1 Degree Magazine Issue 3

CARS GOLF FASHION LIFESTYLE SPORT © WWW.1DEGREEEAST.CO.UK

©

ANDY PRIAULX

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Contents

8.City for sail

44.Driving range

11.Ship shape

50.Playing away

Cumberland Cup sailing competition

Fashion with a nautical flavor

16.Water babe

Custom drivers from Callaway

The Home of Golf

56.Grooming

18.Power play

58.Quick six

22.Wild cat

58.Football Focus

Powerboat racing

Jaguar XKR cabriolet

28.Respect

Interview with WTCC Andy Priaulx

32.Racing heritage Heritage GT racing series

Twenty20 cricket

Tom's predictions for the new season

61.Stay at home dad 62.Five bites 64.The Neptune Under review

34.A1GP World cup of motorsport 36.Forbidden fruit Porsche 911 turbo cabriolet

40.Bored to be wild Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle

43.A Van for all Reasons Mercedes Vito Sport X

04 . 1째 East . autumn 08

66.Book review

The forgotten art of reading

70.Broad horizons 72.The power and the glory

Italy to Goodwood Festival of Speed in Ferraris 599 GTB Fiorano

Contributors

Ryan Nesbit Cut his modelling teeth on the front cover of Just Seventeen magazine before being signed up by models one and hitting the catwalks for the likes of Hugo Boss and Paul Smith in New York, Tokyo, Milan and Paris. But, not comfortable with his effeminate side, he ditched the runway for shin pads and jockstraps playing rugby for La Rochelle in France and London Irish. Following a serious sporting injury he qualified as a top-level personal trainer in London working with the rich and famous.

Jarowan Power (JP) Our in-house snapper has never let his difficult-to-pronounce name hold him back. Born and bred in Norfolk but half Irish (hence the name), he graduated from the Norwich School of Art & Design with a degree in photography. Lotus Cars soon beckoned and the next five years were spent convincing his friends, family and co-workers that photographing sports cars for a living is actually hard work. The achievement he is most proud of to date is the image of the editor standing on the bonnet of a Bentley, all of which was done without damaging her Jimmy Choos!

Damian Harty He's been very keen on motorcycles since his mother told him they were 'weapons of the devil', but has yet to see any evidence of that assertion. He has another life as engineering contractor to Prodrive, and in that role has worked for Triumph, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Subaru, Porsche and BMW among others. He has a rich history of breaking and crashing cars but strangely this does not seem to extend to motorcycles.

Oops!... I think I've broken it

W

hose bright idea was it to start a magazine?

That’s the question I ask myself every morning.

What question do you ask yourself every day?

While you are mulling that over, may I present the third edition of 1 Degree East. Hopefully, you’ll agree, we’re improving all the time. And despite going green – the paper used to produce this magazine is fully FSC (Forest Stewardship Council, www.fsc.org) compliant – it feels even more luxurious to the touch. Well, everyone deserves a bit of luxury once in a while, it’s just better knowing it doesn’t cost the earth!

So what have we been doing? Where do I start, my head is still spinning – powerboating off the Suffolk coast, golfing at the Home of Golf and Glorious Goodwood for the ultimate hill climb, to name but a few.

If only the magazine had a thousand pages, we could have filled every single one.

Before you I go, I should perhaps explain my picture, which was taken shortly after I thought I’d broken my extremely expensive borrowed Ferrari, one hour into our epic 15-hour journey. Read all about it in our equally epic travel story on page 72.

Ciao,

Suzannah Sorrell Editor

PS – I’d love to know what you think of this issue and any other thoughts you have about 1 Degree East. editor@degreeeast.co.uk

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 05

Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here album sleeve.

the art of rock and roll

S

ir Peter Blake won international fame in the 1960s as one of the leading exponents of the British pop art movement. His work is represented in major collections throughout the world.

His images are born from a love affair with the icons and ephemera of popular culture and his influence on the music world can be summarised by the seminal cover art for The Beatles' Sgt Pepper album. Sir Peter is responsible for creating some of the most iconic album sleeves of the last 50 years – Paul Weller's Stanley Road, Live Aid, Pink Floyd and the classic Stop the Clocks compilation album by Oasis.

The St Giles Street Gallery in Norwich, is showing a selection of his best known work along side renowned music photographers Dave Hogan, David Koppel, Frank Herrmann, Michael Putland and Michael Ward. The exhibition is now open and runs until September 6.

Vist: www.sgsgallery.com Mansize_03_PRESS.pdf

12/6/08

4:18:58 pm

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CM

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CMY

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Mansize prints are available from: www.guyallen-art.com

Š Guy Allen 2008

revolutions

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Ducati Factory 900XR With over 100 years of Italian style and tradition, the new Ducati Factory 900XR uses the latest technology to produce a cycle for today's demanding riders. High modulus carbon fibre is used for the frame and forks as well as crucial components to produce a cycle weighing below 6.5kg.

Price: £4,300

»

Mount Vision Quad XC 120 The 'Next Generation of Suspension' and awarded the 2007 Bike of the Year by Mountain Biking UK magazine, the highly efficient 4.7in travel Quad XC 120 suspension platform was developed to excel in the most rigorous trail conditions.

PedalLing perfection

Priced from: £2,099

with fuel at £400 per litRE and the world suffocating under an umbrella of CO2, perhaps it'S time to put on your lycra and get on yOUr bike.

»

whyte E-120 The E-120 is Whyte’s first full carbon monocoque suspension bike. Light enough to rocket up hills, stiff enough to fly through twisting singletrack and strong enough to handle drops on the way back down. To give you an idea of just how complex the manufacturing process is, the swingarm alone is made up of 157 individual carbon fibre pieces!

Priced from: £3,999

»

colnago Cx-1 Colnago Revolution is the top development and design project for the Italian brand for 2009. CX-1 is the first born star of this project and will be available in October 2008.

Price: £2,299.99

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 07

Sailing

city for sail LONDON Docklands – ONCE HOME TO THE LARGEST PORT IN THE WORLD. Lining the banks of the River Thames, IT can handle all manner of craft, from cruise liners and ferries to cargo ships and container vessels.

Writer: Simon Skeffington/Jamie Houston Photographer: Jarowan Power

B

ut for three days in the middle of May, the docks welcomed boats of a completely different kind. A worldwide fleet of yachts – a rare sight on London’s main waterway – had sailed in to compete in the Cumberland Cup, hosted by the Royal Thames Yacht Club. It was the second time the international team racing event had been staged, following the success of the inaugural contest in 2007. The Royal Victoria Dock was the setting, providing a wonderful amphitheatre-style arena for the action to unfold. Eight teams lined up on the start line, having flown in from as far away as Australia, North America and Germany. There was, sadly, no Irish contingent after they were forced to withdraw, so a composite team was put together in replacement, under the banner of ‘Queenborough’. This was made up of sailors based in the UK, but representing five different international yacht clubs, from the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Practice on the Thursday was followed by the social highlight of the week – a reception at St James’ Palace hosted by the Royal Thames club’s commodore, the Duke of York. After that team racing – billed as the most exciting form of yacht racing – was the order of the long weekend.

A pulsating first day of action got under way with a full eight-team round robin. The winds were light and there was no tide, as always in the docks, but it made for great racing. And it was the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein team from Hamburg that took the initial plaudits, finishing the day on top of the leaderboard having won six out of their seven races. New York Yacht Club, home to the current team race world champions, were in second, with the hosts and defending champs, Royal Thames, taking third. But more of their exploits later. Day two dawned and the teams were split into two groups, based on their positions from the previous day. There was everything to play for, too, with the all-important results deciding who would take part in that afternoon’s ‘gold’ and ‘silver’ leagues – which paved the way to Sunday’s finals day.

Before that though was the event dinner at the Royal Thames club.

Food, drink and jokes were followed by a midnight parade of women in

08 . 1° East . Autumn 08

very little clothing – it just so happened that night’s Moonwalk cancer fundraiser went past the club’s windows! So to finals day – and the competition really heated up with a knockout tournament. The winning teams headed to the final race-offs, the losers headed straight to the bar. An enthralling event threw up the final most could have predicted – Royal Thames against New York. Having won a race each in the bestof-three clash, the pressure had reached boiling point as the destination of the cup went to the wire. And it was Royal Thames who took advantage of a good start, securing the 1-2 finish they needed to retain their title. So after 69 races in wind conditions that were far from ideal, the Cumberland Cup had come to a sparkling end. The next event is scheduled for 2010 – and is sure to be bigger and better than ever.

Final Standings 1st Royal Thames Yacht Club

(Winners of the Royal Thames Cumberland Cup) 2nd New York Yacht Club 3rd Queenborough Team 4th Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee 5th Royal Perth Yacht Club (Winners of the Royal Thames

Cumberland Bowl) 6th Norddeutscher Regatta Verein 7th Southern Yacht Club 8th Royal Vancouver Yacht Club

Sailing

Team Racing for beginners Team racing is one, if not the, most exciting form of yacht racing. Why? It is competitive and the results are not determined until the very last moment of a race, so it’s a fight to the bitter end.

It takes place with either two, three of four boats per team. In each race every boat will score points depending on where they finish (one for first, two for second etc).

The plan is to make sure your team has the lowest combined score. For example, in a three-boat team, the maximum number of points is 21 – therefore you need to score 10 or less to win.

Team racing is tactical and each boat needs to pay attention not only to what is going on with them, but also their teammates. There is very little point finishing first if your colleagues are in fifth and sixth. This is where the fun starts, as you need to think as a team to obtain a winning combination.

There are two main 'moves' at your disposal – the ‘pass back’ and the ‘mark trap’ – both of which involve sailing tactically against your opponents, in order to let your teammates get in front. There are also a series of ‘team calls’ to learn, to aid with moves in a race. A team race call book is available on the ISAF website.

Above all, team racing is all about the camaraderie and close racing. Many conversations carry on in the clubhouse where many friendships are established.

Royal Thames Yacht Club organises and takes part in team racing at all levels from beginners to experts, all over the world. You can get involved by contacting the club's secretariat.

For more information on team racing, refer to the ISAF website www.sailing.org/teamracing.php

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 09

A Rare

Passion

Motor yachts from 38 to 78 feet. Share our passion.

Fairline Channel Islands - Tel: +44 (0)1534 514 415 Fairline Essex - Tel: +44 (0)1702 257 061 Fairline Ireland - Tel: +353 (0)21 477 7008 Fairline Scotland - Tel: +44 (0)141 552 2005 Fairline Southampton - Tel: +44 (0)1489 576 888

www.fairline.com

Ship Shape Autumn 08 . 1째 East . 11

Previous page: Helly Hansen Manta cardigan , Police 8095 sunglasses This page: Hugo boss polo shirt

12 . 1째 East . Autumn 08

This page: John smedley jumper, Hugo boss jeans, Helly Hansen Sola Leather sandals, Helly Hansen Racing Bag

Autumn 08 . 1째 East . 13

Above: Helly hansen paramount 'steel' jacket, Helly Hansen logo Cap Opposite: Montane jacket, Gant jeans

14 . 1째 East . Autumn 08

Fashion

Autumn 08 . 1째 East . 15

fashion

Water Babe

There’s nothing like lazing by the pool all day…

Lejaby Rasurel Swimwear Mahe Blanc (cut away back), £30 www.lejaby-online.com

16 . 1° East . AUtumn 08

fashion

AUTUMN 08 . 1째 East . 17

powerboat

18 . 1째 East . Autumn 08

powerboat

power Play Entering any sport as a rookie is always entertaining for everyone concerned.

Let’s face it, everyone loves an underdog.

Writer: Suzannah Sorrell Photographer: Jarowan Power

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ou only have to look to Britain’s newest Formula 1 driver, Lewis Hamilton, to realise that. Raw talent, serious ambition, coupled with inexperience always creates a stir, but if the rookie goes on to steal the championship under the nose of the seasoned professionals, that’s when things really start to get interesting. Unfortunately Lewis didn’t quite deliver, but 25-year-old Suffolk-based David Cowley and his team, Lings Honda, definitely did when they won last year’s 150 class Honda Formula 4-Stroke Powerboat series.

A year later they are back and no doubt team boss and current navigator, Paul Barkshire, regrets saying to David, “if you win the championship, I’ll buy you the bigger boat so you can compete with the big boys,” – especially when he faced four-metre high waves during their first outing of the 2008 season in Torquay. “It was really scary,” said Paul. “In fact, I’m still suffering the after-effects today!”

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 19

powerboat

And as I lay in bed the following morning after an outing with David in his new 3.5 litre (the same engine used in the Honda NSX) powerboat, I found myself sympathising with him. Despite warnings that off-shore powerboating can be brutal, ever the speed junkie, I ignored their pleas to rethink and merrily drove to Lowestoft, where David and his boat, Miss Toft 2, were waiting to take me for a spin.

I should point out that I’d caught a stinking cold a couple of days prior and my brain felt like it contained nothing but marshmallows (not that this feeling is alien to me!), so I wasn’t feeling the best, but figured the sea air would do me good.

Top right: Lings Honda 225 Powerboat looks innocent enough.

Top left: David Cowley entombed within the best Arai has to offer.

Middle: The Ed looking as sick as a sea pup!

Bottom: David getting his toes wet.

It was only as I climbed into the boat and remembered that David’s previous navigator had broken his back during the last race of the first season, that I became a little concerned for my safety. And David didn’t help matters when he said, “We’ve got the best Arai helmets in case we flip over.” The boats are inherently unstable and inclined to roll, as they are built for speed, not for stability!

As we left the safety of the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club for the Lowestoft harbour mouth and beyond, it was obvious I was in for a rough ride. Thank God I’ve got strong thighs, that’s all I can say. Determined not to damage either my coccyx or pelvic bone, I adopted a position that can only be described as 'perched'. My feet jammed to the front of the boat and my arms holding me out of my seat meant I didn’t crash up and down into the seat every time the boat crashed down over the waves. The only way to describe the onslaught your body goes through is it is like driving over 100 humpback bridges at 100mph with wooden wheels. And the day I went out was only marginally rough. I can’t begin to imagine was it was like with 4ft waves! But it's exhilarating stuff and I can imagine it's as addictive as motor racing. Well it has certainly got the danger factor. One of the most tragic powerboat incidents involved Stefano Casiraghi, husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco, who was killed while racing a 42ft powerboat on the Mediterranean. Less serious but equally dangerous is the effect it has on your kidneys, often leaving participants peeing blood for days afterwards. Then there’s the neck and back injuries, but like in any high-risk sport, most competitors take a fatalistic approach.

So what was the deciding factor that made David go into powerboat racing with virtually no experience? “The boat was only really bought for promotional purposes,” said Paul, “but David showed real talent and the rest, as they say, is history.”

The question is, can they do it all again but this time against the big boys? And if so, does David get an even bigger boat to play with? Only time will tell. Good luck David and Paul, we're rooting for you.

To find out more about the series and how David and his team get on this year, visit www.f4sa.com or log onto www.1degreeeast.co.uk to listen to a full audio interview and view video footage of our outing.

20 . 1° East . Autumn 08

powerboat

"It was only as I climbed into the boat and remembered that David’s previous navigator had broken his back during the last race of the first season, that I became a little concerned for my safety."

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 21

motoring

WILD CAT As Jaguar celebrates 60 years of its hugely popular XK RANGE by bringing out the aptlynamed XK60 and the XKR-S, we thought we’d take the XKR out for a spin to see how it has stood the test of time.

Writer: Suzannah Sorrell Photographer: Jarowan Power

22 . 1° East . autumn 08

motoring

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motoring

24 . 1째 East . autumn 08

motoring

Above: Wind in your hair flies in your teeth ete etc.

Left: Jaguar is at it's best, with the top down on an open road.

I

t was all quiet on the eastern front when suddenly a roar punctuated the serene morning. As the roar became louder, the birds, merrily singing their morning song, took refuge in their nests.

Then it passed, and calm was once again restored. Oblivious to the commotion caused, it went on its way in a sleek and purposeful manner, conveying an image of pure muscular power.

"prior to the XKR, I’d always thought Jaguars came with a smoking jacket, pipe and slippers."

Although the XKR lets out the most delicious growl to the outside world, from within it is suitably muffled, so no matter how much you wind up this new world felid, your ears are cosseted at all times. Initially for me, this was a grave disappointment, but after a few days, unlike Aston’s Vantage, which gets on your nerves after a while, you realise you could really live with this big cat on a daily basis.

