight variations which can make them moredesirable.

And it’s not just Dinky that is sought after.Corgi and Matchbox are among the other makerswhose models can make a pretty penny.

Last month 18 packs of Matchbox toys thathad never been opened sold for £2,000 when theywent under the hammer at Halls in Shrewsbury.

The packs, each containing six toys, had beenpurchased by a North Wales vendor in 1971 froma West Midlands toy wholesaler for just 80p each.

Another reminder that condition is all-important. A mint boxed model can be worth 10times the price of a playworn one.

There are plenty of great reference books andprice guides for Dinky and others and the internetis, as ever, a very useful tool.

By Rob Bellis

E.D. MARKETS ☎ 077680 00854

Traders from all over Great Britain attend this market● Large Car Park & Coach Park

● Picnic Area and Kiddie’s Inflatables● Coach Parties Welcome

Car Boots Restarted!

CHEPSTOWSUNDAY

MEERKAT?

FOREST OF DEAN CARAVANS

Agents for

SWIFT & BAILEY CARAVANS

Good selection ofClean Pre-owned Caravans

Generous Part Exchanges

Competitive & Confidential Loans available(full details on application)

Excellent Workshop Facilitiesfor all aspects of Caravan Repair & Servicing

Caravans Towed and TransportedWell-stocked Accessory Shopfor all your Caravanning Needs

Open 7 days a weekFOREST OF DEAN CARAVANS

- a name you can trust!

Parkend, Nr. Lydney GL15 4JR -

☎ 01594 562206www.forestofdeancaravans.co.uk

only 9 miles from Monmouth

Travel -Cheap CruiseChannel-hopping with an ageless beauty

Jeremy Gates sails to Normandy and Bruges on abudget.

The sailaway party, as our gallant ship edged away fromTilbury into the blackness of the Thames Estuary on anautumn evening, was a subdued affair: just me, twocouples holding cuppas by an outdoor tea bar and RudolfNureyev.

While Rudi, an impressive bronze statue, surveyedthe swimming pool with a steely glare, things began tohappen. Fireworks exploded high in the sky overGravesend, and something impressive - is that SouthendPier already? - loomed brightly from the gloom on theEssex bank.

Would London Mayor Boris Johnson be so keen toconcrete over this historic stretch of water for hiswretched airport if he took a cruise on the Marco Polo?

After a stroll around a deserted deck, I joined agaggle of cruise enthusiasts for pre-dinner cocktails, allgabbling nineteen to the dozen while a pianist tinkledthe ivories on a white grand piano.

When we joined second sitting in the WaldorfRestaurant, Eastern European waiters hovered attentivelyand so many lights blazed on the Kentish shore that Icould have believed I was passing Monaco - if ourcaptain, Valentyn Zhukov, had announced as much overthe Tannoy.

If recent disasters at sea have left people a bitqueasy about mighty new superliners, the ageless MarcoPolo could be set for an Indian summer.

According to my Berlitz Guide to Cruise ships, shewas designed by the Russians in 1966, initially namedthe Alexandr Pushkin, and given an "extremely strong"hull to tackle the Leningrad-Montreal run in winter.

A 22,000-tonne ice-breaker, in short, with, saysBerlitz, "a deep draft which rides well in unkind seaconditions". But that is only part of the attraction of avessel widely seen as the 'Joan Collins' of cruise ships.

There's a certain art deco charm about the cabinsand corridors, and it's exciting to imagine James Bondclambering up the side while the Russians sailed awayfrom Montreal.

Today, Marco Polo sails from Tilbury, just off the M25and almost next door to the Dartford Crossing. Some

voyages are so short that one, from Tilbury to Hull, costsonly £75. Just don't forget the extra £30 to pay thecoach driver laid on to bring you back!

Our four-day voyage to Rouen and Bruges sailed100% full, with many passengers happy to travel toTilbury from the Midlands and the North.

