Med Cruise Day 1: Getting to Rome

This series of blog posts reflects on our recent visit to Rome followed by a 7 night cruise around the Greek  islands and Italy. There's far too much to tell you about in one go, so this will take a few posts - bear with me.

We booked this cruise way back in Feb '21 with everything crossed that the pandemic would have eased by June '22 having already had two previous cruises cancelled (an Asia one in Feb '20 and a Mediterranean one, similar to this in September '21). Luckily for us things had eased sufficiently for this one to go ahead.

We booked with two friends with Celebrity Cruises aboard their Edge class ship the Celebrity Edge leaving Rome (well Civittavechia) and calling at Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos and Naples before returning to Civittavechia. Our friends are have done a good few cruises, this was just our second. We decided to fly out a couple of days before sail date to enable us to have a couple of nights in Rome - the Eternal City which we last visited in 2013, but you can never get enough of the place, trust me.

With covid restrictions easing, the only covid related thing we had to ensure was that we undertook a supervised LFT 24 hours before boarding (ie when we were in Rome). Supervised because it's an American ship and that's what they say we had to do (apparently we can't be trusted to stick a swab up our noses on our own). This would be done over a video call, so we duly ordered our tests before leaving the UK and they arrived a couple of days before we left.

Needing to be at Heathrow by 9am (ish) we left at 6.30am, and surprisingly, the journey was pretty straightforward, with traffic on the M4 very (relatively) light all the way. The only slight hiccough was having to briefly stop behind a traffic officers car just outside Reading whilst they hoisted a dead deer off the motorway.

Arriving at Heathrow T5 we dropped our cars at Valet parking (expensive, but SO worth it). The journey had been so good bag drop wasn't even open, so we opted for breakfast. Following that our bag drop and pass through security was straightforward  and we were fairly quickly in departures. The flight departed more or less on time  and was pretty quick at a smidge over two hours. Masks were being worn on the plane but it wasn't too bad. These days any food or drink has to be pre-ordered on basic BA flights. We hadn't done so, and therefore got the default mini bottle of water and a bag of ready salted crisps!

The descent into Rome's Fiumicino airport was a tad lumpy, as there were some serious thunderclouds around, but we landed safely enough. Security was rather painless, but now that we're not part of the EU we had to get our passports stamped! Baggage claim also wasn't too painless.

Fiumicino is a way out of Rome itself (about 30km), and although you can catch a train in, we'd opted for a private transfer. Cue our first problem of the trip. No driver to pick us up. We gave it a few minutes before calling, to find out than the driver had "gone to the toilet". Eventually, about 20 mins after we exited departures, he arrived and there ensued a fast, music trip into Rome and our hotel, the NH Collection Roma Fori Imperiali. 

This small, almost boutique hotel was one of the highlights of our entire holiday. It's slap bang in the middle of Rome, within easy walking distance of all the major attractions - the Trevi Fountain is 10 mins one way, the Colosseum 10 mins the other way. The Pantheon and Spanish Steps are about 20 mins and even the Vatican and St Peter's Basilica are within 20-30 minutes easy walking.

Check in was nice and and made easier by the complimentary Prosecco. Our room had no view, but the whole hotel was very nicely furnished and the staff were excellent. We'd booked two mights here including dinner (which we had to reserve a table for before arriving). We thought we'd be eating in the small breakfast area downstairs, but it was on the roof terrace. Luckily, the thunderclouds had disappeared, and it was a warm Roman evening.  And what a view for dinner - this was literally our view!

This vast memorial to the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II is also knows as Altare della Patria (Alter of the Fatherland) and more colloquially as "The Wedding Cake" and is pretty much visible from every key vantage point in the city. It's HUGE! It also contains the tomb of the unknown soldier, and is guarded by armed soldiers.

Not a bad spot for an excellent dinner helped down by a couple of bottles of expensive wine. That's not a boast by the way, just the observation that the cheapest bottle of wine on the wine list was €50 !!!!! However, bear in mind that we were in one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world, and slap bang in the centre of the main tourist area to boot with a view to die for. We didn't begrudge it, and to be fair, the wine (along with the food) was glorious. And we were on our first holiday abroad since summer 2019. So we had two bottles!

