Poppy On Safari is a book for children which should be in the Christmas stockings of many children this Christmas.
It tells to story of a slightly dotty cream coloured golden retriever who is called Poppy. Poppy is a typical dog. A tiny bit spoiled and bedevilled by a good dose of canine greed!
But it's all good, because Poppy is oh, so loveable and, as a result, is a well-loved member of he human family.
However, due to a series of unfortunate incidents that occur on a family trip to the safari park, Poppy finds herself running wild and free in the safari park!
Oh, no! Whatever will Poppy do? Luckily Poppy meets a new friend, who is called Harley. Can Poppy and Harley make it safely out of the safari park?
However, there is an added complication, because Cain the King of the Safari is out and about on the prowl in the safari, too!
Can Poppy and Harley manage to avoid Cain and make it back to safety? However, all might not be what it seems!
This is a great book for both parents and children and ideal for reading together.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
.jpg)