Well, once you’ve ditched the hideous MFI wooden kitchen, which goes under the guise of rich oak veneer, that is. Seriously, this is the first Jaguar I’d actually consider owning, which came as much of a surprise to me as to anyone else. You see prior to the XKR, I’d always thought Jaguars came with a smoking jacket, pipe and slippers. To me, Jaguar equalled grey matter, ‘Two Jags’ Prescott or, dare I say it, Arthur Daley from Minder. Definitely not a car somebody in their late 20s could easily identify with.

Even Jaguar’s heritage was lost on me. I’m no great fan of the E-type, even though both the XKR and the XK8 are obviously derivatives. But in the last few years, Jaguar seems to have come out of the doldrums with all guns blazing. Launching the XKR and XF at the 2006 British Motor Show certainly made everyone sit up and take notice, making it nigh-on impossible for you or I to continue to ignore this traditional marque.

For me the XKR’s more modern design, which two years on still looks

autumn 08 . 1° East . 25

motoring sleek and purposeful with one of the best looking bums in the business, is its biggest draw – that, and the performance from its supercharged V8, astonishingly fluid in its delivery. In fact, it exceeded my expectations in every way. A few years back, when I drove the XK8 at speed around the country lanes, I had to fight to keep it on the road, which obviously provides that ‘heart in mouth’ feeling we all crave but sometimes it just felt dangerous. Whereas the XKR feels reassuringly planted, more responsive and more composed through the corners, and that supercharger (I know I’ve mentioned it twice now, but...) just keeps on delivering. I guess what it really boils down to is the XKR delivers a lot for a relatively low price.

Don’t think for one minute, however, that ‘low price’ means they skimped on toys! All 2009 models have iPod and USB connectors, controlled via a seriously easy to use touch-screen entertainment system, as standard – further proof Jaguar has finally joined the 21st Century. It’s also got air quality sensors (whatever they are), front park assist and electrochromic and heated power fold-back mirrors. In fact, the XKR comes with so many new toys, it’s like it ram-raided Comet. Having driven many higher priced sports cars, even I have to admit it’s a star performer. And it comes with unlimited mileage warranty, what more can you ask for? I guess the only area you really notice the difference is in the quality of the internal finish. It’s all a bit plastic and well, Ford, but let’s hope it doesn’t go TATA in the future! With the roof down it’s worth investing in a wind deflector, to avoid your other half whining about her hair going all over the place.

But then again, that will be the least of her worries when she sees the size of the boot, which is exceptionally small considering the size of the beast. As are the back seats, unless you’ve got children, in which case they’d just about do the job but, just as Jaguars tend to hunt alone, I’m sure you will too!

And if this, the namby pamby soft top version, is this good, just imagine what the fire-breathing XKR-S, limited to just 200 cars per year, is like.

Above: Stylish XKR bonnet Below: Jaguar rolling in the hay, as the sun sets.

motoring

Bremont - the new name to watch in watches.

Founded a year ago by two British brothers, Bremont came about by their joint lifetime love and passion for aviation and flying.

These unique timepieces are made using only the finest quality Swiss components and are hand-assembled by their skilled watchmakers in Switzerland but contain something that no comparable timepiece can match: an air of quintessential Britishness.

The newest edition to the Bremont collection is the EP120 Spitfire watch, a limited edition of only 120 pieces. The watches are named after and contain part of, a famous 1942 Spitfire Mk V aircraft, which is possibly the most credited WWII fighter in existence. Some of EP120’s original parts, saved during restoration, are integrated into Bremont’s EP120 range in beautiful ways, including the dial and movement. www.bremont.com

1911 Discovery Automatic Chronograph Designed with the active male in mind, Ebel’s Discovery line of watches are gaining a serious following since they were launched last year. This year, the 'Architects of Time' introduce splashes of color and energy with three new models that certainly stand out from the crowd and are ideal for men unafraid to do just the same!

While exuding a conspicuous aura of colorful and eye-catching confidence, these overtly sporty models nonetheless clearly display the 1911 family likeness, proclaiming their sense of belonging to a proud lineage.

1911 Discovery Automatic Chronograph, case in steel, orange aluminum bezel, black technofiber strap with orange stitching, black dial £2,050 www.ebel.com

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 27

motoring

respect!

Andy Priaulx – the UK’s most successful contemporary British racing driver, not that you’d know it.

Writer: Suzannah Sorrell Photographer: Jarowan Power

D

espite receiving an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List this year, Andy Priaulx, a multiple World Touring Cars champion, is still relatively unknown outside of motorsport circles. So we thought it was high time we introduced you to one of the nicest men in motorsport.

Who or what inspired you to go into motorsport?

Mansell. When I was growing up, he was winning races and I really loved his determination and liked the fact he was able to come from the back of the grid to win the race. I just love that ‘never say die’ attitude. I later found out we share the same birthday (August 8). Our careers are very similar – the way I’ve come from living in a caravan to where I am now.

Yes, you’ve really put your wife through the mill haven’t you?

Yes, she’s been through it a few times but I would say you appreciate things more when things are going well. If things go badly, you know you can turn it around and that is a very important character trait to have. When your back’s against the wall, that’s when you really work.

Fish and chips or bangers and mash?

It’s a close call but it would have to be fish and chips from the Cobo chippy, along the west coast of Guernsey. There’s nothing like sitting on the sea wall, eating a bag of chips while watching the sunset.

Despite being the most successful contemporary racing driver, with a BRDC Gold Star under your belt, you are the most approachable and friendly sports man I know. How come? How do you stay so grounded?

That’s because I come from Guernsey and us Guerns’ are like that. We are very down to earth people. I mean I can go out in Guernsey, to the local pub and do normal things. I think that’s important. In fact, Oliver Reed lived there and I know why he chose Guernsey, because people just left him alone.

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"I just want respect. I’ve got a nice balance. I’m respected in any form of motor racing, anywhere in the world, yet I earn good money and can still lead a normal life, it doesn’t get better than that,"

motoring

Far Right: BMW M3 the worlds most sucessful touring car.

Right: Andy's world touring car

Does it frustrate you that you aren’t a household name?

No, I just want respect. I’ve got a nice balance. I’m respected in any form of motor racing, anywhere in the world, yet I earn good money and can still lead a normal life, it doesn’t get better than that, I don’t think. I can’t imagine anything worse than Beckham’s life. Maybe the barman might recognise who I am or maybe not. Couple of times I’ve jumped in a black cab and the driver’s gone, ‘you’re Andy Priaulx’ which is nice, but other times no one knows who I am. I wouldn’t like to be in Lewis’s shoes at the moment. He’s a household name but he’s struggling and it’ll only get worse. He will be really struggling soon and it’ll be awful to watch.

football. Lets imagine you’re say, David Beckham, one of the best football players in the world, yet you’ve got to bring money to the table to be able to play for England. You know, ‘we’d love to have you but how much money can you bring’ but that’s the way it is in motorsport and I managed to overcome that.

Do you still hamper after F1?

I have done F1 testing in the past but I’m just a bit too busy and also they are really going for extremely young babies now. You’ve got to come out of your mother’s womb with a crash helmet on and a cheque for seven million quid, if you want to get into Formula 1 these days.

Yes it’s good but F1 and all of them will go that route eventually but I’m still not sure how they are going to get over the tyre issues. We use so many tyres during a race weekend, what happens to them all afterwards? Burn them or what? I’m not sure. It’s all going that way and we have to follow but you’ve got to stop the cows from farting as well because that’s probably causing as much problem as everything else!

If you could swap your four titles for one win in F1, would you?

No, not a chance. Although I would probably have made more money winning one race in F1 than in my entire racing career, but absolutely not. I work within Formula 1 and I’ve got the utmost respect from every other driver so no, I’m really happy with my life. I don’t lie in bed thinking I wish I were driving in F1; I can watch a race and enjoy it.

You have to remember at 21 I was still just a mechanic/car salesmen/ valet and here I am today, aged 34, and I’ve gone from that to being a multiple world champion and I’ve driven against a lot of the guys in F1 and they know my speed, so I’m really happy. I don’t feel at all narked!

You say three world titles but you’ve effectively got four titles?

Yes, I have four consecutive titles but the series, with the same teams, was originally called European Touring Car Championship but then they changed it to World Touring Cars. I’ve also won two British titles – the Hill Climb Championship and the Renault Spider Cup, where I won every single race and that’s what launched me as a professional driver.

I realised I needed to do something special, so I set out to win every single race I entered which I did but instead of going straight into Touring Cars, where I could have earned money straight away, I went into Formula 3, which was a massive financial challenge. I felt like F3 was the upper sticks of motorsport and offered the chance to race against some of the world’s best drivers, some of who ended up in F1.

Do you think the money aspect is ruining the sport?

No I don’t think it is but there are some champions out there who aren’t driving, if you know where I’m coming from. It’s not like

A1GP – what do you think?

It’s a really good series. It really fits, I think it works, I think the fact that they race off season and it’s nation against nation means it’ll work but it’ll never be anything other than a feeder series for F1. It’ll never threaten it.

Too many race series?

Yes there is and yes, you are probably right, they should consolidate some. It would be nice to see DTM [Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters] and World Touring Cars come together with all the manufacturers like Mercedes, Audi and BMW and have them altogether in one big championship. That would be my dream. I do think you need national championships in Touring Cars otherwise how are you going to find the cream of your nations that’s really important but I do feel there are too many junior formulas. It’s a mind field as a young driver, knowing what to go in.

Are you going to follow in Schumacher’s footsteps, retire or do something else?

Well I’m not rich enough to retire so that’s not an option. I think I’ve got a good career awaiting me outside of motorsport.

Yes because you’ve set up a driver management company with two other drivers haven’t you?

Yes, but also the work I do with BMW, I’ve got those three world titles and they are never going to go away and I’ve got the respect and I think I can turn that into business, but I figured you’re a long time retired so I might as well drive for as long as I can without being a pain in the arse and a mobile chicane. I mean, I’m really competitive and if I have a bad race, I’m really pissed off and as long as it still hurts me, I’ll keep racing, but If I lose and I go home thinking ‘oh well’, then I’ve lost the fight and it’s time to hand up the helmet.

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motoring

racing heritage Billed as the most exciting classic race series in the UK, the Heritage Grand Touring Car Challenge was certainly a worthy support act to the A1GP finale Writer: Suzannah Sorrell Photographer: Jarowan Power

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eld on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit. The line up in the paddock of sports, saloon and GT cars from the 1960’s to 70’s was certainly an impressive sight. Everything from ground-shaking V8 Aston’s to ridiculously cute Mini coopers through American muscle and Italian style – there was something to suit every taste.

But aside from the A1GP, I was there to see how series organiser Kate Bennington from Norfolk, would fair in her unmodified Mark II Ford Cortina.

Adding some much need glamour to the paddock, Kate, who had never previously driven Brands Hatch, let alone raced on it, was busy swatting up on track layout and racing lines when I caught up with her.

Understandably nervous when she went out, she soon settled down and put in a clean performance until electrical problems brought her stint to an abrupt halt. Back in the pits, a frustrated Kate was to be found alongside her sick looking brilliant red Cortina. “It’s broken!”, she announced on seeing me. “I’m not sure if we’ll get it out for the next race because so many people have come off but the mechanics are going to try.”

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motoring

Whilst Kate was fighting a loosing battle with her newly acquired Ford, her fellow racers were flying off left, right and centre. I have to say, there’s nothing quite like seeing a classic Aston, Porsche or Morgan spin off and hit the Armco in front of you, you just can’t quite believe your eyes. It’s pure theatre! Cars of such value, so lovingly preserved, promptly buried into gravel traps when their drivers get caught out or over enthusiast, only to be rebuilt again and put back out to race. The seriously tuned up Mini’s are especially amusing to watch and although they look like ants next to the muscle of the Aston’s, they put up a great David and Goliath fight.

Although Kate did manage to get out again for Sunday’s race, her Cortina just wasn’t up to the challenge of fending off all that horsepower and it was left to father and son pairing, Grahame and Oliver Bryant in their Morgan Plus 8 to dominated both races, gaining them two valuable wins. Kate’s work however wasn’t over as after stowing her crash helmet and overalls back in her motor home, she was called back into action to present the overall winners and runners up with their trophies and bubbly.

A fantastic series, full of action – well worth a watch!

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motoring

World cup of motorsport Ahead of the new season in September, we take a look at the A1GP – World Cup of Motorsport, which looks set to have an exciting future ahead following the announcement Ferrari will be supplying the cars, aptly named ‘Powered by Ferrari’.

Writer: Suzannah Sorrell Photographer: Jarowan Power

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ut what is A1GP? First seen in 2005, it is like no other racing series and is an entirely new concept. Pitting driver against driver and country against country for the first time in history, A1GP brings together 22 nations to compete as equals, without financial or technological advantage. Roughly translated, it means less processional races like you get in Formula 1 and seriously talented drivers, who are chosen to represent their country based on pure skill rather than a combination of skill and financial muscle.

With three days of on-track action, an A1GP event offers a rare opportunity for race fans to interact with teams and drivers. All the cars are the same so there is no need for secrecy and cloak and dagger of other motorsport. Exclusively inclusive, A1GP brings the thrill of international motorsport to billions of fans across the globe.

Now at the end of its third season having taking in a mix of established world-famous venues plus exciting new facilities and tight twisty street circuits, A1GP delivers everything you could want from a motorsport event. It has the noise, the smell and the speed of F1 along with national pride, nation versus nation action you would expect of a World Cup football final. All in all, it delivers high-speed adrenalin-fuelled action at every turn. It’s an environmentally friendly series, too (well, as much as any motorsport can be!), as all cars run on bio-fuel.

The season just gone came to a thrilling climax at Brands Hatch in May. But there’s not much of a break, as the new season revs up in Mugello, Italy on the weekend of September 19-21. And when it does, the burning questions for fans are: can Switzerland hold on to their crown, and will Great Britain break their frustrating cycle of finishing third in the championship, as they have done for the past three years!

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"the racing is fantastic. It’s so close and those who come to watch it really enjoy it.”

Five minutes with one half of Team GB – Robbie Kerr ‘What’s he good at?’ was the $64,000 question that was on everyone’s lips after Robbie Kerr was diagnosed with dyslexia. Karting, as it turned out.

Since then, Robbie has built up a fantastic driving career, which includes coming second in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hour race and being crowned British Formula 3 series champion, among other accolades.

We caught up with him at Brands Hatch after he’d won the A1GP sprint race for Team GB and narrowly missed out on a second victory in the feature race, propelling him into the top points for the British Racing Drivers’ Club Gold Star rankings, ahead of many Formula 1 drivers.

An amazing achievement, don’t you think Robbie?

“Yes it is, but staying at the top is another kettle of fish. Unfortunately, the way the points are calculated and the timing of the A1GP season, you miss out on quite a few possible points, so it’s disappointing in one way but being back at Brands Hatch, in front of my home crowd and getting such a result was great. It was just a shame about the feature race, it was so close.” Robbie is referring to a poor pit stop, which effectively cost him the feature race. Despite putting in a sterling performance and pretty much leading throughout, enthralling the crowds along the way, he had to contend with re-entering the race in second place after a mistake in the pit lane cost him dearly.

During the press conference, the word ‘annoyed’ came out of Robbie’s mouth, which was understandable given he’d narrowly missed out on a double victory through no fault of his own. But ever the pragmatist, “it’s just one of those things in motorsport you just have to put up with and carry on.”

What it is it about Brands Hatch that suits your style?

“When I first raced there, I had an awful time but gradually over the years I’ve worked at it and it obviously it paid off.”

A1GP isn’t that well know compared to Formula 1, but with Ferrari supplying the cars for the 2008-09 season, is that all set to change?“ A1 is growing all the time and for Ferrari to become involved just shows there is a future in A1 and possibilities to grow the brand and that’s what is happening all the time with A1, the brand is growing all the time, making more and more people aware of the racing. And the racing is fantastic. It’s so close and those who come to watch it really enjoy it.”

So will you be testing for the 2008-09 season?

“I don’t know yet, there’s lots of talking to be done.