After all that, we needed to walk some of our dinner off, so it was on with the trainers (central Rome  is mainly cobbled streets and you need really comfy shoes to wear if you're walking anywhere) and a 10 minute walk to the Trevi Fountain. It is stunning, but if you haven't been to Rome before, please be prepared for the crowds. You ain't going to see this on your own. The throngs of people can be quite claustrophobic - as they are at all the main attractions in Rome, and if you have a bag, keep it close to you and you're wallet protected. Pickpockets abound, although there are more police around than before (and we later found out many undercover police) keeping their eyes out for pickpockets and the multitude of hawkers.

And with that, we were all pretty shattered, and so it was back to the hotel for our first night away.

The next post will tell you about our full day in Rome.

Twitter: @Statto1927 

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2021 in photos

As we hit 2022 I thought it would be fun to post a photo I've taken from each of the last 12 months. These are far and away from my best shots of the year, and most if not all were either taken using or uploaded to my iPhone rather than using my "proper" cameras, but they tell a story.

January 2021

We didn't see much snow last year - this was about as good as it got, and the car not going anywhere as we were all in lockdown!

February 2021

Still in lockdown, so getting out and about largely meant walking from home. On this walk in late February in the local area, the daffodils were in full bloom.

March 2021

Lockdown is easing, but we still go for regular local walks anyway lockdown or not. It's fascinating what you can miss that's right under your nose. These stones along the coast path near Sully have nods to all sorts of "local" stuff.

April 2021

April saw us on a family walk in north Cardiff starting from one of the most iconic buildings of the area, Castell Coch. Worth a visit, even if you just park up and walk in the local woods as we did.

May 2021

In May we eventually managed to get away for our first proper break for many months on a stay in North Wales, near Caernarfon. Here's a shot of the famous Italianate village, Portmeirion, built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis with the Snowdon range in the background.

June 2021

June sees us able to start enjoying our new patio & pergola - we'd been planning to have this done for years, and finally got around to it in late spring (or rather we got someone in to do it for us!). Cheating rather, there are two photos here for June with the before and after photos speaking for themselves.

July 2021

A long time friend, Pete Colley, passed away earlier in the year from cancer. I'd known Pete for nearly 30 years, primarily through cricket and skittling. Pete was one of those people who was a true legend in "The Village" (Dinas Powys), know by or to nearly everyone. Together with his family, the cricket club held a memorial match to remember him and raise funds for Marie Curie Wales. It was of course, fabulously attended, and we all raised a glass, or rather several to our good friend. 

Another "doubler" for you.

August 2021

August, and the Covid restrictions have eased sufficiently to allow people to go on holiday. We enjoyed our annual extended family holiday in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, some camping, some in caravans and some (us) in a holiday cottage. Not sure how many there were altogether - getting on for 20! Very relaxing, quite chilled and lots of walking around the beautiful coast path. This shot is of Solva (left) and the Gwadn valley (right), with one of my favourite places in the world to sit and wonder, the Gribyn centre.

September 2021

We stay in Pembrokeshire for September's photo, although this was taken a few weeks after our family holiday, as Mrs H and I enjoyed a sneaky short break to Milford Haven. The weather was actually better than in August, and it was really warm, with shorts and t shirts all the way as we had a lovely relaxing couple of days. This photo is of the stunning Barafundle Bay.

Narrowly missing out this month were photos of a trip to Margam Park, and a visit to the RHS Malvern Autumn show with friends on the day the petrol crisis really started to bite.

October 2021

There were many contenders for October's photo. Local walks around Barry, Cardiff Bay and Dyffryn Gardens, another short break to Bournemouth and more, but it goes to my favourite shot of the year, sunset at Barry Island, looking down the Bristol Channel as a container ship makes its way to Avonmouth. This is a low res version, you can see a better shot and many of my other photos on my Flickr feed.

November 2021

Again, many contenders for this month's shot, but the winner is a family group shot. We try to get away in the autumn with a big family group, but obviously Covid has scuppered the last couple of years. We managed it this year and went to North Devon, near Ilfracombe. Lots of walks, cake and beer.

December 2021

Ah.....there you all were expecting a Christmassy photo for December, but it's not. Playing golf (or trying to) is something I've been enjoying since retiring. I play at the Vale Resort in the Vale of Glamorgan. To prove the sun does actually shine in December sometimes, here's a couple of my regular playing partners about to hit into the 18th green on the Lakes course. It's a good job I got some golf balls for Christmas, as there are quite a few of mine in that lake....

