Life in General

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J Lo enchanted by national park on Italian

Riviera

holiday

7 JULY 2008

Walking along the winding trails of the Cinque Terre national park with husband Marc Anthony and design icon Domenico Dolce, Jennifer Lopez is certainly taking in the best

Italy

has to offer while on her current trip to the stunning Mediterranean country. Enjoying a relaxing break in the celeb haven of

Portofino

, the

latina

diva has been experiencing the charms of its rugged coastline first hand.

Having recently taken up a fitness regime in the wake of the birth of her twins in February, the mum-of-two will have found no shortage of physical activity on offer while visiting the five coastal villages which fall within the environs of the famous national park.

Connected by kilometres of trails which hug the dramatic, rocky coastline, the cliff top communities - which are accessible by walks that vary from romantic strolls to challenging hikes - offer spectacular views of the

Mediterranean

below and the hills above.

Another means of visiting the charming fishing villages is by boat, which is another option for the Love Don't Cost A Thing star who's also been spending time aboard Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's luxury yacht.

 

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SWAYED BY THE RHYTHMS OF

CUBA

With www.bingozest.co.uk

 

 

STEPHEN KAHN and family combine a break in the bustling city of

Havana

with a relaxing beachfront stay in Varadero...

I THOUGHT I was just paying to watch the show in

Havana

’s most famous nightclub, the open-air Tropicana, not to take part.
Daring acrobats and pinkbe feathered showgirls dancing to the pulsating rhythms of the orchestra combined to produce an amazing spectacle.
But  then, to my suprise, it was my turn as the audience were entreated to take to the floor and strut their stuff.
I don’t know my salsa from my rumba but the complimentary rum included in my entry ticket ensured that by midnight all my inhibitions were gone.
My children, twentysomethings Daniel and Charlotte, joined in at conga time... as far as I remember. While the details of the latter part of the evening remain hazy, the rest of my Cuban, twin-centre holiday was one of my most memorable.

Our first base was the elegant Hotel Saratoga, on the edge of

Havana

’s

Old

Town

. Built in the Thirties, it was seized by the revolutionaries in 1959 to house the poor. In 2005 the building was gutted and it re-emerged as a top-class hotel.
From the rooftop pool we could see

Fraternity

Park

, just across the road, with its grand silk cotton tree planted in 1928 with the soil of 21 countries of the

Americas

. We were also in sight of the Capitolio Naçional, styled on

Washington

’s Capitol, and only a few minutes’ walk from the Partagas cigar factory, where a tour is a must.
Watching workers hand-rolling cigars almost tempted me to break my 30-year smoking ban. Cobbled streets led to the heart of the

Old

Town

, a Unesco World Heritage site.
Dodging old Chevrolets and Buicks, we discovered the Museum of the Revolution, which gives the official view on Cuban history and its perpetual confrontation with its near-neighbour the

US

.
But nearby, behind Havana Cathedral – with its striking baroque façade dating fom 1748 – capitalism is flourishing in a crafts market. Once built, nothing seems to get pulled down in

Havana

; reflecting

Cuba

’s colourful and often violent history, the architecture is a clash of styles, from Spanish Moorish to French neo-classical.
Nothing better summed up

Cuba

as a land of contrasts than our dinner a few nights later at La Guarida. This is the city’s best known paladar – one of the independent restaurants in private residences permitted by the Castro regime (now headed by ailing Fidel’s brother Raul) since 1995.
From a dusty, potholed street, we climbed three floors of a crumbling tenement and were ushered into a warren of dining rooms seemingly furnished at random from local antique shops. We were snapper and baked apple with served an exquisite meal of aubergine “caviar”, red ice cream, for £15 a head.
No visitor to

Havana

should miss El Floridita, the bar where Ernest Hemingway downed his daiquiris. Nothing seems
to have changed since the Thirties and the great man’s favourite seat is cordoned off as though awaiting his return. The writer’s other favourite watering hole was La Bodeguita del Medio, near the cathedral, where he was particularly fond of the mojitos.
I took a cab out to the huge Hotel Naçional de Cuba, built in 1930 and host to Winston Churchill, Al Capone and Frank Sinatra, to name but a few. Now a city landmark and overlooking the entrance to

