|
skip to main |skip to sidebar
Been feeling rather odd for most of the day ... no, no ... no swine flu ... it's pollution poisoning ... even a walk in Green Park didn't help ... in fact, it made things worse as I walked past a police horse that passed wind. I kid you not ... I have these two barbers at a place called the Mayfair Saloon just behind Claridges Hotel. I do not know their real names ... but call them Waldorf & Stackler ... the two old men from the Muppet Show! They do a damn good haircut but their jokes are rubbish. (BTW - the "old men" were named after two legendary hotels in NYC). In fact ... Song of the Day: M'nah M'nah - Mariah Carey x 2 and Billy Joelhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynjIoymWHvUWeather: Cough Cough on regent street  here ducky ducky  where the queen lives (rent free)  now, THAT'S a view  a fairytale castle
While I thoroughly enjoy presenting the television show, my first love has always been writing. So, when it comes to the scripts - I have fun. Thankfully having an editor like Richard means that I am given a wide berth to express myself. Today was no exception ... We romped through the second cut of the Santa Barbara & San Diego epsiodes. Richard spent most of the time laughing as I continually fell in the Ocean while trying various watersports. I just have memories of cold salty water ... and a certain resort PR who REFUSED to fall in to make me look less incompetent! Thank you Baby-G! Drank not one, not two BUT three Starbucks triple-shot-soya-chai-tea-lattes ... I am still buzzing! I am going to have a lazy evening ... lounging round the hotel ... the odd glass of Pinot Noir and the odd club sandwich ... Song of the Day: Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carneshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Al9blQOhNwWeather: Drizzzzzzzle in the voice-over booth ... (yes, i do some work!)  the ever-happy, ever-optimistic and ever-brilliant editor - Richard  Oli - computer dude ... finally, injury-free  Monsieur Dupart - my kind host at The S. St. James
Back in 2002, when I was a young pup in this business, I was invited to stay at a brand new 5-star hotel in central London - the Sofitel St James. It's on Waterloo Place ... down Haymarket. Ironic that the French (Sofitel is part of Accor) have taken over Waterloo (Place) ... ! Anyway - on my first visit, the hotel was SO new, very little worked. But it did have GREAT potential ... Fast forward 7 years and I was having a cigar was dear Edward at Davidoff, when I was suddenly introduced to a Monsieur Denis Dupart - the new General Manager of the Sofitel (4 months). Anyway, it came to pass that I am staying here - 7 years later -and I am pleased to say that EVERYTHING works ... it's a lovely property. Very Gallic ... quite charming ... with an Albert Roux Brasserie, the Rose Room (for tea) and a brand new spa that opens next Monday ... hmmm ... I like the hotel ... but I have to get over the name ... Anway, today we started the editing on Santa Barbara and San Diego. We had great fun with it ... so much to look through ... so little to dump ... so much to include. The Dioji dog hotel is excellent ... and all the hotels look superb ... I cannot surf/windsurf/paddle-board ... but I manage to drink a lot of wine! This evening, I discovered a lovely yakatori restaurant in Soho - courtesy of my friend Gary. I am full with carbonised chicken and shrimp ... & sake! Yum! Tomorrow, more of the same ... except maybe not so much food! Song of the Day: Say Something - Jameshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4CzwZZ1Ce0Weather: Hot in the City my current London home  yakatori in Soho  yummy yummy chicken chicken
My last day of rest before the madness starts again tomorrow ... Golf - amazing, cricket - frustrating ... Roll on Monday ... Song of the Day: The Beautiful Ones - Princehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0D5QzeVp24Weather: Beautiful
cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... mowing the lawn with Gemima ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... smoking a fine Davidoff (Cuban) ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... saffron gin & tonic ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... la boheme ... cricket ... golf ... cricket ... golf ... Aria of the Day: Che Gelida Manina - La Boheme (Puccini) sung by Jose Carreras in New Yorkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiTHjfmSyQUWeather: Without You
The sun is setting and for the first time in two days ... it is calm and quiet outside. In fact, it's an eerie calm ... there is veritable anticipation in the air. I hope for a lovely Summer day tomorrow but I fear that I will - once again - be housebound due to the rains. The lawn needs mowing ... it's a sorry sight. Next week will be a crazy one in the edit suite & with meetings and next weekend I am off to South Africa where I will be - among other things - driving a VERY fast car and flying in a jet-fighter - the Buccaneer ... I am, of course, very excited! But for now ... a quiet drink and cigar methinks ... Weather: Ridiculous  a buccaneer ... vroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!
