DRIVING TO HIGHLANDS WITHOUT A REAR WINDOW

Bev Lyons

I have driven the future and I’m not looking back, quite literally. 

Let me explain… I drove from Glasgow to the Highlands in the first electric car without a rear window and it was an experience I won’t forget. 

In fact, as I go back to drive my current petrol fuelled vehicle, I can’t help but notice how clunky and heavy it feels compared to the smooth slender handling of The Polestar 4. 

The Polestar 4, an SUV cross, is a Swedish EV whose parents are from the Volvo family which reassured me it is a safe bet of a car, despite the lack of a rear window. 

Volvo was always known for its safety rating, and you can of course still see what is behind you via a screen which replaces the mirror. 

It just means you can’t apply any lippy in it bit apart from that it does the same thing. 

The Polestar 4 is of course what is referred to as a luxury vehicle and with sleek lines and a Scandi style lounge like quality interior it’s easy to see why. It even comes with a responsive light strip along the back and front of the bodywork which would give veteran fans of  Knightrider a run for their money. 

The strip welcomes you as you approach the car and as it reverses from your parking spot it also emits an orchestral hum - vibrationally purring in a very space age fashion as if to energise you for the road ahead. 

I navigated the tight bends of my car parking space with the help from the warning sounds of front, rear and side cameras and took the car wide on corners as advised. 

The Polestar theme is continued inside the car with an onscreen planetary system allowing you to choose whatever ambient lights you’d like to accompany you on your journey.

 It is galactical - and if you like that sky, day or night, a vast panoramic roof allows you to gaze upon it as you relax in your reclining seats, both front and back - a lack of rear windows means more space for those in the back seat and a wide, movable arm rest gives it a relaxing feel. It’s the perfect place to chill as you charge the car for twenty minutes at an EV stop. It’s the first time I’ve driven an EV and it took me a couple of days to get used to the idea that I might have to recharge it from time to time. 

I live in a flat and have no charger. It also took a couple of failed attempts to attach public electrical chargers to the fast charge system - some still don’t work so it can be frustrating as you attempt to load up your card details to get yourself on one of the online systems that will accept payment. Ironically I used a Tesla app in the end as they have a helpful map on their app which alerts you to the nearest EV chargers. 

I found to my pleasure that the car also has this ability through its Google maps feature which also gives it access to lot of extra details. It’s also voice controlled. 

I charged up from an initial 50 per cent to eighty per cent on my journey spending £20 and spent another £20 on the road up, when it reached fifty per cent again,  arriving at my final destination with thirteen percent left. The official range is 367 miles but I found it nearer the 235 mark in the windy, rainy Scottish weather we experienced that day. Heated seats and electric heaters don’t help to conserve the power. 

The only thing I might suggest is that EV charge points should have coffee stops nearby as it’s nice to go for a little stroll while you charge up, unless it’s raining heavily. 

The drive itself is so quiet you need to remind yourself the engine is running, and the power will take you from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds - 3.6 I believe. In rain and in rougher terrain as I reached the windy roads to the Highlands it held the road beautifully, and at speed, and although it’s a longer car, it felt easy to drive. 

It is understated elegance and just feels so good. A two litre engine gave it extra power. 

We drove to the Torridon hotel, at one of the further most points north of Scotland, and the scenery was like a living car advert, with landscapes changing from green to desert like plains overlooked by mountainous regions. 

It was Gods natural racetrack. 

The five star Torridon which is located on one of the clearest locations on Earth even charged our car overnight as we gazed at the stars with help from their resident astronomer Stephen Mackintosh and indulged in a five course tasting menu. 

The Polestar 4 is an exciting car to drive and like its namesake it is pretty magical. It’s something you look forward to, and you really feel that you are embracing the future whilst also giving back in some way to the environment. Eco friendliness is at the heart of the cars messaging -  and with a lesser carbon footprint than most, it’s nice to see a large company taking social responsibilities seriously. 

The Polestar 4 is available starting at £58,000 from Silverburn in Glasgow who also will deliver it your door for a test drive. 

CRUISING WITH THE CORRECT ON BOARD ETIQUETTE

CRUISING is one of the showbizlion.com’s favourite pastimes, whether it’s on the med, in the Caribbean or closer to home shores. 

It’s important therefore to know what to do when you are on board your ship or yacht. 