Find out more about A1GP – The World Cup of Motorsport at www.a1gp.com

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forbidden fruit The morning after Clarkson announced in A NEWSPAPER COLUMN he’d fallen for the Porsche RS 60, I was bidding my lover – the 911 Turbo Cabriolet – farewell. There were tears!

Writer: Suzannah Sorrell Photographer: Jarowan Power

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t’s a sad thought but, by the time we’ve reached the ripe old age of 30, most of us will bear the emotional scars of a slightly psychotic ex. And although they probably seemed perfect at the start – mind-blowing in bed, intelligent, spontaneous and all the other attributes that make for an exciting partner – they hid a darker side that was harder to handle. A slightly scary and intimidating side that, when pushed to the limit, were prone to volatile and uncontrollable outbursts, leaving you bruised and battered like one of Naomi Campbell’s assistants.

teeth, despite now being a 4x4. Underneath, the layout is essentially the same as it always was. A flat six slung to the rear, fuel and luggage to the front and passenger and gearbox in the middle. It just happens the men in white coats over at Porsche have been hard at it and it’s now full of engineering mastery – Porsche Stability Management, traction control, ABS, blah, blah, blah. Turn off the toys, however, and it’ll still bite back if you push it too hard, just like your ex, only she’s been going to the gym, a lot, and now possesses a twin turbo 490 bhp punch!

Trouble is their good side always won you over so you stuck it out, hopeful the bunny boiler was gone and the fun and exciting person you fell for was back. They were the ones who tried to convince you moving in with them or getting married would iron out any kinks in your relationship. But, deep down, you knew if you succumbed to their charms, your life would be a rollercoaster ride of emotions until the day you died, so you got off the corkscrew and settled for the teacups – a safer but far less satisfying option! The 911 Turbo is the one that got away and the one you can’t stop thinking about, even though you’re now married with children and have a nice 4x4 parked in the drive. It’s the one you love to hate but it was, and probably still is, your one true love but you just didn’t know how to handle it, so you let it go.

When I first fell for the 911 Turbo Coupe, it literally blew my mind, and any cobwebs lurking behind my ears, away. Putting it through its paces around Donington racetrack in Leicestershire was without doubt the best way to test both its performance and handling. I still remember the Porsche killjoy whose job it was to keep me under control, getting excited as we slid into oversteer on my second lap. What a feeling, the rush was immense, especially as I managed to hold the drift by powering through it. I like to think he was impressed but I suspect he was just terrified, just in case I lost it and spun us into the nearest Armco. The more I pounded around the circuit the more I became hypnotised by its simply awesome handling, sheer levels of grip and allout speed. It was lust in its most powerful form. Purists may whine it is not the machine it once was, but those still around to tell the tale of their encounters with the first 911 Turbo talk mostly about the massive turbo lag – effectively a kick in the kidneys – which if it happened to come in mid corner, was also accompanied by an armful of oversteer, meaning even the most experienced driver had to fight tooth and nail to keep it on the road. In its current guise it may seem somewhat subdued, despite bucket loads more horsepower than the original, and

Just occasionally, the feeling is too strong to bear and you weaken after catching sight of it and return with your tail between your legs to rekindle the fire, and wonder why you never stuck with it when you discover the old magic is still there. But everything mellows with time and, just like fine wine, the 911 Turbo has been refined with age and is no longer quite the handful it once was. But don’t be fooled, it still has

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 37

Below: 911 Turbo roof down in the sunshine, perfection!

Right: The rear spoiler automatically raises at 80mph, but can be raised manually by the flick of a switch, if you so desire.

Below Right: The 911 cockpit is now almost perfect, gone is the ergonomic mess of the past.

"The 911 Turbo is the forbidden fruit – once tasted, you’ll always want more. It is your psycho ex when you still thought she was perfect, only this time she is."

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it has without doubt lost that special 911 thrum, although fitting a sports exhaust from the vast option list, will go someway to rectify this and stop it from sounding like a Dyson.

All this civility does come with some upsides, however. It is the only true sports car that can truly be used 365 days a year (pure genius – trust the Germans). It is perfectly happy window-shopping around the city and doesn’t chomp at the bit waiting for you to stop pussyfooting around and shove your right foot down. It will not cook the clutch in traffic and it’s happy basking in its own reflected glory but, the moment you wind it up, you just know the leopard hasn’t changed its spots. Press the sport button, feel the overboost and let it begin its bid for freedom. It’s like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, as it races towards the horizon. It can still produce the heart-in-the-mouth drive you need and crave. I mean, who wants a meek and mild sports car?

Posers aside, they are supposed to be raw, unpredictable and slightly intimidating.

This time around it’s pure love. The 911 Turbo is something else.

Even in cabriolet guise, it doesn’t diminish its greatness. And you can always go for midnight drives, as I did, roof down with just the moon for company. Although I read recently where someone felt nervous pushing it beyond 100mph without the roof on which made me think ‘why do people feel safer if there’s a roof above their head?’ If the unfortunate did happen, I’d rather not be trapped in a large tin!

The 911 Turbo is the forbidden fruit – once tasted, you’ll always want more. It is your psycho ex when you still thought she was perfect, only this time she is unless you flick the switch – just make sure you’re ready!

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 39

Bored To Be Wild Let’s face it, Harleys aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. There’s no point comparing it with a Fireblade. There’s not even any point comparing it with a Pan European. Nor a Suzuki Burgman.

Writer: Damian Harty Photographer: Jarowan Power

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Motorcycling

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his particular Harley doesn’t bear comparison with anything, really. It started life as a mere FLHR – that’s the R variant of the FLH platform, in case that’s unclear – and has been festooned with trinkets to make it an FLHRSE. Some people read “horse” in that acronym and some people read “arse” – neither are my fault. Does this sound baffling? I found the whole experience a bit baffling, too.

The “SE” stands for “Screamin’ Eagle”, which is Harley-Davidson’s performance brand. It has a 110 cubic inch big bore kit, which lifts the standard “twin cam” engine displacement from 96 cubic inches. Twin cam? Didn’t Lotus Cortinas have those? Well, yes and no.

Harley’s idea of twin cam is to have one inletand-exhaust cam for each cylinder in order to line up the pushrods guides better with the barrels. That’s right, the extra cam is for styling, not performance.

Speaking of performance, Harley’s material claims performance “like a live wire” although it carefully avoids giving any actual power figures. While we’re at it, the same source tells me the fuel tank is “unquenchable”. I had a good old think about this. Does it mean I can’t put it out if it’s on fire? Or that it has a thirst that I will never be able to slake? So what exactly is a “chrome billet timer”? Does this sort of tosh really sell motorsickles? I remain a bit baffled, really. Another thing that has baffled me about recent Harleys has been the indicator switches.

A switch on each handlebar speaks of a somewhat obsessive need for symmetry to me, but at least they don’t have the thumbcontorting push-it-up-to-cancel button that BMWs have. In its stead is a so-called “self cancelling” system. Sometimes it self cancels and sometimes it doesn’t, but if you push the same indicator switch again it will cancel manually. Still with me? So, have a guess how often I experienced the following: stare at indicator light to see if it has cancelled or if I just looked down while it was off between flashes, fail to realise that was the last flash, turn it on again, repeat. The amount of time this takes my view off the road is somewhat alarming. God invented push-to-cancel indicator switches for a jolly good reason. He is in no rush to make up a bed for me because someone failed to notice I was looking at the dash lights before violating my right of way and impaling me on their farm machinery.

By the way, I’m not making any claims about where this bed would be, except to say that if God is the creator of everything then logically he has to make them all, wherever they are subsequently deployed.

by a number of fat blokes with beards, which is some consolation. Presuming you’re less timid than me when it comes to solicitation, you had best set your sights on only the most slender of morsels, for while my six-year-old daughter could fit onto the back seat, I’m not sure anyone much bigger could squeeze in between the his ‘n’ hers backrests.

New for 2008 is an ABS system. It seems the stylists are working on the haptic properties of the bike too, since I have to say it was lamentable when I tried it. An enormous clang issues from the rear of the bike and the brakes take an awfully long time to come back on. If you’ve ridden a BMW, Honda or a Triumph with ABS you will be in for a rude shock. The front brake has dismal feel and is complemented by forks which seem to plunge into free fall by the time it hooks up.

Only the twin-leading-shoe cable-operated drum brake on an Indian-built Enfield Bullet has given me less confidence. Best plan a lot and slow down in advance. Also, best to keep your eyes on the road, which sadly precludes using the indicators. But none of this is why people hand over quite so much money for these things and for me to whine about them is really missing the point. It’s an escape, a transport to another dimension, a way of being something that you aren’t normally.

For all I may criticise the reality of the bike, the dream is definitely alive and well. Harley makes and sells more than 300,000 bikes a year and according to some sources has a brand worth $10,000million – what the Americans call ten billion but I’d call ten thousand million. That means every Harley sold is worth some $30,000 to the company in terms of their ability to harvest money from people who wish they could have one but buy a jacket instead. Or people who buy one and buy a jacket.

Seen in this context, the whole thing is genius.

Taking a bike that’s much worse than it could be, selling it at a premium, selling the bits to make it what it could have been all along at another premium – suddenly Honda, selling cutting-edge Fireblades for £8,500 a pop, doesn’t look so clever after all.

There are lots of fantastic things about motorcycling. They include getting lost in a reverie that is entirely your own. And that really is the point. We’re all individuals and we all like different things. There’s room for all of them – we pay our money and take our choice, and it’s not for me to criticise anyone for using different reasons to me when making their choice.

Even if it does leave me just a bit baffled.

When I roll into a pub car park on my Blackbird, no-one bats an eyelid. As I wait at the lights, the driver of the bus doesn’t look over wistfully at me and wander off into his own sunset fantasy.

Far Left: Hog Roast, the Harley, is not short on horsepower.

Top Right: Finally, someone who is a perfect fit for the Screamin' Eagle's pilion seat.

Bottom Right: The Eagle's details are exquisite, if a bit baffling.elent delenibh exero conse mod tat acin ute con ulputpatum velesto ea

Mention of farm machinery brings me on to an inevitable Harley trait – the shuddering, shaking, quaking experience that is known on other motorcycles as “sitting at the traffic lights”. Some people tell me that the vibration of a Harley brings on climactic sensations in nubile young ladies. Fear of being arrested prevented me from researching that topic in depth, although I did notice that I was eyed up

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 41

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motoring

A VAN FOR ALL REASONS Mention Brabus, rear-wheel drive and two-seater in the same sentence and most people get excited.

Mention van, however, and they’ll pick up the paper..

Writer: Suzannah Sorrell Photographer: Jarowan Power

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ity that, because the van in question is all of the above and causes as much attention as Britney Spears nipping to the barbers. Now that got your attention. It’s true, traditionally only supercars warranted the kind of pulling power you’ll receive if you spend any time with the Vito Sport-X. Leave it parked up for five minutes with your flashers on and you’ll return to a small crowd admiring your Brabus bodywork, along with a line of magpies, greedily eyeing up the chrome steel side bars and seriously bling bling rims.

Ahh, those 18in Brabus rims - you’ll have more conversations about those rims than about where you’re going on holiday this year. People go mad for them, even the girls. In fact, it was an eye opener for me to know just how obsessed we seem to be with our alloys. I blame it on Beckham and Snoopy Dog Dog or whatever his name is (I’d love to see the market research Mercedes is working to, it’s obviously working!).So if you are in the market for a van and want to make a serious statement, then without a shadow of a doubt you should consider the Vito Sport-X. The only downside is unlike the frugal VW equivalent, the Vito is thirsty, especially when fully loaded, but then it is a 5-speed automatic rather than a manual.

Although to be fair, we may have slightly overloaded ours at one point. Think The Italian

Job, after they’ve stolen the gold bullions from the Italians and the gold starts sliding to the back of the coach as they drive around the mountain roads. Like them, we needed a lesson on how to load and some tie down straps! Not that it made any difference to its performance.

Offering 440Nm of torque, it’ll take more than few magazines to slow it down. From a standing start, the Vito will accelerate to 60mph in just over eight seconds (8.3 to be precise) and with a top speed of 122mph, it doesn’t hang about either. The only problem you’ll have is when you come to stop. Too sudden and your load will thump you in the back. Again, can’t emphasise enough how important tie down straps are! I’d love to have a race with VW’s Sportline to see which one fairs better but obviously that isn’t the point.

addresses, as we were, they become invaluable. The system is the simplest and quickest to program in addresses, bar none. There was no twiddling or scrolling of things for hours on end. It was simply push this, push that and you were on your way. Congratulations to the clever bod who designed it, now can you come and sort out my BMW shambles please, before I get lost again!

Below: The Vito's Brabus alloys attracted more attention than Britney on her way to the hairdresser's.

Internally, it’s more function over form. The seats, although comfortable enough, haven’t space to recline, so you have to sit up ramrod straight, which would no doubt please primary school teachers. But, didn’t they prove the reason we all used to swing back on two chair legs, was because our backs aren’t designed to be in that position for long spells of time?

But it’s the satellite navigation system that really caught my attention. Now, ordinarily I’d rather phone a friend than use one of these, but when you’re delivering to multiple

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 43

golf

DRIVING RANGE No matter how badly you’re playing, displays of frustration are one thing, but outbursts of temper are quite another. Yelling, screaming, throwing clubs or otherwise making a fool of yourself are unacceptable and, in some cases, dangerous to yourself and others, according to the rules of golf.

Writer: Suzannah Sorrell Photographer: Jarowan Power

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he old saying, ‘bad workmen always blame their tools’ is very apt when it comes to golfers. If I had a pound for every player who, after throwing their clubs to the ground in disgust, declares their irons or driver are absolutely useless, I’d be considerably wealthier than I am now.

For the most part, I smile sweetly and sympathise with their plight as they recount their horrors from the course. Let's face it, we’ve all been there but other times frustration gets the better of me and I politely enquire, after witnessing their umpteenth errant shot, when was the last time they had some tuition? The majority of them pronounce, quite proudly, “I have never had a lesson in my life and it’s never done me any harm, it’s definitely the clubs.” How about fitness, do they do any? “I play golf every other day, that’s enough fitness for me!” Afterwards, I’m left wondering how they expect to play well if they never seek the help of a professional, how their poor muscles cope without a serious yoga-inspired stretching session or, at the very least, a weekly deep-tissue massage. To be fair, in some cases, it is down to their clubs.

If you buy off the shelf, no matter how good

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the brand, nine times out of 10 they won’t be right. When you buy your car you specify the colour, interior finishes, fabrics, and in some cases even brakes, so why wouldn’t you do the same for your golf clubs?

Of course, there are many superb brands of clubs out there, but Callaway Golf is the only brand with a tie-in with the Home of Golf – St Andrews Links Trust in Fife, Scotland. The Old Course, which, along with the other six public courses in St Andrews including the new Castle course, is managed and maintained by the Links Trust under an Act of Parliament, is the oldest course in the world, so to be associated with such a prestigious course is a serious coup.

Although golf was first played in St Andrews in the 1400s, the earliest written evidence is a licence issued in 1552, which permitted the community to rear rabbits on the links and ‘play at golf, futball, schuteing ... along with all other manner of pastimes.’ Including walking your dogs which, surprisingly, on such a prestigious course, they still do. In fact, on Sundays, when the course is closed to golfers, you’ll see all manner of dogs, families with pushchairs and children competing for space, along with the army of groundsmen who desperately try to

Above: The Ed takes a swing under the watchful eye of a TrackMan doppler radar.

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Left: The Ed gives her new driver a test swing or two from one of the Black tee's on St Andrews Dukes course.

Right: The Old Course Hotel.

minimise any damage caused; but then it is a public course, open to all, so I guess they can’t complain.

