Sunday 24 March 2013

Today is the first showing of the last new episode from Series 6 of Inside Luxury Travel ... and it's from Mauritius.

I have filmed over 100 episodes of ILT over the years and I am quite comfortable in saying that this is undoubtedly, MY favourite. It has everything - amazing resorts, golf, fishing (what a catch), cooking, rum, vintage cars, lion cubs, cigars, diving ... and men in Panama hats!

This episode is dedicated to a very special person (you know who you are ...) ... who was "with me" in that perfect week of filming in wonderful Mauritius.

Thank you for all the kind messages of support and love for my darling Gemima. The last week has been tough ... very tough ... she will never be forgotten ...

This week I have managed to run 52 miles ... a record for me. It's been 52 miles of David Bowie ... the new album is superb ... but my favourite track (soul & Elvis) has the most depressing (& prophetic) title ever ... You Feel So Lonely You Could Die ... thank you Mr Bowie ...!
 My catch
 My suite at The Four Seasons




 With Marc from The Oberoi


The last photo of Moo ... 

thank you & goodbye
Tonight:

UK: Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 10 & 11 pm - Mauritius

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 11 pm GMT + 1 - Mauritius

Asia: Travel Channel - 11 pm GMT + 8 - Vietnam

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Saturday 23 March 2013

Saturday ...

Tonight:

UK - Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 2200 hrs - Toronto

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Dubai

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Dubai

Friday 22 March 2013

Friday ...

Tonight:

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Cambodia

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Cambodia

Thursday 21 March 2013

Thursday ...

Tonight:

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Lisbon

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Lisbon

Wednesday 20 March 2013


Wednesday ...

Tonight:

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Mauritius

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Mauritius

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Tuesday ...

Tonight:

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Costa Rica

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Costa Rica

Monday 18 March 2013

Monday ...


Tonight:

Travel Channel: 

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Marrakech

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Marrakech

Sunday 17 March 2013

Sunday

Inside Luxury Travel - NEW episode tonight on Travel Channel ... from DUBAI.
In the UK- Travel Channel is on Sky 251/252 and the show will air at 2200 & 2300 hrs ... Europe, Middle East and Africa - 2300 hrs. 



Tonight:



UK - Travel Channel - 2200 - Sky 251 & 252 - Dubai

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Dubai

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - JDubai

Saturday 16 March 2013

Saturday ...

It is with overwhelming sadness that I have to announce that beloved Gemima passed away yesterday. She was a wonderful thirteen years old ...

I have known for a couple of weeks that she was fading fast but the events of Wednesday made it clear that her time on Earth was drawing to a close. 

She died peacefully in my arms yesterday and was cremated early this morning ... in the only bright ten minutes of an otherwise dull, dark & rainy day. 

Moo had an incredible life ... first living on the Wentworth Estate (she was a trained golf pooch), then in Central London and finally - her retirement - deep in the English countryside.

She was given just a year to live at birth due to an inherited Cocker Spaniel defect but with incredible amounts of love and patience from her family she battled through ... and even the more recent loss of her eyes did not dent her zest for life.

She appeared on television, magazines and even was "barky dog" on a radio show! She stayed in many, many luxury hotels and resorts ... and made friends wherever she went. No-one has ever had a bad word to say about her.

My Mom always said that "the love of a dog is second only to the love of a Mother" ... and how true she was. My heart is broken ... now, seemingly beyond repair.

In my heart I know that Baby Moo is now somewhere warm, chasing squirrels and munching on choc-drops.

The brightest star in the night sky is Sirius - the Dog Star. Tonight, it will be sparkling that little brighter... please look up and wave to my darling Moo.


Always special ...

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

I am going to take a few weeks away from the Diary now ... but will put up show airing times/dates every day.

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


Song of the Day:

To Make You Feel My Love - Billy Joel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEQGKY92KI4


Tonight:



UK - Travel Channel - 2200 - Sky 251 & 252 - Johannesburg & safari

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Johannesburg & safari

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Johannesburg & safari












Friday 15 March 2013

Friday ...

Sadly, little Moo did not make it.

Tonight:

UK - Travel Channel - www.insideluxurytravel.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Cyprus

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Cyprus

Thursday 14 March 2013


Thursday ...

Thank you for all your kind messages of support for Moo.

We shared the sofa last night ... although she is still with us ... she is certainly quite unhappy. I am hoping it's the drugs but ... anyway ...

Don't forget, this Sunday is the first showing of the Dubai episode!




In Germany with Heinz Winkler - one of the greatest chefs in the world ... 

Tonight:

UK - Travel Channel - www.insideluxurytravel.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Bavaria

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Bavaria

Song of the Day:

Every Breath You Take - The Police

Empire of the Sun

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Wednesday ...

Today could been one of the worst days of my life ... but for the grace of God, it wasn't. I came home to find Moo suffering a heart attack. Thankfully, after a rather rushed (!) visit to the vet ... some drugs and a choc drop (yes really) she has recovered just enough to come home! It was just a minor attack. How I - unashamedly - cried!

Blind, deaf (apart from at food time), wonky legs, heart murmur (new), toothless ... but still here. She is currently fast asleep in her bed by the Aga ... totally drugged up, but ALIVE! 

The Sharma family has not been well of late BUT we are fighters!


Alive ... but not kicking

Tonight:

UK - Travel Channel - www.insideluxurytravel.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Dubai

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Dubai

Song of the Day:

Concierto de Aranjuez - John Williams (Moo's favourite)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2Xdlgii-Rc

It's twenty two minutes of classical guitar heaven!

Film of the Day:

My Dog Skip (ruff)

Tuesday 12 March 2013

Tuesday ...