I hope you enjoyed these photos. You can follow and see more on any of the feeds below.

Twitter: @Statto1927 

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Goodbye 2021 (and good riddance)

2021 is in its final death knells, and frankly, I'm not too sure many people are going to miss it in the same way we didn't miss 2020, the year Covid kicked off when we all thought it would be over in a few months. That worked out didn't it? Here we are almost two years later, and still firmly in the grip of this horrible pandemic.

However, looking back at my posts from early 2020 (around March), things are better now than they were then. You won't be stopped at the supermarket till for having more than 3 bottles of wine in your trolley. Toilet rolls are in plentiful supply. We can go out and about, even to the pub or restaurant. Live sport is on the telly (England cricket aside - that's more torture than sport) although currently in Wales at least you can't attend live sport unless it's less than 50 people. You can even go abroad, although we haven't and our cancelled/postponed overseas trips count since this all began is sitting at four with a couple planned for 2022 waiting nervously in the wings. 

As we rapidly approach New Years Eve to no doubt optimistically raise a glass to a health and happy New Year as we did on 31st December 2019 and 2020, I wonder if we really, truly will be looking back this time next year and saying, thank God we're finally through this? We'll no doubt find out in due course.

So looking back at 2021, what have been the highs and lows, both personally and more generally?

Highs

• As a family we've largely managed to avoid Covid, and stay fit and healthy although my son did succumb to it in September, but thankfully as he'd already been vaccinated, it was a case of a few days feeling quite rough, but no more.
• We've all been double jabbed and (by tomorrow) we'll all have been boosted too.
• My daughter got a new job
• My son's moved out into his own place (I mean that in a good for him, not pleased he's gone sort of way!)
• We have, despite all the trials and tribulations around Covid managed a number of fabulous holidays/breaks, including North Wales, West Wales, Bournemouth and Devon
• We've walked with alpacas
• We've had a new patio built
• I've played lots of golf

Lows

• We're still in a pandemic with all that's associated with that
• My son caught Covid
• We had to postpone our Corfu holiday (again)

More generally, 

• Misinformation is rife and fuelled by the use of social media (yes including some blogs, although hopefully not this one) and has resulted in some real divisiveness in society. There's frequently no middle ground or understanding of another viewpoint. And much of this is vile, vitriolic, and frankly dangerous.
• The Government has lurched from one disaster/crisis/embarrassment/scandal/corruption allegation to another, and continues to comfortably be the worst administration for many a long year
• The NHS continues to be woefully underfunded and is slowly being torn apart by the Tory government. Kudos to those every single person who works in the NHS that are doing their level best under extraordinarily difficult circumstances
• The Brexit chickens are coming home to roost and we'll no doubt see a lot more of the crap caused by this in the coming months
• Cardiff City are still crap
• England still can't beat Australia and are very crap
• COP26 didn't seem to achieve very much

For a fuller list of 2021 events worldwide, see this Wikipedia page

So a mixed bag, but there is hope for the future, but it's always the hope that kills you.

So whatever 2022 holds for you, I hope it's better than 2021.

Happy (fingers crossed) New Year to you all.

Pembrokeshire - stunning as always

Well we finally got away in this annus horibilis that is 2020. A week away in a cottage with our two (adult) children, and a posse of family/friends just down the road on a campsite (21 of us over the first weekend, plus an assortment of dogs), just outside St David's, the smallest city in the UK.

This area has to be one of our favourite places. I've blogged about it before many times. And this year, despite the fact in my 45th year of visiting I've never see it so busy with "staycationers" it was as stunning as ever. We were blessed with several really warm days, although most days it was a tad misty first thing.

We beached, we swam, we went on a boat trip, we BBQ'd, we ate out, body-boarded, we had a bonfire on the beach and we walked. We saw seals, bats, raptors, porpoises, kingfishers, herons, kittiwakes, fulmars, shags and rabbits. We ate chips, drank beer and licked delicious Pembrokeshire ice creams. But most of we just enjoyed the fabulous coastal scenery that this westernmost part of Wales has to offer. Below, are just a few examples of the beauty I managed to capture.

It was a wonderful holiday. Who needs to go abroad anyway?

