LAUNCH OF A NEW COOL GUIDE TO CANALS
A new book was launched recently behind which, is an inspiring story of how to make things happen even in these times of credit crunch. Here is the story….

Who are Coolcanals Guides?

Martine O’Callaghan was born in beautiful County Cork, Ireland. She graduated with a degree in Spanish and French from King's College; London then lived in Spain and worked in the travel industry for most of her early career.

Phillippa Greenwood has had a wayward itchy-feet-career ever since graduating with a degree in Art. Since then, she got married, had 2 kids, got divorced. Got a sensible job as special needs teacher. And finally got real and escaped to the water.

What got you interested in canals?

Phillippa was inaugurated at an early age into the world of canals by extended family who owned The Narrowboat Hotel Company (Dawn and Dusk - a traditional pair of narrowboats) in the late1970s.

In 2002 we were living by the canal in Alvechurch – and one day walked past Alvechurch boat marina. Martine had never been on a narrowboat before, yet we decided on a whim to give up our careers, sell the house, car, household contents and start a new self-sufficient eco-life travelling with our four cats in a narrowboat.

We bought the shell of a narrowboat (Sailaway plus) and built the interior ourselves. The payback for our bohemian foolishness meant we lived without the luxuries of running water, electricity, respectable careers, an address and the right to vote in the next political election. Instead we lived blissfully off-grid and on the move, with our 4 stalwart cats.

Logistically the build was a nightmare and in the chaos we had no choice but to quickly learn about push-fit plumbing pipes, the merits of a galvanic isolator and the perils of a blunt chisel when gauging a mortise joint. Self-made paupers, we couldn’t afford to buy oak or ash for the build so we scavenged from skips for good ethical reclaimed wood and dismantled other people’s cast-off furniture. We saw ourselves as discerning hill-billies (or is it water-billies?) going the whole hog in the good-life dream: no fridge, TV, washing machine etc.

Did you fit in with the boat community?

Even by the ‘anything goes’ canal culture, as two women and four cats, we were unusual. The boating community seemed to recognise us before we pulled up to moor for the night (The ‘Word’ is the only thing that travels at speed on the water road). Everyone we met was unconditionally friendly and we were happy to stake our place.

Why did you launch Coolcanals Guides?

A self-sufficient life afloat meant our currency was trading skills and swapping any excess food we could grow in pots on the boat’s roof. Without the overheads of a car, mortgage, normal household bills etc., we managed without much money for over a year. But inevitably the annual boat licence fees and diesel costs forced us to source some income. We found that writing freelance articles about the waterways for magazines helped pay the bills. Somehow we got the bug and wanted to share more of the secrets we discovered from the world of canals.

We saw the canals as a destination in their own right, with their own lingo, culture, architecture, landscape, heritage and full range of activities for everyone. There were guidebooks about Spain, Uruguay, the Lake District, but nothing up-to-date about canals except navigational guides. We thought it was a screaming gap in the market, but unable to persuade anyone to publish us we wandered into the world of publishing on our own, without knowing anything about it, but everything in our bones told us to do it anyway; and the time was right since, ironically, the credit crunch and eco tourism could make Britain’s inland waterways more popular with holiday and leisure seekers than ever before.

How did you manage to start a publishing company in the credit crunch with no experience or financial backing?

We’re resourceful women. It’s a similar learning curve to starting a new life on our narrowboat:

o We never waste resources or bother with frills

o We trade skills for currency

o We learned how to do for ourselves everything that a team of experts would do - play with design, tackle technology, barter with printers, haggle with wholesalers and cajole friends and family

What’s next for Coolcanals Guides?

As well as revamping www.coolcanalsguides.com, we will be adding more books to the ‘Cool Canals’ series – all produced in the same style with cool photography and our usual spike of personal research with opinion.

Next books to be published are:

March 2010: Cool Canals Walking Weekends (Britain) Cool Canals Pub Days Out (Britain) June 2010: Dances with Ducks (Feisty and funny account of our ‘good life’ follies afloat) “

Hot Brands Verdict
As well as an inspiring story behind the publication, this book is an absolute delight, as a guide it’s a perfect size for taking with you on holiday. It is an absolute fund of information, so much more than just canals, walks, bike rides, where to find food, pubs, history, festivals, things for children, pets, quirky adventures, wild and free wildlife areas, waterside camping, hotels, waterside and floating B&B’s, cottages, mills and cosy retreats, and guides to special places and much, much, more, including the authors' Top 10 Canals and 7 wonders of the waterways; plus a useful reference section. Highly Recommended as an essential guide, with beautiful photography and a great first publication.

www.coolcanalsguides.com/

www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/features/4-off-cool-new-canal-book

ALL SET FOR A SUMMER OF FUN WITH LITTLE PRINCESS AND HER FREE FAMILY EVENTS
Westfield London, John Lewis and Peter Jones get ready to roll out the red carpet for families to meet Five Milkshake’s TV star Little Princess.