Havana

Bay

, it was built in an Art Deco style with neo-classical and neo-colonial influences.
Prices are reasonable in

Cuba

, with a bottle of beer costing about £1. It’s such a poor country but its people
are so friendly that you don’t feel exploited by the dual currency. Tourists pay in convertible pesos (don’t rely
on your plastic – it’s a cash society) while the locals have their own separate currency. But there was never any attempt to exploit my ignorance of the monetary system.
Two hours’ drive from Havana we discovered the perfect antidote to the city’s hustle and bustle – the tourist enclave of Varadero, mile upon mile of white sandy beaches, turquoise ocean and a string
of hotels on the Hicacos Peninsula.
I was a little worried by one guidebook’s description of our beachfront hotel, Blau Varadero, as resembling an airport. If only all airports were as good. We were impressed by the an enormous hot and cold buffet at breakfast, lunch and high-quality food – supper, with unlimited drinks – and the huge number of activities.
Daniel and Charlotte were anxious to test their speedboat skills, to snorkel, swim in a grotto and go horse riding.
When they headed off to swim with dolphins, I had a relaxing day sitting by the pool and reading Hemingway’s To Have And Have Not, set in

Cuba

.
I cannot vouch for the nightclubs La Rumba and  Mambo, from which my children returned full of praise. But I can recommend the Cueva del Pirata on the Autopista Sur, a pirate-themed show in a cave that kicks off with a hip-swinging salsa cabaret, before the stage is opened to all.
But I’d had my moment of dancing glory in the Tropicana and remained seated. It was the first time I remembered my age during the whole holiday.

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MARBELLA

 the destination

 

Marbella

Country:

Spain

Marbella

by the Numbers:

Population: 116,000
Average January Temperature: 54 degrees F
Average July Temperature: 75 degrees F
Average Number of Days with Precipitation: 45 days

Quick Facts:

Major Industry: tourism
Electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz; standard two-pin plug
Time Zone: GMT + 1
Country Dialing Code: 34
Area Code: 52

Did You Know?

Archaeological digs made in the mountains around

Marbella

point to human habitation here during the Paleolithic and Neolithic times.

Orientation:

Marbella

is located in

Andalusia

,

Spain

near the

Mediterranean

. The city lies between

Malaga

and Gibraltar along the central-southern coast of

Spain

.

 

Overview

 

Welcome to

Marbella

: an ideal climate, warm people, Puerto Banús' nightlife and the beautiful historical quarter have turned this small fishing village into the jewel of the

Costa del Sol

.

 

Time has transformed this small maritime village of humble homes into a splendid tourist city that every year opens its doors to hundreds of thousands of visitors attracted by the wonderful climate (the average temperature is 19º Celsius), the warmth of the people, and the renowned parties and nightlife.

Historical District and Downtown

Marbella

was called Salduba in the time of the Romans and re-named Marbil-la under the Muslim rule, and walking through the Historical District is like taking a small trip through the past, where the Arab roots and traces of Christianity come together. For example, the iglesia de la Encarnación (Church of the Incarnation) was raised just a few metres from the murallas (walls) of the Caliph's castle.

The streets wind through cobblestones, immaculate façades, and balconies decorated with flower-boxes full of geraniums and carnations. There are priceless tiny, typically-Andalusian squares and nooks and crannies, such as the Balcón de la Virgen (Balcony of the Virgin Mary), set in the window of an old white-washed house that today houses a restaurant.

The hub-bub of daily life—work, business, shopping, and the coming and goings of people—begins in the Avenida Ricardo Soriano and extends throughout the entire downtown area. But calm reigns again once you reach the Paseo Marítimo (promenade), where tranquility, the ocean breeze, hammocks, and tanned bodies are the star of the show.