The southern (quieter end) of Whitesands beach

Sunset from our cottage garden

Rock arch on Ramsey island

Heather and gorse and calm seas near Porthlysgi on the Treginnis penninsula

The famous Blue Pool at Abereiddy - rarely seen without people!

Sunset at Abereiddy

Normality? Not yet, but it's getting there

Things are slowly creeping towards some sort of post lockdown normality. It's certainly not the normal we knew before Covid-19 appeared, but but it's most assuredly better than effectively being confined to quarters for the best part of three months.

Here in Wales we've looked in with a mixture of astonishment and jealousy as England has fairly speedily unlocked the various restrictions associated with lockdown. The Welsh Government has taken a much more cautious approach, welcomed by many but ridiculed by some, although I think the over-riding view has been that a steadier line is the right line.

Anyway, we can now travel pretty much anywhere (within reason) although the advice is as always, be sensible. Non essential retail shops have already opened, and this week sees the much anticipated re-opening of two of the most wanted services - pubs and hairdressers (my wife is delighted - about the hairdresser that is, and already has her appointment!).

Also good news for those looking for a break as self contained accommodation gets the green light  this week and campsites with shared facilities can get going from the end of the month. Our break away to Pembrokeshire is therefore a go-er, and I have to say I'm delighted, relieved and very much looking forward to getting away. Who knows, we might even get to a pub for beer and food!

Finally, team sports are also now allowed, and my cricket club sees it's first action next weekend in a season where frankly, we didn't think we'd see any cricket. I spent most of yesterday afternoon with others from our club helping to prepare the ground for next Saturday, and frankly that's the closest I've felt to normal in a long time.

Preparing the cricket pitch - a semblance of normality

               

Sun, sea and sand. It'll just have to wait

Having already lost an Asia cruise and a long midweek break to Derbyshire to the coronavirus pandemic in the last three months, our next holiday was supposed to be in six weeks to Aghios Georgios North, a fabulous, quiet part of Corfu that we've been to several times before. We stay in a small, incredibly well run family hotel, and we love it to bits (as does the multitude of annual returners).

However, we've sadly resigned ourselves to the fact that it's not going to happen this year and so have bitten the bullet and re-arranged our trip for the same time next year. That means, as of the time of writing instead of 37 days, we have 400 days to wait until we see our Greek family again. This is what we'll be missing...

A cold Mythos on the hotel patio overlooking the beach

The Costas Golden Beach Hotel (shh...dont' tell anyone about it)

The "guard" dogs. L-R Paris, Rocky and Hector

Ah.....Greece

Aghios Georgios North. The hotel's smack in the middle of the bay

As I've mentioned before, as I'm now retired, and my wife is semi-retired, we are fortunate enough to be able to be more flexible in our travel and holiday plans, so whilst we're now zero for three in 2020, we still have three more trips in the calendar. A week in another favourite place, Pembrokeshire is slated for August, and we remain hopeful that that one might happen. Then at the end of September, we're due to go on a cruise with our best friends, departing Venice taking in Dubrovnik in Croatia, Kotor in Montenegro, Katakolon and Santorini in Greece before returning to Venice.  We're pretty convinced that's not going to happen, although it's still four and half months away. Finally, we normally go away in late October/early November for a week with a bunch of my wife's side of the family - usually to Derbyshire, but last year and for this this, to the North Devon coast. That will hopefully still go ahead as it's a long way off yet, and it's always a blast.

In the meantime we stay in lockdown. It's tough when you see England beginning to open up. Whilst I still think Wales (and Scotland and Northern Ireland) is taking the right approach, I'm genuinely getting fed up and bored of being in the house excepting for the occasional short walk for daily exercise. I'd love to just be able to go and wander round the shops, or as my English friends can no do, jump in a car and go wherever I like to exercise. Today in lieu of not being able to get on a golf course whilst watching people in England being able to do exactly that, I've been practicing my putting on the landing. Suffice it to say, eight weeks of lockdown hasn't improved my game.

One quick addendum to yesterday's post about insurance. we currently pay more to insure the cat than we do to insure the house and contents. Go figure.....

Until tomorrow....

#isolationlife
#stayhomesavelives

April 10th: Dreaming of Mythos

Don't let the nice weather deceive you. The latest death statistics for the UK are horrible- a further 900+ deaths across the UK taking the total of (hospital) deaths from coronavirus to almost 9,000.