When we returned to our cabin after dinner, ourroom steward Mykhaylo, from Ukraine, had fashionedour bath towels into zoo animals sitting on the bed, withblack stickers representing the eyes. But we couldn'tadmire his handiwork for long because the ship heavedwith entertainment at both ends.

On the dance floor, a troupe leaped about like madCossacks and a dazzling blonde played an electric violinwhile they regained their breath.

Cruise director Richard Sykes wrapped up the showthen ran the length of the ship to belt out pop songsfrom the Sixties in the heaving Scott's Bar cabaret. It wasso packed that waiters wheeled in extra seats and threwopen doors to the deck to lessen the risk of suffocation.

Next morning, I reported for exercises on the promdeck before breakfast. Only later did I realise why I wasthe only volunteer for bend and stretch.

All passengers on Marco Polo are 45-plus, plentypast 60. And they obviously planned to conserve theirstrength for a knock-out table tennis competition afterlunch contested with such ferocity that a third umpireand TV replays would have come in useful.

By then, of course, Captain Zhukov had swung ussmartly into a left turn as we rounded the massive portof Le Havre. As we ventured up the Seine, a new vistatook shape.

One moment we were chugging past immaculatevillages with terraced houses, shops and sailing clubs. Thenext, we were surrounded by the green and gold leavesof forests which fill the Normandy landscape.

Here I realised one shortcoming of our ship: thereisn't a crow's nest where you can look, in warmth andcomfort, at what lies ahead. For the best views, you haveto get a coat and walk around the deck.

By mid-afternoon we rounded a bend in the river toconfront the towering spires of Rouen Cathedral. We tiedup on the river bank, with sections of wire fencingclamped together to provide some degree ofimmigration control, and from there it was a brisk 40-minute yomp to the cathedral.

Although it is a massive city, Rouen has the intimatecharm of a small town and is surprisingly easy toexplore.

Many of the cobbled streets, which shook the horse-drawn cab while Emma Bovary was committing adulterywith her lover in Flaubert's famous novel, remain inplace.

In the Musee de Beaux Arts, housing the largestcollection of Impressionists in France outside Paris, yourub noses with splendid, multi-million pound Monetsand Caravaggios.

That night, we were lucky to dine in the half-timbered private room of La Couronne, the oldestauberge in France where eminent diners signed in before'celebs' were invented. If I read their scrawls correctly,they include Jean-Paul Sartre, Princess Grace, WinstonChurchill, David Niven and Ingrid Bergman.

As La Couronne opened in 1345, some diners musthave grabbed front row seats for the burning of Joan ofArc in the Place du Vieux-Marche in 1431. A simpleconcrete cross marks the spot, though our guideexplained that French conspirators were as much toblame as the English.

In Rouen's magnificent cathedral, the heart ofRichard the Lionheart was interred at his request. Ourguided tour included the room overlooking the westernfront of the cathedral, where Claude Monet began someof the 30 paintings which he produced of thisremarkable landmark.

Walking back along the river bank, Marco Polowas waiting for us like a lovely blue bath tub.

When we sailed away on the following evening,the old girl picked up the knots so rapidly thatcyclists on the towpath, with infants waving fromtheir handlebars, were left behind in our slipstream.

When we sailed back past the giant tanks of LeHavre, illuminated in the night sky, the music wasbelting out of the open doors in Scotts Bar. Waitershanded out plates of scampi, and groups of drinkersspread out across the deck.

After that, on day three, Bruges was a slightanticlimax. We arrived an hour late, with CaptainZhukov's underlings blaming speed restrictions inthe Seine, but the guided tour still got us into 'theVenice of the North' around 2pm.

There was no time for frites and mayonnaise inthe main square, but a brilliant guide crammedmost of it in: the market place dominated by thebrick belfry with 366 steps which starred in 'InBruges', and one of the few Michelangelo scuplturesallowed out of Italy across the street from theoldest hospital in Europe.