So, If like most, you feel your clubs are at the root of your poor play, you need to schedule some time off, pack up your clubs and take a relaxing drive up to St Andrews for a long weekend. Book a Fairway Suite at the famous Kohler Old Course Hotel – the only place to stay when you’re in St Andrews – and make a one-hour appointment to see the specialists at the custom fit studio at St Andrews Links Golf Academy. Now, from where I live, it’s a good nine-hour journey, so my perfect steed would need to be a GT of some description, preferably a beautiful, graceful and elegant marque. One that soaks up the miles, leaving the driver fit to play a round of golf on arrival – no mean feat! It was a no brainer, it had to be the baby Aston. It suits my age and my lifestyle, or so I’m told. Seriously, there is just something jaw-droppingly gorgeous about black and silver (the UK’s most popular colours) Aston Martins. When they glide past, it doesn’t matter whether you are into cars or not, male or female, they transport you to another time, another place – a more serene world and one of great beauty. Acid yellow ones do not transport you from the harsh reality of life! They yell and scream at you like a pair of Ian Poulter’s trousers – assaulting and confusing the senses. For someone who likes ‘earth’ tones and thinks all sports cars should be black, it was a bit of a shock, I’ll admit, but after a week with the baby, I started to question my ‘blend into the background’

choices of old. Although, I’m not sure the lovely people who welcomed me to the imposing St Andrews Old Course Hotel, after a very long and tiresome journey along the M6, felt the same. No doubt they needed a stiff wee dram to get over the shock of seeing the newly christened ‘bee’. I, on the other hand, needed a stiff drink to ease the stiffness in my joints, as although it performed like a true GT, limited cabin space had left both myself and my 6ft 2in photographer near cripples.

In fact, I’m not sure I was too popular in St Andrews at all. The ever-present growl, reminiscent of a finely-tuned race car, and the necessity to get up at the crack of sparrows to take photographs, meant I was at odds with the small conservative sleepy Scottish town, although one suspects only cyclists or put-puts are really welcome.

Anyway, back to golf clubs. It certainly sounds impressive to say ‘my clubs were made-tomeasure at the Home of Golf and, after only a few days of staying at the famous Old Course Hotel, where Tiger can be found during The Open Championship, I was able to try them out on the Old Course!’

During the one-hour fitting, which gives you the opportunity to try out a wide selection of Callaway fitting clubs and talk through what you are trying to achieve in your game, I was certainly impressed by their attention to detail and the experience of the Applied Golf Technology custom fit specialists. Although the facility isn’t quite as plush as the one at

Callaway headquarters in Chessington, Kent, it somehow fits the laid back attitude of Scottish golf.

Once introductions are out of the way, you are asked to hit a few balls off a mat with your own clubs, while they measure your performance using a TrackMan ball flight monitor – the same system used during the Masters and the Open, to allow TV viewers to follow the course, of say, Tiger’s ball off the tee and analyse it.

TrackMan employs Doppler radar technology and measures the exact 3-dimensional club movement and ball flight, providing precise data on the ball launch, flight and landing, so there are no excuses! TrackMan also measures the full trajectory of any shot, ranging from short pitches to 400-yard drives, and measures the landing position with an accuracy of 1ft at 100 yards. In addition, TrackMan measures actual spin rate of the ball without marking it, with state-of-the-art accuracy.

Once they’ve got an idea of your swing, an AGT fitting specialist, Ed Robertson in my case, measures the length from your fingertips to the ground and then recommends various shaft and club head combinations. For me, he recommended a standard length men's light A-flex graphite shaft plus 1.0in to accommodate for my 6ft stature and club head speed of 80mph and a 2 degree up club head angle.

After hitting a few more balls with the new club you then discuss your findings and the results of the TrackMan, which are shown on a TV

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 47

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48 . 1째 East . autumn 08

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Above & Right: The colour and exhaust note weren't the only loud thing about the Aston, the Bang & Olufsen stereo was absolutley the best we have ever heard in a car, and you got a natty little Aston logo on your iPod. Left: Ed Robertson runs our Ed through the custom fitting process.

course, St Andrews town itself, while you await the arrival of your clubs. Once you’ve relaxed a while and enjoyed the Scottish hospitality, head down to the Wall of Fame on the ground floor to discover which pros have stayed at this traditional Scottish hotel, now owned by the luxurious Kohler Golf and Spa Resort, and recently awarded Scottish Hotel of the Year.

Of course, no stay would be complete without a visit to the stunning Kohler Waters Spa. Try out the Highland Fling treatment, which involves buckets of water being thrown over you and chocolate! Or, if that sounds like too much hard work, simply relax in the open-air rooftop hot tub and enjoy the Scottish air, provided it’s not raining of course, which it does frequently.

The Fairway Suites, one of which I stayed in, are decorated in a contemporary style and feature a large lounge/dining area, king-size bed and a large Kohler bathroom suite, to ensure you feel at home during your stay. Furthermore, they offer more fabulous views of the most famous hole in the world – the 17th on the Old It’s also worth noting that they don’t sell any of Course, known as the Road Hole. It demands a the equipment from the Links Golf Academy. blind drive over some of the hotel buildings to The form along with your fitting specifications a narrow fairway then a knee-trembling second is sent away to Callaway to assemble off site shot to the green guarded by the infamous and this usually takes between 10 days and Road Hole bunker in front and the road behind. two weeks. Although, if you are willing to The bunker is still known locally as the 'Sands of spend that little bit extra, it isn’t unheard of to Nakajima' after Japanese pro Tommy Nakajima get your bespoke clubs back within 24 hours! came to grief there in the 1978 Open!

In no time at all your clubs will arrive and the wait will finally be over – now’s the time to go out and play the par 72 Old Course and find out if it is you or the clubs… good luck!

screen and include trajectory measurements, side angle, side spin measurements, swing tempo, attack angle, lie angle and, finally, launch conditions.

The first half-hour is spent on the irons, then you move on to the driver. After the hour is over, you will be presented with a full printout of the results, outlining the best combination for you, according to Callaway. Although the fitting specialist may inform you of weaknesses in your swing, they are keen to point out the hour is not a lesson and you should book in to see their professionals to get the best out of your new clubs and game.

All that is left to do is slink on back to the five-star Old Course Hotel, only a few minutes away, and make the most of the comfortable yet opulent surroundings and admire the tremendous views it affords of the most famous links course in the world, The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse, St Andrews Links Clubhouse, the Old Course Shop and beyond to the sea and, of

But, if you thought the views were special from your terrace, the floor to ceiling glass installed along the full length of the fourth-floor Road Hole Bar and Road Hole Grill restaurant, which reopened in April after a facelift, is simply mind blowing and will be the place to be during the forthcoming Dunhill Classic.

Custom fitting costs £40 but is redeemable against any clubs you purchase over £100. To take advantage of this specialist fitting service you must first contact Callaway Golf at 0800 0264653 (choose option 4) to arrange your appointment. An online booking service will soon be available, details of which will be posted online at www.callawaygolf.com For more information about the Old Course Hotel visit www.oldcoursehotel.kohler.com For more information about the Old Course and St Andrews Links Golf Academy visit www.standrews.org.uk

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 49

Golfing

Below: The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse viewed from the first green of the Old Course.

Playing Away if you're going to cheat on your OWN course, you may as well go all the way to st andrews, the home of golf. there's no substitute!

Writer: John Stewart

The Old Course, St Andrews

F

irst, see what is there. To your right, St Andrews Bay, whose massive tidal changes govern even the winds. Behind you, the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse where the rules of golf are formulated and where the Claret Jug permanently resides (the winner gets an exact replica). To your left, the 18th green, where Open champions like Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have been crowned. Ahead, Grannie Clarks Wynd – your first challenge is to get over it – and beyond that, the Swilcan Bridge, the very symbol of golf’s 600-year history.

And then it might help to see what isn’t there. On the Old Course there are few landmarks to help you. Lines are to distant woodlands, church spires or a clump of lonely gorse. The course is full of visual tricks: camouflaged bunkers, mounds positioned just where you hoped to have a view of the pin, and greens that wear a false front to the world, diverting well-struck shots into beautifully manicured swales and hollows. On the first tee you need to see a dogleg right and not the 150yard-wide fairway that you think is there. Aim at the easily overlooked small gorse bush that clings to the wall of the Swilcan Burn, a few yards to the right of the bridge, and you will have the perfect line in with a wedge or a nine iron. Go straight and you risk driving into a loop of the Swilcan Burn. Play very safe to the left and you’ll have something like a six iron approach. The usual westerly headwind makes a mockery of normal club selection. At least one out of every visiting fourball will have a shiny new golf ball baptised in the burn. Few hold the front half of the green. What looked straightforward from the tee just turned into a multiple-choice examination. Welcome to the Old Course!

The next five holes take you out on to the seaward side of the oldest part of the Old Course, where the westerly is a cross wind. You will return that way after playing around the Loop (holes seven to 12).

Tom Morris built the first and 18th greens in the 1860s, but the rest of the course is an original signed off by Mother Nature eons ago.

50 . 1° East . autumn 08 Image: Supplied

Golfing

autumn 08 . 1째 East . 51

Golfing

Image: Supplied

A raised beach landscape with a layer of grass on top, the Old Course is the archetypal golfing challenge. Left is almost always safe, but the further left you go the more greenside bunkers come into play on the approach. Hazards like Cartgate Bunker on three or Shell Bunker on seven could hide a small army. Hell Bunker on 14 would swallow a navy – with their ships! Most shots will come in low and anywhere within 50 yards of the flag is a decent result. No other course makes putting so challenging or exciting. The greens are never cut with a stripe and borrows are so subtle you might swear there are none. Few pleasures in golf are equal to making a two putt on greens like five/13, which is over 4,000 square yards in area. There is always the chance of par or better around the Loop, which has two par threes and par fours that can sometimes be driven. But the temptation to open the shoulders can lead to disaster on these simple looking holes, where pot bunkers lurk invisibly until your shot is heading their way and they make themselves visible. Wiry heather and intransigent gorse fringe the fairways.

Holes 13 to 16 are essential Old Course and the original area of play.

In fact, play can go in opposite directions over this course and the Old Course is played in a clockwise direction every April. The town draws ever closer in this section, gradually dominating the view. Don’t be too distracted: these are arduous holes where tactical play is essential. The 14th is the inspiration for all strategic holes and is arguably the most significant hole on the course. At the Road Hole the challenge is not only the distance to be travelled (455 yards) but the route you have to take. Again, plan your journey in advance. If this was a stretch of water, the 17th would be strewn with wreckage, from grand galleons like Tom Watson, who lost what would have been his sixth Open here in 1984, to humble skiffs buffeted apart by the Road Bunker and the old turnpike itself. The last hole, like the first, plays harder than it looks.

Enjoy crossing the Swilcan Bridge, the gateway to golf’s finest arena.

The Valley of Sin guards the green but it is the putting surface that presents the final test: it is perhaps the most often three-putted green in golf. As you dip your hand into the hole to retrieve your ball, remember that under the surface, it is said, less easily raised, there lie dead men whose cemetery is here. Inspirational, completely original and hugely rewarding, the Old Course never plays the same way twice. Open to everyone all year round, it is the ultimate golfing addiction.

THE Castle Course, St Andrews The creation of the subtly undulating St Andrews Links came about through an elemental clash of volcanic fire and primordial ice and the forced retreat of the North Sea. But the new Castle Course, which looks like it came from a greater chaos, was created by more contemporary

52 . 1° East . autumn 08

means: giant bulldozers directed by the hand of man. Recently opened by the Duke of York, the site was featureless farmland in 2004, ironed out by long years of intensive agriculture. Not now, though. Architect David McLay Kidd wanted to restore what might have been the original contours of a landscape that was used as a hunting ground in medieval times. His team moved vast quantities of earth around the 240-acre site to create his dream 18 holes on the cliff tops overlooking the Home of Golf. Visitors will see glimpses of the familiar St Andrews Links courses here, but mediated through the vision of a modern master. There may also be suggestions of great golfing landscapes in other parts of Scotland, Ireland or the USA. Kidd is a global traveller whose response to his inspirations is to make something entirely unique.

The first tee shot sets the scene: a right to left dogleg, the fairway divides at about landing distance. The left side of the fairway gives the ideal view down the length of the green while anything too far right will mean having to hit over greenside bunkers. A thoughtfully constructed challenge from start to finish, from the artfully constructed tee complexes, featuring five tees for all levels of ability through to the holes that may initially appear intimidating, but a quick check with the course guide will show the landing areas as wide and welcoming. The greens are another matter! Among the earliest creations of the design team, the greens are worlds in themselves. Large, multi-layered and with more slopes and curves than an astrophysicist could conceive, these are unforgettable challenges that might bring forth laughter and despair in equal measure. You may often find yourself having to aim away from the pins in order to let the green contours gather the ball in towards the hole.

The Castle Course offers one of the finest settings in sport. There is over a mile-and-a-half of sea frontage and the vast panoramic views take in the old quarter of St Andrews with its cathedral spires, towers and ruined castle, the Links, the North Sea and the mountains of Angus beyond: stunning in almost all weathers. A driver is not always the best choice of club on the tee, as accuracy will be rewarded, and perhaps a long iron or fairway wood will bring a better angle of attack from the fairways. Many holes fall steeply away from a central ridge and balls will roll a long distance if set off on the right line. A course that has large elevation changes and lots of switches of direction, the Castle Course is a restless adventure.

Image: Supplied

Golfing Far Left: Grannie Clarks Wynd, your first challenge on the Old Course is to get over it.

Left: View back over St Andrews from the Old Course.

Below: The view from the approach to the 11th on The Dukes course.

autumn 08 . 1째 East . 53

Golfing

Image: Supplied

The closing three holes provide a fitting finale to the overall experience.

The 16th requires a drive threaded between out of bounds right and bunkers left to leave an approach into a plateau green raised above a deep swale. Seventeen is as spectacular as they come. Visually dazzling, this long par three invites a shot over a chasm to a green fronted by a sheer cliff. However, there is a safer route which goes towards the left-hand bunker to let the ball feed down onto the green. The angle of the tee at the par five 18th makes the flag seem miles away, but play towards a lone sycamore straight ahead and at right angles to the rest of the hole and you will be faced with an inviting downhill two-shotter to a green which appears to float above the waters of the dark blue sea.

A great test of golf, the Castle Course requires all the shots but it remains great fun for all players. The circular clubhouse, set above where the ninth and 18th greens meet in a dramatic coupling, is a fitting place to relive your experiences on what has already become one of the most talked about courses in the world. The Castle Course is owned and operated by St Andrews Links Trust. It is open to the public and there is no handicap requirement. First season runs to October 31, 2008. In 2009, it will open between April 1 and October 31.

THE DUKES COURSE, ST ANDREWS Turning into the driveway at The Dukes course reminds you of Augusta.

Manicured gardens and trees to both sides and the stunning seventh hole with its panoramic views over the town of St Andrews that greet you halfway are spectacular. Before starting your round, don’t miss out on the excellent practice facilities available – there certainly isn’t any excuse for rumbling one from the first tee! This large turfed practice range gives adequate space for up to 25 golfers at any one time, three

54 . 1° East . autumn 08

Golfing

Image: Supplied

Right: The rough-edged bunkers on the fifth at The Dukes.

Busy at the

Weekend?

Left: The first at The Dukes

The Dog-Leg Seventh

bunkered short game area and a nine-hole putting green gives you everything you need for that pre-round warm up.

So to the course, and the opening tee shot is not intimidating in the slightest – at this 528-yard par five! A bunker-lined fairway at this hole makes the first one a most important strike, and anything right will see you reload from 150 yards. The third hole, named Den Head, is a quaint little par three. At 152 yards from the medal tee this little hole, albeit pretty, is very challenging with the wind blowing from the east, the 200 tonnes of sand used for this hole during the redevelopment in 2006 tells its own story! Definitely no prizes for being short. The front nine sees three birdie opportunities at holes one, five and six, while beware of the deceiving shots at the par three eighth and uphill ninth. An extra club on these holes is recommended to ensure you’re up, as anything off centre or short creates very tricky approach shots.

Having five sets of tees at every hole sets this course up to cater for every golfer. Forward tee measurement of 5,216 yards and back tee yardage of 7,512 complements the 121 bunkers currently in place. On the back nine the risk/reward hole is hole 11, measuring 640 yards from the back tee and housing a small burn 30 yards short of the green makes you think twice before going for the green in two! Hole 13, one of the holes redesigned over the winter, sees you rewarded with a big blow from the tee, this short par four gives you amazing views over the town of St Andrews and the holes to follow. Another of the new holes at 17 looks like it was meant to be there, sliding fairway to the right allows you to pick the big stick on this hole to ensure a short iron for your second over the large beech trees that protect the green, and a tricky sloping green requires concentration.