Apparently the Government have said we're allowed to go into our gardens. Erm....thank goodness for that. I have been in my garden every day since the lockdown began despite the fear I might get thrown into jail for doing so.  Seriously though, we've been in a relative state of lockdown for 3 weeks, so this advice is probably a bit late, although probably meant to reinforce that this is ok and to be done instead of heading to the beach or the hills or in fact anywhere that's not a short walk from your house.  I have to say, I'm still conflicted between the advice to stay at home, which I am doing bar the odd very short walk for exercise - I haven't gone more than 15 minutes from my from door in three weeks - vs this that argue you can be out and about providing you're distancing. Seems to me a lot of people are taking a lot more exercise (walking, jogging,) than they ever did before (and probably won't do when this is all over) and bending the guidance to suit them. The guidance is you can go out for essential shopping, medications, and one episode of daily exercise - a 30 mile bike ride, or 10 mile run or walk run isn't I think what the Government had in mind. Please stay at home.

My garden is one of my happy places. I spend a lot of time just pottering about (it's an age thing). I always marvel at how the place comes back to life after winter, although I'm staggered that some of my hanging baskets from last year made it through the winter and have started flowering again now. This lobelia for example, was put in this hanging basket a year ago. It's would normally die off in late summer, but it's hung on through autumn and winter and is going again...remarkable.

It's been a roasting day today. Seem churlish to complain after such an abysmal wet winter and early 2020, but if it's going to be this hot, frankly I'd rather be on a sunbed in Greece with a cold Mythos in my hand. We're booked to go to one of our favourite places in June - a small village in the north west of Corfu and a small family run hotel - this would have been our fifth visit, but although I hold out the slenderest hope, this June is looking a goner....😕

I'd quite like to be here....

And as for the cat. Well it's too hot for her...this was her flaked at 11am!

Until tomorrow....

#isolationlife
#stayhomesavelives

March 31st: What a month that was

So we say goodbye to March. Or perhaps more appropriately good riddance. Saying that though, there's almost certainly worse to come, and as set out in yesterdays post, there's an awfully long way to go yet. If you can bear reviewing it, there's an article on the BBC titled "The month everything changed". Wherever we go from here, one things for sure, the world will never be quite the same.

Today's update from Chez Stats. All fit and well here. My wife and I went for a walk which turned out to be about 2.5 miles according to my iPhone. Only locally (obviously), bit it's quite interesting what you see on foot that you never really take notice of because you're in a car or a hurry to get somewhere. It wasn't a particular "lovely" walk as we are on the edge of town here, but we did see some wildlife. An R.A.T. scuttled across some grass in from of us and then poked his head back out and watched us intently for a couple of minutes affording me time to take at the following picture (I usually have my camera with me - always my phone, but frequently one of several others I own). Here's Mr Rat - not everyone's cup of tea, but this was cute a cute shot.

A local resident

Walking along a wooded path, I also spotted, though was unable to photograph due to it's speed and being tucked away in the branches, a coal tit. I haven't seen one of those for donkey's years, so counted the wildlife score on perambulation today as a good result.

My daughter is still having work IT issues - or rather her work IT is having trouble getting her connected (she's not alone in this), so her working from home is very stop start - more stop than start currently. As I mentioned the other day, I think businesses will learn an awful lot about their business continuity procedures as a result of this situation.

Otherwise it's been a day in the garden, and a lot more achieved than I set out to do. Oh - I've also booked seats and updated our Advanced Passenger Information for our holiday to Greece in June, more in hope than expectation #nochance.

Yesterday evening, all those we were supposed to be in the Peak District with this week caught up on the face to face social network app Houseparty, although I was slightly concerned about the numbers of people reporting being hacked in various ways after installing it. It seems this is slightly incorrect, although as with any app, using strong and secure passwords is key. we'll see - we intend to have a catch up once a week for a "virtual drink".

Just catching up on other news - deaths attributable (in part at least) to coronavirus in the UK are at almost 1,800. Still way short of the predicted "best case" 20,000. A new "hospital", the Nightingale has been built (or rather an existing building re-purposed) in just under two weeks, a stupendous achievement. Some supermarkets are supposedly easing restrictions on purchases - note "easing"not removing. And in one of the more amusing stories coming out of coronavirus, goats appear to have taken over Llanduno in North Wales.