Our tour was rounded off by a canal boat ridewhich opened up an entirely new perspective onsome of the most famous landmarks. Passengersducked at the last minute as we swerved beneathlow arches.

We chugged back across the Channel overnight,and Mykhaylo wobbled his eyebrows, hopefully ingratitude but I couldn't be sure, when he got ourtip.

By breakfast time, we were driving home alonga deserted lane in Tilbury, while Marco Polo beganher rapid turnaround.

I'm quite a fan of cut-price cruising: the food ispassable, the enthusiasm of the crew infectious.Give it a go if you are nervous about splashing toomuch cash on a glitzy superliner.

Travel factsJeremy Gates was a guest of Cruise & MaritimeVoyages (CMV), which offers 63 cruises from six UKports in its 2012/3 programme, starting at £75 ex-Tilbury to Hull on May 5. Five-night cruises onMarco Polo ex-Tilbury in October to Rouen,Amsterdam and Antwerp start around £399.

CMV reservations: 0845 430 0274 andwww.cruiseandmaritime.com

04 ● The Spring Issue ● May / June

Let’s Get Away

Wernddu Campsite is situated 1 mile fromAbergavenny Town Centre and has over60 pitches, the majority of which are hardstanding and have all their own individualelectric hookup points, water supply andgrey water waste.

Tourers staying on our site can receivereduced rates on the golf course too!

Our facilities block which is free to use -Includes :-

● Privacy cubicles which have inside toilet, shower and wash basin.

● Male and Female vanity areas with mirrors, hair dryers and shaving points.

● Undercover washing up areas.● Laundry room with washing machine and

tumble dryers. ( COIN METERED )● Male and Female disabled privacy

cubicles.

Old Ross Rd, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. NP7 8NG.Tel: 01873 856223 Fax: 01873 852177Email: info@wernddu-golf-club.co.ukWeb: www.wernddu-golf-club.co.uk

Key facts: Shortbreak cruising■ Best for: City breaks across the Channel,

and as a venue for get-togethers offamilies and friends.

■ Time to go: Mainly in shoulder seasons -spring and autumn - between longervoyages.

■ Don't miss: Lively eveningentertainment, with cabaret, dance andAbba by the bucketload.

■ Need to know: Shuttle buses usuallytake you into port because local cabscan be pricey.

■ Don't forget: Umbrella and mac for promdeck walking and city sightseeing.

For LucaMeningococcal septicaemia victim LucaWilliams had to have both his legs partlyamputated in January. His parents launchedthe Raise Your Hands for Luca campaignwhere people write “For Luca” on their handsattempting to raise £1.5m for prostheticlimbs that are not available on the NHS.

Celebrities, including singer Pixie Lott and racingdriver Sebastian Vettel, have joined in byTweeting pictures of themselves with “For Luca”on their outstretched palms.

Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert, rugbyinternationals George North, Ryan Jones andLeigh Halfpenny and jockey AP McCoy are just afew other famous names supporting theyoungster.

The three-year-old is now recovering at home inNewport with mum Sian Williams.

Dad Mo Syed said: “It is amazing to be gettingthis kind of support. Luca is an inspiration to usall every day.

“The courage he has shown has kept us positiveand made us proud.“We now hope he can maintain a positiveattitude as he copes with the awful effects ofthe disease.”

The family has experienced huge support fromwell-wishers globally via social networking sitesFacebook and Twitter,as they bid to raise £1.5mand raise awareness of the disease.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/forluca or text “LUCA80 £5 or £10” to 70070.

For more information visit facebook.com/forluca1 or follow @for_luca.

■ The campaign has even reached the White House

05● The Spring Issue ● May / June

Britian ● Overseas ● Days Out ● Attractions ● Weekend Breaks

06 ● The Spring Issue ● May / June

Let’s Get Away

How to get bright kidsLiven up your little ones’ wardrobes this summerwith clothes to make them smile. Lisa Haynesreports. BELIEVE it or not, Suri Cruise has beennamed one of the world’s best-dressed women -

at just five-years-old.