A tough uphill par four to finish will see off the best of us. Deceiving and undulating, it gives you some sense of fulfilment once finished, and with the old mansion house in the background currently undergoing refurbishment, gives you a sense of importance and achievement at this St Andrews heathland-styled golf course redeveloped to look like it grows out of the land and also “dares to be different” at the Home of Golf. Greens that are slightly smaller than St Andrews is famous for really create an enjoyable round regardless of what tees you pick. www.standrews.org.uk

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Autumn 08 . 1° East . 21

Grooming

Hair today...

Have you got more hair on your back, neck and shoulders than you have on your head, or just sick to death of shaving?

Writer: Simon Skeffington

I

f so, you may want to consider a course of laser hair removal, because let’s face it, most girls aren’t into the bear look! Now, I’m not saying I have a major hair issue but I thought I’d volunteer myself as a guinea pig to see whether it really is as good as it sounds. I mean, let’s be honest, if you never had to shave again or you could get control of that lawn on your back, you would, wouldn’t you?

What they say: Laser hair treatment is the safe, long-term solution to unwanted or excess hair for men as well as women. Laser hair removal is suitable for most areas of the face and body.

A course of laser hair treatments will leave your skin soft and smooth.

The technical bit: Hair consists mainly of a hard protein known as keratin, produced by the hair bulb, which is situated deep within the dermis.

The colour of the hair depends on the presence of a pigment known as melanin. This is produced by pigment-forming cells (or melanocytes), which are found in the hair bulb.

The ultimate colour of the hair is determined genetically and by the type of melanin produced by the melanocytes.

Hair growth occurs in a cyclical fashion, with an active growing phase, anagen, and a resting phase, telogen.

During anagen, the hair is connected directly to the hair matrix in the base of the hair follicle.

During telogen, however, the hair bulb moves away from the base of the follicle so that there is a gap between the bottom of the hair and the bottom of the hair follicle.

When to have laser hair removal treatment: The more commonly-used laser hair removal treatments depend on the high level of energy in the laser light being taken up by the melanin pigment within the hair.

The melanin converts the energy into heat, destroying not only the hair but the hair matrix and hair bulb at the base of the follicle.

The heat generated in the hair follicle is conducted down to the base of the follicle much more readily in an anagen hair (which is still connected to the base of the follicle) than in the resting telogen hair (when any heat generated has to cross the gap to reach the future hair-producing region).

This is why most effective laser hair removal occurs when the follicles are in the active anogen growing phase. Because not all follicles are in this phase, multiple laser hair treatments are almost always required.

56 . 1° East . Autumn 08

The best results also occur when there is plenty of target pigment melanin in the hair and therefore white, blonde and grey hair cannot be treated.

How it felt: So far I’ve only had one treatment, which was slightly uncomfortable, but I was pleased I took Skin’s advice by shaving the day before, as the shorter the hair, the less painful it is.

I also took some paracetamol two hours before, which also helps those with a low pain threshold.

On the whole it feels like you are being hit with an elastic band continually – which, after a while, you get used to!

It’s far less painful than waxing and, in theory, you don’t get ingrowing hair problems.

It was definitely bearable. You do, however, look like a plucked turkey for a little while afterwards because of the heat, but with the application of aloe vera gel, that soon settles down.

Five weeks on, my hair has hardly grown. I’ve had to shave once but certainly not every day as I was previously.

The only downside is I have to keep the lasered bits out of the sun so sadly a beach holiday is out of the question!

Find out how my quest to be hair free goes in the October issue.

My treatment was conducted at Skin’s Norwich branch but there are clinics throughout the UK. Visit www.skinclinics.co.uk

Grooming

When grooming meant shaving rash!

There was a time when shaving rash was all the rage and skincare a mere afterthought but nowadays, you are becoming much more aware about your skin and how to look after it. Who can blame you?

Writer: Kirsty Leadbeter, Beautician

Y

ou see your partners pampering themselves on a regular basis, so why shouldn’t you? Come on guys, we know you are, at times, more vain than you care to admit, so if you can make yourselves look that little bit more handsome, you’d be a fool not to. Proper skincare is essential in maintaining a healthy and youthful appearance. After all, you want to look distinguished as you go grey.

Did you know your skin is approximately 20% thicker than that of a woman’s and is therefore typically firmer? The skin also holds a larger amount of active sebaceous glands leading to the production of excess oil and open pores – so the tendency to sweat more is common and the skin is actually less prone to wrinkling. The ageing process occurs much later in a man and the skin is more resistant to sun exposure, climate and environmental factors.

Skin is the body’s first line of defence against dehydration, infection, injuries and temperature extremes, but is the last in line to receive vital nutrients carried by the blood. So apply products containing such nutrients – anti-oxidants (Vitamins A, C and E) are highly recommended – which can then be easily absorbed. Daily cleansing, moisturising and protection is the key to helping promote a healthy appearance and prevent premature ageing.

Cleanse both morning and night, to help remove the build up of dirt and impurities. Foaming or gel cleansers, especially ones containing glycolic acid, are ideal. Regular exfoliation is an excellent way to unblock pores, remove dead skin cells and aid the prevention of ingrown hairs (something most men suffer with). Moisturising after cleansing and especially after shaving will help to soothe, repair and hydrate the

skin. Not doing so will leave the skin feeling tight and irritable, possibly leading to a further production of unnecessary oil.

Regular shaving is without doubt a chore – the constant use of harsh shaving creams, blunt razors and alcohol-based aftershaves don’t help.

Redness, irritation and ingrown hairs is common. Try to steam the face prior to shaving, as this opens up the hair follicles by 30%, easing the process. A shaving gel is preferable to a cream, as they are often drying and can lead to further irritation. Find one that also suits your skin type, whether it is oily, dry or sensitive (hypoallergenic ingredients are advisable if the latter is the case). Aloe vera-based products prove to be excellent post-shave moisturisers thanks to its healing and calming properties – a must if the dreaded ‘shaving rash’ is common.

The final, most crucial step to a good skincare regime is sun protection.

No matter what skin colouring you are or how tolerant you believe your skin to be, it is at risk. The sun's rays are strong and extremely damaging all year round (even on a cold, cloudy day) and it is advised at least a SPF 30 should be used to prevent and protect against possible cancer risks and premature ageing. Make sure your sun block protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

A balanced diet, a high intake of water and plenty of exercise also all play a part in achieving good skin. An increased metabolism boosts the immune system and helps protect the skin from harmful bacteria and viruses, while sweating allows the body to cleanse itself.

Following these steps will make a difference, so remember, cleanse, moisturise and protect. In a few years you will thank me for it!

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 57

Sport

Photo: Matt Bright

Quick six!

We’re in the middle of another glorious summer of cricket.

England’s exploits against New Zealand and, currently, South Africa have proved nothing short of absorbing – whoever you support.

Writer: Simon Skeffington

A

nd don’t even get me started on KP’s outrageously brilliant ‘switch-hit’ sixes – thankfully ruled legal by the law-makers at the MCC.

There’s no doubt that cricket is enjoying something of a golden era at the moment. The thanks for this renaissance is in no short part due to the bright spark who came up with the Twenty20 format.

Introduced by the ECB five years ago in a bid to tackle falling attendances at county cricket games, the shortened format has been an explosive hit around the world – both domestically and on the international scene.

And it’s the basic premise that has brought the crowds flocking back to grounds. In short, Twenty20 is the slog at the end of a normal one-day game. The rules are the same, but number one aim for batsmen is to muller the ball – every ball – to all corners of the ground. With games lasting in the region of ‘just’' three hours (a blink of an eye, compared to a five-day Test!), the entertainment is fast and furious.

And it’s not just the spectators who have been wowed, but the money men as well – with the dosh rolling in for the top players. This year we’ve already had the launch of the Indian Premier League, and in October we’ve got the Twenty20 Champions League to look forward to. This lucrative contest will be pitting the top two domestic sides from England,

58 . 1° East . Autumn 08

Australia, India and South Africa together, with a cool £1million for the winners.

And talking of millions, on November 1 will be the first of five big, BIG money ‘winner-takes-all’ matches between England and an all-star West Indies side. The to-be-annual showpiece will take place in Antigua, at the private ground of Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford. Stakes will be at an all-time high – with $20million for the winners, and nothing for the losers. Speaking at a press conference at Lord’s, Stanford pointed out: “The winner goes home happy, the loser goes home unhappy.” A case of stating the bleedin’ obvious, one thinks!

Of course, not everyone sees Twenty20 and the mega money in a good light, with purists arguing that it’s “just not cricket”. But it has proved it certainly has its place alongside the 50-over one-day game. And, at time of writing, it was on the cusp of cementing that place even further – with the announcement of a new Twenty20 English Premier League starting in 2010, replacing the Pro40 competition. But while county cricket is set to undergo a major revamp, don’t expect traditional Tests to die out. One look at next year’s fixture calendar will tell you that.

Roll on the Ashes...

SPORT

football focus Tighten those seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy, but exciting, ride.

Writer: Tom Haylett

S

o, less than two months after Manchester United lifted the Champions League in Moscow, we are sitting here talking about the new Premier League season and what 2008/09 will bring. I’m sure pre-season gets shorter and shorter with each passing year and with Euro 2008 taking up much of the “downtime” of the summer months, there has been plenty of news and views coming from all corners of the globe. But it’s to the upcoming domestic season where thoughts now turn and with the arrival of some big-name players and managers in the Premier League, 08/09 could be the best yet.

Let’s start at the top and with the current title holders, Manchester United. They have to start as the early favourites – if only by virtue of having waltzed their way to the crown for two seasons in a row.

However, in my eyes, their destiny lies at the feet of Cristiano Ronaldo.

At the time of writing, the world’s best player – unofficially – is smack, bang in the middle of a tug-of-war between United and Spanish giants Real Madrid.As the saying goes, Real always get their man and if he leaves the rain-swept North West for the sunnier climes of the Spanish capital, then this could have a huge psychological effect on Alex Ferguson’s men.

Unless they replace ‘like-for-like’ and swap him with a Kaka or a Lionel Messi, then last season’s runners-up Chelsea will fancy their chances of reclaiming the crown they lost to United in 2007. The arrival of Brazilian World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will certainly spice things up on the King’s Road after the dour reign of Avram Grant and with the arrival of Deco and presumably more, their squad has an awesome look about it.

Arsenal, for me, just don’t have the substance to challenge for major honours and while they have some of the world’s most talented youngsters at their disposal, when the season reaches the business end, the Gunners don’t have the necessary fighting qualities needed.

Without sounding all xenophobic, they need a good sprinkling of English grit in there for when the going gets tough. Let’s face it, which of their continental starlets are going to fancy a trip to Hull in the pouring rain in January? Games like that separate the men from the boys and Arsenal don’t have enough of those characters. Stick John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney through the spine of their team and Arsenal would walk the league. Simple as that.

I get the feeling Liverpool will improve but there are still a few pieces missing from the Anfield jigsaw. In Fernando Torres, they possibly have the world’s best striker and they may well win a cup, but it won’t be the Premier League – not until Rafa Benitez stops his ridiculous rotation policy.

I’m afraid the remaining contenders are a ‘best of the rest’ bunch – but I expect Aston Villa to be the front runners to challenge the 'Big Four'.

Martin O’Neill is a shrewd operator and they should continue their season-on-season improvement. Whether it is enough to break into that top four is another matter. Everton, Manchester City – under the expert guidance of Mark Hughes – Tottenham and Portsmouth will be in the running for Europe and another team who could surprise a few people are Blackburn. Paul Ince’s star is firmly on the rise and it will be interesting to see how he copes with being a top flight manager. My guess is that he’ll do well, although he may have to wait a while for a European push.

Down near the relegation trapdoor will be as intriguing as ever and out of the promoted teams, West Brom should fare the best. Hull and Stoke are certainties for the drop in my eyes. The other spot is anyone’s guess but those fanatical supporters at Newcastle could be in for another season of misery. I’m just not convinced that Kevin Keegan is the manager he once was.

PREDICTIONS Champions Champions League qualification UEFA Cup qualification Carling Cup FA Cup Relegated

Chelsea Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool.

Aston Villa Manchester City Liverpool Bolton, Stoke, Hull

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 59

                                                           

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

Life

Stay at home dad Now that my son has turned 18, we have to put up with the typical lairy uncontrollable behaviour. He won’t do what he is told, stays up far too late, won’t get up when asked, eats curry, picks his nose, finds bodily functions hilarious and is seemingly obsessed by putting his hand down ladies' tops!

Writer: Hugo Stevenson

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s a father what is most concerning is he is only 18 months old, so quite what he will be like as a teenager, who can say? All I know is if he carries on like this, I will certainly be balder and more grey, but at least I can blame it on his behaviour, not my genes.

Much of this article was written while the good folk at Autoglass re-glazed my new pride and joy (no, I am not talking about having my son encased in glass, but having the windscreen replaced on my gleaming black Volvo XC90).

My purchase came about after deciding a more robust, safe and roomy vehicle was necessary for transporting our real pride and joy, having had a near miss with a Land Rover and a deer in our previous ride – a 10-year-old VW Polo.

Would my old car have survived a real coming together? Probably not. Although the Polo provided us with many thousands of happy motoring miles, it is satisfying now that other road users not only acknowledge our presence, but even give way, including Transit vans!

Aside from the practical functions of the Volvo, it provides a very welcome injection of testosterone to my oestrogen-centred world, and it is fantastic to crank the stereo to 11 and give myself tinnitus listening to some good old progtastic ‘dad rock’ while playing air guitar, which is made significantly easier with the automatic transmission and cruise control. The only ironic disadvantage of the Volvo is that being nearly one-and-a-half feet taller than the Polo, the stone that split my new windscreen would have flown over the Polo’s roof and I would have got home unscathed and £60 better off.

Another great thing is that when I arrived at toddler group, I got my son out of the car,

who then turned, pointed to it and clearly said “Volvo” in front of the other mothers, which was obviously considered to be most impressive. Glowing with pride I debated whether to mention that this was the only manufacturer that he can recognise and name, but I allowed the reputation of his perceived intellectual prowess (and my reflected glory) to remain untarnished.

However, as the old saying so accurately states, “pride comes before a fall”. On a recent trip to the supermarket, one of the mothers from the toddler group witnessed me loading rather a large quantity of wine into my trolley. The volume was too great for a weekly shopping trip, yet not enough to appear like we were hosting a party – leaving me looking like I spent my days half cut. While chatting to said mum trying to act all breezy about my trolley's contents, my son reached into my pocket and pulled out the entire packet of treats I was using to bribe him into staying restrained. Not only that, he then accomplished the coup-de-grace to my reputation by grabbing the family-sized Marmite jar from the trolley and launching it towards the tiled floor. The resulting predictable explosion of glass and Marmite led to a pretty immediate change of my feelings towards the product – from loving it to hating it.

the rest of the company’s profits – or perhaps my paranoia was getting the better of me!

Embarrassment was taken to another level when I was visiting a bathroom supplier and foolishly allowed my son out of the pushchair, as I assumed he couldn’t do much harm to a bathroom suite. This was true, yet I didn’t realise he would prove the fire door – clearly labelled it was alarmed – would or could be opened by a toddler travelling at a slow charge, thus triggering the alarm. The resulting racket was horrendous as was my humiliation, exacerbated by the fact the staff could not remember the alarm code. Despite my thick skin I could not withstand the continuous noise and stares of the staff and other shoppers, so I elected to beat a hasty retreat and use a different supplier.

All of these incidents do seem to bring into question my paternal proficiency and damage the reputation for my fellow 'home dads', yet the most innocent actions can be distorted and then become a damning debacle.

As summer seemed to finally have arrived my son was playing in the garden with his great aunt. As he is interested in the garden birds, and she is a keen ornithologist, it seemed only natural for her to point out and name the various birds they saw together. The only problem is that now he wanders around randomly saying “tit”! Who would believe the real story, without judging me first and questioning the appropriateness of my parenting techniques?