The cat's had a mixed day. My wife, daughter and I attempted one of Joe Wicks workouts on YouTube this morning. That sent the cat barmy and she was running around like someone had set fire to her tail whilst we were doing that. Then she came and sat watching me gardening - we both like being outside. The rest of the afternoon, she's crashed on a sunny bed upstairs.

That's all for now folks. Check in for another instalment of #socialdistancing fun tomorrow.

Center Parcs - always a great break

We've been to Center Parcs many times over the last 25 years. The first time, our eldest (now 25) was about a year old. This time both our grown up kids came along  plus my sons's best mate. We went as we always have to the Longleat resort.

The Rapids in daylight

The Rapids at night - an absolute must!

I've blogged a couple of time about our visits, this one in 2006 and this one in 2010 so I won't go into the minutiae again - a basic summary is that it's a midweek or weekend break in the forest, with a tropical indoor pool area (free), and a gazillion activities (mostly extra cost) that can be done if that's your bag. Plus restaurants, and well furnished accommodation that range from basic (but nonetheless well equipped) to luxurious. It can be expensive (and overall accommodation prices are hiked horribly to co-incide with school holidays), but at the end of the day you can take it or leave it. We love it. A good friend of mine is also an advocate, and he's also blogged about it previously.

The Pancake House

I suppose having written before about what you can do the key things for me are the way I've seen the place change over the years. It's still fundamentally what it set out to be. Good family fun. The lodges have been uprated and improved over the years, newer, executive style lodges and even tree house accommodation is now available. We pushed the boat out this time in a 3 bedroom executive style lodge complete with sauna! Also new (for us since last time) is that you get given a green wristband(s) which acts as your key to your lodge and key for your locker in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. It certainly makes you 1) less likely to lose a key, and 2) not have to faff around trying to find £1 coins.

Our 3 bedroom Executive Style Lodge

The restaurants have changed. There are many more activities that have appeared over the years. The Sports Bar has a TV at almost every table. The (free) wifi right across the estate is pretty decent in the Plaza's and accommodation, and if you can't get wifi at least you can (mostly) get a 3G/4G signal these days.

Our lodge interior (downstairs)

Our lodge interior (downstairs) with a well equipped kitchen 

The new tube rides (Cyclone and Typhoon - free as they're part of the sub-tropical swimming paradise) are great, although inevitably the queues build pretty quickly and waits can be long for a short thrill ride - but arguably worth it!

In the Dome - there were people about - honest!

Sports Plaza (it's much bigger than this!)

Inside the Dome

We had a fabulous time on our long weekend break. Plenty of pool/slides/rapids/tube rides time, a couple of meals out at Las Iguanas and the excellent and highly recommended Rajinda Pradesh Indian restaurant. Although some of our party were carrying various injuries between us we played badminton, table tennis, snooker, pool, min-golf (indoor and outdoor), the girls spent time in the Aqua Sauna spa, we watched sport, drank beer and wine (and cocktails), went on a nature walk on the estate, rode bikes and played 10 pin bowling. I think that's a pretty impressive effort for a weekend!

One of the many Coastal Redwoods on the estate

Unfortunately the weather can't be guaranteed we had one decent (but overcast) day and the Sunday was hit and miss with some heavy rain showers, but that didn't stop us! As I said of one of our previous visits, the beauty of this format is that even if you're only been for the weekend, you leave feeling like you've had a real break from reality. Chill with a glass of wine, or be as active as you want. The choice is yours. Will we be going again? Absolutely!

There are paths galore

All the paths are well laid out, generally well lit at night when the forest looks and feels remarkable different, Keep your eyes open for squirrels, badgers, foxes, owls and even deer.

You're not far from nature anywhere!

Center Parcs at night near our lodge

There a quietness about the place at night, even though it's 900 lodges are generally at 97% capacity (so we were told). The site is 400 acres, so there's plenty of room and places for those occupying the lodges to disappear to, and although inevitably the Sub Tropical Swimming Paradise, key rides, and Sports Plaza and popular activities can be very busy at times, there are plenty of quieter opportunities.

Heaven's Gate (just outside Center Parcs with view over Longleat - when it's not foggy!)

You're right next to Longleat Estate and the Safari Park (or very nearly - you won't get eaten by lions).