Radio Gorgeous

Do you really think you know Ed Sheeran? Top biographer to the stars Sean Smith tells Josephine things you never knew about the super successful, 21st Century, down to earth pop star who is worth £80 million.

#EdSheeran #ManWeek #RadioGorgeous #SeanSmith

Swan Song is Kelleigh's sumptuous homage to legendary writer and party thrower, Truman Capote. In this imaginative telling, Kelleigh manages to paint a loving, yet deliciously lurid and compelling portrait of the troubled man through his trial of a childhood, his triumphs - social, literary, and in love - through his publicly tragic demise after he exposed his beloved swans - the doyennes of society from Slim Keith to Babe Paley - to public scorn and scrutiny. The biggest no-no of all. Kelleigh celebrates the unsung aspects of the swans who form her Greek chorus, formidable women in their own rights.

@kgjephcott ‏#SwanSongnovel @HutchinsonBooks #RadioGorgeous #TrumanCapote

The headline which attracted my attention more than any other is the fact the world has lost sixty percent of its wildlife over the past forty years. It is mind blowing and part of the fake news Trump suggests everything is that is not spouted from his own tweeter feed, but having recently visited Madagascar where I witnessed first-hand the devastation to the rainforests there, I believe the statistic is underestimated. Lemurs will soon be extinct, certain species are on the verge of it already and having had the privilege of visiting the Galapagos some years ago, I feel this is also a place not only visitors should not be allowed, but no one should be allowed. Domestic animals have no place in an area where they are killing off those species such as the giant tortoises, rare geckos and chameleons. As we learn of the plastic polluting our waters (information has been abounding about this for decades, newspaper editors have simply chosen to ignore it), efforts are finally being made to reduce the use of plastic, but it is slow. I recently visited Tesco, where fruit bought loose was far more expensive (20 – 30p which adds up) than if you bought it in plastic containers. The Royals are bringing attention to the issue, because we have no faith in politicians and journalists any more, they are the only ones left whom we are still able to collude in the illusion we ‘know’ them and they are to be trusted. Truth is we don’t ‘know’ them, but Princes William and Harry’s efforts high lighting the plight of wildlife is a good one. As a traveller, how are you able to help the wildlife? There are numerous websites out there which will highlight issues which need addressing. When you start to look what you will see will in turn depress, anger and inspire you.

http://www.explorersagainstextinction.co.uk/ is a company which funds patrols and the training of dogs who track animal poachers. They are passionate about what they do and affiliated to the Real World Conservation Trust. A recent initiative asked celebrities from around the world to draw or paint an animal of their choice which would form part of an auction. To find out more log onto their website and check out Sketch for Survival. With images from Dame Judy Dench, Helen Mirren, Rachel Riley (very good) Mary Berry (not so good, but who cares), the images are auctioned to the highest bidder. The organisation high lights how an elephant is killed every 26 minutes for their ivory. Bid for the images and the funds will go to protecting the wildlife but catching those trying to kill it. In Madagascar, an organisation called Valbio, supports local communities, helping them to understand why they must not kill the lemurs or take their land from them. Land taken to make homes (the Madagascans have very large families – think ten children plus), need to be educated into valuing their unique wildlife and preserving it. Dr Patricia Wright invited Sir David Attenborough many years ago, and the result of his visit is the excellent series he produced for the BBC. Contact Dr Wright direct on [email protected] to find out how you are able to help. The lemurs are amazing, incredible and unique. My visit to Madagascar (I have spoken about this for Radio Gorgeous before – see previous report), was heart warming and heart breaking at the same time. We are privileged to have the wildlife we do. As a species we just need to value it more and deal with those who don’t.

#GorgeousEscapes #Ecotravel #SaveWildLife #Lemurs

Not Hygge, but hug hotels. Winter wilderness wellness hotels. While some hotels lend themselves to the summer months, others come alight when the days are short and cold. Hotels which lend themselves to the silver grey winter months of November to end of March, which have fire places with real fires, which spread across one side of the room, and four posters which don’t look out of place in large windowed rooms with cornicing and rosary which hasn’t been put in to add some character. Stately homes with long corridors, high ceilings, oversized dining rooms, where premium rooms are in the main house, and any modernized room is considered sub standard (and usually cheaper). Hotels where Mr And Mrs Smith were probably first inspired to compile their portfolio as the quintessential romance is only matched by the discretion of the staff. 

Here are my favourite hug hotels of 2019 within a driveable distance of SW London (ie close to home but not too close to home), and why they deserve a visit this winter be it with or without your Mr/Mrs Smith. You won’t want to leave..

Bailliffscourt Hotel and Spa, Climping Arundel

Gothic mullioned windows, gardens and electric car charging. Close to the coast and with an excellent spa with alternative therapies as well as the traditional (reflexology, light therapy are amongst the alternatives). Princess Diana allegedly visited with Hewitt. I visited on many occasions. Excellent winter wellness hotel, which feels more like a house party place - and lots of opportunity for beautiful walks if you leave the bedroom. 

https://www.prideofbritainhotels.com/  

Maison Talbooth Dedham, Colchester

Don’t let the Colchester address put you off. This is Constable country, the rooms are named after seminal authors and poets and are very stylishly decorated. Breakfast is at the hotel, but take lunch and super at the nearby Talbooth restaurant owned by the same people. The food is excellent, the setting idyllic. Intimate, cosy, special. 

Milsomhotels.com

Brimstone, Lake District Cumbria

While the other hotels do cater for children, this is modern adults only hotel, but they have fireplaces in the bedrooms and the food and facilities are exceptional. Bath, bed and fireplace all in the same room bedrooms, with own terrace and fifteen minutes from Lake Windermere. 

Brimstonehotel.co.uk

Barnsley House, Cirencester, Cotswolds

Adults only again 17thcentury Manor House, four miles from Cirencester, fireplaces, uber stylish spa, the stable suites are the ones to ask for. 

Barnsleyhouse.com

#GorgeousEscapes #Countryside #Travel

So where does the bucket list of the luxury travel market as well as the great unwashed wish to go in 2019? Following in the footsteps of Megan and Harry, they want the earth to move for them, and travel to New Zealand. The Galapagos comes second, although I feel if you do travel there, pleasespend a week to ten days in Ecuador. It is a phenomenal country and so much more than a doorway to anywhere – even the unique Galapagos, which if I had my way, no human being or domestic animal would set foot on again. We have done too much damage. The list also includes Iceland, Canada (particularly Atlantic Canada and the Yukon) and Japan (although avoid during the rugbyworld cup next year), the Maldives, Hawaii, Vietnam (particularly good www.insideasiatours.com)and Australia – but they have always been there, albeit in different places. And Sarah tells Josephine all about Lonely Planet's latest books, very funky stocking fillers.

#RadioGorgeous #Travel #TravelTrends

Author of the Week: Rachel Abbott, And So It Begins with Donna Freed

Rachel's latest psychological thriller starts with the question: When does a murder begin? When you pick up the knife or far before that? But as per usual, on the page, it begins with a body! Rachel ratchets up the tension with the first page and does not let up until the very last. She talks about her self-publishing success and why she has turned traditional for this latest effort.

www.rachel-abbott.com @RachelAbbot 

#AndSoItBegins #crimefiction

#RadioGorgeous