Unfortunately, the sound of breaking glass attracted the attention of a member of staff, who requested the in-store cleaner over the Tannoy system in the usual tone of polite yet justified frustration, which may as well have said, ‘come and clear up the mess caused by the incompetent father who cannot control his I'm just glad that the ‘booby’ is not an son.' I spent the rest of the supermarket trip indigenous bird, as things could only get worse trying to look relaxed, but kept bumping into from here! the same staff member, who I suspected was spying on me to make sure my son didn’t smash

autumn 08 . 1° East . 61

food&drink

five bites divine

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ulling into the parking area, I have to admit to being pleased the Jaguar had gone back the day before because I’m not convinced I’d have been happy to leave it there for too long. To be fair, I had been warned that the surroundings were somewhat lacking but as I climbed the stairs from the car park to Divine’s entrance, I wasn’t prepared for the surrounding 1970s arcade. To say I felt out of place was a serious understatement. Obviously the planners were all off on one during that decade, because I can’t imagine anyone in their right mind designing those damn things, let alone receiving planning permission to build them. Come to think of it, they must be the same planners who allowed the church to build a modern monstrosity in front of my beautiful former Georgian rectory. Whoever they are, they need serious help. Once inside, however, you could be forgiven for thinking you’d just been transported to a major city rather than North Walsham – a real Jekyll and Hyde moment. White walls, recessed ceiling lights and stylish table covers present a slick image while frosted glass prevents the outside coming in, but it’s difficult to get your head around it all, considering the onslaught your senses have just been through. But, the friendly can’t-do-enough-for-you staff soon put you at ease, as does the jovial barman in the open plan bar area, off to the left as you walk in.

Divine is an interesting and brave venture from forward-thinking owners. www.dineatdivine.co.uk

cadogan arms

Andover House

the Cock

Bistro on the quay

Isn’t it funny how you always find the best places by accident?

Offering the best surf and turf burger and sticky toffee pudding, the Cadogan Arms, situated along the A134 between Thetford and Bury St Edmunds was a great find. We love the stylish decoration, fluid layout and The F-Word-style TV, showing images from the kitchen and of course, the food. Great place to meet friends or stay over, as they have rooms. Even the toilets were five star.

Andover House is Great Yarmouth’s first luxury boutique hotel, wine bar and restaurant.

Whoopee-do, we hear you cry, there’s a new boutique hotel opening its doors every day.

But, what caught our attention is that Andover House is exclusively for adults. Now we aren’t insinuating anything sordid here, that’s your filthy mind getting the better of you!

No, all we are saying is the knowledge that no ‘little people’ will be running around screaming while we’re trying to relax with a bottle of wine is music to our ears.

If you ever find yourself stuck on the A14, near Huntingdon, look out for a sign to Hemingford Grey, pull off and head to The Cock. By the time you’ve chosen which sausage and mash combination to have – there are 80 possible variations to choose from, although not all available at the same time – the traffic will hopefully have died down. And you can be on your way, sated and relaxed.

If the sun happens to be shining when you next visit the beautiful Ipswich Waterfront, you could be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported to southern France or Spain, rather than the capital of Suffolk. And what do you do when you’re in either of these places? Have a delicious meal with a bottle or two of vino, of course.

Head to Bistro on the Quay, you won’t be disappointed.

www.surfandturf.it

www.andoverhouse.co.uk

62 . 1° East . Autumn 08

www.cambscuisine.com www.bistroonthequay.co.uk

food&drink

I get a kick from Champagne!

Never mind the fact Cole Porter gets no kick from THE BUBBLY STUFF, the rest of us do. And anyway, he drank gallons of the stuff!

Writer: Gordon Hall

We all associate the seductive, golden bubbles with success and happiness, from birthdays and bar mitzvahs, to weddings and winning celebrations. Quite apart from the sheer joy and exuberance we feel when drinking Champagne, it really is good for us! Those tiny bubbles of air transport the alcohol faster than any other liquid into the bloodstream – perfect for that adrenaline-filled moment of success and the heady excitement of celebration that follows. Most of all, Champagne equals success! Your racehorse comes in first at Ascot, you celebrate a win at the casino, you score your first hole in one… the pop of a cork follows naturally and simply nothing else will do.

Words: Gordon Hall

The real thing is only produced in the Champagne region of France and no other sparkling wine, no matter what the quality, may be labelled with this magical name. Wines have been produced here since Roman times but only in the late 17th Century did Dom Pérignon (and his fellow brothers) discover the famous “méthode champenoise”. Let no-one offer you Champagne from Australia, California or anywhere in the world other than the beautiful French region that extends from Reims to the Vallée de la Marne and southwards to the Côtes des Blancs. The chalky soil here combines with the climate to produce an idyllic “terroir” for the three main grape varieties permitted in the making of Champagne: Chardonnay for elegance, Pinot Noir for body and Pinot Meunier for freshness. Vintage Champagne is made only from the grapes of one harvest and, as a result, may vary in style, weight and character… that’s the beauty of it!

What to buy? How to choose from the vast array on offer? One of the absolute gems in the treasure chest has to be the House of BillecartSalmon, created by the marriage of Nicolas-Francois Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon almost two centuries ago, still owned and run by the family today. Here, nestled behind the magnificent walled rose garden, tradition is everything. Their top cuvée grapes are lovingly hand-picked, the vintage bottles are individually labelled by hand.

From their “not so” every-day non-vintage Brut Réserve through to the exquisite nectar that is their Vintage Rosé, these wines are supremely elegant, fresh and fruit-filled. How about a Jeroboam (four bottles) or even a Salmanazar (12 bottles) to really liven up the party?! Perfect to wash down some fresh oysters or to partner a deliciously decadent dish of caviar.

1 Degree East Offer A MIXED CASE CHAMPAGNE COMPRISING 6 bt Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve The house style is the epitome of elegance, style and balance 3 bt Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Romantic pale pink with golden hints presented in that sexy curvaceous bottle 1 bt Billecart-Salmon Demi-Sec Deliciously off-dry, simply perfect with strawberries and cream!

1 bt Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru A blend of two vintages, 100% chardonnay grapes from their top grand cru vineyards 1 bt Cuvée Nicolas-Francois (vintage) A decadent, rich style created to commemorate the founder of this great Champagne House £395 per case, including UK mainland delivery To order your case, email promotions@1degreeeast.co.uk or telephone 08443 578244

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 21

dining

THe NEPTUNE It takes a brave man to tell a journalist he thinks the local crabs are crap!

Writer: Suzannah Sorrell Photographer: Jarowan Power

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specially as Kevin Mangeolles, the new owner of The Neptune Inn and Restaurant in Old Hunstanton, has only recently moved to the region. But Kevin, a chef of serious repute, is a perfectionist and if he feels that Cromer Crabs are crabby, who are we to argue? Why should he use what he considers to be inferior products just because a trend has developed to ‘source locally’?

Why should he risk compromising the integrity of his food just to please suppliers and ‘food mile’ campaigners? Why indeed.

Although, to be fair, before some of you start huffing and puffing and getting all indignant, he does sing the praises of mussels and oysters from Thornham – “they are simply the best”, he says, and he does try to buy the majority of his ingredients as locally as possible but, he has a reputation to uphold and believe me when I say, it is some reputation.

Before arriving at The Neptune with his wife and business partner, Jacki, both worked at The George Hotel, Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, where Kevin held a Michelin star for nine – yes, nine – consecutive years. So from where I’m sitting, he’s entitled to choose his crabs from wherever the hell he likes. Incidentally, he gets his from Cornwall.

Far from being a complete egomaniac, like some of the chefs I’ve come across, Kevin appears self-effacing and down-to-earth, if a little nuts, once you get him warmed up. Perhaps it’s down to his Yorkshire roots – he was born in Halifax – that keep him grounded or his Taurean nature.

Either way, it was refreshing to talk to a chef who hasn’t been blowing smoke up his own arse since he learned to how to chargrill vegetables.

“I’m just a f***ing cook” says Kevin, “I just like making good food.”

And that's a serious understatement. Specialising in modern British cuisine with French influences, he regularly visits France, California and other parts of the world for inspiration and it really shows.

Every dish from the carefully prepared taster menu was expertly executed and beautifully presented. And his lamb was simply the best I’ve ever tasted. So often you go for a meal and although it states on the menu it contains X, Y and Z, most of the time you wouldn’t know it, but with Kevin’s food, the integrity of each ingredient came to the fore and complemented each other perfectly.

That’s not to say out of the eight little dishes I liked every one of them, because I’d be fibbing, but the ones I wasn’t so struck by, our photographer demolished with a twinkle in his eyes and vice versa. In his words, “anyone who can present me with dishes containing mackerel, foie gras and beetroot, three of my least favourite ingredients, and for me to eat and actually enjoy them, has to be doing something right.”

This is saying something considering he is a man who swears blind his palate is too uneducated to appreciate some of the finest foods served in some of the finest restaurants around the globe! Mention truffles to me and I start salivating. Him, he’s like, 'what’s the big deal? They are mushrooms and I hate mushrooms'!

Which is why he perked up when Kevin presented a fishfinger in a small

64 . 1° East . Autumn 08

glass as the first course. But it was no ordinary fishfinger! Made from fresh salmon, it was simply the most devine fishfinger the captain’s table had ever seen. If they were all like this, Captain Birds Eye could order a Fairline for every day of the week!

The interesting thing about Kevin, when you discuss his Michelin prowess, is the fact he seems quite comfortable knowing some people just wont get his creations. “When I was training up my new assistant, I tried to explain that not everyone will get what we are striving to achieve. It’s all a matter of taste at the end of day. If they don’t like what we produce, there’s not a lot you can do about it.” I found myself nodding, as it’s a similar thing with this magazine. Some people get it immediately and other more traditional folk think it’s positively pornographic – far too racy!

Kevin, on the other hand, doesn’t think there’s enough porn in it! In fact, a whole conversation during our meal was dedicated to the Oxford Union against The Sun ‘Page 3 girls’ debate. Jacki remained unconvinced there is a place for Page 3 girls in the 21st Century, but the rest of us see no harm in it providing the girl in question is happy to oblige (and let's face it, if the recent Becoming a Page 3 Model programme is anything to go by, they’re desperate to get their boobs out in the hope it’ll lead

dining Far left: Mackerel and watermelon.

Left: Salmon finger, simply the best fish finger you'll ever eat.

Below right: Desserts to die for.

Below Left: Elegant and understated Neptune interior.

to fame and fortune). Unfortunately for them, there aren’t many Jordan/ Katie Price successes out there!

"So often you go for a meal and although it states on the menu it contains x, y and z, most of the time you wouldn’t know it, but with Kevin’s food, the integrity of each ingredient came to the fore and complEmented each other perfectly."

As we had the restaurant to ourselves, which was blissful, especially as it was a birthday meal, it provided a unique opportunity to chat with the hosts of this beautifully presented New England-style restaurant. Elegant and subtle candlelight provided the perfect atmosphere and complemented the white washed tongue and grove panelling, white linen table clothes and wicker chairs. It was just like visiting old friends and the conversation flowed with Kevin’s fast wit and Jacki’s entertaining stories.

And that’s the thing you soon learn about Kevin, he has a wicked sense of humour. In our case it started from the moment we arrived to when he presented us with two tiny sake cups in place of traditional coffee cups – this being a jovial nod to my review of Tom Aiken’s restaurant in London, in the second issue.

Question is, will there soon be two Michelin-starred restaurants on the North Norfolk coast? It certainly seems like a fair bet, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 65

bookreview

tom cain

aka David Thomas, On writing two fantastic thrillers, hard work and the Hollywood saga.

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ongratulations on the success of The Accident Man (which was reviewed in the 2nd issue of 1 Degree East) – a phenomenally good read that ruined my life for three days because I couldn’t put it down!

Thanks! There’s nothing I like to hear more than the news that I’ve taken three days of a reader’s life, kept them up to the early hours or generally messed them around, just by writing a book!

Are you happy with the reactions you’ve received from it?

Very. I spent more than two years working on The Accident Man and for most of that time I had no publisher, and no hope of getting one. So the incredibly positive way readers seem to have responded to the book makes me feel I wasn’t wasting my time, and that my faith in the book, which seemed crazy, was actually justified.

You’ve now finished the sequel – The Survivor – which is equally as good, but are you happy with it? Did you suffer from the ‘difficult second novel’ syndrome? Was it harder to write than the first?

unbelievably hard to make something look effortless.

You are an accomplished newspaper journalist. How different is the transition from writing for newspapers to novels?

In some ways it’s easy, because you’re a trained writer. You know about research. You’re used to grabbing readers’ attentions and keeping stories moving, which are incredibly important elements in thriller-writing. The toughest thing, I found, was justifying the story in the first place. As a journalist, you never ask yourself what right you have to expect a reader to be interested. You’ve been given an assignment. You do it as well as you can. You figure that people who pick up the paper will look at it, and then either read it or not. But the person you’re interviewing, or the story you’re reviewing, tend to justify themselves. As a novelist, almost the hardest thing is getting over that nagging doubt, ‘Why would anyone give a s*** about this?’ Because it’s all just coming out of your head your imagination – so why would anyone want to share that? Once you get over that, then the background in journalism is a huge, huge help.

They say every journalist has a novel, what do you say to that?

It was murder to write! You’re absolutely right. People do talk about the ‘difficult second book’ like the ‘difficult second album’ and for the same reason. You slave on your debut, pour your heart and soul into it, fill it with every idea you can possibly imagine... and then someone says, ‘Great, now do it again!’ Not easy – and it’s made worse if, like me, you start the book with your hero in a state of zombie-like post-traumatic stress, which means he can’t actually do anything for the first 100-odd pages. Fixing that drove me, my agent and editors on both sides of the Atlantic nuts for months. Then we sent out the first proof copies of The Survivor and... no one noticed! They didn’t see any of the agony we’d gone through. They all seemed to find it just as pacey, just as easy to read as The Accident Man. And we were all going, ‘Are you sure?

Don’t you think the first act is a real problem?’ To which the answer was always, ‘Errr... no, not at all!’ Which just proves to me you have to work

66 . 1° East . Autumn 08

Then write it, you lazy bastard!

How did you come up with your pseudonym?

Well, I wanted something short and snappy that sounded thriller-ish.

The ‘Tom’ part came from my surname ‘Thomas’. The ‘Cain’ I just got because I wanted something near the beginning of the alphabet, and the hard ‘C’ sounds good. Plus there’s an association between Cain (as in Cain and Abel) and badness. But subconsciously it may also have been that I’d just ghosted Lord Charlie Brocket’s autobiography, and his family name is Nall-Cain. My big hope was that Tom Cain would be this supercool alter-ego, who’d have a much wilder time than boring old David Thomas... hasn’t happened yet, but I’m still hopeful!

bookreview

Where did you get your idea and inspiration from for the character Samuel Carver?

So the question is when are they going to be turned into films?

And who will play Carver?

The original idea was just an image that came to me one night, as I was lying in bed: a hired assassin at the end of the Alma Tunnel, in Paris, on August 31, 1997, waiting for the black Mercedes containing Princess Diana... and he was the hero of the book. So then I had to work out, who was he? What kind of man would he be, and why would he take this terrible job? And given that he was about to do something utterly heinous, how could I make him someone readers actually rooted for?

Carver really evolved from answering those questions. And then the other big element was that I had to give him characteristics I could understand and relate to, given that I know nothing at all about being an assassin. So I guess there’s a bit of me in the emotional (or unemotional) side of his nature and everything that follows from that.

Hollywood? Now there’s a saga! The Accident Man was optioned by a major studio. Then came the writers’ strike. Now the actors are about to go on strike. Meanwhile there have been corporate changes at the studio, so now the deal may go somewhere else. This is all, apparently, completely standard practice out there! I mean, it took 20-odd years to get The Bourne Identity to the screen. As for who I’d like to play Carver. Well the original model for Carver was Daniel Craig, then he got the Bond gig! Then I thought maybe Christian Bale, except he’s Batman. Damian Lewis could do it, but he’s got red hair. Ed Norton would be great, although he’s American. And Clive Owen would have been perfect, but he’s too old. Truth is, if it gets made, and it’s half as good as Bourne, I don’t care who plays Carver!

How long did it take you to write The Accident Man and The Survivor? Do you write every day? What is your writing pattern?

Do you have a particular place where you write?

What are your tips for writing a successful novel?

The Accident Man took two years to get to the point where I had enough (about 30,000 words) to show to publishers, and then six months to write the other 85,000 words, once I had a deal and a deadline. Actually, that was about two months of sitting with a stunned look on my face, coming to terms with the idea that this was now real, and four months of frantic writing. With The Survivor, which was due exactly a year later, I spent about six months faffing around, trying to find a story, another month in total panic, and then five months hard at it, writing pretty well every day (bar the odd time off to write articles). By the looks of it, the third book, as yet untitled, will be the same. Up until now, I’ve written from home, but in a bid to be more professional, I’ve now rented an office. My hope is to work set hours. Whether that will actually happen, let alone be effective, I’m not yet sure!