If you’re single it’s even more important to know the right kind of etiquette. 

We got some tips from Seeking.com, a community where singles are empowered to find relationships on their terms, encouraging upfront and honest communication for an elevated dating experience.  

So what is YACHT ETIQUETTE? 
When you date up, you’re no longer going to be sitting in dive bars and scratching in the peanut bowl. With an upgrade in the quality of your date, comes an upgrade in the location too. It’s essential then, when you’re invited on those Summer cruises along the coast, that you know your docksiders from your flip flops, and your jet skis from your underwater scooters.

1. SAILS OUT, NAILS OUT
   Your toes will be on display, so make sure that they don’t have any benign fungus growing there. It’s best to opt for a good manicure regardless of your gender, and open-toed sandals that can easily be removed when you hit the decks.
   
   
2. SAFETY FIRST
   Life jackets aren’t just a decorative accessory. It’s essential to listen to the crew’s advice on how to stay safe, and remember to pack a sunscreen that is waterproof, as well as to apply it before and after going into the water. Watch out for sea spray when walking on the bow of the yacht; you won’t want to take an unplanned dip in the deep end, and try not to capsize the jet ski when you’re trying to impress the rest of the boat; while they will come to a halt, they can be heavy, and if you’re too far out, swimming back might not be a pleasant experience. You would be surprised just how easy it is to flip one over.
   
   
3. WHARF WEAR
   On yachts, it is important to dress the part. While throwing on a bikini or one piece is easy, chances are you’re going to have to transition from daywear, to night wear for dinner. A coverup that can double as a classy evening piece is essential, as well as a change of clothes for when you’re heading back to shore. This is the chance to leave high heels at home, but also the chance to show off a beautiful pair of sandals or an ankle bracelet. Think: a wrap dress that you can easily throw on over a costume for an intimate dinner with your date, and an elegant high ponytail to keep your hair untangled.
   
   
4. WHERE HAS ALL THE CHAMPAGNE GONE?
   Don’t drink too much. While sundowners on a yacht is probably the pinnacle of human existence, it is better to err on the side of caution when deciding whether or not to open that next bottle of Dom. Dehydration from the sun and seawater, as well as the impulse to have a “hold my glass and watch this” moment are all factors in why it’s better to switch to water after you’re a few drinks in.
   
   
5. (WO)MAN OVERBOARD
   Just because you’re on a luxury yacht, that doesn’t mean you have to stay glued to the deck all day. The water is where the fun is, so slip into a wetsuit, and get out on the water. This is the place to try something new, to jump on that jet ski, or to take your life into your hands on the hoverboard. Just make sure you tighten up that life jacket, and refer to tip no.4.

So there you have it, the ideal way of behave at sea. Now let’s become sea lions ;)

CRUISE LOVERS WILL ADORE THIS GREEK DREAM DAY TRIP

We’ve been treading water over these last months but with a green light from London, Greece reopens to British travellers from May 17. 

With tens of thousands of holidays deferred from last summer, and Greece topping the UK charts for new bookings, it’s reasonable to predict that the islands and beaches are going to be busy. 

But for many of us, crowds, queues, masks and enforced social distancing are the irritants of everyday life, so why would we want to encounter them on holiday? 

The Greece of our dreams exists outside the constraints of the pandemic. It’s a place of seas as clear and as blue as the sky; of hidden beaches; and ancient villages untroubled by the anxieties of modern life. 

It’s an empty beach on heart-shaped Daskalio Island; coffee in a fisherman’s café in Napflion with views, literally, of Arcadia; and having heavenly Ververoda Bay all to yourself. 

While others stake their claim on congested beaches, you can have a bit of luxury to yourself with the help of Yannis and Veneta Vasatis of Spetses Cruising. 

They’ve spent 40 years exploring their local waters for the sheer joy of it, and now they’re sharing their knowledge with aficionados in search of the Greece they always suspected was out there but perhaps could never find. 

And they’re doing it in head-turning style, with two state-of-the-art vessels: Nireas, a Nimbus T11 day boat with twin 350hp outboards; and Pytheas, an ultra-high performance 800hp RIB capable of 60 knots. 

Both offer the luxury of a superyacht with the speed and agility of a powerboat on full or half-day trips to the Argolic Gulf, the Athenian Riviera; the Eastern Peloponnese, Saronic gulf and the Western Cycladic islands of Milos, Serifos, Sifnos and beyond.