Fans of the Little Princess preschool show on Five’s Milkshake! and best-selling international picture books can join their heroine and award-winning author and illustrator, Tony Ross, for exclusive storytelling sessions this summer. On Friday 31 July 2009 the sessions will take place in John Lewis Oxford Street branch and Peter Jones in Sloane Square, and on Saturday 1 August 2009 in the John Lewis Kingston branch. Plus, catch Little Princess and her favourite Milkshake! TV presenters Jen Pringle and Derek Moran at Shimmer ’09 - Westfield London’s summer event, on Tuesday 4 August 2009 for singing, dancing and a fun free day out that is guaranteed to get the royal seal of approval!

Celebrating the wonderful array of Little Princess books and her toy range from Born to Play available to buy instore at John Lewis, Tony Ross will be treating shoppers to exclusive storytelling sessions with the Little Princess character costume by his side bringing this blue blooded young royal to life. The sessions in the Oxford Street and Kingston John Lewis’ branches will take 15 minutes starting at 10.30am and 11.30am, whilst the sessions in Peter Jones on Friday 31 July will start at 2.45pm and 3.30pm. All sessions begin with a meet and greet and will be followed by Tony Ross signing autographs and his best-selling Little Princess books as well as photo opportunities for all royal fans to enjoy.

As part of Westfield London’s summer festival, Little Princess will make a debut appearance with the Milkshake! TV presenters Jen and Derek to perform extracts from their Milkshake! Live My First Concert theatre tour on the main stage in the shopping centre. The TV stars look forward to meeting VIPs (Very Important Princes and Princesses) who can then join in with singing and dancing and more storytelling sessions in Foyles bookstore. Plus, for every Little Princess book you buy in Foyles, 10p will be donated to the charity, Help A London Child. Visitors can pick up a free goody bag packed full of Little Princess treats including a £10 money off voucher for a family ticket to the Milkshake! Live tour at Hammersmith Apollo on 19 and 20 September (www.five.tv/milkshake <http://www.five.tv/milkshake> ), a colouring pad, crown, DVD and more!

Topping every little girl and boy’s Christmas wish list, the range of Little Princess toys is now better than ever and includes the beautifully crafted wooden puppet theatre, castle play set and dress up set as well as cuddly toys of Little Princess and Gilbert and collectable beanies of character favourites like Puss and Scruff. A whole range of TV tie-in books are available from Andersen Press, including I Want a Sledge! (£7.99) this story offers double the trouble as it includes a special Little Princess DVD! Based on the international best-selling children’s picture books by Tony Ross, the Little Princess TV series features the voice talents of international television and film star, Jane Horrocks and presenter/comedian, Julian Clary and is currently airing on FIVE’s Milkshake! weekdays at 8:35am. For more information, visit www.littleprincesskingdom.com <http://www.littleprincesskingdom.com/>

STAYCATION IN COWES THIS SUMMER
1- 8 August 2009

Cowes Week, the oldest and largest sailing regatta of its kind, sets sail on 1 August 2009 and is free to attend as a spectator*. (*. Some venues may require an entrance fee in the evening)

Cowes is popular with sailors and non-sailors alike, who come to watch the yachts and to take advantage of the great entertainment on offer both day and night.

Families onboard
Cowes Week offers fun-packed entertainment for all ages. Whether you’re watching the boats racing, enjoying the street theatre and live music throughout the town, or simply taking in the unique festival atmosphere of the event, there’s something for everyone. For those with plenty of energy, the RNLI, as the event’s official charity, also hosts ‘Get Your Kit On’, where competitive mums, dads and children can help raise money for the charity.