Puerto Banús

José Banús was the promoter of all of New Andalusia and of course of the Marina that carries his name, which is one of the most important ports on the Mediterranean coast. There are 915 tying-in points on the two piers, Ribera and Benabolá. In the clear blue waters the most luxurious yachts in the world have anchored and slept: the Nabila of the magnate Adnan Kashoggi, the Príncipe Abdulazis, the Tritona, and the Shaf. The port has been declared a

Center

of

International Tourist Interest

and among its many honors has the Gold Medal for Merit in Tourism.

Shopping, having a coffee on one of the terraces, walking along the piers, and, of course, enjoying the nighttime atmosphere by dancing until dawn or drinking a cocktail while gazing at the star-covered bay are just some of the activities you have to choose from. And every year more visitors come, making it a must-see in the summer months for celebrities and people from the tabloid world, including photographers who snap their celebrity shots.

 

Food and drink;

 

Marbella

is not only a great place to relax and have some fun but it's also a gourmet's paradise, boasting a cosmopolitan array of restaurants.

Tour of the Tapas Bars

Once a year, the residents of

Marbella

celebrate the town’s culinary status with a party they call La Ruta Tasquera. Tapas are the savory snacks served with an alcoholic drink in bars throughout

Spain

. So that you do not miss out on the fun, the following is a list of some of the best tapas bars that you can try any day of the year. You might start with a cold beer in La Bodeguita Marbellí and it will probably be accompanied by homemade ensaladilla rusa (Russian salad). Wash down a variety of cured hams and sausage with your second beer at La Sacristía or the Tasca Don Matute. Share a tortilla de ajos tiernos (spring onion omelette) over the next beer at El Burlaero.

In La Cervecería they will offer you a little kebab with your drink. And at La Querencia the tapas are a meal in themselves. En Ca Curro is famous for smooth, sweet Moscatel wine, served with prawns or fresh fried fish.

By now you'll need a break so take a seat in one of Marbella’s squares or parks before hitting what is arguably the best tapas bar of them all, La Venecia de los Olivos, which has three branches around town and serves delicious savory ribs. Head upmarket for a while and order a glass of vino fino (fine wine, or dry sherry) with a sophisticated canapé at Gorky. Next is a regional treat: cider and snacks from

Asturias

in the north of

Spain

at Sidrería Urogallo. Thought you were finished? Not likely. That was just a warm-up before lunch. And the choice of restaurants for lunch and dinner is as exciting as the tapas bars.

International

The Amanecer Country Tex Mex serves hot enchiladas with cold Mexican beer. If you can’t survive without hamburgers, then make sure you eat the best at Old Texas. Delicate dishes from

Thailand

are available at Sukhothai, while hearty portions of beef are the order of the day at El Gaucho Argentino. How about sushi at Sakura? Or you can choose from two excellent Chinese restaurants. The Mandarin is considered to be the best on the

Costa del Sol

. And the Hong Kong is said to prepare the most succulent Peking duck in

Marbella

.

Little

Italy

Italian cooking is well represented here. Two especially fine examples are the Villa Tiberio and the La Fonte delle Streghe. In the Toni Dalli, you can expect to be entertained by a distinguished tenor. The Da Bruno specializes in fresh pasta and the Palacio de la Toscana prepares the best ravioli with spinach that you will ever taste. There are also lots of small pizzerias in

Marbella

, selling thin and crispy pizzas to take away.

Good Food

Carnivores are well catered for in

Marbella

, with three restaurants serving the finest quality meat in typical Castilian style. So you can try a lamb stew or a roast sucking-pig in El Rancho, or El Portalón or Asador Puerta del Príncipe. Those who prefer fish should head for Puerto Banús to try the day's catch with a sea view at La Dorada or La Marina. Vegetarians can also expect the highest quality and service at Azafrán y Menta.