In her jelly shoes andparty dresses, the

daughter of Tom Cruise andKatie Holmes has been

deemed stylish enough toland 21st position in

Glamour magazine’sannual poll in

which readersare

invited to vote for their favourite style icons.

But if custom-made Louboutin shoes and totscouture all seems a little highbrow for your tearaway,the seasonal fashion forecast for childrenswear shouldbe right up their street.

“High summer for childrenswear focuses on relaxedbeach holidays,” says Mags Milliken, Matalan’s seniorinfantswear designer.

“Colourful vests, fun stripes, surf and palm treegraphics are essential summer looks for the boys.Neon brights are a huge look for girls along with big,bold, floral prints - fabulousfor brightening up a summerwardrobe.”

Embrace the fun factor on sun-soaked days, butremember holiday-style dressing may not alwaysbe appropriate for your little darlings with thechangeable British weather.Here’s how you can maximise your children’swardrobe this summer with some natty stylingtricks that should keep them smiling throughthose forecast highs and lows.

BRIGHT AND BREEZYGrown-ups have enough problems finding clothesto fit, but children have an ability to shoot upfaster than a beanstalk so buying a hard-workingwardrobe for your kids can be problematic.

Half-Pint Chic founder Nicole Frost(www.halfpintchic.com) knows only too well howcontending with the unpredictable weather andgrowing children can mean clothes need to beadaptable.

“As we don’t generally have clear and definedseasons in the UK, it’s helpful to make sure thatyour children’s wardrobes are interchangeable sothat you don’t end up spending a fortune onitems that will only ever be worn a handful oftimes,” she advises.

“By making clever purchases, your children canstill be stylish without the huge expense.”

Working in the childrenswear industry and a mumof twin girls, Frost offers her expert advice on howto achieve a child-friendly but fashionablesummer wardrobe.

FOCUS ON KEY LINESFun summer novelty accessories will add someseasonal flair to your little one’s look but don’tforget the staples when you’re on a childrenswearsummer spree.

“Buy clothes in key categories such as jeans,skirts, T-shirts and shoes along with the oddweather-appropriate piece such as sandals andhats, then you’ll never be caught out,” Frostrecommends.

“Make sure that each pair of bottoms can bematched to a number of tops and vice-versa sothat the number of overall pieces is reduced butthe amount of new looks is endless.”

DUAL-USE CLOTHINGLove buy one, get one free offers? Keep your eyespeeled for clever clothing that doubles up as twogarments in one - less space in your little one’s

wardrobe for twicethe wear.

“Purchasing itemsthat can be swiftlyadapted for theweather can save alot of time andmoney,” says Frost.

“Trousers that haveinside hooks andbuttons to makethem into shorts area great idea andjackets that have aremovable lining canalso help to keep achild warm or cool aswell as stylish.”

LAYERS, LAYERS,LAYERSDon’t be fooled by blueskies and sunshine. Asharp breeze or surpriserain shower could bearound the corner soensure your child isprepared for allseasons by carryinglight layers you canadd or remove inan instant.

“Cardigans,lightweight jacketsand sweaters arethe perfectcombination over aT-shirt or top toadd some warmthwithoutcompromising onstyle,” says Frost.

“If you buythese pieces inneutral andblock coloursthen they canbe usedregularly to co-ordinate withthe majority of yourchild’s summer outfits.”

07● The Spring Issue ● May / June

Britian ● Overseas ● Days Out ● Attractions ● Weekend Breaks

The Belgrave Hotel

Arrive Friday or SaturdayEnjoy 2 nights mix and match

£89.95 pp3 Nights £127.45 pp

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast on SaturdayBed & Breakfast Friday and SundayCandlelit Dinner & Dance Thursday

and Saturday Gala Menu, Breakfast in Bed SundayMorning

Ring now for Birthdays, Anniversaries and otherspecial breaks.

