Category: Main article

Festive food and fellowship was shared at the December Texas branch meeting.
The scheduled slide show of Portugal was postponed to the January meeting.
In addition to the slide show we will share our 2003 travel goals during
the January meeting. Hope to see you – same time, same place!

New Braunfels Public Library 700 E. Common Street, New Braunfels,
Texas 830-620-5482, at 2pm, January 11th 2003

As the year 2002 comes to an end, the Texas Branch of the Globetrotters
Club continues to flourish. If you have not yet joined the Globetrotters
Club, now is the time to do so.

Go to http://www.globetrotters.co.uk/join/
and today! If it is time to renew your membership, do that today! Make
sure you welcome 2003 as a member in good standing with the Globetrotters
Club.

Dates of future meetings: January 11th, February 8th

The Globetrotters Club is encouraging anyone interested in writing articles

• without pictures for the free monthly Globetrotters e-newsletter,
  contact the Beetle on beetle@globetrotters.co.uk
• or with pictures, contact the editor of Globe on editor@globetrotters.co.uk

Learn more about Globetrotters at www.globetrotters.co.uk.

For more information about the Texas Branch: please Contact texas@globetrotters.co.uk or call Christina
at 830-620-5482

Meetings are held at 2pm at the New Braunfels Public Library, 700 E.
Common Street in New Braunfels, Texas. The meeting ends at 5 p.m. If you
would like to continue travel talk on a more informal basis, we plan to
adjourn to the Hoity-Toit, a local New Braunfels establishment. If anybody
would like to enquire about meetings or help Christina, please contact
her on: texas@globetrotters.co.uk

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Whether it’s a Bank holiday or any other weekend, Layer Marney
is the perfect place to take the family for a fun-packed day out. Situated
down a quiet, single-track lane, well signposted from the historic town
of Colchester, it is hard to believe that anything so beautiful could
exist in the heart of the Essex countryside – that is until you
reach the gates leading to the estate.

Seeped in history, the tower is the tallest, most elaborate Tudor gatehouse
in England and an initial glimpse of the striking building will take your
breath away. Constructed in the Italian design, popular in the period
in which it was built and made from terracotta bricks, the gatehouse is
a vibrant red colour and very eye-catching.

The house spans either side of the tower itself and is currently occupied
and so not open for public viewing. Beautifully designed gardens surround
the building and a signpost to the left of the tower indicates the presence
of the church of St Mary The Virgin, where regular Sunday worship is still
practised.

Lying to the South of the main gatehouse is the very long and very narrow,
Long Hall. Features include a wrought iron fireplace on the right hand
wall and black iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The room itself
is panelled with black wood and is the ideal venue to re-enact a Tudor
banquet, where the staff will dress for the period and provide appropriate
entertainment in the form of fire-eaters, jugglers or jesters.

On departing the hall you find yourself in a large courtyard, consisting
of the Corsellis room (currently split into two housing the gift shop
and the tearoom), and the barn that contains a collection of rare breed
animals, many of which can be fed. There are also two farm walks, starting
from the barn and varying in length, which include the chance to see the
red deer that roam the grounds.

Entrance to the tower itself is via wooden double doors, passing a marbled
jaguar cat on either side, into a small entrance room with archways to
the left and right. All windows are arched and those in the entrance hall
span the length of the wall. Dark curtains hang to the ground either side
of the window and deer heads hang over each arch.

Those interested in Layer Marney’s history are advised to visit
the History room – a large room thought to be the place where Queen Elizabeth
I stayed on a visit to the tower in 1579 – which houses a model
replica of the estate and also contains historical information. This room
is found between the stairwells on the right and left of the tower and
is reached via a well-maintained, spiral, wooden staircase. 95 steps lead
to the top, where breathtaking views of the estate and surrounding countryside
can be observed.

The estate is of interest to all ages and many events are held here,
including craft fairs where there are activities and goods on offer for
both young and old. It is also a popular venue for both civil ceremonies
and wedding receptions and corporate events are often held here, where
activities on offer include clay pigeon shooting, archery and jousting.

The tower has a colourful history and has seen many occupants over the
years. It was built by Henry, the first Lord Marney, who wanted a home
that would reflect his position as an important member of the royal court
and it was originally intended to be a rival to Hampton Court Palace.
By his death in 1515 only one side of the tower had been completed, however,
the work was continued by his son until his death in 1525.