Five-star Restaurants

People who take their food seriously have probably already heard about the imaginative dishes at La Hacienda and if you dine at La Meridiana and Taberna del Alabardero, you’ll fall in love with the chefs. The Santiago prepares fresh shellfish with reverence and the Víctor has special respect for lobster. All these five-star restaurants can be found in Puerto Banús and San Pedro de Alcántera.

 

Nightlife

There are beautiful cities, cities where the cuisine is an art in itself, others where the natives welcome you with open arms, hundreds that rest on the Mediterranean shores—and there are cities that are blessed with all of these characteristics and where, to top it all off, you can have a ball.

Marbella

is one of these. See for yourself.

A Quiet Night Out

For enjoying the first drink of the evening and chatting with friends, the city has a huge number of pubs and bars to offer, many of which are open till the wee hours of the morning. In the old section of town you’ll find The Tavern, an English-style pub where the beer is the star attraction; downtown you’ll find Gauguin, if you like hot rhythms and cool drinks, or Frank´s Corner if you prefer playing pool and having a beer with some of the many Brits who hang out here. Do you feel like catching a movie? In Gran Marbella Cinema there are seven theatres to choose from.

Dance Until Dawn

The true nightlife scene is at Puerto Banús, so drop everything, throw on your party clothes, and have fun. The streets around the piers are full of terraces, bars, and pubs for every taste and style. For lovers of Spanish pop rock, El Boss is a great choice—its fun atmosphere makes it a perfect place for having the first drinks of the evening.

Although you may not be one of the thousands of people who love Irish taverns, O´Gradys might still be what you’re looking for. Have a dark or light Guinness; it’s just a question of taste. Are you getting into the spirit of things? Good, then now you’re ready to check out La Comedia; order a mixed drink at the bar and take the first few dance steps of the night to the rhythm of the latest hits. And, in the Plaza del Puerto—right down the stairs—you’ll find the dance club Scream for those who want to party till dawn: hip hop, techno, dance, trance and all the latest "avant-garde" beats.

Different Nights

Have you ever played French Roulette? Don’t miss the opportunity to do it in the wonderful Casino, where fun is a sure bet, but just don’t spend too much, because the night is still young and once the clock strikes twelve, the Flamenco show begins in the Tablao Ana María.

If Flamenco is not your thing and you’re more into other types of music—and other types of fun—spend an unforgettable night in the best dance club on the

Costa del Sol

, run by the famous Olivia Valere. In this dance palace you’ll see a bunch of famous faces—from the tabloid world mainly—beautiful people, and a luxurious atmosphere. And close to the water’s edge you'll find another hot dance club, Oh! Marbella, that offers live shows and different DJs every weekend, so you never get bored with the dancing. The place fills with night owls, dancing, and international music until the early morning. Also, in the Milla de Oro (Golden Mile) there is quite a bit of nightlife; here you’ll find Key Boite, where the champagne and cava are the official drinks.

With Children

The little ones also need to have fun, and for this purpose you’ll find places such as Funny Beach, where they can practice water sports, jump and bounce on huge rubber beds and in ball-filled pools, swing on swings, and slide down the slides.

Also, surprise them by talking them to the Puerto Banús Acuario (Aquarium), where they can have their first underwater baptism, surrounded by the harmless and friendly ray-fish.

You’ll enjoy an unforgettable day in the

Estepona

Natural

Park

, Selwo. Let them delight in this small safari where they’ll come close to animals they’ve only seen in zoos and on TV: lions, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, and colorful birds, all in an enviable natural environment. Another option is to spend the morning together watching the entertainment in the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre de la Costa del Sol (

Sun

Coast

Equestrian

School

).

Visit the Museo del Bonsái (Bonsai Museum) with them, where the smallest olive trees in the world are on display, or let them try their hands at the art world in the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo (Museum of Contemporary Spanish Etchings), and later take them for a walk along the Paseo Marítimo (waterfront promenade). Here you can treat them to an ice cream in the Milla de Oro (Golden Mile).