Come and enjoy the hotels superb

seafront position overlooking Tenby’s

beautiful south beach in a friendly and

comfortable atmosphere.

MidweekB&B from

£37.50pppn

The Esplanade, Tenby, Pembrokeshire SA70 7DUTel: 01834 842377 Fax: 01834 842626

The Belgrave Hotel

Facts about May

Customs and TraditionsMay is named after the Greek goddess, Maia.The month is a time of great celebrations inthe northern hemisphere. It is the time whenflowers emerge and crops begin to sprout.

The Anglo-Saxon name for May was Tri-Milchi,in recognition of the fact that with the lush newgrass cows could be milked three times a day. Itwas first called May in about 1430. Before thenit was called Maius, Mayes, or Mai.

May Day (Garland Day)In Britain, as in most parts of Western Europe,May day marked the end of the harsh wintermonths, welcomed the beginning of Summer,and optimistically looked forward to the brightand productive months. For our ancestors,largely in rural areas, it was a major annualfestival and was celebrated through out thecountry, especially on the first of May withmusic, dancing and games.

Traditional May Day celebrations includeddancing around maypoles and the appearanceof 'hobby horses' and characters such as 'RobinHood' and 'Jack in Green'.

The first of May is Garland DaySo please remember the garland.We don't come here but once a year,So please remember the garland.

Greenery was collected by primary schoolchildren to make garlands. In many Englishvillages children would parade with garlands of

flowers, sometimes fastened to sticks or in theshape of a cross, or fixed to hoops. This wasdone in the hope of collecting money.Sometimes this was known as May Dollingbecause often placed in the centre of thegarland was a small doll.

There are still garland ceremonies today.At Charlton-on-Otmoor, Oxfordshire, a largewooden cross covered with yew and box leavesstands above the rood screen in the church. OnMay Day this is taken down and redecoratedwith fresh greenery and flowers and thechildren carry small decorated crosses aroundthe village and bring them to a special service.Also in Oxfordshire at Brampton, the SpringBank Holiday marks the beginning of thetraditional Morris Dance Season. In the morningchildren bring out a selection of garlands whichare judged in a competition at lunch time. Maydolls are sometimes used in these.

May Day SuperstitionFirst thing in the morning on May 1st, younggirls used to rush out into the garden to washtheir faces in the May dew.

Why?There is an old tale that says that May dew hasmagic properties and that anyone who haswashed their face in it will have a beautifulcomplexion all through the year. This dew wassupposed to be able to remove freckles and alsospots and pimples.

Other Superstition for May● The month of may was considered an unlucky

month particularly for getting married. -'Marry in May and you'll rue the day'

● Being born in May was thought to produce asickly child.

● Never buy a broom in May or wash blankets.Wash a blanket in May.Wash a dear one away.● Cats born this month will not be good

rodent catchers and even worse, will bringsnakes into the home.

● Unlucky days are 3rd, 6th, 7th, 13th, 15thand 20th.

Weather-lore, beliefs and sayings"A wet May makes a big load of hay; A cold May iskindly and fills the barn finely. "“A swarm of bees in May; Is worth a load of hay.”"Mist in May, Heat in June; Makes harvest comeright soon""If you wash a blanket in May; You will wash oneof the family away.""Those who bathe in May; Will soon be laid in clay"

Oak Apple Day (Pinch-Bum Day)This is the day that traditionally people wear oakapples or oak leaves pinned to them to rememberthat on May 29th King Charles ll returnedtriumphantly to London after the restoration ofthe monarchy in 1660.

The reason for the wearing of oak apples or oakleaves was to celebrate the King's narrow escapefrom capture by Cromwell's soldiers by hiding inan oak tree. Until well into the twentieth century,anyone caught not wearing an oak leaf or oakapple on 29 May could be pinched, kicked, orotherwise abused. Whipping with nettles was afavourite punishment, hence the name 'NettleDay' in some areas.

