Bovis sees profits double August 30, 2011 Housebuilder Bovis Homes expects to deliver further improvements to investors after strong trading in 2011 enabled it to post a 19 per cent increase in private home reservations. Bovis said revenue during the first half of 2011 was up 16 per cent to £134m, with operating profit at £10m with an operating margin of 7.5 [...]
America’s very own slice of the Caribbean, plus plenty of rum August 29, 2011 WELCOME to the United States of America,” says a groundsman as I land on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, introducing me to the first of many contradictions here. The island is, I find, a cocktail of the tropical Caribbean, American high rise (it is a commonwealth of the USA) all mixed with a huge [...]
TRAVEL NOTES August 29, 2011 Victoria Falls adventure Action-loving travellers take note: Tongabezi Lodge in Zambia has teamed up with Bundu Adventures to offer an “Above and Below” package at Victoria Falls (see pic). You start with swimming in the Devil’s Pool, a natural lake at the end of the Zambezi river positioned above the boiling pot, right on the [...]
Yet more steak venues, and Ramsay comes to the City August 29, 2011 WOLFGANG PUCK’S CUT What: Austrian-American super-chef, restaurateur and friend of Hollywood Wolfgang Puck has a large number of acclaimed restaurants in the US and the Far East, and is opening his first European venue at the hugely anticipated new hotel, 45 Park Lane. Across the road from the Dorchester and operated by the same company, [...]
Keep the relationship rolls at bay August 29, 2011 FIT IN THE CITY SO last week, I was mildly amused to read that there is now scientific evidence, care of Ohio State University, that marriage and divorce can both trigger weight gain in men and women. Relationships, it seems, can have a negative effect on the scales. So here are my top tips for [...]
EPISODE 25 : The best mate with youth on his side August 29, 2011 IT’S ridiculous Dave,” says my best friend Nick, thumping our fourth pint onto the table. “Taxpayers across the globe bail you guys out and then you just run the markets down again.” “Don’t be naive,” I snap. “Naive?” roars Nick, incredulously. I’m feeling woozy. “We didn’t used to have this kind of conversation,” I mumble. [...]
Get smart for Autumn August 25, 2011 IT hasn’t been much of a summer, but with the cold and rain this week it definitely seems to be time to start thinking about that autumn wardrobe. This year’s autumn/winter trends are subtly inspired by the masculine side of 1970s fashion (as opposed to the pimped-up, checks ‘n’ flares side). “The trick is to [...]
FASHION NEWS August 25, 2011 DIOR’S STYLISH SMARTPHONE Dior calls itself “a pioneer in Haute Couture mobile phones” – which may not be as ludicrous as it sounds, as this is neither the first Dior has produced, nor the only brand to do so (for instance, Jill Sander is launching a smart phone). So, what does your €3,300 buy you? [...]
A love story that’s lost in translation August 25, 2011 Film ONE DAY Cert: 12A I’LL be honest. Despite its candy-like accessibility, I cried when reading One Day, particularly the bit near the end that you fear all along but that your conscious brain never allows itself to imagine. And I’m not alone. You’ve probably seen people, from hoodies to bankers, snivelling on the Tube, [...]
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK FILMS, MUSIC, GAMES August 25, 2011 FILM AS BLOOD RUNS DEEP Intriguing crime drama starring Nick Stahl as a cop investigating a murder. FINAL DESTINATION 5 The sci-fi series enters the 3D sphere in this special effects fest. HIT FIRST, HIT HARDEST Gritty, if hardly original, prison caper from Denmark. DVD LITTLE WHITE Lies French drama starring Marion Cottilard and Francois [...]