 

 

-----------------------------------------

Antigua

 

Overview

Wind, sun and sea, beaches and partying: Antigua is the

Caribbean

's premier yachting destination where you'll come for a while but want to stay an eternity. Sister isle Barbuda is the epitome of solitude and idyllic deserted pink beaches.

 

An island that once had 170 windmills,

Antigua

's history as a sugar-producer looms large in its legend. Everywhere you look on

Antigua

there are remnants of the old plantation days, plainly visible by the crumbling windmills that dot the landscape.

At the same time, the island's distinctive coastline has created 365 beaches resulting in an island trademark of "a beach for every day of the year." This locale created numerous opportunities for bars, restaurants, swimming holes and snorkeling sites around the island. The many coves and harbours have made

Antigua

a prime sailing destination and home of the world-famous Antigua Race Week. All of these activities can be explored when touring the island, a fun thing to do especially by rental car, since there are so many places to stop and beaches to experience.

It would be difficult to see Antigua in one day, and since it's not close to many other islands,

Antigua

is not really a day-trip destination. Three days is probably the minimum amount of time to really see the island.

Day One:

St. John's

St. John's

is a bustling town, capital of

Antigua

and the mercantile center of the island. It is now used for many business dealings by folks from neighboring

Montserrat

. A tour of this city could easily begin at the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which dominates the center of town. This huge church with twin spires sits on a hill. Not far away is the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, which offers wonderful displays about the history of the islands, a large archive and a library. A unique service offered by this museum allows people (by phone, email, letter or in person) to research possible genealogical connections to the island. Many of the island's records are now computerized and it's possible to easily check to see if you're related to anyone here. From the museum, head toward the water to the new shopping center called Heritage Quay, where the cruise ships dock (Thursday and Friday) and passengers shop. A large variety of duty-free shops are here including jewelry stores, designer clothing and miscellaneous gift items.

Downtown offers more quaint shopping at historic Redcliffe Quay. Old stone and brick warehouses have been restored as upscale shops and eateries, definitely not to be missed. Along the adjacent streets of

Nevis

and Redcliffe, there are many delightful multi-colored West Indian buildings with gingerbread trim, so typical of this part of the world.

Day 2: Eastern Antigua

Probably the most interesting part of Antigua is the eastern side, where

English

Harbour

(including Nelson's Dockyard) is located. Old, yet well preserved, these attractions are fun to visit for a few hours or a week or more, if you stay in one of the several old inns such as Admiral's Inn or the Copper and Lumber Yard Hotel right on the Dockyard grounds. The

English

Harbour

area is part of the Antigua National Parks Authority, developed in the 1700's as an English Naval Yard. Well protected, the harbor has been a safe haven for boats from hurricanes for decades. British Naval Captain, Horatio Nelson at the age of 26, commanded the northern division stationed there from 1784 to 1787.

This delightful old town has been developed into a great attraction with many interpretive signs describing the history; two inns, Admiral's Inn and the Copper and Lumber Store; and the Dockyard Bakery (pastries, cake, patties and drinks). Don't miss the Admiral's House Museum where the history of the area is clearly described. If you're lucky, you'll catch our beloved historian, Desmond Nicholson, hard at work. The harbor is always filled with yachts and brimming with old salts enjoying the local pubs and eateries. Near

English

Harbour

sits Shirley Heights. Aside from being a great social gathering spot, it offers plenty of history as well.

While touring in the area, another essential stop is Betty's Hope, the twin windmills, one of which actually works. These stunning mills, restored and well-documented so visitors can understand how they worked, are more than 300 years old. This was, reportedly, the island's first sugar plantation. Also in the eastern area is the wonderful early town of

Parham

, the first British settlement where the Peter's Anglican Church is located. It is considered to be one of the most important churches in the

Caribbean

because of its octagonal shape and Georgian style.

Day 3:

Western Antigua
 
  Leaving St.