Maiden voyage?
If watching the racing gives you the sailing bug, then why not have a go? You can ‘Try Racing’ with Cowes Sailing School (www.cowessailingschool.co.uk/tryracing.html) or ‘Rock up and Race’ with ondeck (www.ondeck.co.uk). For those simply wanting to watch from the water, there are also a number of spectator boat options, offering trips to watch the racing action up close (details on the Cowes Week website from the beginning of June).

Only the best for the Captain’s table!
The Isle of Wight is renowned for good quality local food and drink. There is an abundance of restaurants and pubs in Cowes and throughout the Island, offering home grown fruit and vegetables, Island reared meat, freshly caught fish of the day, and local wines, beers and ciders.

Night owls
The festivities continue into the night with parties and balls all week, including the fabulous RNLI ball on Monday 3 August (tickets available from mid April), and live music throughout the many bars and pubs.

A highlight every year is the world-renowned fireworks on the final Friday of Cowes Week, when tens of thousands flock from near and far to watch the spectacular display over the Solent.

Bunking down
Cowes and the rest of the Island offers some first rate accommodation to suit all budgets, from seafront apartments and boutique hotels to camp sites, caravan parks and spacious holiday houses. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Getting there
Red Funnel operate a hi-speed ferry service (23 minutes) between Cowes and Southampton giving fast access to the excitement of Cowes Week from Southampton. Trains from London to Southampton take little more than an hour, and motorway links with the rest of the UK are excellent. In addition, a dedicated Cowes Week service also operates between Lymington and Cowes, courtesy of Blue Funnel.

For more information about Cowes Week visit: www.cowesweek.co.uk
For further information on places to visit, eat, and stay on the Island visit www.gowight.net or www.islandbreaks.co.uk.

Special offer on accommodation
The Jury’s Inn, Southampton is offering family rooms to accommodate 2 adults and up to 2 children under 12 from £94.00 per night during Cowes Week. This includes accommodation and English breakfast for the whole family. This special price will be available for all bookings, with a minimum of a 3 night stay, subject to availability.

Visit http://southamptonhotels.jurysinns.com/

'SPIRIT OF THE FOREST' NOW AT HARVEY NICHOLS, LONDON
Since 17th July and for the next six weeks, Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge has been transformed by a strange wooden life-form which has unwittingly found itself suspended in the window, merging with models clad in the new range of pre-Fall formal wear available in the store. Spirit of the Forest is born in Knightsbridge, and grows up through the windows as it adjusts to its new and strange surroundings and interacts with the models with increasing intensity. Where has it come from? What does it want? Is it friendly? In a final gesture of love, it shows us its heart on the corner of Sloane Square before its rebirth.

UK designer and wood-bender extraordinaire Charlie Whinney has brought his individual vision to Harvey Nichols in a giant 50 metre long steam-bent Oak and Ash sculpture, incorporating real branches, roots and tree-stump.

The sculpture totals over 450 metres of unique steam-bent wood, which twist, curve, coil and dance their way through the whole length of the store including over the main entrance, in a bizarre series of surreal scenes. A CurlyShade from Charlie’s range can be found hidden in the middle of the scene, and the mannequins flaunt hair and headdresses made from steam-bent wooden coils.

The scheme was based on an original concept by Charlie Whinney, and developed by the Harvey Nichols in-house design team led by award-winning Laura O’Connor (creative director), and Charlie Whinney Associates (www.charliewhinney.com), with original artwork by designer/illustrator Sarah Hoyle.

The sculpture is another one-of-a-kind creation that pushes this type of steam-bending process of eco-friendly green wood further than ever before, and surely establishes Charlie Whinney as one of the world leaders of using wood in innovative ways. It also augments Harvey Nichols’ reputation for exuberant and challenging window displays.
Following its six weeks in London, the sculpture will feature in all of the six UK and Ireland Harvey Nichols stores over the next year – Bristol, Dublin, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester.

FESTIVAL ESCAPE AT ONE SPA WITH SUMMER SAVINGS
The award-winning One Spa in Edinburgh is offering two summer saving spa packages in August, for those in need of some pampering this season. Ideal for guests wanting to escape festival season or simply enjoy a relaxing, tranquil experience in the city.

Costing just £65 per person the City Escape includes all the luxurious facilities at One Spa followed by a complimentary light lunch in the Spa café – worth over £15.