Though many others have lived at Layer Marney, the major restoration
of the house was carried out by Sir Walter Zoete, who owned it from 1904.
Following his death, ownership of the house passed to the Carrington family,
descendants of whom currently occupy the property.

The history of Layer Marney Tower has led to it becoming a place of interest
to those interested in paranormal activity. The voice of the first Lord
Marney can often be heard echoing throughout the church that adjoins the
tower and he may also be seen sliding down the banisters of the tower
staircase as he attempts to scare those who interrupt his descent of the
stairs.

All in all, if you’re ever in Essex with nothing to do, do pay
Layer Marney Tower a visit. It’s a beautiful building set in beautiful
countryside and is a little piece of history that should not be missed.

Layer Marney is open to the public daily from 1^st
April till 5^th October 2003 and admission costs
are £3 per adult or £2.50 per child. Further information can be gained
from the website www.layermarneytower.co.uk

Clare is 27 years old and has a BSc in Anatomy and MSc in Forensic Science.
She used to work at New Scotland Yard until she fell ill in December 2000
with ME. Clare is a first time mum to 8 month old Lauren and wife to Andrew.
She writes freelance in any spare time and hope to begin writing a crime
novel later this year (Beetle: PD James, watch out!) She is currently
writing a children’s fairy story and various articles for mother
and baby magazines.

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Wandering amongst Pisa’s famed sights, I found myself eased culturally
back into Italy and following the big, rounded taste of the evenings Rosso
Di Montepulciano I felt readied (or should be that steadied?) for the
imminent return. The year that had passed seemed all too long to be away
from such a good friend as Firenze…

No alarm call was needed to wake me from the darkened Sunday slumber
of Pensione Rinascente – the bright, cool morning had already been
disturbed by medieval equivalents! Whilst masses filed through splendid
church facades, my own calling came from Pisa Centrale and as I found
myself being drawn across the Arno a thought occurred – would the famed
Italian trains be on time? My answer was forthcoming as the 9.18 was only
a couple of minutes late and was already busy transporting people going
about their Sunday lives. Moving away from the platform a certain sensation
I had felt when travelling on warm, early morning trains across India
flitted through my consciousness once again – a good omen for the
journey I smiled!

Stops such as Pontedera disappeared behind the train as a hazy sun opened
up a landscape of smallholdings, allotments and vine trails. Surrounded
by the languid Italian chatter of our fellow passengers, I felt suitably
drawn away from everything of the previous working week – a fleeting
travel moment to be cherished. Further along the journey, the archetypal
Italian station of Empoli and the ever changing faces of fellow passengers
also reminded me of previous travels – this time of Inter-rail journeys.
Playing that old game of guessing people’s destinations, I wondered
whether the young Scandinavians were heading south or and whether the
Africans were heading business like to northern destinations. Our route
to Firenze narrowed through a rising valley as it progressed and as in
many photos and films, I glimpsed some of the traditional Tuscan imagery
– hill top villages connected by winding roads that twisted through lush
green countryside and trees stretching skywards. Almost as the quickly
as the track had risen did we descend down through the last few suburban
stops and onto the final destination…Firenze!

I hadn’t thought what I’d wanted to see of my old friend
again, but first thoughts were drawn along a slow loop through the heart
of the city, across the Arno and up to the panorama of Piazzale Michelangelo.
Familiar sites greeted me as Kate and I sped across the expanse of the
rather unvisited Piazza Dell’ Unita Italia– the still petitioning
HIV charity, the market where I purchased a most expensive wallet and
then onto a renewing glimpse of the Duomo’s bell tower and Battistero.
What struck me this time about the magnificent cathedral of Santa Maria
del Fiore (to give the Duomo its consecrated name) was not the beautiful
façade but how the turret like bastions sat atop, allowing all comers
to be seen. Being a Sunday we couldn’t undertake the winding climb
to dome’s top (thankfully appreciated by my apprehension of heights)
and the slower start to the day allowed us more space and time to enjoy
the walk across Piazza del Duomo and onwards.

For those that cherish Firenze, Via De’ Calzaiuoli’s opening
up on to

Piazza della Signora grandly displays much of what should be seen –
the splendid Palazzo Vecchio with its dominating tower, the near perfectly
copied statues of David or the beheading of Medusa by Perseus and the
Uffizi’s columned walk ways sheltering its snaking queues! Though
much of this grandeur owes its origins to the power of the Medici and
their egos, its subsequent evolution into a marvel of civic planning underscores
what the renaissance is depicted as representing. Even the mounted police
seemed proud to be part of this elegant cityscape. We had little desire
to enjoy the Uffizi’s always crowded galleries and somewhat cramped
displays and instead Kate diverted us off to the quiet of Santa Croce.
Previously I had strolled around this intriguing church with its incomplete
facade and had found that many of two hundred plus monuments commemorated
famous past lives – Michelangelo, Galileo and Dante I believe are
of the many. The adjoining convent turned museum and its cloisters echo
this silence and is a relatively unknown yet worthy destination for its
visitors.