John's and heading south, there are several beautiful beaches and some interesting areas to explore. As you head toward the sea south from town, the first thing to see is

Five

Islands

Village

, which has been greatly developed for tourism. Most interesting there is the Hawksbill Beach Resort, so named because of a rock offshore that resembles the head of a hawk. Moving south, there are many bays. The road turns north near the historic Curtain Bluff Hotel, located on a stunning precipice. From

Fig Tree Drive

, head north through the rain forest. The fig in the name means "banana" in these parts, but the forest is rich with mangoes and pineapples as well. The road winds through the highest part of the island and though it's only 1,300 feet, it offers a mountainous rain forest environment. Near the end of this road is the Tyrell's Catholic church, a well-known, pink stucco church called Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

 

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--------------------------------------------------

BABY BLUE TITS SAVED FROM DRILLER KILLER

 

Monday May 19,2008

 

 

FORGET the cuddly cartoon image – in real life woodpeckers can be aggressive predators.

In this fascinating series of photographs, a bird lover captured one great spotted woodpecker’s attempts to drill its way into a nesting box in his back garden.

The target was a brood of blue tit chicks waiting for their mother to fly back to the box with food.

The woodpecker tapped away at the entrance hole until it was big enough for him to squeeze his head in.

Just a little further and he would have been able to reach the chicks at the bottom – possibly even eating them – before taking over the nest.

Dave Jones, who took these pictures, knew it was time for him to swoop.

“It really looked like it was going to get through,” said Dave, 58, of Great Barr in the

West Midlands

.

 

 

He bought a metal nest box plate for £2.50 from an RSPB shop in Sandwell. These have 25-32mm entrance holes – perfect for blue tits or great tits, but much too small for aggressive woodpeckers. They are impervious to beaks too.

He then trained his camera on the box, so we are able to see the woodpecker peering inside in sheer frustration. In fact this “ferocious” bird was so determined it started to drill a new hole.

“After I put a plate on the front, it started attacking the side,” explained Dave.

“So I had to screw another metal sheet there as well.”

Woodpeckers regularly target the eggs or the young of all kinds of tits, nuthatches, house martins, tree creepers and sparrows.

 

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KIM STEPS UP

 

Wednesday May 14, 2008

 

AS every woman knows, something’s got to give for a hard day’s night in high heels.

 

And for “Sex And The City” star Kim Cattrall, it was time to kick off her teetering designer stilettos as she dined at

London

’s L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon restaurant following the premiere of the film version of the tv series.

Says a chum: “Kim’s feet were obviously killing her and when she left the restaurant she was barefoot, revealing her rather unattractive feet and sheepishly trying to hide behind dining companion, co-star Mario Cantone.”

But when she later made an appearance at the official after-show party at

London

’s Old Billingsgate Market, British-born Kim, safely back in a different pair of high heels, confided: “I’ve been having a love affair with

London

, especially the past four years since the series ended

 

"I’ve been spending a lot of time with friends and family here.  I even have a Tube pass.”

Meanwhile, co-star Sarah Jessica Parker, has set her sights on appearing in the

West End

.

Sarah, who plays heroine Carrie Bradshaw alongside Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis, has always harboured ambitions to tread the boards in Blighty.

“I would be honoured but it hasn’t worked out scheduling wise yet,” confessed the 43-year-old.

“But I’d love to. It’s the destination point for an actor.”

But will there be a Sex And The City sequel to put a stop to her

West End

debut?

“We are not looking past today, we would be greedy to do so,” declared SJP.

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dirty Dancing

 

Clutch bags are huge right now. But what the fashion mags don't mention is that you can't have one if you're single. You need a boyfriend. To carry your stuff.

I squeezed in my purse and lip balm last weekend but my keys are on a massive keyring that plays lines from Dirty Dancing - and obviously removing it is unthinkable at this terrible time (rooting for you, Patrick!)

So my bloke's pockets were filled, packhorse style, with the prison-warder-esque keys and huge Dirty Dancing In Your Pocket keyring, concealer (in case the lighting was bad and I needed tri-hourly top-ups), mirror, mascara, pen, hairbrush plus present and card.