Visitors can soothe aching muscles in the Thermal Suite which features a series of heat treatments inspired by the bathing rituals of the ancient Celts and Romans. Choose from seven different heat experiences including the penetrating heat of the Rock or Bio saunas, to the warmth of the Laconism and comfort of the Trepidation’s heated couches. Following this, immerse in the bubbling saline waters of the outdoor rooftop Hydropool. The City Escape includes use of the 19m infinity swimming pool, aromatic Cleopatra Baths, relaxation areas and state-of-the-art gym.

The Festival Escape offers a choice of either an Intensive Facial where the focus will be on naturally improving the condition of the skin and enhancing its appearance, or an Essential Body Massage where a Lifestyle Consultation will allow the therapist to choose the most appropriate massage to meet your specific needs. The Festival Escape includes use of all the One Spa facilities and costs £95 per person – a saving of £45!

The two summer saving spa packages are valid Monday to Friday throughout August, subject to availability. To book please contact One Spa on 0131 221 7777 quoting “City Escape” or “Festival Escape.” For more information visit www.onespa.com

MICHELIN TRAINED CHEF PROVIDES LAVISH FOR LESS WITH LAUNCH OF CATERING SERVICE
Wiltshire chef Michael Collom is proud to launch Matter of Taste, a bespoke catering service - offering elegant, personalised dining experience in homes and at venues.

Michelin trained Michael; head chef at the renowned The Bath Priory for 17 years, produces top class yet affordable food for private dinner parties, corporate clients and all types of occasions including weddings.

Matter of Taste allows customers to celebrate that special occasion in style, even in the current economic climate, with elegant and imaginative three course dinner party menus available at £25 per head and buffets and even barbeques to suit every budget. With Matter of Taste, diners can have Michelin quality food but without the costs of restaurant dining.

Michael and his team take the stress out of entertaining with the service including the shopping, preparation, cooking, serving and even the washing up. Each dish for a customer’s menu is discussed and tailored to suit their individual requirements. Top quality ingredients are given the five star treatment and prepared with great thought and attention to detail to ensure a culinary experience to remember.

“As far as my philosophy on food is concerned, it’s quite simple: take the freshest and best quality ingredients you can buy and treat them with all the love, care and attention they deserve,” explains Michael Collom. “The customer’s venue, their menu and my expertise is the recipe for the perfect dinner party or celebration,” he continued.

About Michael Collom

Michael’s culinary background is mainly working in Michelin starred country house hotels. His overseas experience included working in Jamaica & The Cayman Islands, as well as the famous three star Michelin Hotel le Cote Saint Jacques in France.

He has run successful cookery classes and written a cookery book, the proceeds of which were given to Little Bridge House Children’s Hospice in Devon.

Much of his culinary influence came when working under the Austrian chef Karl Loderer at Gravetye Manor, Sussex. Through his teaching and guidance he became head chef at the Priory Hotel in Bath where he remained for 17 years.

http://www.matteroftaste.co.uk/home.html

SIMPLY REAL SAUSAGES
One of the finest sausage makers in London for the past twenty years, Simply Real Sausages are re-launching under the new ownership of David House and Justin Preston from Rare Butchers. Having previously turned around the fortunes of the ailing Allens of Mayfair butchers back in 2006, David and Justin now aim to do the same for Simply Real Sausages, whose once strong presence in the London market, with shops in Smithfield and Soho, had diminished in recent years.

David and Justin took over Simply Real Sausages a year ago and while the quality of the product was never in question, they have used this time to build up the distribution. Simply Real Sausages and burgers are now available from some of the finest food shops and butchers in London and the South East, including Harrods Food Hall, restaurants and hotels including The Dorchester and Soho House Group. Furthermore, Simply Real Sausages are now available nationwide for the first time through their brand new website

Nicholas Mann, master sausage maker has been with the company since the age of fifteen. He and his team use only the finest, prime pork shoulder from outdoor reared pigs and natural skins to ensure a top quality sausage. Steak is used for the beef burgers and again, it's British. The sausages are made in small batches to order and the new online delivery system means that sausages made in the morning are dispatched on the same day to ensure maximum freshness.

The Simply Real Sausages range has been greatly expanded and now features over 40 varieties as well as beef burgers in four different weights. Seasonal produce is often added and for autumn and winter, these will include: Pork and chestnut, Pork, cranberry sage and Stilton and Pork, prune and cognac.