I am almost speechless ... it has rained since 0830 this morning ... and there is NO sign it will stop ... ever ... the pooch is depressed, the kittens are depressed, I am depressed ... I need a holiday! Just last week - on the 9th floor of The Montage in Beverly Hills, I was sitting out with young pretty things, in the bright hot, sunshine thinking "life is good" ... now, "life is just ok". So - Summer Lodge is the finest country house hotel in the UK - hands down. I was invited to drink champagne, eat canapes and chat to the good & the great at its annual Summer Garden Party. Sadly, due to the "issues" it was held in a marquee ... and we watched as ducks & geese played on the lawn ... and swam from one side of it to the other. I left as General Manager - Charles Lotter - a ray of sunshine - tried to lift the spirits of the attending guests ... ! I wonder how he did ..... ? At least it didn't rain at the golf at Turnberry and the cricket at Lords .... Song of the Day: World Shut Your Mouth - Julian Cope
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bIckY5em_YWeather: *%!$
 Charles Lotter - rather wet  "Daddy - can we please move to Sonora?"
I am feeling rather deflated today. On a recent filming trip to the Sonora Resort in Canada, I caught an 18 pound Chinook salmon. It was ... a whopper & certainly THE highlight of my trip there. Well, I have word that yesterday someone caught a 38 pound salmon - now that's a double whopper with Irish bacon, Cheddar cheese and extra Heinz Ketchup! Apparently though my fish has been filleted, smoked and will be arriving here (and into my tummy) presently - all 5kgs of it!! Hey-ho ... Apart from that - today has been a planning day for 2010! I joke not, it's July 2009 and I am thinking about where I want to film next year! Song of the Day: Feels So Good - Masewww.youtube.com/watch?v=V6ZnzHCUH28Weather: Not cricket! the one that didn't get away ...
Am now winding down after a day juggling scripts, Gemima, workmen and cigars ... v. jug·gled, jug·gling, jug·gles 1. To keep (two or more objects) in the air at one time by alternately tossing and catching them...SO - following - are the respective histories of San Diego & Santa Barbara .. put together with a little help from my friends ... SAN DIEGO The area around San Diego was originally inhabited by the Kimeyaay & other Native American Indian tribes but was discovered by the Portugese-born European explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542 - sailing under the Spanish flag. San Diego started life as a fort and then a settlement that became a city after growing to a population of over 650 non-Indian residents in 1850. According to the city's Historic Society, it was named San Diego after the Spanish Catholic saint San Diego de Alcalá. The city had a population of around 1.3million. The military and manufacturing are the main industries of San Diego BUT tourism is number 3 ... It went through a period of massive rejuvenation in the 1980’s and continues today, mainly in the gas lamp quarter and is now seen as one of California’s most culturally diverse ... & happy ... cities. SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara is a small but perfectly formed City set beside one of the prettiest stretches of the Pacific Ocean. It's just a 90 minute drive North of Los Angeles ... and compared to LA, Santa Barbara is like being in a different country ... with its low rise buildings, clean air and population of less than 100,000 ... The area that makes up Santa Barbara county was originally inhabited by the Chumash a Native American Indian Tribe. In 1542, the Portugese born Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed through the Santa Barbara Channel - briefly anchoring - before going on to explore more of California. The name Santa Barbara was handed down in 1602 by another explorer Sebastian Vizcaino who named if after Saint Barbara who's festival was being celebrated the day after his landing. The first permanent settlers were Spanish missionaries who started converting the Chumash to Christianity ... they built the Mission & Presidio as protection against any other invading Europeans. In fact, Santa Barbara has flown under 3 flags - Spanish, Mexican and finally the Unites States in 1848.. In 1812, a powerful earthquake and tsunami almost wiped out the city - it was rebuilt. A further earthquake in 1925 which leveled much of downtown is what led to the current distinctive architectural style .. with a few of those buildings still visible today. Santa Barbara is today taking positive steps to not only preserve but rebuild its historical sites ... Song of the Day: It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over - Lennie Kravitzhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLw-6cTCe5U&feature=relatedWeather: Strange Moo with her Chewy-Vuitton ...