As I skipped gaily down the road swinging my teeny bag I think he moaned a bit but I can't be sure. I couldn't really hear him from so far behind me. So, single women can't carry a clutch - unless you're unemployed and homeless with great skin (no keys, purse, make-up).

 

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Gloomy

Cam

's down and out

 

Tory toff David Cameron would have one brogue in

Downing Street

if we swallowed his propaganda.

In the bleak world of this young Conservative aristo, all hospitals are ailing and every school failing.

The economy is kaput, finished, bankrupt, bust.

No one has a roof over their head while criminals run riot on every street.

Society is broken, politics is broken, everything's broken and clueless while Gordon Brown's Labour is irredeemably incompetent and beyond repair.

The posh boy who cringingly declared "let sunshine win the day" has turned into curmudgeon Private Frazer. "We're doomed.

Doomed. We're all doomed" is the Tory leader's latest chant.

Mr Misery Guts will repeat his line today when the Chancellor of the Exchequer unveils his first Budget.

Alistair Darling certainly won't be a barrel of laughs, with the credit crunch blowing in from the

US

creating choppy waters for

Britain

.

Families are sensibly tightening their belts, the economy's slowing and food and fuel hikes are eating up hard-earned pounds.

Things aren't as good as they were and look like getting worse as the year unwinds - but nowhere near as bad as Cameron would have us believe.

There's no whiff of a recession despite the repetitive Tory toff and his chief lieutenant George Osborne sounding as if they'd like to talk us into one.

The fact that most people have cooler heads than excitable Cameron is why he has barely a toe-hold in No.10.

The toff threw the kitchen sink at the Premier and the government as they suffered an unparalleled run of bad luck. But the latest opinion poll gave Cameron only a wafer-thin three per cent lead nearly three years into this Parliament, a result that would translate into another Labour victory.

The most worried man in

Westminster

isn't Brown or Darling, but Cameron.

Back in March 1995, almost three years into John Major's Tory regime, the opposition Labour Party wasn't three per cent in front. It was 37 per cent ahead.

Tony Blair didn't so much run away from Major as lap him, Labour's 59-22 per cent lead firmly planting both of Blair's feet in

Downing Street

two years before the 1997 election.

Hapless Cameron is feeling the pressure, the shallow toff's sound-bites failing to con a public increasingly looking for substance and finding nothing.

Cameron slashes public spending to satisfy right-wing demands for big tax cuts and he repeats the formula that has lost the Tories three elections.

And as he sticks to his line of attack, he fires duds, the electorate preferring the devil it knows to the devil it doubts.

So when the Toff of Doom shouts at Darling today in the House of Commons, remember he's drowning not waving.

The Tory who styled himself "heir to Blair" is destined to be another Neil Kinnock, walking into No.10 only as a visitor.

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Class snobs taint hunt for

Shannon

 

Mystery surrounds the fate of Shannon Matthews, the nine-year-old girl missing in Dewsbury for more than three weeks.

But one thing is clear. Her stepfather Craig Meehan is right to say that being working-class is a factor in this case.

Compare the treatment of Shannon with the hype surrounding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in

Portugal

last year. It pays to be middle-class when your daughter vanishes.

Huge sums of money flooded into the campaign to find Maddy. Spin doctors, including former TV newscaster Clarence Mitchell, were hired to manipulate the media.

The McCanns, young, smartly-dressed, articulate and professional, became overnight celebrities. They flew to

America

, Scandinavia and to

Rome

where they met the Pope. In contrast,

Shannon

's mother Karen and her partner have been treated almost like lepers. A snooty BBC radio interviewer was keen to find out if she had had seven children by six fathers.

Not true, and, in any event, what she does with her body is her own affair not a subject for middle-class moralising.

The Matthews family has been trawled for bitchy remarks about Craig Meehan, which are then seized on as evidence that his family is "dysfunctional". Whereas the McCanns are being portrayed as plaster saints. Hundreds of thousands of pounds - possibly millions - flowed into the McCann fund. But

Shannon

's folk have been forced to find their own resources from within a disadvantaged community.

