Category — Places To Visit

The smell of the earth met my nose,

the rich soil crushed beneath my feet,

so different the greens of the gorse, I sighed

as I trod God’s glorious land.

Breathing deeply, the cold air spiking my lungs.

A light mist felt damp against my warm face,

the view majestic from every turn.

I dug deep for energy for I was on top of the world,

for this is what it seemed to me.

The barren trees looked wicked

their prickly swaying arms fighting against the cruel wind.

This place suited my mind, this place suited my soul.

The dry stone walls stood strong but in odd places,

who had built them there?

The sun and the clouds merged as a delicate rainbow presented…

Up in the heavens I found peace.

And you were not far away.

Safely tucked in the pocket next to my heart…

All Rights Reserved 2012.

Having just returned from an excellent holiday in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt,  I could not help but compare how different it was from the Egypt I have known over the years.  Modern Sharm which sits at the bottom of the Sinai Peninsula where the stunning dramatic rugged desert meets the crystal clear Red Sea is mighty impressive.  It has an international reputation as an extraordinary diving destination, with clear crystal seas jam packed with amazing delights of the many different species of coral and stunning  fish.

This small fishing village has changed in a few short years to a bustling holiday destination packed with modern hotels all with  the luxuries of modern day living. Diving centres, yacht charters, desert safaris, quad biking, casinos and discos are all there  ready for the tourists delight.

Sharm El Sheikh,  this cosmopolitan capital of Sinai  is heralded  as a city of  peace even in these troubled times.

Our hotel of choice (there are many) was set  in an oasis of peaceful grounds filled with pink, white and deep red bougainvillaea, oleander  cactus and many palms. The gardens well established and beautifully tended by  a dedicated team of gardeners. Such a massive feat in this blazing heat!

Naama Bay is the heart of Sharm and  is a cornucopia of the most amazing energy ever set in one place. Souks and shops selling all manner of things from fake watches to jade beads and spices via together for a little business, the owners pleading for you to spend your time visiting their emporiums.

The tremendous bustle and noise coming from the restaurants, bars, ‘shisha’ cafes, clubs and discos seem a desperate call for contrived enjoyment, somewhat different from the old alleys of Cairo and Alexandria that I know so well. The  town of Naama Bay is  filled with local crafts and tourist souvenirs and it  had to be different. This is a modern place, the first Hotel  in Sharm as new as the 80’s. It could not be the same for me of course as this was also the first time travelling  to Egypt without my ‘Egyptian Pharaoh’.  Stirring such memories of  past joys,  although I often felt his hand in mine and words of his often reached  my ears.  This was a unique and different time. I loved the Old Market of Sharm with its winding streets of the old town. Where I once again practised my haggling skills trying to remember not very successfully, all that Hamada had taught me of this unique skill much loved  by the traders. Both my sons doing so much better at this than me. I loved the carpets laid ready for the serving of mint tea in  traditional manner, the Bedouin coffee shops all such a reminder of days gone by with my love.

I adored the luxury of our hotel set in the most beautiful green and flowering gardens with six wonderful swimming pools to choose from. Indeed it was as hot as hell! August certainly not a time to take small children I feel, but the luxury suites, efficient air conditioning, hour long massages, ice cold cloths to cool us at midday and great food for even the most discerning palate made up for that.

I loved the luxury of the Sinai Casino now the biggest casino in the  whole of the Middle East which again reminded me of exciting times spent in Cairo with Hamada. This time spending such a fun time with my two sons playing roulette for the first time and  all of us sensibly coming away with winnings.

The amazing sun and heat of everyday. The outstanding sunsets over the Sinai mountains, that fall amongst the most breath taking foreground I have ever seen.

I loved as always the smell and taste of this unique land, the sepia colour of night fall and the gentle smiling people of this beautiful part of the world and although a very different Egypt from Cairo or Alexandria to me. It was still an ultimate experience with my wonderful family who were just the very best travelling companions and made my holiday quite perfect with their loving care. Yes for sure, it was for me, a sensual memory of my beloved Hamada and a time I will always remember.

