"Lille De France" - Geddit?

Advantages: Near London by train, cosmopolitan feel, excellent transport connections, eating out, plenty to see
Disadvantages: Dog poo

...I?ve now been to Lille three times in the past year or so, each previous time, merely for the day. Only over the last weekend did we stay overnight. Why Lille? Well, rather like the reason dogs lick their naughty bits, it?s because we can. Lille is the first main stop in France on the Eurostar/TGV route from the Channel Tunnel ? yes, I know you could get a train that stops at Calais (Fréthun), but that?s like getting out at Bristol Parkway and expecting to be in Bristol! Gare Lille-Europe arrives outside your train window 1 hour and 40 minutes after London Waterloo International disappears. Stage 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), means that we now get to hurtle through Kent at 186 M.P.H. before slowing to a mere 100 M.P.H. to shrug off the 32 miles of tunnel in a mere 20 minutes. Doing 'a ton' MORE than even the over...

BNibbles 07.12.2004 (09.12.2004) · Read review
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Review of Lille (France)

Hossegor, France

Advantages: Beats any British beach holiday hands down
Disadvantages: Strong currents on some days

...My family and I started going to Hossegor, (which is situated in the Bay Of Biscay, SW France), when I was about 5, way back in the mid 80's. Well, up he coast a tiny bit from there actually). We always stay at the same place when we're there. Its a 4star campsite called Le Vieux Port. The campsite has everything that you'd need. Even as young children we always had something to do. The entance consists of a long kind of driveway, along which runs a football pitch, crazy golf and a mini go-kart thing for the kiddies. It all looks very classy, with flags from different countries running down both sides. Then you approach the reception and main bar areas of the site. The campsite has one very very nice bar which is never too crowded, but always is full of atmosphere. There are often live bands playing here (most...

BJEEE 20.12.2000 (21.12.2000) · Read review
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Review of Lille (France)

The South of France - bottled!

Advantages: Pure and natural products
Disadvantages: Can be a bit expensive

...I was going to call this review OOh La La L?Occitane but this would give the wrong impression of a company that is serious about selling top quality beauty products. True, L?Occitane is a French company, but think French chic rather than French tart and you?ll start to get an idea of what this company is about. THE L?OCCITANE PHILOSOPHY: The company was started about 25 years ago by a Frenchman, Olivier Baussan, who wanted to use traditional methods to create a range of fragrances and beauty products. Most of the products sold by L?Occitane derive from the flowers and plants found in Provence in the south of France. A keyword in L?Occitane?s philosophy is respect. The plants used in the manufacture of their goods are grown in an environmentally-friendly way. The company uses local suppliers and adheres to traditional...

weenawoo 03.12.2003 · Read review
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Review of L'Occitane Range

The Blue South - A Beautiful and Colourful Effort

Advantages: A lyrical and melodical masterpiece with hidden depth
Disadvantages: Dark and seedy themes may not suit all tastes

...INTRODUCTION It is beyond doubt ? in my mind at least ? that a good song is formed of that rare combination of melody and lyrics. In my view, a song that sounds good but has no lyrical depth has little staying power - melody appeals to the heart, but lyrics are what engage the brain. To belabour the point just one stage further, the melody attracts you, but the lyrics are what ultimately keep you interested. Indeed, it was the catchy melodies and compelling hooks that drew me to the music of the Beautiful South in the first place, but even after listening to their songs and albums countless times over the years, each listen is still rewarded with new discoveries, new nuances and new revelations. My favourite Beautiful South album (despite the regrettable name ? I am an Arsenal fan after all) is ?Blue Is The Colour?, released in...

Hishyeness 19.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Blue Is The Colour - Beautiful South (The)

South Devon Railway

Advantages: Nostalgic look back in time.Wonderful scenery, friendly Staff, Clean Trains.
Disadvantages: Short journey.

...We visited South Devon Railway for a day trip to Totnes on the steam train. Admission Prices: Return trip (single fares also available) Buckfastleigh - Totnes Littlehempston Adult £9.90 Senior Citizen £9.20 Child £5.90 (5 years - 14 years; under 5s FREE) Family £28.90 (two adults and two children) There is also FREE parking at Buckfastleigh for cars and coaches. We travelled from Totnes to Buckfastleigh to Totnes and it was just like going back in time. It was a thorougly enjoyable ride on a proper steam train. Taking in the wonderful scenery from Buckfastleigh to Totnes. We went in the summer and it was a fantastic journey beside the river Dart t. The trains are clean and comfortable, in my opinion much better than the trains of today. The children enjoyed the ride and the ability to get up and move...

