Sri Lanka’s beauty reborn September 27, 2009 Ask British travellers why they return to Sri Lanka again and again and they will enthuse about the friendliness of the people, the stunning scenery, the incredible variety packed into an island roughly the size of Ireland. Even through long years of civil war, the tourists kept coming, lured by cheap beach holidays and whistlestop [...]
A funky mountain spa that’s ideal for soothing skiers’ weary legs September 27, 2009 SPA towns are not generally known for their thrusting modernity. Merano, in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy, is at first sight just another sleepy town whose glory days are behind it. Indeed, in the second half of the nineteenth century – when this area was still in the Austro-Hungarian Empire – it was [...]
TRAVEL NOTES September 27, 2009 Marrakesh’s home of luxury reopensOne of Morocco’s most famous hotels, La Mamounia in Marrakech, will be reopening its doors this week after a three year restoration project. The place has hosted all manner of royalty, celebrities and jet setters over the years, having established a reputation for opulent, colonial-style luxury and glamour. As well as [...]
England charge into last four in a tale of cramp and style September 27, 2009 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss hailed a best-ever batting display as England waltzed into the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy against all odds at the expense of hosts South Africa. Strauss’ men produced a batting masterclass in smashing the No1-ranked Proteas for a massive 323-8 – their sixth highest 50-over total of all-time. Man-of-the-match Owais Shah (98) [...]
Saudi Prince eyes 50 per cent stake September 27, 2009 A SAUDI prince has declared he is close to buying a stake in Liverpool – and wants to snap up as much as 50 per cent of the club. Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah is ready to pay up to £350m for half of the Premier League giants, he said yesterday. Prince Faisal, who [...]
Hamilton on song in Singapore as Button takes another step closer to his championship dream September 27, 2009 BRITAIN’S Jenson Button toasted the sweetest fifth-placed finish of his career yesterday at the Singapore Grand Prix, after tightening his grip on a maiden world championship. Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton won the night race but Button increased his lead over Brawn GP team-mate and nearest title rival Rubens Barrichello, while Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel only made [...]
Jones double gores Wolves September 27, 2009 SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce berated his side’s calamitous defending despite seeing them smash five past sorry Wolves to go eighth in the Premier League. Striker Kenwyne Jones grabbed a brace with Darren Bent, Michael Turner and a Michael Mancienne own goal completing the rout. But Bruce was angered by his side’s woeful defence as John [...]
Borthwick injury sparks row as Saracens claim top spot September 27, 2009 SARACENS recovered from an injury to captain Steve Borthwick to beat Gloucester and go top of the Premiership. Replacement hooker Schalk Brits scored the pivotal try while fly-half Glen Jackson kicked 14 points as Saracens came from behind at Kingsholm. Victory maintained Sarries’ 100 per cent start to the season, but the post-match talk centred [...]
GB & Ireland retain Vivendi September 27, 2009 GOLF: Great Britain and Ireland retained the Vivendi Trophy for a fifth consecutive time, beating Europe at St-Nom-la-Breteche in Paris. Rory McIlroy defeated Henrik Stenson by one hole and Graeme McDowell overcame Robert Karlsson 3&2 to give GB an unassailable lead with six matches still to finish.
Trembling hits back at Campbell September 27, 2009 FOOTBALL: Notts County executive chairman Peter Trembling has strongly denied Sol Campbell’s claims he was misled over transfer targets. The defender quit the League Two club after just one match, and Trembling said: “The speed at which we’ve moved is quite incredible so I’m a bit surprised by Sol’s comments. Signing nine players is unheard [...]