When I was caring for Hamada my son Jo asked what would I like to do when I was able to spend some time away from home. When you are a carer well for me anyway, I seldom thought beyond the next day prescriptions, caring, or hospital appointments. We still had great occasions but going anywhere in the past few years was of course difficult. You give of yourself gracefully when you love someone deeply. Still somewhere tucked away was a wish to see the old haunts of London again.  I had worked there in the sixties and have never lost my love of  this wonderful city.It had been a long time since I have spent anytime there and you probably know the old saying   “When you are tired of London, you are tired of life” and I am certainly not tired of life! 

So last week I drove down to my son Jo’s beautiful barn in the Chilterns,  such an amazing weeks stay, right  from the moment I arrived to the lovely on-suite room on the first floor.

Jo had arranged some wonderful carefully selected treats that he knew I would just love. Starting straight away on the first night with cocktails at a very exclusive club in Beaconsfield  called “Crazy Bear” www.crazybeargroup.co.uk  The stunning elaborate decor was something else! take a look at the link.  I spent the whole time admiring the setting and the beautiful young people that adorned this trendy place. I selected the  pretty coral pink cocktail “Singapore Sling” the base being Bombay Sapphire Gin which is a firm favourite of mine. It was absolutely delicious!  From Crazy Bear we went on to a rather cool Moroccan restaurant “Ayoush” www.ayoush.com  we had a Mezza starter and  then a delicious chicken and spinach dish which was supremely buttery, something I will try to recreate at home. Then a Lamb Tagine which is so typically Moroccan and with the Arabic music playing, it really set the scene, I felt as if I had already had a little holiday in some foreign clime.

The weekend brought the best surprises with a real reason to dress-up!  Jo drove early to London the first stop being  the exciting, simply amazing Vertigo42 ! www.vertigo42.co.uk  this cool champagne bar overlooking almost the whole of London. We sat on high stools in front of sheer plate glass, going through security and then whizzing –up in the fastest lift possible I was beyond excited.  This magical vision which delighted me as I quickly spotted,  St Pauls Cathedral, Tower Bridge, The Millennium Wheel, City Bank in Canary Wharf and all those sparkling lights of old London Town. The shining curves of the River Thames slithering like a snake between the old and the new buildings of this wonderful capital. Even looking down! on the aptly named Gherkin which shadowed below us made my heart beat faster. What a thrill, I could have stayed there forever watching and looking at the amazing history of this sensational  twinkling  city-view, from what seemed like the middle of the sky.

Next stop was a treat beyond compare and a place that I had long to visit again, having gone there for afternoon tea in the late 60’s when as a young girl I was working in London. Yes you’ve probably guessed “The Ritz”  This beautiful old hotel which dates back to 1906 and opened by Swiss hotelier Caesar Ritz. The building is neo classical in the Louis XVI manner, built to resemble a stylish Parisian block of flats. It was the first substantial steel-frame structure in London.  Elegant beyond compare with service of  exceptional perfection. From the moment the door of Jo’s car was opened for me and the doorman taking the car for parking, to the warm welcome and  perfect attention to the visitors needs and just ultimate luxury throughout. With its faded pinks and gold ornate ceilings and priceless crystal chandeliers, it is a delightful place to visit. We had cocktails at the art deco Rivoli Bar which was divine and with a perfect “Iceberg” I drank  this beautiful azure blue drink in these quite perfect surroundings as my eyes feasted on the splendid soft lighting and perfect elegance of this stunning hotel. I thought later as I tip-toed down the pink faded carpet to the Ladies Power Room, just who had walked those stairs before. Edward VII,Charlie Chaplin, Sir Winston Churchill, Noel Coward for sure, Judy Garland,Evelyn Waugh,Elizabeth Taylor. Oh! such names to conjure with.

The Rivoli Bar, built in the Art Deco style, was designed in 2001 by interior designer Tessa Kennedy, to look like a bar on the Orient Express.It certainly looked like that and so much more. It is wonderful to know that these elegant places still survive in this sometimes harsh world of ours. Stunning and spectacular!

We are not really supposed to take photos but I will insert these two that were taken by mobile phone – so does that count I wonder?

                                                 “Putting On The Ritz”

Jo is a perfect host, looking after me so well during my five day”special treat” stay, he has inherited many of his Fathers elegant and stylish ways. I am supremely proud of him, how clever his wonderful distraction therapy has been at this time.

Thank you Jo. Mummy will return to her quiet little village content and thrilled at this fabulous treat and my memories of this delicious time will stay for always.