Hmmm. Put the reader first. Never forget that this isn’t about you. This is about earning the right to a reader’s money and time. So don’t be precious or pretentious. Have a good strong, well-constructed story. Fill it with characters who are worth spending time with. Then write with pace, pace and more pace. If a piece of description gets in the way of the story, bin it, no matter how poetic or beautifully written it might be.

Grab readers at the start of every chapter, and leave them needing to carry on at the end of it. Even if you are writing comedy or a romance, never forget the importance of tension and jeopardy. You must keep the reader wondering what’s going to happen next. And I say again, this is not about you. It’s about the reader.

Oh, and get a good agent!

bookreview

the Survivor Written by: Tom Cain Published by: Random House £12.99

ExCerpt: The Survivor – Tom Cain The airport mechanic was a shade under six feet tall, and the body beneath his overalls and padded cold-weather vest was lean and athletic. The deep line that bisected his strong, dark brow suggested a determined fixity of purpose, and his clear green eyes conveyed a calm, almost chilly intelligence. A woollen knitted cap covered his short brown hair. The lower part of his face was hidden behind a beard.

There was a badge on his chest. It gave his name as Steve Lundin.

The badge was fake. The mechanic’s real name was Samuel Carver.

No one in the hangar batted an eyelid when Carver unscrewed the hatch at the tail end of the executive jet and hauled himself up into the rear equipment bay for a standard pre-flight inspection. This apparently unimportant section of the fuselage couldn’t be reached from the cabin. So once the plane was airborne, whatever happened in the rear equipment bay, no one could do anything about it. Not that anything was supposed to happen there. It was simply a place filled with ugly but functional components, much like the basement of a building. Things like bundles of wires linking the plane’s electronic circuits; the cables and hydraulic lines that controlled the rudder and elevators; the accumulator that held the hydraulic fluid that got pumped out through the system; the pipes that carried super-heated, high-pressure air off the engines and sent it for use in the plane’s cabin heating system. None of these things were much to look at, or remotely exciting – until, of course, they went wrong.

It was the air pipes that interested Carver. They were covered in thick silver-coloured cladding, held with plastic clips, and they formed a network through the plane via valves and junctions, pretty much like a domestic water system. So he messed with the plumbing, loosening one of the junctions so that the hot air would leak from it. The junction in question was barely a hand’s breadth away from the hydraulic accumulator.

By the time Carver closed the equipment bay hatch and walked away, the fate of the aircraft was sealed.

There was a TV on in the passenger lounge. The CNN reporter was having a hard time holding back his tears as he stood in front of a blackened, burned-out church.

‘We can’t show you what it looks like inside the smoking charnel-house behind me,’ he said, an undertone of barely restrained passion colouring his lyrical Irish brogue. ‘The scenes are too appalling, too sickening.

The charred and mutilated corpses of four hundred innocent women and children lie in there. The scent of their burned flesh fills the air all around.

‘While western politicians turn their eyes away from this insignificant corner of West Africa, a ten-year civil war has descended into genocide.

The rebel forces mounting this ruthless campaign are better trained

68 . 1° East . Autumn 08

and equipped than ever before. Their leaders are showing levels of organisation and strategic planning far ahead of anything they have displayed before. Somehow, somewhere, these merciless killers have acquired new resources, new expertise. And so, as the village’s few survivors search among the corpses for their loved ones, one question comes inevitably to mind: who is backing the rebels? For whoever they are, and whatever their motivation, they have the blood of an entire people on their hands.’

‘Shit, this boy’s a friggin’ comedian!’

Waylon McCabe slapped a hand against his thigh as he addressed the three other men in the room. Most of the time McCabe’s eyes were mean and flinty, narrow slits in wrinkled folds of leathery skin that seemed permanently screwed up against the glare of his native Texan sun. But he was letting his guard down now, opening up a little, taking it easy with his buddies.

‘Man, I swear he’s about to cry, just to show how sensitive he is.

But I’ll bet he don’t care about a bunch of dead niggers any more’n I do.

He’s just in it for hisself, thinkin’ on the prizes he’s gonna git for being such a damn humanitarian . . . Hell, he might make almost as much money outta this war as me.’

‘I seriously doubt that, boss,’ said one of the other men, swigging from a bottle of Molson Canadian.

‘Well, I don’ know, Clete,’ replied McCabe with a grin. ‘Sure, my diamonds’ll pay better. But you gotta consider the costs.

He ain’t had to ante up for guns ’n’ ammo, instructors to train them native boys . . . Here, throw me one of them beers afore I die of thirst.’

McCabe was a long way past sixty, but for all the lines on his face he was still tougher and possessed of more energy than most men half his age. He had spent the past three days on the coast of the Yukon and Northwest Territories. From there on up to the North Pole it was pretty much just ice. Now he was sitting in a private room in the terminal at Mike Zubko airport, right outside the town of Inuvik, waiting on the plane that would take him home.

He was trying to decide whether to pursue his hunch that there were significant oil deposits in the region. The major corporations had all pulled out of the area. Oil was cheap, extraction would be expensive and the local Eskimos – Waylon McCabe was damned if he’d call them Inuits, screw them if they felt offended – were getting uppity about their tribal lands getting despoiled. The way they saw it, the upside wasn’t worth the aggravation.

McCabe, however, looked around the world at where all the oil was, and where all the trouble was, and saw they were pretty much the same places. Sooner or later, between the towel-heads in the Middle East and the commies down in South America, supplies would be threatened. Meanwhile, there were billions of Chinese and Indians buying automobiles and building factories, so demand could only go up. High demand and insecure supply would mean rocketing prices, and fields that were only marginal now would become worth exploiting. At that point, who gave a damn what a bunch of seal-hunters thought? A few bucks in the right pockets and that problem would be solved. And anyone who refused to take the money would soon find out they’d made the wrong decision.

There was a knock on the door, and Carver walked into the room. His normal, relaxed stride had disappeared. The way he carried himself was tentative, his expression hesitant and nervous. He gave the clear impression that he felt uneasy in the presence of a man as wealthy and powerful as McCabe. ‘Plane’s checked, filled up and ready to go,’ he said. ‘Don’t mind me saying so, sir, you’d best be on your way. There’s weather coming in.’

McCabe gave a single, brusque nod that at once acknowledged what he’d said and dismissed him from the room. Carver paused briefly in the doorway, though nobody seemed to notice or care.

‘Have a good flight, sir,’ he said.

bookreview

AT THE HEART OF ART It’s a bear pit.

I

s the art market any different from the world of football? Not really. As soon as someone finds that Chelsea are interested, then the price starts going north! The art world is no different, knowing the buying power of who you’re doing battle against makes all the difference to the final bill.

London auction houses compete with the very best of West End retailing. Gentile atmosphere and servile staff offering all you could want in a purchasing experience. The reality is very different, think stock exchange trading floor and you might get close. It doesn’t matter what’s for sale either. Indeed, the bigger the stakes, the more tricks employed. As with the stock market, knowledge is power and so knowing your opposition means you know how much they are able to pay for something.

Take the example of an 18th century jug sold at a Norfolk auction house. The buyer was known by a number of dealers and collectors, he was desperate to keep his identity secret so he might buy the piece as cheaply as possible.

He had been seen and the assumption was he would be the main player in the auction room.

So he stood very obviously in the room not bidding and confusing the competition. On the opposite side of the room his wife merrily bid away. The piece sold to him without disclosing he was even bidding.

I

f you are a fan of Nick Hornby or John O'Farrell and have spent any time in hospital, either as a patient or an employee, then you're going to love Nigel Smith's I Think There's Something Wrong With Me. But be warned, you will need a strong stomach, if you are at all squeamish, or have hypochondriac tendencies then Nigel's vivid recollections will probably have you running for the nearest loo or doctor – or maybe even both.

When Nigel got rushed to hospital with a brain lesion so big that the radiologist assumed he'd died, he was understandably hacked off. After all, he was one of those blokes who had it all: a loving family, a wife his friends all fancied and a thriving TV comedy career.

I Think There's Something Wrong With Me is his amazing, hilarious account of his fight for survival. Battling a brutal illness, impossible bureaucracy and nurses that could only serve as fantasises to the writers of Doctor Who, Nigel Smith has produced a brilliant black comedy for our time. It is a book for everyone who has ever thought, 'there must be more to life than this'. Because some times things have to go seriously wrong to make us realise just how much is right.

I think there's something wrong with me Written by: Nigel Smith Published by: Bantam Press £7.99

Spot the difference between that and the £40.9million Le Bassin Aux Nympheas, by Monet, which sold at Christie's recently. The auction was a strictly-by-invitation evening affair, bringing out the real fat wallets of the art market. With bid increments of £200,000, a slip of the hand would be the equivalent of the average house price or a Coca Cola League defender! However, it is reported the underbidder on the picture was none other than Roman Abramovich, doing battle with a city institution via a London dealer on the front row. Abramovich was said to be in a side room at Christie's, bidding via a phone against the room. The principle is exactly the same, neither the city institution or the Russian oligarch wanted the other to know who they were and, more importantly, how much they could afford.

Given Christie's had guaranteed the seller a minimum price regardless what it sold for, they needed to assist all potential bidders offering every facility. In the end, the buying power of a city institution prevailed having been force to pay twice the £18-24million pre-auction estimate.

Writer: Declan Keiley

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 69

Images supplied by Broad House

travel

broad horizons Ordinarily, one couldn’t resist the lure of a 16th Century Queen Anne estate house-turned-luxury boutique hotel, set within 24 acres. But most aren’t situated within Wroxham, the capital of the Norfolk Broads – a place more accustomed to coach parties than the discerning traveller.

Writer: Suzannah Sorrell

T

hankfully, you don’t have to do battle with Wroxham’s biggest attraction, Roys of Wroxham – the self-proclaimed World’s Largest Village Store – and the hordes of people it attracts annually. Broad House Hotel is situated on the edge of the village, next to a yacht club, at the end of a road called The Avenue – all suitably upmarket sounding.

Assured of a fabulously secluded away-from-it-all location, the promise of home-grown vegetables, locally sourced, well, everything and 7ft beds, I decided to check out whether Broad House had achieved its goal of becoming Norfolk’s first five-star hotel, 10 months on from launch.

After checking in – which could be somewhat confusing to those unfamiliar with the layout as there is no manned reception on entering – a wedding party was enjoying a fine evening out on the terrace, just below my bedroom. Initially I thought that could get annoying, but my fears were unfounded. At Broad House the chatter of guests produces that ‘I’m visiting friends for a party’ feeling, even if you don’t know the hosts Philip and Caroline Search, as I do. Not that you won’t for long, as they are a friendly pair.

My room, The Lady Betty Suite, was sumptuous, a good size and exceptionally well equipped, although I’m not sure it deserves the title of suite – surely a separate lounge, kitchen and/or dining room is required to gain that status? Still, powerful hairdryers and curlers for the girls, flatscreen TV and complimentary wireless for you guys.

And a fridge containing bottled water, chilled glasses and fresh milk complemented the best selection of teas, coffee and hot chocolate, all of which were provided as part of the room rate – doubles from £130, suites from £190. Although not a fan of four-poster beds, it was seriously comfortable nonetheless, and for the first time in my hotel-staying history, the mattress, pillows and duvet felt perfect, allowing me to sleep soundly until 9am. In fact, I could quite happily have stayed there all day had it not been for the promise of a hearty breakfast. Well, it was a late night in the library and whisky was involved!

After dragging my sorry behind into the fabulously positioned bath which, when bathing, provides one with clear views of the beautifully maintained gardens, I was even more reluctant to leave the confines of my sunlit room, especially as there were two rubber ducks to play with! But, the lure of bacon was too strong so eventually I made my way down to breakfast.

70 . 1° East . Autumn 08

Above: Harry's Room in the attic.

Above Right: Twin baths in the adjacent bathroom.

Bottom Right: The garden and rear terrace of Broad House Hotel.

travel

"Although not a fan of fourposter beds, it was seriously comfortable nonEtheless, and for the first time in my hotelstaying history, the mattress, pillows and duvet felt perfect, allowing me to sleep soundly until 9am."

I walked off my full English breakfast with a meander around the estate, including a private jetty to the stunning Wroxham Broads, only fully appreciated by boat. The grounds provide plenty of space to lose yourself if on a romantic weekend.

Although Broad House still has a little way to go to deliver a muchneeded five-star experience in Norfolk, I had a thoroughly enjoyable time and left feeling relaxed and refreshed, despite the whisky. What more could one ask for?

A lovely destination hotel perfectly set up for exclusive hire.

Autumn 08 . 1째 East . 71

The power And the Glory If only Ferraris came with tumble dryers. As I arrived at the most famous car factory in the world, I hadn’t anticipated discussing why my knickers were wet with Ferrari’s director of communications.

But thanks to torrential rain at Amsterdam Schiphol airport and their incompetent baggage handlers, my luggage arrived wringing wet.

Writer: Suzannah Sorrell Photographer: Jarowan Power

Travel

20 . 1째 East . Autumn 08

Travel The Power

I

n true Italian style, his response was “let’s go and have lunch”.

Roughly translated: once you’ve experienced the legendary tortellini or steak (squisito!), washed down with a glass or two of house rosso in Ristorante Cavallino, located opposite Ferrari’s heavily guarded sacred gates, you won’t care how wet your knickers are.

Well it is Italy, where food is equal to Ferrari.

Just a few minutes from the factory, the official Ferrari museum is open to the public. The two-storey building is a shrine to Enzo Ferrari’s vision, which houses original F1 cars, many of their greatest road cars, including an Enzo, F50 and the beautiful 355. A replica of Enzo’s original Monza office has been recreated behind glass, there’s a large diner and plenty of books and Ferrari merchandise available to purchase.

And he wasn’t wrong. Walking through the restaurant to our table was an unexpected emotionally charged experience. It was as if the walls, adorned with Ferrari memorabilia, suddenly came alive – re-enacting all the deals and discussions the late Enzo Ferrari had chaired, providing a unique atmosphere I’d never before felt in a restaurant. Although no longer owned by Ferrari, it is still a firm favourite for lunch with many of the 3,000 employees, despite a spangly new ‘spaceship’-style canteen at their disposal within Ferrari world. A must visit for anyone visiting the area. They even have flatscreen TVs showing footage from the factory and all the latest action from Formula 1 and Challenge Cup races. Out of bounds is Enzo’s private dining area. And, try as I may, I couldn’t gain access.

Back in the comfort of my suite at the Maranello Palace hotel – the best place to stay within the area – I contemplated my forthcoming drive to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, via an overnight stop in Metz, France.

It suddenly dawned on me that 25 years ago the trip wouldn’t have been possible. Back then Enzo Ferrari felt the only people who should be given keys to one of his creations should be those who bought them.

The story goes that a well-known Italian journalist of a reputable car magazine came to look around the factory. Afterwards he asked to drive one of the cars. The press officer went to speak with Enzo and after a long considered pause (for which he was legendary) he replied, ‘No, he can only drive one of my cars if he buys one.’ He eventually purchased one many years later and, presumably, that was his first drive of a Ferrari!

Afterwards, sated and happy, it was time to be given access, albeit limited, to the inner sanctum of Ferrari. An exclusive world enjoyed by few – owners of the rare sports cars, sponsors of the most recognised F1 team in the world and select journalists (guys, don’t say I don’t get you access to the best places!).

Seeing the infamous yellow letters and the Get Wind tunnel, reminiscent of a huge alien leg, that gives away the location of the F1 test centre, is enough to get any petrolhead’s juices flowing and certainly made getting up at 3.45am worthwhile. Knowing you’re just metres from where the most technically advanced race cars are developed is something else.

Although I have to confess, excited as I was, I was under the impression that once you’ve been around one car factory, you pretty much know what to expect – but how wrong I was. For starters, the site is made up of mostly architecturally designed buildings, which are a far cry from the dark and dingy steel structures we are used to seeing in this country.

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo felt it was important to create a nice environment for his workforce. The main factory, where all the components are cast, machined and fettled is a huge light, airy, wellventilated space with not a hint of the usual mechanical smell. It even has its own jungle, which was once home to a squirrel, no doubt a red one! God knows how it made it through security! Now I can’t imagine any other automotive manufacturer knowingly giving a rodent a home!