Arbor Tree DayArbor Day, on the last Sunday in May, is theSunday nearest to Oak Apple Day.In Aston-on-Clun in Shropshire, a large treestanding in the centre of the village is decoratedwith flags on the last Sunday in May. The flagsstay on the tree until the following May. Aston-on-Clun is the only place in the UK that still marksthis ancient tradition.People say that in 1786 the local landowner JohnMarston married on May 29th and, when passingthrough the village, saw the villagers celebratingArbor Day. The bride thought that the tree lookedso beautiful covered in flags, that she gave moneyto the village to allow the custom to continue.

Anniversaries● 1st May -Labour Day● 1st May- May Day.● 5th May - 1930 Amy Johnson was the first

woman to fly solo from England to Australia.● 6th May- 1840 The world's first postage

stamp, the 'Penny Black' stamp, becamevalid for use in the UK.

● 6th May - 1954 Roger Bannister ran a milein less than four minutes.

● 8th May - 1945 VE (Victory in Europe) Day.● 9th May Captain Blood attempted to steal

the crown jewels in 1671● 10th May- 1994 Nelson Mandela became

the President of South Africa.● 12th May- 1820 Florence Nightingale was

born.● 15th May The Romans believed this was the

birthday of Mercury, the messenger and sonof Zeus who could travel with the speed ofthought.

● 18th May - 1955 The first Wimpy Baropened in London. Have a treat and visityour local Wimpy, or have a burger night.

● 18th May - 1991 Helen Sharman becamethe first British woman in space.

● 21st May - 1946 Bread rationing introducedin the UK.

● 28th May - 1908 Ian Fleming, author of theJames Bond books, was born.

● 29th May - 1953 Edmund Hillary and TenzingNorgay reached the summit of Everest.

● 29th May Oak Apple Day.● 30th May 1431 Joan of Arc was burned at

the stake.● 30th May Death of King Arthur in 542

08 ● The Spring Issue ● May / June

Let’s Get Away

Before you go:❏ Check passport is valid❏ Check holiday insurance❏ Arrange car hire❏ Arrange airport parking❏ Vaccinations❏ Visa applications

Essentials:❏ Passport❏ Flight Tickets❏ Other Tickets❏ Visas❏ Currency❏ Travellers Cheques❏ Credit cards❏ Holiday Insurance

documentation❏ EHIC Card❏ Holiday home keys❏ Contact Numbers❏ Holiday Address❏ Directions❏ Copies of paperwork and

property details❏ Driving Licence❏ Other ID❏ Personal house/car keys❏ Car breakdown policy❏ Airport parking ticket❏ Photocopies of

Passport/Insurance❏ Itinerary❏ Sports licences/

documentation

Mobile Phone❏ Watch❏ Camera/film❏ Glasses/case❏ Reading glasses

❏ Contact Lenses❏ Hearing Aid❏ Medication❏ Personal dietary

requirements

Clothes:❏ Shorts❏ T Shirts❏ Shirts/Tops❏ Trousers❏ Jeans❏ Skirts❏ Dresses❏ Jumpers❏ Sweatshirts❏ Bras❏ Pants❏ Vests❏ Socks❏ Walking socks❏ Tights❏ Stockings❏ Swimwear❏ Sarong❏ Wedding garments❏ Suit❏ Nightwear❏ Dressing gown❏ Slippers❏ Shoes❏ Sandals❏ Flip flops❏ Pool shoes❏ Trainers❏ Walking boots❏ Coats/Jacket❏ Waterproofs❏ Thermal underwear❏ Specialist Sports

Clothes/Shoes/Boots

Linen:Accessories:❏ Watch❏ Sunglasses❏ Sunhat❏ Gloves❏ Hat❏ Scarves❏ Belt❏ Handbags❏ Jewellery❏ Towels❏ Beach towels