 Spetses Cruising also offers first-class limousine services, allowing you to start your holiday in style, from the moment your feet land in Greece. 

What you do is up to you – Spetses Cruising promises only that your trip will be “unforgettable, private, bespoke and luxurious” - but Yannis recommends perhaps a picnic on the island of Dokos – population 18; private tours of the citadel town of Monemvasia; visits to a hidden blue bay he describes as “the most wonderful swimming spot in the world”, where the onboard toys, including sea scooters, snorkelling gear and paddle boards, can be deployed; and long lunches at that taverna: the one the superyacht crowd will never find. 

Full day trips inclusive of a tailored itinerary start from around £1700, based of eight sharing, with pickups from Athens, Spetses, Porto Heli, Hydra, Nafplion and Monemvasia.

If you can get the people and the cash together to sounds like an ideal way and the ultimate luxury setting to blow away the lockdown cobwebs - and just think of the Insta pics too. 

 Spetses Cruising

TOBAGO IS A REAL TREAT WHETHER YOU WANT TO LIME OR JAZZ THINGS UP

I'LL never forget the time I limed with the locals in Tobago.
Before you think of us all squeezing the citrus fruit in unison, let me explain that liming is the local patois for enjoying the scene and chilling with friends in a public place.
And it's refreshingly zesty to see a group of people making a point of pressing the pause button in an ever-busier world.
Despite the availability of wifi in my beautiful hotels mobile phones seemed to lose their relevance during my trip.
When you visit the West Indies, it would be a crime not to enjoy the natural beauty of the rainforests, mountain ranges, coral reefs and warm seas on offer.
However, whether you choose to lime, or get jiggy and wine with the locals (wining means to dance) the island promises a memorable holiday for all the family.
As I discovered during an all too short visit, Tobago is picture postcard perfect, with white beaches, sparkling blue sea, and palm tree-lined paths.


A look round its oldest protected rainforests and local plantations is an education as you are introduced to natural resources such as coffee beans and cashew nuts growing on trees, alongside local staples plantain, breadfruit and pomerac.
On a road safari at Courland, I encountered all the delights of nature's supermarket and even enjoyed a taste of it all thanks to our knowledgeable tour guide.
A trip to the Tobago Cocoa Estate gave me a new perspective on my chocolate habit - as I was shown the whole process of stripping the cocoa bean from its huge pod before drying it out and making it ready for chocolate manufacture.
To think it is eaten in seconds after months, of preparation.
Plants like mother-in-law's tongue, with spike-like flowers, which improve air quality, the trumpet tree with fruits to make health-improving tea and cigarette filters, and the flower of the silk cotton tree, which is used for stuffing pillows, made me appreciate how self-sufficient the island is.


A jungle trek, like I'm a celebrity without the unpleasant stuff, takes you through local flora and fauna, streams and pools, giving you the opportunity to shower under the Argyll waterfalls along the way.
Of course, the beaches are a big attraction, along with the coral-filled Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool.
The Nylon Pool, an offshore sandbar, which forms a natural, metre-deep swimming pool in the middle of the sea, was a particular favourite of Princess Margaret, who gave it its name in 1962.
Snorkelling, even for the amateur, is a must and a trip to Pigeon Point, with its famous thatch-roofed jetty, give you the perfect vantage point for holiday photos.
Holidays provide an opportunity to try something different and perhaps a little daring. I was out of my comfort zone when I was offered the chance to go bridle-less and barefoot horse riding along the beach.
Being With Horses owner Veronica La Fortune made me and my horse feel right at ease.
I felt confident by the time we rode along - and didn't panic when we were told we were going into the sea on horseback. Riding my seahorse was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life and I felt I'd really accomplished something.
We celebrated our evenings with trips to the Tobago Jazz Experience, which is held each April and offers a real mix of music from local choirs to international artists such as Emeli Sande and Elton John.
Like many places in Tobago, it has plenty of street food stalls and as you watch, you can tuck into specialities including crab 'n' dumpling, pigeon peas and roti.
Fresh fish, lobster and other delicacies can be enjoyed at the Seahorse Inn in Scarborough while street grub and late night entertainment can also be found at the Sunday School - a loud, vibrant street party, which only gets into gear at 11pm.
We stayed at Turtle Beach, where the lucky traveller can discover the turtles laying eggs on the beach in the wee small hours of the morning, and the smaller, more boutique-style Bacolet Beach Club, with sea views and an infinity pool. There are also large hotels like the Magdalena Grand, complete with hammocks.
Despite its offering of modern hotels and facilities, there is something about Tobago that is very simple and a trip there is like something quaint and charming from a bygone age.
Travel facts ¦ Our flights were provided by British Airways. ¦ Flights to Tobago with BA start from £610. ¦ The first two nights, we stayed at: Turtle Beach by Rex Resorts, Courland Bay, Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago. www.turtlebeachresorttobago.com
The second two nights, we stayed at: Bacolet Beach Club, 73 Bacolet Street, Scarborough, Tobago.