Sitting at my desk ... cigar on the go, pooch to my left and Bowie blasting out to the right ... it's raining ... and dark ... life is mixed ... A couple of weeks ago, I had the honour of spending time with Shannon Brooks from the Santa Barbara Tourist Office. We went wine-tasting and horse-riding. She is one of the good & great of the City and was invited to the Neverland Ranch .. inside rather than just at the gates. Los Olivos - where the ranch is located - is just outside SB. Anyway, she sent me the photos below. It is a shrine outside but inside its work as usual and you know, it looks lovely. Let's hope that it's treated with respect. Have the very first rough draft edit of the San Diego show ... it looks as nice as it was to film. Highlight of the day was receiving a package from The Lodge at Torrey Pines ... filled with in-room amenities ... the best own-brand soaps, shower gel and creams that I have used in a hotel - ever. Thank you Dan, Steve and Jamie ... Song of the Day: Let's Dance - David Bowie
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0paUlhI2wtsWeather: where do I start?
 the gates to Neverland  Shannon (right)  the famous lake
So, with the travelling, I tend to to miss - among others - friends n' family birthdays, anniversaries, Father & Mother's Day .... so today it was Their Day as I went to see my folks! And - as ever - it was just wonderful. My Pops is the inspiration for my travels ... he has a sense of adventure that thankfully was passed down to me! Heston Blumethal is The Fat Duck in Bray (Berkshire, England). In 2001 it was Michelin Guides top restaurant in the world. He is a true culinary genius. For a television programme this year he took a "Little Chef" in Popham and transformed it from a dismal/awful roadside diner into a hip & trendy eaterie that was the first of a new breed of Little Chefs. So - I stopped there for a bite ... The bread was NOT bloomer, the field mushroom (see below) was very small and tasteless .. and cost a whopping £1.20 (US$2.00), the fries were McCain (I saw the bag) and bacon was ... yuk. Very disappointing. I do worry that chefs that put their names to all and sundry can only dilute their brands with such obvious failures. The bright spots of the meal were the service ... which was perky ... the OJ - very fresh ... the bags of jelly-beans as gifts ... and the looks of sympathy as the server hands you the bill ... ! Song of the Day: Sex-o-Matic venus Freak - Macy Grayhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHLaDhm2ezQWeather: As bad as a field mushroom at  experimentation ...
 the US$2 mushroom ... !
Today was dedicated to "House" ... and I don't mean I did any housework - nay - I sat in front of the television and watched all the episodes that I had recorded while in California. He is: obnoxious, rude, cruel, insensitive, selfish, mad, boorish, mixed-up and acidic ... but also caring & thoughtful ... a strange but wonderful mix. Anyway - off to see Transformers 2 for my Megan Fox-fix! prrrrrrrrrrrr Song of the Day: Teardrop - Massive Attackhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmB5SG5PpSIWeather: Has rained ALL day. Fat English raindrops ... not cold, just annoyingly obese and ever-lasting.
I learnt a few lessons today: 1) By wearing shorts all day, it does not mean the sun will come out. In fact, it's heaving with rain right now 2) Don't leave 'til tomorrow what needs to be done today - one of the tyres on my car blew up mid-journey (literally) - and I should have changed it .. yesterday! 3) A beer is never a substitute for a good whisky 4) Life is not fair Song of the Day: Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWvzZCZF1gwWeather: July Gloom things could have been much worse!
