The Gothengau Colony

The Gothengau Colony is an alternative history or alternative reality novel set in a world where Nazi Germany won the war. It is written by W. F. Logan.

The novel begins in 1946 when ex-Amish, Konrad, is in trouble. Whilst saving the life of someone in Alabama, he had to kill someone else and he must flee in order to save himself from death row.

When he reaches New York he sees propaganda calling on Americans of German ancestry to leave America for a wonderful life in Germany and its colonies.

He leaves America on a boat to Berlin, which was the capital city of the empire of the Third Reich, narrowly fleeing from a hail of bullets from police officers who were attempting to apprehend him.

Konrad is a tall man and is informed that because of his stature, in excess of two metres in height, when he reaches Germany, he will receive a medal called the Giants Cross.

Mention is made to Konrad on the ship that skilled farmers are required at the Gothengau Colony, which is in the Crimea.

Konrad is informed that because of his height he would earn an instant commission in the SS. 

On the boat he soon meets a German American singer called Petra who is slated for a good career as a singer for the Reich. Petra will also play a very important role in Konrad's life.

The novel moves forward to the Gothengau Colony in 1965. A rocket attack from there on Berlin by what the Nazis viewed as terrorists forces Konrad (who is by now a soldier-farmer (despite his Amish background) to concentrate on commanding an SS battalion made up of convicts.

He has to play both sides in a conflict he really wanted no part in, but he has others to think of, including Petra.

But will he be able to rely on the assistance of his fellow German-Americans who he arrived with two decades before? 

And who will become the new Führer to replace Hitler after his death?

This is a well-written and exciting novel that tells an interesting alternative history. 

It is published by Heart of the Bruce at £8.99.

Yotes Court Pinot Blanc

That's Christmas is looking at some English wines to accompany your Christmas feasting. And now we look at Kent's Yotes Court Hands and Heels English Wine Pinot Blanc, 2020.

Wow! Just wow! It tastes of juicy fruits of perfect ripeness and there is an "oakiness" to it, but this is not overly so, light and delightful, in fact. 

It has a good, long finish and this lends itself to a versatility for food pairings and I must admit that my wife and I feel this goes well with seafoods, fish, red meat and white meat. Please just try this and you will see what we mean.

You will be interested to learn that the vines are carefully nurtured all year round, being given individual attention from hand pruning throughout the winter, hand tucking during the summer. They even employ hand harvesting during the early autumn harvesting season. Thus making Yotes Court a genuine sustainable winery.

It's a 'proper' Pinot Blanc, which you will find to be fully and perfectly delightful. Obviously this is another one for your Christmas table.

A single bottle (75cl and 12%) costs £18. Boxes of wines (some mixed) are available from their website at https://www.yotescourt.co.uk/collection/all-products.

Meophams Union Red

That's Christmas is looking at some English wines to accompany your Christmas feasting.

We are now looking at Union Red which is from Meophams Wines of England. It's another Kentish wine which is a delightful red wine.

It's carefully created using a well-balanced variety of grapes, including Acolon, Regent, Triomphe and Leon Millot.

The wine that these red grapes produce is vibrant yet also smooth. It's a nice ruby colour and the aromas it are delightfully fruity with forest fruits like blackberries, delightfully ripe cherries and bramble fruits, too.

Are there hints of a rich, roasted coffee, too? Yes, there are. There are also some delightfully rich tannin notes which really helps make this one of the nicest red wines that I have ever tasted. 

The wine is also spicy and with smoky hints.

And I'm not exactly the biggest red wine lover in the world. Unlike my wife who prefers reds to whites and who really loves this wine.

Ideal, we feel, for red meats, so ideal if you are intending to have a Barron of Beef for your Christmas as an alternative to the more traditional turkey Christmas dinner.

It's priced at a very reasonable £13.95 and is available from their own shop at www.meophams.co.uk.

It's sold in a 75cl bottle and is 11/5%.

English Wines for Christmas Balfour Hush Heath Estate Springfield Chardonnay

That's Christmas is looking at some English wines to accompany your Christmas feasting.