Nicholas and the team have also taken some of the best recipes from around the country and created their own versions. Traditionally, sausages originated with butchers from county to county using a selection of celebrated local produce, hence most counties having their own variety. The British range includes Somerset (pork apple and cider), Lincolnshire (pork, sage and mustard seeds) and Glamorgan (pork, leek and ginger). The Gourmet selection includes sausages with strong, gamey flavours, such as Pheasant, parsley and thyme, Steak and Ale and Venison with mushroom. There is also an extensive ‘world’ selection as well as a fine range of vegetarian sausages including Mushroom and tarragon, Feta and olive and Algerian sausages spiced with harissa paste.

Simply Real Sausages are priced at £3.75 for a pack of six (min weight 450g), with the Gourmet range priced at £4.75 for a pack. Available to order from: http://www.simplyrealsausagesonline.co.uk/

GILGAMESH IS THREE!

Acclaimed Pan-Asian restaurant Gilgamesh has been delighting diners for almost three years and to celebrate their birthday they would like to offer lucky diners the chance to win a signature birthday cocktail to toast their good health and ongoing success.

From Monday 3rd August until Thursday 6th August diners will be presented with a dice on arrival at their table and if they roll the magic number three they will be entitled to a complimentary birthday cocktail.

Threesome, a cocktail designed by Gilgamesh’s mixologists in honour of its birthday is a heady mix of Cocktail Passion Fruit Juice, Cranberry Juice, Absolut Vodka topped with Champagne.

The birthday festivities will culminate in a party on the evening of Thursday 6th August, hosted by the famous designer Christian Audigier. The designer’s luxurious Audigier champagne will be flowing and Ed Hardy (the brand Christian designs for) garments will be given away to lucky guests. The perfect end to an entire week of celebrations.

So head down to Gilgamesh and try your luck with the dice!

GILGAMESH
Camden View
Camden Stables Market
Chalk Farm Road
London NW1 8AH
020 7 482 5757
www.gilgameshbar.com

LEICA CAMERA ANNOUNCES THE LEICA PINMASTER
Leica Camera has announced the LEICA PINMASTER, a laser rangefinder designed specifically to help club golfers reduce their handicap.

The LEICA PINMASTER enables the user to enjoy a superb close-up view of the golf course (or other location) and determine the precise distance to the pin easily and accurately, therefore allowing the player to make an informed choice on club selection. The user simply aims the PINMASTER at the pin, and at the press of a button, the eye-safe laser beam – coupled with ‘first target logic’ technology – will measure the exact distance to the pin with ease, in the blink of an eye. The accuracy of Leica’s first target logic ensures that the PINMASTER picks out the very first object in its path, i.e. the pin, rather than tree branches or other objects behind it.

Tough and durable but with a lightweight carbon-reinforced body, the LEICA PINMASTER is watertight to a depth of one metre, making it suitable for use in all weather conditions on the golf course.

Based on the successful LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF, renowned for its high-performance optics, the LEICA PINMASTER also features a tried-and-tested single key operation. Aiming the device at the pin and pressing the activation button brings up an LED aiming square within the magnified view. The user then aims the square at the pin, and a second press triggers the metering process. Distance measurements up to 820 yards (longer than any hole in the UK) are shown in the LED display within the viewing system.

Jon Sareen, commercial manager, Leica Camera Ltd, said, “The PINMASTER measurements are accurate to +/- one yard for the majority of crucial golf shots – those under 300 yards. It’s almost like having the world’s most experienced caddy with you on the fairway.”

Furthermore, the LEICA PINMASTER offers a 7x magnification and a large field of view of 347 feet at a distance of 1,000 yards. The eye-piece features a dioptre adjustment, which enables the user to select the best setting for their eyesight, and is suitable for people who wear glasses. In addition, the LED display automatically adjusts its brightness to suit the ambient lighting conditions of the day, being bright in strong sunlight whilst dimming down in low light, so as to be visible and user-friendly at all times.

The LEICA PINMASTER not only saves time capturing distances, but also delivers precise readings every time. The extensive range and fast, simple operation mean users avoid the complexity and expense of maintaining electronic mapping systems, and furthermore, the PINMASTER performs accurately whatever the weather conditions.

Use of the LEICA PINMASTER on the golf course is allowed under R&A rule 14.3.

For full technical specifications, please visit: http://uk.leica-camera.com/news/news/1/6634.html

Pricing and availability

The LEICA PINMASTER, which includes a case, battery and neck strap, has an SRP of £469 and is available in the UK and Republic of Ireland from the end of July 2009 from Leica stockists.

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