I have done a huge amount of sleeping today. But I am now feeling great and am very much looking forward to the editing process that starts next week. Oh - below are photos from the Ty Warner Suite at The Biltmore (Four Seasons) from last week. I didn't post them and found them while archiving. So - next stop is Cape Town ... which I am very much looking forward to. The two main hotels featured are not in the centre of the city ... and a third is really out in the sticks. We have some great stories to film ... adrenaline fuelled - I have been told. Song of the Day: Things Can Only Get Better - D:reamhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl-ai9HuR60(I personally detest this song but it was chosen by best friend - Tim ... idiot!) Weather: Things Can Only Get Better 1000 square foot verandah  lounge  with fireplace  bed  bath
How is that after 10 hours sleep on the plane, I am STILL exhausted and keep dozing off during telephone conversations? A plate of fish-fingers (fish-sticks) & bed ... I will be bouncing like Tigger in the morning. Song of the Day: Heaven Knows - Robert Plant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtWSdJeLnv0
Weather: ?
"Opportunity dances with those who are ready on the dance floor" - H. Jackson Brown Jr. Am sitting in the airport lounge supping on a low-calorie, caffeine-free, colourless, odourless, tasteless, slight fizzy, over-chilled, slightly wet, Canada Dry ginger ale ... hmm ... I think not! It's been a long day already and I am looking forward to a very long sleep on the plane back to London. Woke up to find that EVERY television channel is running the same story - the current economic crisis in the Ukraine. I lie - but I wish they were. MJ fever has hit LA ... it's all quite sensationalist and not since the death of Diana, have I seen and heard such awful analysis from "experts". CNN expert said "Michael touched many people" and NBC had a chap saying "there are two rivers in the City today - the Los Angeles River and a river of tears" ... Anyway, during breakfast Jen excused herself as it suddenly transpired that her hotel was set to host the wake ... 800 hungry (I mean tearful) people would be invading her property ... the eyes of the world are currently trained on the Beverly Wilshire ... GO JEN! Checked out of The Montage - had pineapple juice with Frank - and managed to get to the airport without much of a traffic snafu. I am pleased that I am flying home on the best airline in the world - Air New Zealand. SO - that's two more shows filmed. Editing begins next week. California has been a hoot ... I have made lots of new friends and antagonised old ones! I have laughed, cried, attempted to fly (without wings or parachute), surfed (almost), drank oodles of pinot noir, golfed (goofed), cooked AND most importantly lost weight despite being attacked with elephantine portions of food! To dear Radha, Frank, Laura, Steve, Jamie, Tony, Pete, Sandy, Rich, Shannon, Joe, Buddo, Dan, Alyssa, Chris, Craig, Tohnia, Sophie, Krista, Karen, Baby-G and Really?, (you know you who are!) - THANK YOU! Also - HUGE thank you to the boys - Tim & wee Jimmy, Maddy Morgan - tourism supremo in London, Em for setting everything up so brilliantly, Gary the Dude from ANZ and Heinz for producing the finest Ketchup in the world. Cape Town is the next location for filming. I can't wait! Song of the Day: California Dreamin' - Mamas & Papashttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtVIhDgo_uU&feature=relatedWeather: BAD! (well, actually quite good) "beauty and the beast" ... well, 2 beauties - radha and darling jen ...  on my way home ... with my favourite airline ...
