Beaufort West, also known as the "Oasis of the Karoo', is situated on the N1. The hospitable shade of the town's pear trees offers a cool welcome after a long, journey through the Karoo. Beaufort West is often referred to as the capital of the Karoo. It is the seat of a number of government organisations and also serves a prosperous sheep and stud horse farming community. Life in town, with its old irrigation-furrows running along the main street, is as tranquil as it was over the past century and a half. Lovely historic buildings contribute to its old world charm. The district is well known for the breathtaking beauty of its veld flowers in spring.
11 June 2022
BEAUFORT WEST
04 June 2022
VERMONT
A Place All Its Own
23 May 2022
ABERDEEN
No other Scottish city is like Aberdeen, with its remarkable granite character. Bold blocks of gray granite buildings, silver when the sun shines, lend distinction to this northern place. Granite may be austere, but the city is softened by an emphasis on flowers. Aberdeen is also the oil capital of Britain. It offers a good range of places to see within the old core of the city and makes a good base for exploring the hinterland with its castles, coastline, whisky distilleries and royal connections.
15 May 2022
WHISTLER
Whistler is the largest ski resort in Canada. Set among the spectacular Coast Mountains, just 120 km north of Vancouver, the resort is divided into four distinct areas: Whistler Village, Village North, Upper Village, and Creekside. Whistler and Blackcomb mountains have the greatest vertical rises of any ski runs in North America. The skiing here can be among the best in the world, with mild Pacific weather and reliable winter snow. Café-lined cobbled squares and cozy bars and restaurants cater to all tastes, while a range of stores sell everything from ski-wear to native arts and crafts in this friendly resort. Whistler was the 2010 Winter Olympics venue for all snow sports, from downhill skiing to luge. Ranked the Number One ski resort in North America. It is also famous for golfing, hiking, sailing, windsurfing, river-rafting and even glacier skiing in the summer months.
08 May 2022
MURRUMBIDGEE
From its source high in the Australian Alps, the Murrumbidgee River winds through the alpine regions of Kosciuszko National Park and the Monaro High Plains, and then through the Australian Capital Territory. Once the river reaches the south-west slopes of New South Wales, it heads west across the riverine plains to its confluence with the River Murray near Balranald. The word Murrumbidgee means “big water” in the Wiradjuri language. The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area is one of the most diverse and productive regions in Australia. Water has been central to the Murrumbidgee’s growth over the past century. It is one of the most productive regions in Australia as an important food bowl, international exporter and burgeoning tourism industry.
28 March 1922 - Widening of the main canal with Bucyrus Dragline
26 April 2022
PARROT CAY
Parrot Cay, the only private island resort in the Turks and Caicos, combines unspoilt nature with relaxed luxury, beachside villas and estates, a mile of pristine white sand beach. It is one of the most secluded and exclusive resort islands in the northern Caribbean. Here you'll have no choice but relax. Aside from just plain basking in the sun, major attractions are diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, golfing and bird-watching.
The island was originally named Pirate Cay because of a local legend that famous female pirate Anne Bonny camped here in the 1720s. It was renamed Parrot Cay as to not frighten visitors. The island is a popular retreat for celebrities who have fallen in love with the altruistic hospitality which is as exceptional as the natural beauty of Parrot Cay.
Received from Thomas Goatherd, Northamptonshire
16 April 2022
BEADNELL
Beadnell is a small village set at the end of a sheltered, horseshoe-shaped beach called Beadnell Bay. This sweeping crescent of beach is fun for everyone, with golden sand perfect for sand castle building, beach cricket, and water sports. With its protected waters and stunning beach, Beadnell is a watersports paradise.
The harbour walls of Beadnell were built in the 1790's and the lime kilns of that date still remain. Stretching from the harbour is the long golden sweep of Beadnell bay with the ruined Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance. This sheltered bay makes an ideal location for some of the best sailing and wind surfing on the Northumberland coast. The village provides a range of pubs and cafes. There is an historic church dedicated to St Ebba. The church is popular with local residents and holds many memorials to local families.
BEADNELL HARBOUR
The entrance to Beadnell harbour actually faces west making it the only west-facing on the east coast of England. This combination of charm and accessibility makes Beadnell a popular holiday village on the north east coast. Walkers and ramblers will enjoy visiting Beadnell, it has miles of perfect walking routes along the beautiful coastline.
Received from Thomas Goatherd, Northamptonshire
09 April 2022
DAYTONA BEACH
Daytona Beach, located along the east coast of central Florida, was founded in 1870 and officially became a city when it was incorporated in 1876. This resort is famous for its 23-mile beach, lined with a wall of hotels. The waterfront boardwalk offers concerts in the bandstand, arcades, and go-karts. During Spring Break, nearly 200,000 college students descend on the beach for this ritual party. This is also one of the few beaches in Florida where cars are allowed on the sands, a hangover from the days when motor enthusiasts, such as Louis Chevrolet and Henry Ford, raced on the beaches. The Daytona International Speedway nearby draws huge crowds, especially during the Speedweek in February and the Motorcycle Weeks in March and October. Daytona International Speedway is known as the “World Center of Racing.” It’s the place where dreams begin and history is made.
Daytona International Speedway * Home of The Great American Race
02 April 2022
BRAY
The thriving town of Bray is situated approximately 20 kms south of Dublin. Backed by the Wicklow Mountains which rise in great heather-clad masses behind the town, Bray is the gateway to the Garden of Ireland - Wicklow. Bray's sandy beach and esplanade are popular with both tourists and locals alike. Once a refined Victorian resort, Bray is nowadays a brash holiday town, with amusement arcades and fish and chip shops lining the sea front. Its beach attracts large crowds in summer, including many young families. The annual mid-summer seaside festival attracts thousands of visitor every year.
27 March 2022
YORKSHIRE COAST
A hauntingly beautiful region, Yorkshire is the largest of England’s historic counties (and its proud inhabitants would say it’s the only one worth visiting). The coastline of the North York Moors offers a dramatic view of spectacular white cliffs covered in pink heather, which plummet down to the dark sea hundreds of feet below. Cottages pile on top of each other in a glorious jumble round the tiny harbor of Staithes. Runswick Bay, also a fishing village, is more ordered in its red-roofed, white-washed , cliff-clinging cottages above a fine, sandy beach.
Bridlington * Staithes * Whitby
Robin Hood's Bay * Runswick Bay * Thornwick Bay
In precarious clifftop site with steep flights of steps and narrow passages, Robin Hood's Bay is yet another lovely fishing village. Though associations with the famous outlaw are tenuous, smuggling stories are readily authenticated. Low tide reveals vast sand, rock-pools and fossils. A Norwegian whalebone arch reminds you that Whitby was once an important whaling centre; now interest lies in the old town on the east side of the Esk River, with tea and antique stores, and jewelers selling the gemstone jet.