www.bacoletbeachclub.com

The accommodation was provided courtesy of both hotels.

All ground arrangements were provided by Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

For more information on Tobago, visit: www.gotrinidadandtobago.com

Tobago's simplicity and beauty make it a place to reconnect with nature


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

BILLY CONNOLLY LOOKING FIT IN HONG KONG BEFORE JETSETTING TO NEW YORK TARTAN WEEK

Beverley Lyons 

Sir Billy Connolly met up with Scottish former rugby union player Doddie Weir in Hong Kong ahead of his appearance at New York’s tartan day celebrations this weekend.
And Sir Billy was looking dapper as he chatted with MND sufferer Doddie at the fundraising dinner in Hong Kong’s Grand Hyatt hotel.
Players past and present joined the Big Yin and Humungous one as revellers endearingly referred to them.
Amongst those promoted to attend the bash were Scott Hastings, Andy Goode, Brian O Driscoll and Gregor Townsend.
In a photo posted on Twitter,  Sir Billy looked dapper in his black tux and chose to go tieless with his white shirt for the occasion while Doddie opted for his now famous tartan suit. 

One of the dinner guests commented: “Billy was in great spirits and very happy to be there. He and Doddie has a great chat and Billy entertained guests with his answers during the Q and A session.”
Scottish artist Gerard Burns had painted a portrait of Doddie in the suit which raised almost £100,000 at the event.

The dinner, attended by around 500 guests, was organised by the Scottish business community based in Hong Kong as a precursor to the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens on April 5-7. More than £300,000 was raised in total by the event.

The new pictures will come as a surprise to many fans who thought that Billy’s health was ailing. 

The 76 year old was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012 and has been pictured looking frailer and more subdued than the larger than life character we have come to expect. 

Billy who also had to have his prostate removed following a cancer diagnosis several years ago and has joked in the past about his shaky hand, over which he has little control, admitted in a BBC documentary in January that his diagnosis with the degenerative brain condition meant he was now "at the wrong end of the telescope of life". 

Billy said at the time: "My life is slipping away and I can feel it and I should. I'm 75 and I'm a damn sight nearer the end than I am the beginning. 

"But it doesn't frighten me - it's an adventure and it's quite interesting to see myself slipping away, as bits slip off and leave me, talents leave and attributes leave.

"It's as if I'm being prepared for something, some other adventure, which is over the hill. I've got all this stuff to lose first, and then I'll be at the shadowy side of the hill doing the next episode in the spirit world."

Sir Michael Parkinson also said in 2018 that Billy had trouble recognising him, a claim that Sir Billy has since dismissed. 

Sir Michael, 83,  said at the time: “His wonderful brain has dulled. I saw him recently – he's now living in America – and it was very sad, because I was presenting him with a prize at an award ceremony [...] We had an awkward dinner together, because I wasn't quite sure if he knew who I was or not."

It certainly seems that Billy is not ready to give into the debilitating illness - as he jetsets round the world for a busy year of public engagements.

From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

SARDINIA OOZES CLASS AND LUXURY

WHEN I told people I was heading to Sardinia, I was greeted with some odd requests to bring back tins of sardines.
And although the name of the fish may well be taken from the waters where they used to congregate, sardines are surprisingly not actually a main attraction in Sardinia.


You won't see loads of them taking prime position on supermarket shelves around the island, in the same way as you don't see Scotland awash with haggis.
Instead, there's pasta, pork, shellfish and flat bread (pane carasau) among the local specialities, as well as the offer of sunshine and a glistening blue seascape that would rival those of the Caribbean.