Beach/Sports:❏ Windbreak❏ Bucket and spade❏ Sports equipment❏ Wet suit❏ Beach mats❏ Lilo❏ Inflatable boat❏ Snorkel❏ Goggles❏ Flippers❏ Face mask❏ Surf/Body board❏ Arm bands❏ Frisbee❏ Kite❏ Picnic blanket❏ Picnic box❏ Beach bag❏ Folding chairs❏ Cool box❏ Ice packs❏ Thermos flask

Baby:❏ Travel cot❏ Travel highchair❏ Buggy❏ Baby sling

❏ Baby car seat❏ Car booster seat❏ Baby clothes❏ Disposable nappies❏ Changing mat❏ Changing bag❏ Baby products❏ Bottles❏ Sterilising equipment❏ Powdered milk❏ Baby food❏ Plastic plate/bowl/mug❏ Plastic cutlery❏ Dummies❏ Bedding❏ Night light❏ Intercom❏ Story books❏ Toys❏ Don't forget baby!

Chemist:❏ Glasses/case❏ Reading glasses❏ Contact lenses❏ Contact lens fluid❏ Prescribed medicines❏ Insulin kit❏ Inhaler/Nebuliser❏ Pill/other contraception❏ Travel sickness pills❏ Headache pills❏ Indigestion pills❏ Hay fever tablets❏ Anti-histamine tablets❏ Diarrhoea medicine❏ Nicotine patches❏ Vitamins❏ Bite/sting cream❏ Antiseptic cream/liquid❏ Vaseline❏ Waterproof plasters

❏ Insect repellent❏ Mosquito net❏ First Aid Kit❏ Safety pins

Electrical:❏ Camera❏ Camcorder❏ Tripod❏ Mobile phone❏ Mobile phone charger❏ Plug adaptors❏ Travel Iron❏ Travel Kettle❏ MP3 player❏ Headphones❏ Lap-top❏ Currency converter❏ Electronic translator

Flight Essentials:❏ Support socks❏ Travel pillow❏ Ear plugs❏ Eye mask❏ Boiled sweets❏ Reading material❏ Travel games

Motoring Essentials:❏ Emergency triangle❏ Car jack❏ GB sticker❏ Yellow headlights❏ Map

Toiletries:❏ Suntan lotion❏ After sun lotion❏ Lip protector/balm❏ Fake tan❏ Shampoo

❏ Conditioner❏ Hair products❏ Soap❏ Bath/shower products❏ Shower cap❏ Razor❏ Shaver❏ Shaving cream❏ Aftershave❏ Antiperspirant❏ Toothbrush❏ Toothpaste❏ Electric toothbrush/ charger❏ Dental products❏ Moisturiser❏ Beauty products❏ Perfume❏ Make-up/brushes❏ Nail varnish❏ Make-up bag❏ Tissues❏ Toilet paper❏ Female hygiene

products/tampons❏ Sponge❏ Flannels❏ Wet wipes❏ Wash Bag

Beauty Extras:❏ Hairbrush❏ Comb❏ Hairdryer❏ Hair Straighteners❏ Curling tongs❏ Hair accessories❏ Travel Mirror❏ Nail File/Emery board❏ Nail scissors/clippers❏ Nailbrush❏ Tweezers

Miscellaneous:❏ Travel Alarm Clock❏ Torch❏ Hand held fan❏ Batteries❏ Pen and paper❏ Playing Cards❏ Board Games❏ Books❏ Magazines❏ Guide books❏ Phrase book❏ Map❏ Travel belt❏ Addresses list❏ Diary/notebook❏ Personal organiser❏ Sketch book❏ Artists equipment❏ Business cards❏ Sewing kit❏ Penknife❏ Padlock and keys for

luggage❏ Luggage strap locks❏ Binoculars❏ Backpack❏ Water bottle❏ Hip flask❏ Compass❏ Umbrella❏ Walking Stick❏ Wheelchair❏ Crutches

Pets:❏ Dog lead❏ Cat basket❏ Dog bed/blanket❏ Dog food❏ Toys❏ Pet

Before you go... Holiday Check list