"Dance like nobody's watching ... (especially in hotel suites!)" ...I slept for 8 hours last night ... the first time I have managed over 5 in three weeks! So, I attacked Beverly Hills with added vigour this morning. First - what I like about The Montage: a) the most perfect breakfast b) the pens - filled with gold ink (very stealable) c) in-room tv/video system d) the concierge desk (THE best in LA) e) that it's opposite Madame Chocolat - home to the "home of chocolate" f) stamps on postcards as standard g) free internet h) Frank Bowling i) both rain & fixed shower heads j) the John Lobb shoe regeneration service! My Tods are in for a treat! k) Kristy Karlovec No time for the spa today ... will try in the morning! SO - up early to do some postcard writing and posting. Then off to the Chi Spa - a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Esther and Fawn entertained for an hour while giving me the best manicure ever! Yes - a MAN-icure ... not a girlicure ... MAN ... i.e. meant for a man! Then lunch on the 9th floor with lovely Frank and delightful Rodolfo ... From there to Madame Chocolate and Hasty ... who knows more about choc than anyone alive! I filmed with her a couple of years back and she is still as lovely as ever! She's busy because she's good ... my sweet tooth is sated! Off now for my last evening in LA and indeed the USA until Autumn (Fall)! Song of the Day: Flawless - George Michaelhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl-oh-ecvBc(I am actually the fat guy at the beginning! Note, I can't dance!) Weather: Yummy - milk chocolate infused with Johnny Walker Blue Label! north canon artwork  fawn & esther ...  dear rodolfo & frank b.  hasty - madame chocolat  lovely bathroom  the suite
"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." ~Ralph Waldo EmersonArrived in Beverly Hills at 1045 and checked into The Montage. A couple of years ago, I stayed and filmed at The Montage in Laguna (around 60 minutes drive from LA) ... one of the finest properties in America ... so I have high hopes for the BH hotel. When I am not filming, I always stay in hotels where I have friends ... and in LA I have always stayed at the Beverly Wilshire (Four Seasons) as the PR-lady is one of the nicest people in the world and a dear friend. I am staying here at The Montage, because of Frank Bowling - the legendary hotelier - and also one my mentors when I started the show 9 years ago. SO - more on the hotel tomorrow after I have spent 24 hours here. This evening, I have just had dinner with London friends. After 3 weeks of hotel - albeit gorgeous hotel food - having home-cooked food was just perfect. It's just been a totally lovely evening ... I am now sitting at my desk eating gummi bears! yum! Song of the Day: The Honey Thief - Hipsway http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aUCv3ARJ68Weather: Summer Loving my current home in beverly hills  dinner table al fresco
Song of the Day: Still Magic - Peter Skellern
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihYHTIwISV0 (You're a Lady) Weather: Platten-tastic
Drink of the Day: Fiji Tim Platten and Friend ... -- Inside Luxury Travel is taking a wee break --
Song of the Day: Thursday's Child - David Bowiehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S227FFNwl8 (great video) Weather: Californication Drink of the Day: Double Bombay & Tonic-- Inside Luxury Travel is taking a wee break --
JULY 1st - HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIV .. That is it! Yes - after 3 weeks, my California adventure is over ... almost ... First. meet up with Shannon from the Tourist Board. She has had the unenviable task of looking after us ... while also trying to deal with the whole MJ debacle that is in Los Olivos - just a few miles away. We zoom up the 101 to Los Olivos and the Fess Parker winery ... we meet with Pete Ganibi from Vino Vaqueros - which basically takes people on a horse-rise through the wineries of the Sant Ynez Valley. He has two pups Doc & Kate who rock my world. They followed us through the vineyards, making sure we didn't get lost ... The trip took 2 hours including lunch and a show from Andalucian horse trainer Ramon Becerra. What he does with a horse is just ... BRILLIANT! The trip was awesome! Loved it throughly and I "think" that Shannon enjoyed too ...! From there, we drove to Goleta and the Dioji pup resort. SO - what a way to end the filming show - 50 + pups and me barking and having fun! These pups are pampered - spa, manicure, swimming pool ... and overnight stays on beds WITH staff! Awesome! I fell in love with so many of the little ones .. Maya ... GORGEMOUSE! It was so much fun ... I am STILL smiling! For dinner, dear Shannon took us out for pizza and wine. What fun! I can't belive that I am leaving Santa Barbara in the morning. I have had so much fun. The hotels are brilliant - the Canary and The Biltmore. The GMs - Laura and Karen respectively made me smile and happy .... I am VERY sad to leave this place ... one day, I will be back ... on holiday maybe. THANK YOU ... beautiful Gena, Goddess Karen, delightful Laura, yummy Shannon ... Tim, Jimmy and all the lovely pups ... Hasta La Vista ... baby! Song of the Day: Skinny Love - Bon Iverhttp://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=103469&id=580685776&commentsWeather: PERFECT ... like The Biltmore ... with cow-girl Shannon  katherine - baby cow-girl  huff-puff  me and "cash" the gorgeous horse  kate  pete, doc & kate  maya waiting for me  champ needs a kiss  a gaggle of pooches - HEAVEN  an ear-lick from Maya  what the heck?  my boys - tim & wee-jimmy
|
|
on regent street
here ducky ducky
where the queen lives (rent free)
now, THAT'S a view
a fairytale castle