Firstly we are looking at the Springfield Chardonnay which is from the Hush Heath Winery which is based in Kent.

It is a delightful wine, an exceptionally delicate version of the Chardonnay style of wine. 

It's oaked, but not overly so, and the winery points out that this wine is only ever produced using exceptional vintages, using specially chosen clones which are only picked at their optimum ripeness from the wineries Springfield vineyard.

They point out that they employ the cool fermentation technique and use of American and French oak barrels which helps produce a fine wine which has a fine, intense flavour.

It has a lovely "nose" which is pure and delightful and the taste is fresh and delicious, with lovely citrus notes and a nice spiced tone to it, perhaps Christmassy? Making it ideal for your Christmas dining!

Ideal for salads and with fish. However, this is now my go to wine for white meats such as chicken, but especially turkey. Hence an ideal wine for your Christmas dinner.

It's 12% and a 75cl bottle costs £25 a bottle and is available from Laithwaites 

https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/ and from https://balfourwinery.com.

It is also available from other leading wine retailers.

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Something Very Magical is Landing at Wellington Country Park, Berkshire

Wellington Country Park will be transformed this November to host a new event, Neverland Illuminova.

“For the first time, our much-loved family attraction will open its gates at dusk to reveal a magical land, specially created for us by Zeal.” says Josh McGhee, who is the Marketing Manager of Wellington Country Park.

This event is suitable for all members of the family and it's available on selected dates running from the 17th of November through to the 23rd of December 2022.

Unlike other local light trails, this is a multi-sensory experience that plays on the senses to create a world of imaginative, vibrant storytelling. Guests will be able to explore, play and move through magical spaces for a one-of-a-kind adventure.

The installations are bespoke and specifically designed and  fabricated for Wellington Country Park. State-of-the-art technology, studio programming and specially composed music will be designed to bring the darkness to life.

Visitors will be invited to travel through gigantic geometric shapes and an immersive portal to commence their journey to Neverland. 

Playful shadows and percussive steppingstones pave the path forwards, whilst a winter spell enchants the magical grounds. 

Prehistoric rumbles of the woodlands come to life within the Lost World of Dinosaurs and guests can wave hello to Father Christmas, for some extra festive cheer, too!

Steve Hough, who is the MD of Zeal said “We really wanted to create a different type of light trail, one that could take guests on more of a journey, one they can really interact with. 

"We want guest to explore their child-like imaginations this winter and find out what Neverland Illuminova means to them.”

Don’t miss out, treat yourself and those you love to this imaginative experience. Book your tickets today.

When: Selected dates from 17th November to 23rd December 2022

Where: Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road, Riseley, Berkshire, RG7 1SP

Ticket Information: www.neverlandilluminova.co.uk.

www.wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk

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Spring can help you get cash for Christmas by recycling old tech

The Co-op is expanding tech-recirculation trials with Spring.co.uk. Thus enabling consumers to cut e-waste and raise cash by unlocking value in old and unwanted phones and devices.

The Co-op has expanded its trial with tech-recirculation outfit Spring, to help consumers cut e-waste and unlock the value in their old and unwanted phones and electronic devices.

Spring first partnered with Co-op last October with the launch of its high-tech, self-service Pods in 20 of Co-Ops retailer’s convenience stores in London. 

The aim? To make recirculating electronic devices which can be reused or recycled more accessible.  Thus keeping valuable materials in use for longer and avoiding e-waste, while allowing consumers to turn their unwanted devices items into cash.

Following the launch last year, the initiative has now been rolled-out to selected Co-op stores in: Birmingham; Brighton; Leeds and Manchester.

The service sees Spring’s high tech kiosk-style ‘Pods’ in store, enabling shoppers to quickly, easily and conveniently sell their old devices such as phones, tablets, e-readers and smartwatches, which then get repaired, refurbished, reused, or recycled. 

Spring’s Pods accept almost 14,000 different devices and customers receive payment to their Spring account within 1-3 days. The money can be simply transferred to a bank account or to charity.