As the climb upwards began, I noticed another of those travelling oddities
that catch my imagination – certain cities feature a building or
place that my wandering always seems to take me through or past! In London
it is the Embankment underground station, with Dublin it is O’Connell
Bridge and with Firenze it is the Biblioteca Nazionale! Whatever view
or late night revelry I have been party to, these buildings always seem
found themselves within view and I have no idea why! As we swiftly crossed
the modern Ponte Santa Niccolo we again had to pass this squared jawed
building before moving over to the quieter side of the Arno.

The steep route up through the steps and gardens of Guiseppe Poggi lifts
the walker onto a supreme vantage point! This perspective offers an unbeatable
right to left panorama – the view sweeps back across the trail I’ve
just described, over the Arno hunched Ponte Vecchio and through to the
old Forte Di Belvedere. From here I could imagine no better way to present
the city to visitors. Like many I sat awhile, allowing the warm breezes
to brush across my face and savour my return to this wonderful city. Somewhat
later our thirsts were indulgently quenched before moving on by visiting
one of the hilltop gelateria and selecting a double-portioned cone. Here
less cream and more ice is definitely better, with my favourite being
strawberry overlain with pistachio! Whether any sports dietician would
approve of such recharging remains to be seen but we were certainly ready
to move on…

If you’d like to contact Matthew about his time in Firenze or any
of his other travels, please e-mail him on: matthewdoughty@totalise.co.uk

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Everyone has heard of the Kruger National Park. It's the biggest
game reserve in South Africa. Its border stretches from the Limpopo River
in the north to the Crocodile river in the south. The whole eastern boundary
of the park borders onto Mozambique.

The park was established in 1926 and is over 2 million hectares in size.
Its size can be likened to that of Wales or the American state of Massachusetts.
There are a large variety of animals in the park, ranging from 122 different
species of mammal, 109 different types of reptile, 55 species of fish
and 422 species of birds.

The park is also home to 7000+ Elephants, 30000 Buffalo, 120000 Impala
Buck and 22000 Kwaggas (Zebras). To add to this list you will also find
giraffe, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hunting dog, hyenas, rhino and hippos.

A visit to this park is a must and if you are not an animal mad person,
after your first visit here you will find that you have become one.

Most visitors to South Africa do not have enough time so a quick visit
is what they opt for. To get to the park they either travel by tourist
bus or fly in and land at Skukuza, the largest rest camp in the park.
There are many others to stay at as well.

At Skukuza you can hire a car and drive yourself, or elect to go by coach
on a guided tour through the park. There are a couple of rules one has
to follow in the park.

• Do not leave your car under any circumstances except in designated
  rest areas.
• Keep to the speed limits.

There is a good reason for the rules. There are wild animals out in the
bush. You might get out of your car and walk slap bang into a lion lying
in thick grass right next to the road.

Guess who is going to win that argument! The lion initially, but once
it has killed someone it will kill again and become a threat, thus necessitating
its own demise.

The rest camp gates open at six in the morning and you are able to venture
out onto the roads. Suddenly 10 metres in front of you there is a movement
in the bush. You stop your car and one impala crosses the road. Sit still,
don't move, suddenly there are hundreds of them in the road. In about
10 minutes they have all crossed and the road is clear. Moving on you
come across a clump of rocks with some thorn bushes.

At the base of the thorn bush the grass is moving.

Taking a closer look you can see a largish animal lying on its side.
You've found a lion lying twitching its tail. It does this to rid
itself of the flies. Lions love to sleep in the shade in the heat of the
day and if you keep your eyes open you are likely to see more of them.

Leopards are very difficult to spot. Where there are largish trees, check
the higher branches and with a bit of luck you may spot one relaxing on
a branch.

At sundown its time to get to that water hole. Find a good spot where
you can see clearly, keep quiet and watch. The animals come from all directions
to drink. Impalas, kudus, warthogs and giraffe to name but a few. They
are very wary as they approach the waters edge. Have you noticed the log
floating close to the water's edge? It's a crocodile lying patiently
in the water with only its eyes sticking out waiting for its supper. If
an animal gets too close the crocodile will launch itself and grab its
prey, and drag it into the water where it will drown it.