Today I swam faster and further than I ever have.

I also sat in a field (with cigar) watching sheep & lambs gambolling for at least an hour ... very soothing ... although VERY cold.

Tomorrow I will watch Baraka ... I need to escape to somewhere far ... and soon.



Tonight:

UK - Travel Channel - www.insideluxurytravel.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Western Australia

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Western Australia

Song of the Day:

When The Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going - Billy Ocean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n3sUWR4FV4

Film of the Day:

The Jewel of the Nile (1985)


"When the going gets tough, the tough get going"

Monday 11 March 2013

Monday

Awoke to a layer of snow ... and two sheep in my garden. I did have a word with the local farmer who has agreed to leave Roberta (Bob) and Frederica (Freddie) with me ... to act as lawnmowers.

Huge apologies for the very late notice on last night's first showing of the Mallorca episode ... but thank you for the kind messages that I received today about it. Indeed, the diving was fabulous and the yacht (M/Y Roma) is amazing. I am awaiting my invitation to spend a week on it this summer ...

Next Sunday is the first showing of the Dubai episode.


Freddie and Bob
Moo is back in her Winter coat
Tonight:

UK - Travel Channel - www.insideluxurytravel.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Gleneagles

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Gleneagles


Song of the Day:

Just One Year of Love - Queen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBcOeKTGkD8

Film of the Day:

Highlander (1986)


Quote: "I'm lonely and you can save me"


Sunday 10 March 2013


Song of the Day: Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton

Saturday 9 March 2013

Saturday ...

I have received a few emails about further ILT airings on Travel Channel. This month, it's quite quiet BUT we are back in force from April with new episodes. There are a few showings in the UK and EMEA and we will return to our normal slots next month.

An acceptable day...

Today's album was Never Let Me Down (David Bowie) - fabulous lyrics, 80s' rhythm ... and enough in there to cover a 1-hour trot on the running machine ...


Even baby rhinos need love ...


Tonight:

UK - Travel Channel - Sky 251 & 252 - 2200 hrs and 2300 hrs - Mumbai

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - New York

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - New York

Song of the Day:

Never Let Me Down - David Bowie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4ZZMbpUFMY

Film of the Day:

Sixteen Candles (1984)


"Don't love the person you can live with; love the person you can't live without"




Friday 8 March 2013

Friday ...

A pleasant end to the week. Yay!

I am no spring chicken ... and today I began to realise that as I have started to settle into a daily routine! 

It includes a cigar (at the moment, one stick from a Partagas culebra), a shot of whisky before bed (any malt will do), have a chat with the postman about the weather, I choose a different CD to listen to that lasts a minimum of an hour to run or cycle to in the gym, I get up at 0530 (a sign of REAL old age) and sleep at 2300 ... oh, and I talk to myself more than ever!

When I do retire though (Jumby Bay in Antigua please) - I will play tennis every morning, golf every afternoon and stargaze at night ... 

Not for a while though!



Tonight:


Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - New York

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - New York

Song of the Day:

Bad Love - Eric Clapton (in concert - I was there!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WockWweMrjM

Film of the Day:

Thursday 7 March 2013


Thursday ...

I feel a large waft of change about to blow through my life ... and in anticipation (as you do) ... I decided to go on a huge clear-out of my office.

I did stumble upon the first CD I ever purchased (at HMV in Edinburgh) - "Simple Minds, Live in the City of Lights" and my mind wandered back to 1986 ... The Zenith in Paris ... I was a teenager ... chubby cheeked, geeky glasses and definitely NOT attractive to girls ... Simple Minds, fresh from the success of The Breakfast Club soundtrack were rocking ... and so was I. What a night ... what a concert. 

Anyway, this CD has not been thrown out ... it has gone into my car ... and forever into the first two slots of my 6-CD changer!


Not a teen anymore ... 
Tonight:

UK - www.insideluxurytravel.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Thailand

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Thailand

Song of the Day:

Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_9sB92dJzM

Film of the Day:

The Breakfast Club (1985)


"We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all."

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Wednesday 6 March 2013

Wednesday ...

Today was one of those "nothing going right" days. I forgot everything ... and everyone forgot me. Frankly, I am pleased to see the end of it. Hump Day? Hell Day more like ...

Roll on Thursday.
(maybe a dog lick will help ... Moo?)



Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Mallorca

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Mallorca

Song of the Day:

Your Love Alone is Not Enough - Manic Street Preachers & Nina Persson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_OnFHJou4o

Film of the Day:

Tuesday 5 March 2013

Tuesday ...

Why can't it be Friday?

Not a bad day ... just a rather confusing one ... so much to do, so little time ...

Time for a 1970 Glen Grant (whisky) ... or two maybe ... after a nice long swim! Yes ... a nice long swim ...
LOST!

Tonight:

UK - www.insideluxurytravel.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Oman

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Oman

Song of the Day:

Run, Baby, Run - Sheryl Crow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU73RPzelAM

Film of the Day:

Monday 4 March 2013

Monday ... 

So, it's the Chinese Year of the Snake ... in Spanish, snake translates as culebra ... and culebra is also the name of a cigar ... well, three cigars wrapped into one.

Today I smoked "one" culebra ... and even though my voice is now a wee clucky (!), I do feel relaxed ...

We are "off air" for a couple of weeks in the UK ... after three months of being on every day ... enjoy the peace!
Nothing better than splashing around in a stream ... 

Tonight:

UK - www.insideluxurytravel.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa: Travel Channel - 0300 - GMT + 1 - Chicago

Asia: Travel Channel - 2300 - GMT + 8 - Chicago

Song of the Day:

Film of the Day:

 
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