Style Blog

By Andrew Kolasinski 

Our boat had motored out two kilometers from the dock. Now, in the intense mid-day sun we drifted through a cluster of grassy sand islands mid-stream in the Mekong.

The day began in Kratie, on the east bank of the Mekong, 350 kilometers from Phnom Penh. The previous day I rode the bus ride for almost seven hours through pepper farms and rubber plantations.

Kratie, a city of 13,000 has dozens of hotels and guesthouses, all offering tours to see the dolphins.

Kampi, fifteen kilometers north of Kratie, is the port for the dolphin viewing fleet. This riverside village is near the dolphin's feeding grounds. A dozen twenty-foot wooden, double enders are powered by long-shaft engines. Luckily they have awnings to protect against the doubly bright, river glaring sun.

Our young Khmer skipper said there are 20 dolphins, but the pod is healthy and they are now protected by law. They are found in other parts of the Mekong River with a neighboring pod of 35-50 dolphins living among the 4,000 Islands of southern Laos.

When it comes to picnics people tend to talk about them to put them off as it can seem more hassle than its worth. All the preparations, deciding where to go, driving there can all seen daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be an exciting and fun activity for the whole family, and one which every member can participate in, the perfect summer get together.

With miles of beautiful countryside to choose from around the UK, we have dwindled them down to the top 3 places to visit for your family picnic. For those whose picnic preparation isn’t quite up to scratch, there are also plenty of ways to make it extra-special with the delicious seasonal food on offer at the many cafés and shops which surrounds some of these beautiful areas.

Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall.

Set in a steep gorge, this place demonstrates the power of water and its impact on industry. Our film 'Reflections on Tin' traces its 400-year history, from 1584, including a visit by the famous artist JMW Turner. An early water-powered tin works was the last industry here. Today the waters of the River Dulais are used to make Aberdulais Falls self-sufficient in environmentally friendly energy. It has the largest electricity-generating waterwheel in Europe. Lifts enable you to access the cinema and the upper levels for excellent views of the falls.

High Force Waterfall.

Discover the force of nature at High Force, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in England, located at Forest-in-Teesdale, Co. Durham. Raby Castle is situated 20 miles further east at Staindrop. High Force will be operating Summer opening hours daily from 25th March onwards. The walk to the waterfall, the car park, and all visitor facilities such as the shop and toilets will be open. Car parking charges and admissions to the waterfall walk will apply, see below for details.

Mottisfont Abbey.

Ancient trees, bubbling brooks and rolling lawns frame this lovely old house. Crafted from a medieval priory, it is full of surprises, with art that intrigues and delights. Come back throughout the year to see different exhibitions in the gallery and the latest installations by our artists in residence. Carpets of spring bulbs, a stunning walled rose garden, rich autumn leaves and a colourful winter garden make Mottisfont a feast for the senses all year round.

When heading out for a hike you will need a number of professional hiking accessories to help keep you safe and protected whilst out and about.

When you are hiking good quality walking boots are essential, trainers are guaranteed to give you sore feet and blisters, so if you are aiming to hike for long periods of time, invest in a pair of comfortable and sturdy walking boots. Make sure your boots support your foot and ankle equally to avoid slips or falls.

Well, it’s time to sign out from Spain. Two weeks is just not enough in this awe-inspiring country but I will return to bring more news next time of the fashion, food, lifestyle, and culture out here.

So, with a heavy heart, I’ll board the aircraft to London soon, hoping it’s not struck by lightning this time!

On a final note, stay tuned to Style Review, as I’ll be reviewing Fast & Furious 6 next week and getting up close and personal with one of the actual cars used in the film (one of the few that survived the crashes I assume).

Hasta la proxima!

@jsmithwriter

I’ve been in the ‘bubble’ of marina life for two weeks - much disconnected from the realities of working Spain - but just up the road here is the city of El Ejido that is worth a visit for a bit of local culture.

More a town than a city in size, it’s furiously hot and dusty in the summer and scares many tourists away with its unattractive industrial outskirts and ‘plasticos’ - a sea of greenhouses supporting the thriving local fruit and vegetable industry.

And yet, if you look under the surface, the city is rich in culture.  There is an abundance of restaurants and bars, and if you’re lucky, you might catch some Andaluz flamenco music, unforgettable and authentic.

Today, under unusually leadened skies and after a strong ‘café con leche’, I took a stroll around the local flea market run by a German chap. The stallholders hailed from diverse backgrounds: local Spanish and Moroccan, plus German and English nationals. There’s a bizarre mix of stuff on offer from some fairly exotic-looking furniture and antiques, to DVDs, bohemian jewellery, books, tools, and television sets. A good place to get a bargain and brush up on the haggling skills.

@jsmithwriter