The elephant in all its splendour arrives waving its trunk as it savours
the breeze. It's long white tusks glint in the evening sunlight as
it makes its way down to the river’s edge. Close behind come the rest
of the herd. Soon there is no place for the other animals, they must wait
their turn as the elephants suck up trunkfulls of water to drink and spray
over themselves.

It gets dark quickly so you need to get back to camp.

Along the way keep your eyes open for the nocturnal animals that should
be out and about. You would be amazed at what's out there.

When you get back to camp, have a meal, and hop into bed.

Before dropping off listen to the sounds of the bush. You'll hear
lions roaring and in the morning might even find their footprints around
your bungalow.

Love an experience like this?

Visit the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Geoff Fairman is the editor and publisher of Banker's Oldboys Ezine,
a free electronic publication. Subscribe to Bankers Oldboys Ezine for
more articles about Cape Town and South Africa by sending a blank e-mail
to BrerRabbit-subscribe@topica.com

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The place: Lille is small enough to wander around, in a weekend.
There are two parts to Lille: the old town, which has narrow cobbled streets,
and lots of interesting small shops, and the new town where the large
shops, such as Printemps and the usual chain stores can be found. For
those who want to explore, there’s a castle and some museums, but
wandering around the Old Town is a must.

Why go to Lille? It’s a pretty town, close to London, good
for shopping, eating and relaxing. There is a good supermarket, Carrefour,
very close to the Lille Europe and SNCF railways stations, where you can
stock up on cheese, wine, chocolate – whatever takes your fancy!
The food is always good, so it is a part shopping, part relaxing and part
gastronomic destination! Most of the hotels are within walking distance
from the Lille Eurostar station.

Hotels: the poshest is the Carlton, in the Old Town, which does
not ever seem to offer discount rates, but there are lots of hotels to
chose from. Hotels seem to be either close to the train stations, close
to the main square or in the Old Town. If you can, go for the latter.
The Hotel Continental is a budget place often used by British tour operators,
it’s ok, between the main square and the railway stations, but on
a busy main road. Hotel Bellevue says it is a 3 star, it’s a little
quirky, but the rooms are usually large and it’s behind the main
square. Hotel Art Deco Romain says it is 500m from the Lille Europe station,
it may be, but you need to get a tram to get there, and whilst it’s
only 2 stops, it is not easy to walk to, plus the rooms are cupboard sized.
La Treille in the old Town is highly recommended.

Prices: fantastic, especially for eating out and drinking. Most
of the restaurants offer at least one prix fixe menus i.e. you get to
chose a starter, main course and often a desert. Some include wine or
a glass of champagne to start. These range from 15 Euros to 50 Euros,
and you can usually be guaranteed excellent food, whatever the price.
The Beetle’s favourite restaurant is called L’Alcide, which
is close to the main square and can be pricey a la carte, but do good
prix fixe menus, there’s also La Renaissance which does very cheap
but good prix fixe menus (a recent 3 course dinner for 2 plus beer cost
£15 a head). The Carrefour at the Lille Centre Commercial close to the
train stations is a huge supermarket, and the prices there are far better
than those in the UK for almost everything. One tip, though: if you spend
more than 100 Euros, you will be asked for photo id, so take your passport
or new style driving licence.

Things to do and see: in winter, there is a Christmas market around
the corner from Printemps, where you can browse around the stalls, drink
cups of mulled wine, eat crepes or waffles. Year round, there is a huge
Sunday market in Wazemmes, a short metro ride from the centre and there
is also a smaller Sunday market that sells fruit, veg, flowers and handicrafts
in the old town. If shopping is not your thing, you should visit the citadel,
which is quite impressive, and the town square with its old buildings.
If you are a museum buff, then you should visit the Palais des Beaux arts,
the natural history museum, the house where General de Gaulle was born,
and the Musee de l’Hospice de Comtesse.

Getting Around: really easy. A one way trip by metro or tram costs
just 1.15 Euros, or an all day card costs 3.55 Euros You must validate
day tickets just the once in yellow machines that say “composter”
and single journey tickets in the same way when you set off. But if you
stick to the Old Town and the area close to the new town, you probably
won’t need to take public transport, although it’s good to
know that it’s there and regular.

How to get there: by Eurostar, a little over 2 hours from London
Waterloo.

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