The seductive beaches of this Mediterranean island are a welcome sanctuary for people seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of mainland Italy.
Sardinia remains unspoiled by tacky tourism and the hotels of family-run chain Delphina that I visited oozed a class and an uncomplicated feel that fits in with its elegant, understated beauty.


I travelled to Sardinia with easyJet, who run frequent flights from Gatwick to Olbia airport, and from there headed to the five-star Resort Valle dell'Erica Thalasso & Spa in Santa Teresa di Gallura on the north coast of the island.
What you save on the flights, you can spend on accommodation and my arrival at the resort, in a charming town where you can catch the ferry to Corsica, was most welcoming. There was a selection of cold meats or antipasti, pizza, and light cocktails - just an indication of the freshly prepared food that was on offer throughout my stay.
Lounging on the hotel's outdoor sun terrace made me feel like I was in a movie.


Funnily enough, actor Michael Douglas had been spotted on his boat near Porto Cervo, the heart of millionaire's paradise Costa Smeralda, just a day earlier. But despite bringing binoculars to peer into some of the Liberace-style cruisers, I unfortunately was never able to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood royal.
When I did make a quick trip to Costa Smeralda, all the yachts on show - including some evil-looking black ones - resembled something from a James Bond movie.


Some of the princely resort's architecture featured in the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me.
I did a spot of window-shopping, too, at some of the jewellers and designer boutiques nearby.
My five-star base had its own Thalasso therapy pools, sauna, hammam, and cardio-fitness room, as well as other open-air swimming pools and an enchanting private beach where you can dine in the evening by arrangement.
For those on a fitness and health drive, the hotel offers the low-carb Dukan diet and other protein-rich foods. I'd have happily relaxed there for most of my stay but the waters proved too tempting and a boat excursion to the archipelago of La Maddalena, between Sardinia and Corsica, proved equally refreshing.
I had a quick paddle in the water before my ichthyophobia, or fear of fish, got the better of me and I decided instead to soak in the fabulous views.
Around the bay are various rock formations which resemble figures like a hunchback friar or a big bear. We delighted in creating names for some of the more unusual rocks.
We took a quick trip past Porto Pollo Beach, the laid-back, boho resort popular with surfers and kite boarders, taking in the panorama from a high point at Palau, about 18 miles from Olbia. The sights in west Sardinia are equally stunning. We visited the local ethnographic museum in the ancient, granite village of Aggius, where among other things we learned about tapestry and bread-making traditions, as well as the methods used in cork production. It was truly like stepping back in time.
We also visited the Resort & Spa Le Dune at Badesi. The four-star resort between sand dunes and juniper trees is ideal for families, being blessed with a white sandy beach overlooking the azure waters of the Golfo dell'Asinara.
For couples and everyone else who want something even quieter, the four-star Isola Rossa Hotel Relax Torreruja Thalasso & Spa offers a stunning haven of relaxation.
The place exudes peace and old-fashioned elegance.

Facts..

I stayed in Sardinia courtesy of Delphina Hotels and Resorts.
Flights to Olbia in north-east Sardinia from London Gatwick with easyJet (www.easyjet.com) start from £29.99 per person.
Rooms at Resort Valle dell'Erica Thalasso and Spa start per person per night on a half-board basis from £108 (the resort is open from May 24-Sept 20) and at Hotel Capo D'Orso from £117 a night (the hotel is open from May 24-Sept 27).
A stay at Hotel Relax Torreruja Thalasso & SPA 4* (open from May 17-September 27) starts at £67 a night, while the Resort & SPA Le Dune 4* (open May 24 to September 20) costs from £65 a night. Discount of 10 per cent on all room rates if you book before April 30, 2014.
More information about Delphina Hotels and Resorts: www.delphina.it Late deals
Flying from Glasgow on May 4, seven nights in Turkey staying at the 4T Couples Sousse resort on an all-inclusive basis, from £455 per person. Price is based on two adults sharing.
Flying from Glasgow on Friday, seven nights in Italy, staying at the 4T Grand Hotel Nastro Azzurro Thomson Couples resort on an all-inclusive basis, from £804 per person. Price is based on two adults sharing.
Flying from Glasgow on Friday, seven nights in Italy staying at the 5T Hotel Bristol Platinum resort on a half-board basis, from £772 per person. Price is based on two adults sharing.
For these and other deals, visit your local Thomson travel shop, thomson.co.uk or call 0871 230 2555.


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com