And not just that, true to their Italian heritage, it seems the mechanics, decked out like their F1 counterparts, are a romantic bunch, too, having named two of their 100 robots after Shakespeare’s characters, Romeo and Juliet. Their sole job – to place valve seats in cylinder heads. Romeo gives Juliet the ring of steel, which she places within a vat of -196º nitrogen, where it contracts in size ready for her to place in the head.

All together now, ahh…

So feeling extremely grateful Ferrari has changed its policy on letting us poor hacks loose behind the wheel of its hugely expensive motors, I filled up the sizeable boot with my sizeable – now dry – luggage and photography equipment and settled into the supremely comfortable 599 GTB Fiorano seats and waited as the other cars in our four-strong convoy got themselves settled and ready for a bit of Aston hunting (all will become clear!).

CB radios checked. Engines fired. We left the factory and the few adoring fans that had already begun to gather outside the gates and headed for the autostrada. It must have been some sight. No sooner had we settled into the outside lane, did the action begin. First, my codriver’s glasses flew out of the window as he tried to take a picture of CAR magazine’s 612 Scaglietti, resulting in yours truly having to drive over 700 miles, over the course of 15 hours. Well a long lunch was involved and loads of picture stops. Not that I could really complain, as Ferrari’s head of communications drove alone for the whole duration.

Although after spending four days with him, I no longer believe he is actually human – no one can survive on as little sleep as he did! Then came an impromptu test of the carbon ceramic brakes in the middle

And to feed the passion for the brand in the relatively young workforce, (most of the employees from the ’60s have all retired) is a collection of Ferrari’s greatest moments, parked up and shiny for them to drool over.

Then there’s the technical centre, home to the big cheeses, car designers and stylists, which incorporates a rooftop Japanese water garden, designed to instil a sense of calm. The foyer houses scale models from automotive design students from around the world. The lucky student of the winning design gets the opportunity to work for Ferrari.

Once the short tour, in my case, was over, I left with a deeper appreciation of just how bespoke Ferraris are. You won’t find masses of cars scattered around site waiting to be shipped off to a huge dealer network. They are made to order and predominantly by hand. Their newly-launched oneto-one customisation programme enables customers to pretty much create the Ferrari for them, but don’t expect to see an acid green flick paint with animal print interior anytime soon. As Ferrari put it, they will try to educate the customer away from complete major aesthetic car crashes!

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 75

Travel

Left: The Ed explains to Ferrari F1 test driver, Marc Gene´, how best to tackle the hill, which explains his look of confusion.

Sadly, I’m not a Duracell bunny. I was quickly running on empty so we made a quick visit to a hypermarché to get my co-driver some cheap glasses so he could see to drive. The opticians inside didn’t have glasses but to our surprise, sold him some contact lenses. Now that wouldn’t happen in the UK. Contact lenses are similar to mobile phone contracts, you have to sign up for year-long subscriptions with regular costly eye checks but in France it seems you just give them your prescription and away you go. Proof that it’s all a load of old cobblers!

After only a few hours sleep, I was back behind the wheel. Well, I’ve never been a good passenger and certainly not when there’s a super car to be driven, particularly one with such a multi-faceted personality as the 599 – offering the perfect combination – astonishingly accomplished sports car with the benefits of a GT cruiser.

Finally, we arrived in Portsmouth, for dinner and much-needed sleep, before the action of the festival got under way.

And the Glory lane of a busy carriageway, followed by a violent swerve, as I spotted the lead car go down a slip road without radio warning. “The brakes work then,” came a voice over the radio. “They sure do,” I replied. God, I hate travelling in convoy. Then my car went into safety mode after emerging from a tunnel – the lambda sensor had got itself in a tizz but turning it on and off seemed to sort it out.

Still, I wasn’t prepared for the fun of Aston hunting. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have given much thought to another sports car overtaking me, but then they rarely do. And I don’t work for Ferrari. Nor am I Italian. No sooner had the first Aston gone past my CB squawked into life. “Are we going to let that one go?” came a voice. Before I could answer, the first two cars had picked up pace, hot on its trail. It didn’t take long before it was hunted down summarily. Well, a Vantage against the combined might of a 612, 430 and 599 didn’t stand a chance.

We reached the Great St Bernard Pass, east of Mont Blanc, on the Swiss-Italian border and about 2,469 metres above sea level, just in time for lunch. After two hours or so (Italians certainly love their food), it was time to commence our ascent over one of the most ancient passes through the Western Alps. Images of the opening scene to The Italian Job sprang to mind – long sweeping roads, lots of tunnels for me to listen to the V12 in and no one else around. What I got was roadworks, traffic lights and huge chunks missing, making it breathtakingly beautiful and scary in equal measures, especially when a coach full of tourists decided to test my commitment at one of the narrowest points. As I was the one sitting in a £200,000 car under my bottom and a 2,000 metre drop to my right, I toughed it out. Still, we made it across unscathed and on to Metz many hours later, exhausted but with another Aston under our belts.

The following morning we programmed the sat-nav for Goodwood and bid farewell to our beautiful looking chateau (why do they always look more beautiful from the outside, than they are in reality?) and the rest of the group.

Within seconds we were besieged with admirers, some taking photographs, others just looking on in awe. One chap in a truck even stopped traffic, while he wound down his window and mouthed ‘bellissimo’. Something one has to get used to if one is to continue driving Ferraris. Small children shout ‘I like your car’ from their child seats. Teenagers mutter incomprehensibly but have rare smiles on their faces, so one assumed it was generally positive and everyone else lets you out of junctions just so they can hear the engine, one assumes.

Unless you are in France, that is, where you are just like any other road user – to be driven over – even if the other car happens to be a Citroen C1! And they won’t care if they bust every last cylinder trying to do it.

Somehow, after 40-odd minutes, I found myself driving along the Champagne route in Reims, which is not quite in the direction of the tunnel. I blamed it on the 599’s Champagne tastes, not that I was complaining. I’d had enough of boring motorway driving and wanted to play with the 599 on relatively peaceful roads around the famous bubbly region.

78 . 1° East . Autumn 08

As I drove along one of the many drives into the glorious Goodwood Estate, I suddenly remembered the last time I’d last visited this beautiful abode. Taking part in a corporate golf day, alongside Norwich goalkeeper Bryan Gunn, I’d arrived late and in agony – the back of a Peugeot estate is no place for six-footers like me!

This time, things were very different. For a starters, I was here for the most prestigious hill climb in the world, rather than golf. Pulling into the VIP parking in the spacious and comfortable two-seater 599, I felt every bit the pampered festivalgoer (perhaps the reason why numbers are dwindling at Glastonbury is because they don’t have supercar parking!?).

No sooner was I through the entrance gates ogling the supercars, I was being whisked away to the famous Dunhill Drivers Club enclosure to be signed on as a passenger. But there was no time to find out which famous drivers were lurking in there, as I was due back at the supercar paddock where the mighty 430 Scuderia and my driver Ross, was waiting to escort me up the hill. What a perfect start to my first Festival of Speed. And what an experience it was. Driving through the throngs of people to get to the track was a truly unique feeling. Everyone is just so friendly, so excited at being able to get so close to some of the best and most expensive cars in the world, past and present and not to mention the many famous drivers, including my particular favourite, ex-Lotus Formula 1 driver Martin Donnelly. It’s easy to see why the Festival of Speed is becoming more popular than the British Motor Show and the Grand Prix.

Going up the hill was exhilarating and certainly less nerve-wracking for me, as I wasn’t the one driving, not that Ross could really push it because he was under strict instructions from Ferrari not to spank it – the spoilsports! Still, he did a wicked burnout at the start, something that is actively encouraged by the organisers. One car that did give it plenty of beans during our run was Clause Ascari, in his KZ1, but when you own the company I guess you can do what the hell you like.

But it’s not just supercars at the Festival of Speed. Classics, Formula 1 cars both new and old, motorbikes, rally cars, off-road Bowlers and new for this year, the largest collection of dragsters, shipped over especially from America, could be found on the cricket pitch! Can you imagine the local cricket ground allowing any cars onto their prized possession, let alone one fuelled by a blend of nitro fuel producing 5,000 horsepower. You’ve got to give Lord March his due, when he puts on a festival, he knows how to do it properly, utilising every last inch of his humongous estate.

The festival is like a giant tea party, but instead of serving tea and cakes it’s Champagne and engines all the way!

(Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano imaginatively named after their test track; the most famous Ferrari Berlinettas ever built, hence Gran Turismo Berlinietta and 599 being the displacement of its awesome V12 engine divided by 10).

Directory titchwell Manor Hotel

R

echarge your batteries at one of the most luxurious properties along the north Norfolk coast, Titchwell Manor hotel, bar and restaurant. Stylish, contemporary but with traditional values, this independently-owned establishment knows how to make you feel special and relaxed whether you are staying for one night, a week or simply having a bite to eat within the acclaimed restaurant.

A choice of 27 lavishly decorated rooms, all featuring comfortable Vi-Spring beds, modern amenities and spa-like bathrooms, ensures your stay will be a seriously comfortable one.

Ideally situated between Hunstanton and Brancaster, along the main A149 coastal road, Titchwell Manor provides the perfect base for golfers wishing to play some of the best coastal courses within the UK, bird watching or simply walking along the famed north Norfolk coast.

From £65 pp per night B&B. Special DB&B rates available.

Pets welcome. Accessible rooms available.

Titchwell Manor Hotel Titchwell (near Brancaster), King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 8BB Telephone: 01485 210221 Email: margaret@titchwellmanor.com www.titchwellmanor.com

Cinema City

C

inema City shows the very best arthouse and independent films from around the world as well as major blockbusters, in luxurious state-of-the-art auditoria. As well as this, it also has a fantastic restaurant serving fine, locally sourced seasonal food, hand prepared in its kitchen.

Relax with a simple snack, afternoon tea or enjoy a hearty meal at Cinema City.

The Grade I-listed Suckling House and the medieval courtyard are a wonderful setting to while away time with friends before taking your seats in the newly-refurbished screens. You can also take a glass of wine or gin and tonic into the screens as the venue is fully licensed throughout.

How civilised!

Cinema City is located at St Andrew’s Street, Norwich, NR2 4AD Restaurant bookings can be made on 07504 356 378 Ticket bookings can made on 0871 704 2053 www.picturehouses.co.uk

Neptune Marina

N

eptune Marina, in the heart of Ipswich Waterfront, is a busy and vibrant marina. In that time, leisure and commercial development has transformed it into a modern and picturesque waterfront, incorporating restaurants, cafes, shops and fabulous apartments all overlooking the extensive Ipswich Waterfront, formerly known as Victorian Wet Dock. Neptune Marina is just a 15-minute walk to the railway station with direct link to London. Ten-minute walk to Portman Road – home to Ipswich Town Football Club and close to the wonderful parks of Ipswich, and all of the facilities that the town centre holds. Ipswich’s Christchurch Mansion in Christchurch Park hosts the largest collection of Gainsborough paintings outside of London.

The Neptune Marina building comprises over 100 high quality apartments, together with retail and office units, and is a very popular place to live. The Neptune Marina Group of Companies, is at the centre of the Northen Quays and all that is happening in Ipswich, having led the way for the development of Ipswich Waterfront over the past 26 years.

Telephone: 01473 215207 www.neptune-marina.com

80 . 1° East . Autumn 08

Directory Broad house hotel

D

iscover Broad House, a unique boutique hotel offering 24 acres of secluded parkland on the edge of Wroxham Broads. Offering nine individually designed suites and bedrooms all with large spa-style bathrooms. So whether visiting for a weekend break, celebratory evening meal in the fine dining restaurant serving local produce, vegetables and fruits from its own market garden or simply sipping a glass of Champagne out on the terrace, Broad House will deliver an unforgettably tranquil experience. Broad House Hotel lends itself to exclusive hire and is one of the finest venues in the region to celebrate your wedding day.

Broad House Hotel is, by far, one of the most beautiful places in Norfolk, to just be at peace with yourself, the beautiful countryside, the wildlife, and life in general.

Travel to Broad House by boat, luxury limousine or helicopter and simply relax.

New for the summer – a cruiser available to charter for conferences, meetings for up to 12 people or just to spend time with friends enjoying Champagne.

Broad House County Estate Hotel, The Avenue, Wroxham, Norfolk NR12 8TS Telephone: 01603 783567 Email: info@broadhousehotel.co.uk www.broadhousehotel.co.uk

Timberhill Gallery

S

tyle and quality have never gone from fashion, Timberhill Gallery has both.

If you are looking for that special present, a statement piece or just a little self indulgence, they are here to help. Specialising in Norwich School and East Anglian paintings as well as fine 18th and 19th Century furniture and everything else you need to make that classical style statement, Timberhill Gallery brings it to you with exceptional personal service. Full valuation services, restorations, collection advice and free delivery make Timberhill Gallery a place to shop. Autumn exhibition – Norwich School pictures, contact the gallery for details.

Timberhill Gallery 10 Timberhill, Norwich NR1 3LB Telephone: 01603 614848 www.timberhillgallery.co.uk

Still Life, Eloise Harriet Stannard – 1828-1915

1 Degree east

Directory If you feel your business should be within the Directory, please contact: sales@1degreeeast.co.uk or phone: 08443 578244

Autumn 08 . 1° East . 81

acknowledgements

Autumn 2008 Issue 3 Page 1

1 DEgREE EAST

CARS golf fASHIoN lIfESTYlE SPoRT

MANCE, R A D I T I O N A L E X P E RT I S E . © www.1degreeeast.co.uk

©

We at Big Dog Consultancy would like to extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to everyone who has contributed in whatever way to this issue of 1 Degree East.

To our readers we hope that you have enjoyed the third issue of 1 Degree East. Below you will find the contact details for the products, companies and services we have mentioned within the issue.

FRONT COVER

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1 DegrEe east Magazine Is published by Big Dog Consultancy Big Dog Consultancy Ltd Quorn Cottage, Horse Shoe Road, Welborne, Norwich, Norfolk, NR20 3LF www.bigdogconsultancy.co.uk Tel: 01362 858862 Email: enquiries@1degreeeast.co.uk Visit: www.1degreeeast.co.uk Advertising Sales team Tel: 08443 578244 sales@1degreeeast.co.uk Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief: Suzannah Sorrell Motoring Editor: Suzannah Sorrell Staff Writer: Simon Skeffington Contributing Writers Hugo Stevenson Tom Haylett Damian Harty Gordon Hall Kirsty Leadbeter Declan Keiley

Stratton Motor Company (Norfolk) Ltd Ipswich Rd, Long Stratton, Norwich, Norfolk NR15 2XJ Design Team Art Editor: Patrick Benjamin Photographer: Jarowan Power

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Driving Range www.astonmartin.com www.oldcoursehotel.kohler.com www.standrews.org.uk www.callawaygolf.com Van for all reasons www.mercedes.co.uk

TT-COC-002452

Playing Away www.standrews.org.uk Neptune www.theneptune.co.uk Power and the glory www.ferrari.com Special thanks goes to, Jason Harris, Beatrice Giusti, Ferrari GB Davide Kluzer, Ferrari, Italy

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82 . 1° East . Autumn 08

BDC

FA S H I O N S C O M E . FA S H I O N S G O. PURE DESIGN ENDURES.

THE C ON T I N EN TA L G TC .

Sleek, magnificent lines shaped by the phenomenal Continental GT. Supremely stylish, yet never the dictate of fashion or whim. A graceful vision with the appearance of one complete, flowing form. Enveloping an interior dressed with those beautifully understated Bentley touches.

Elegance and sportiness in equal measure. Prepare your senses. This is the most exhilarating convertible in the world. The Continental GTC. Wings were made for the sky.

BENTLEY NORWICH 36-42 Duke Street, Norwich NR3 3AR. Tel: 01603 219955 www.bentleymotors.com/bentleynorwich The names ‘Bentley’, ‘Continental GT’, ‘Continental GTC’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2008 Bentley Motors Limited.

Model shown: Bentley Continental GTC, price £132,500. All prices mrrp. Official fuel consumption figures for the Bentley Continental GTC in mpg (l/100km): Urban 11.2 (25.3). Extra Urban 24.4 (11.6). Combined 16.6 (17.0). CO2 emissions (g/km): 396.