The Dewsbury Moorside Tenants and Residents Association set up an appeal to fund the campaign and sports clubs have donated signed shirts and balls. A mystery donor gave £10,000. But there is no comparison in the scale of giving.

Yet each of these young lives is of the same value. Madeleine is not worth more than

Shannon

- or less. The difference lies in social attitudes.

Whether we like it or not, this is a class issue. And there is an undeniable whiff of anti-working-class prejudice.

The big thing Shannon has going for her is the determination of

West Yorkshire

police, which has risen superbly to the challenge of trying to find her.

God grant they find her safe and well. But this case brings to the surface some unpalatable facts that many would prefer not to face.

 

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MUSIC

 

Abba drummer is found dead

 

A FORMER session drummer for Swedish pop sensation Abba has been found dead in his Spanish home with cuts to his throat.

A spokeswoman said the death of 62-year-old OLA BRUNKERT appeared to be accidental.

It is believed the musician hit his head on a window and shattered the glass which cut him.

Abba star BJORN ULVAEUS - who was married to bandmate AGNETHA FALTSKOG - told Swedish paper Expressen: "I remember him as a good friend.

"He was a very creative musician who contributed a lot when we toured together and worked in the studio."

The musician - who was found by a neighbour late on Sunday - had managed to wrap a towel around his neck before leaving the house to call for help before collapsing in the garden.

BENNY ANDERSON, who was also in the Swedish pop act, said the news was "tragic".

Ola, who retired to

Ola and bass player RUTGER GUNNARSSON were the only musicians to appear on all the group's albums.

A post-mortem is taking place.

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Music

THE FEELING frontman DAN GILLESPIE has urged closeted musicians to stop "living a lie" and publicly acknowledge their homosexuality.

The openly gay singer, who was raised by "two lesbian mothers", opened up about his sexuality in 2006 - and is now encouraging fellow stars to do the same.

He said: "The world would be a healthier place if people were more honest about their sexuality and the entertainment industry would be healthier if people were more honest full stop.

"The more of us who come out, the easier it is for others. My advice for anyone considering coming out would be to do it for themselves."

The Never Be Lonely singer added: "It's not fun living a lie."

www.bingozest.co.uk

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news with bingozest.co.uk

HEATHER LOSES IT...AGAIN

HEATHER MILLS exploded in public again as she emerged from court after being awarded £24.3million in her bitter divorce battle with Sir Paul.

The former wife of the Beatles star stopped on the steps of the High Court to angrily announce she would fight on.

Pausing in front of the gathered media Miss Mills ranted that she would continue her legal battle as early as tomorrow by challenging the publication of the ruling.

She said: "I am appealing against the publication of the judgement because it has so many private details about me and my daughter."

But Miss Mills, who was dressed in a brown and blue trouser suit and bright red shirt, said she was “very very happy” with the financial settlement.

She said: "I am so, so happy.

“I’m so glad it’s over, it was an incredible result in the end to secure mine and my daughter’s future and that of all the charities that I obviously plan on helping and making a difference with - because you know it has been my life for 20 years."

Judge Mr Justice Bennett awarded her a lump sum of £16.5 million and assets of £7.8 million - despite Miss Mills seeking £125 million.

Sir Paul had offered his estranged wife £15.8million.

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Pāhoehoe Lava flows in the open lava channel (not in a Lava tube) with overflows at both sides. The image was taken at The Big Island of Hawaii. The lava flow is due to July 21, 2007 fissure eruption at Kīlauea volcano.The channel is crusting over with a v-shaped opening pointing upstream. The crusting-over process usually starts at the upstream end, the crust grows downstream for a considerable distance, then the crust founders and sinks opening the channel to crusting over again. The main channel and overflows show perched nature of this kind of lava channels. The picture was taken from a helicopter. The link to the map of the flow by USGS.

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Majorca

, first played with Abba on their first single People Need Love, and went on to tour with them in 1977, 1979 and 1980.

 

 

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