livelylad 31.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of South Devon Railway Trust

Journey South

Advantages: Great voices, brothers are very easy on the eye!
Disadvantages: No original tracks

...This is the debut album from Andy and Cal also know as Journey South. Andy and Carl are brother who shot to fame on the X-Factor. They had been singing together for years and had spent all of their time touring the country playing small gigs and singing in pubs and clubs. All of their hard work paid off when they auditioned for the X-Factor and easily made it through to the live finals. Unfortunately the brothers did not win the show, much to my disapointment, but they did very well which lead to this album. There are 11 tracks on the CD which are:- The first time ever I saw your face Let it be Desperado The circle Nobody Knows I still haven't found what I'm looking for All of you Time after time It must have been love All that I am English Rose All 11 of the tracks are cover versions but they do sing them very well...

sewbizzie 24.09.2007 · Read review
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Review of Journey South's Album

South Yorkshire's Best Kept Secret

Advantages: History/ Beauty
Disadvantages: Unambition/ Lack of vision, funding/ Very poorly managed

.... The massive, well preserved keep was added in the twelth century. Other additions were made in and around this time. By the fourteenth century a 'Warenne' died without issue which meant ownership passed to the Crown. But by 1537 the Castle was abandoned and in ruins. A survey records that the gates, barbican, walling structures and some of the keeps floors had collapsed. This ruinous state is probably why the castle was left alone in the Civil war and why it is so well preserved today. Most castles in that era were demolished to prevent them from being used. TODAY Doncaster Council own the land the Castle sits on but it falls upon English Heritage to upkeep it who in turn use the Ivanhoe Trust to manage the property. The castle is seen as a primary tourist spot in South Yorkshire and it sees 30,000 visitors a year. This Castle is one...

WormThatTurned 23.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Conisbrough Castle, South Yorkshire

AGAY Experience in France

Advantages: An unspoilt backwater in a sea of development
Disadvantages: Could be too quiet for some

...Calm down, there's no need to panic girls - it's not what you think. I haven't forsaken the lovely Mrs P. for the adventures of pastures new. Although there have been times whe..... You just weren't reading the title properly, were you? Have another look. AGAY - A small beach resort in the South of France between St. Raphael and Cannes. Phew! That's a relief! Let's start with a little bit of advice: If you would like to search on the web for some pictures of this picturesque little town, be prepared for some explicit images of a non-family nature. How can I put it? If you're not interested in seeing large, hairy, naked men in various poses, don't do it! If, on the other hand, you are - then feel free. Anyway.... After our hectic culture overload in Arles, it was off to the beach for a couple of days R&R (that's rest...

proxam 24.08.2003 (30.03.2004) · Read review
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Review of Agay (France)

The South Yorkshire Transport Museum

Advantages: Nostalgic, Historical
Disadvantages: Admission Charges, Limited Opening Hours

...The South Yorkshire Transport Museum can be found at Aldwarke, near Rotherham in South Yorkshire. Until recently this Transport Museum was located in the former Tinsley Tram Sheds between Sheffield and Rotherham. I visited here about 4 years ago and it was then called the Sheffield Bus Museum. Now it has relocated, it has been given a new name, the South Yorkshire Transport Museum. The former Sheffield Bus Museum first opened its doors to the Public ten years ago, in 1997. In December 2006 this Museum closed, re-opening at its present location a few weeks ago, in the Spring of 2007. This Museum has a collection of Trams and Buses that were once in use in Sheffield and the surrounding area. All of these have been fully restored and are in pristine condition. Almost all of them are also in full working order and when the weather is...

micksheff 29.05.2007 · Read review
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Review of The South Yorkshire Transport Museum

The History of South Tyneside

Advantages: Free entry, interesting, easy access
Disadvantages: None

...I first went to this museum with my sister when I was about 8 or 9 years old. When looking for something to do on Monday, I asked my friend, Emma, if she wanted to go here with me since I haven?t been for ages. My older sister, Joanne, lives in South Shields so we met her and my niece (23 months) at the museum on Monday morning. I got slightly lost getting to South Shields as I took the wrong turn at a roundabout, but as it was my furthest venture in my car on my own (about 25 miles) I was still quite pleased I found it without too much hassle! On arriving at South Shields I met my sister and followed her into the town centre, as I don?t know my way around South Shields. (The museum is signposted though) The entry into the museum is free and although we just spent about an hour and a half there (my sister was going to Uni. ? and I...

bluejules 20.07.2007 · Read review
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Review of South Shields Museum