Where devices cannot be re-used, Spring will ensure all components, which include materials like gold; copper; aluminium and, steel, are recycled. Usually, these resources are traditionally discarded when phones are thrown away and so the trial with Spring ensures nothing goes to landfill or for incineration.

Mark Matthews, who is the Co-op’s Director of Innovation and Format, said: “Co-op’s partnership with Spring will enable more communities to recycle or reuse their electronic devices locally, unlocking the value in forgotten phones and other unwanted tech and, importantly, preventing unnecessary and avoidable e-waste. 

"If we are going to have a natural environment which we are proud to pass on to future generations we need action to be taken now. By making it easier for consumers to make small changes to their everyday lives, together, it can add up to make a big difference for our environment.”

Spring co-founder, Tom Williams, said: “Leaving an unused device in a drawer means that rather than it being reused by someone else, it’s taken out of circulation and needs to be replaced with something new. Spring, together with Co-op, are making it easy for people to recirculate unwanted tech, which not only puts money in their pockets but also has a positive impact on the environment. We've already made a huge impact with our first pods in London and we're excited to bring this to more local communities".

Research has found that UK households and businesses produce 1.45 million tonnes of electrical waste each year and, almost half of UK households have between two and five unused electronic devices sitting at home, with the issue expected to grow.

More information is available at Spring.co.uk.

Incidentally, we at That's Christmas have used a Spring Pod to recycle a load of old mobile phones which generated rather more money for than we would have thought possible. Certainly more than with other recycling services that are on the High Street.

You can do the same too and you'll be able to use that money to spend on Christmas presents and the like this Christmas. 

As well as at some Co-Op branches you'll also find Spring Pods in some Morrisons stores. 

Australians "cautiously optimistic" about festive season shopping

Australian retail marketers are being advised hybrid shopping is here to stay, with research released today showing that 60% more Australians will shop on their mobile this festive season and 30% fewer Australians will shop in-store, compared to 2021. 

The data which comes from InMobi’s “ 2022 Holiday Shopping: What Brands and Retailers Need to Know ” research report, also shows 49% of Australians have already made concrete shopping plans, a three-fold increase in 2021. 

Buying is expected to peak in November during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales for 58% of shoppers, while 18% will buy before ‘free shipping day’ on the 15th of December and 28% will buy in the two weeks before Christmas. 

The report finds mobiles are second only to the TV when it comes to product discovery by consumers.  But when it comes to exploring and researching products, mobile is the dominant channel, with 56% of Australian shoppers preferring mobile over in-store visits (31%). 

Richard O’Sullivan, who is the VP and General Manager for Australia and New Zealand said, “As shoppers continue to turn to mobiles as their primary channel for purchasing, brands must think carefully about how they can leverage the rich signals available to drive contextual advertising at scale.” 

While shoppers are being described as cautiously optimistic about their festive season shopping, just 26% of Australians intend to increase their spending compared to last year’s holiday season budgets.  Some 46% plan to spend about the same as they did in 2021. 

E-gadgets, jewellery, apparel, and accessories are the categories most likely to be purchased via mobile devices, while groceries, home appliances, and home décor or furnishings will most often be purchased in-store. 

Convenience (64%), availability of shopper reviews (62%), loyalty programmes (59%) plus easy returns and exchanges (57%) have been identified as the main reasons why mobile apps and websites are gaining significant momentum as a purchase medium. 

Bargain hunters are again the main category for Australian shoppers at 51% of all shoppers, a decline year on year as 44% fewer Australians will rely on offers alone to make their purchase decisions. 48% of bargain hunters plan to spend $1,000, the same as in 2021. 

The number of Australian shoppers who are category shoppers increased 3.5x from 2021 with almost half of these shoppers, who have decided on categories but not the products or brands, planning to spend more than the $1000 they spent in 2021. 

Brand lover shoppers have also increased 3.5x year on year and 38% of respondents plan to spend more than the $1,500 they spent in 2021. 

The “ 2022 Holiday Shopping: What Brands and Retailers Need to Know ” report is based on a survey of 500 mobile users in Australia between September 8th and 10th 2022.