Half Term over the River Kwai by Alex Bannard, Frost’s Thailand correspondent

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Planning a half term break with a friend and her kids, Alex really experienced the beauty of whatever will be will be.
As half term approached and the realization dawned that our husbands would be working, my dear friend Meghan and I planned to take the kids away together but where? I’m not one for planning too far in advance so we were well into January before thoughts turned to half term. But having been knee-deep in major house renovations during our time in Germany, I was determined when we arrived in Thailand not to make the same mistake gain. This time, life would not take over, and opportunities for adventures and exploration would not be missed.

We talked about Krabi, or maybe a road trip down to Phuket but couldn’t finalise, nothing seemed right. I reminded Meg that whatever will be, will be. Then one day she was reminiscing about a trip to Kanchanabhuri on the banks of the River Kwai, staying in the hotel of the boys’ class mates and the light bulb came on. A few emails backwards and forwards and suddenly with days to spare until half term, we were on.

Kanchanabhuri is approximately 2 hours drive west of Bangkok. The fourth biggest city in Thailand, and compared to the capital it is a sleepy suburb.

Nestling on the River Kwai it was made famous by the novel and film Bridge over the River Kwai re-telling the brutal tale of thousands Thai’s and POW’s who lost their lives building the Burmese Railway, also know as Death Railway.

We were greeted at Mstay by Khun Ae the owner and mum of the classmates and instantly made to feel like part of the family. The resort overlooks the river and is peaceful and private, serene and soulful. It felt a million miles away from Bangkok. We spent the afternoon playing in the pool with the kids and having a heavenly foot massage.

The following morning Khun Jon joined us from Bangkok and all three families headed off into history and a ride on the infamous Death Railway. In true Thai style the 11.30 train arrived at 11.30-Thai-time: almost an hour late. On board we secured Thai donuts and pancakes for the journey and were treated to stunning views of the river.

That evening our hosts who also own a watersports rental took us out on a sunset speedboat tour of the River Kwai. Meanwhile my son Akiro, and Khun Jon hit the river on a jet ski – what an amazing treat for Akiro, speeding along super fast on his first ever jet ski trip.Onboard the speedboat we popped a bottle of fizz and tried to drink it sedately whilst the wind whipped our hair into a frizz and the fizz into a mini whirlpool in the glass. It was a relaxed end to a thought provoking day.

The next day we took a trip to Erawan Falls. This has been on my Bangkok-bucket-list since arriving here and it did not disappoint. The falls are a series of 7 waterfalls. With small kids in tow we only ventured to the first 3 and in the third took a dip. Fish nipped at our toes, which was disconcerting and it was hard to maintain a calm demeanor by which to encourage the kids into the water: we only managed to entice 4 of the 7 kids in.

This time it was my daughter Indie’s turn for a first: her first waterfall swim. The water was cool and refreshing and the fish left us alone once we were swimming.

That afternoon Khun Ae took me with her to her local hairstylist, where I has the best hair cut so far in Thailand and it only cost 250bht (£5). I resolved to catch the train down from Bangkok when the next hair cut is due. Meanwhile the kids were planting banana trees elsewhere on Khun Jon’s estate and we have promised to return when the trees need harvesting.

Our last day took us to a local farm. With a pickup truck loaded with plastic chairs doubling as a makeshift bus we trundled out to the corn fields. I am sure we were quite the sight to the workers in the fields: a truck full of Farang picking corn. Apparently I was a natural. Probably did it in a former life. We headed back to the farm for a mini spa treatment. Organic sesame paste made at the farm, mixed with ground coffee and sesame oil and massaged onto the skin – seriously soft and smooth results and another Bangkok-bucket-list ticked: natural beauty products sources for the bathroom cabinet.Afterwards an afternoon relaxing by the pool lay ahead.Before we left Kanchanabhuri we of course had to go down to the famous bridge for photo opportunities. It was hard to think of the trauma and misery of those times, and to feel that we were walking in the footsteps of so much suffering. We looked at the river, at the way it was alive, and vibrant again. We thought of the train journey we had taken on the railway and enjoyed, but it was a railway line, which accounted for the lives of so many captives, of so many nationalities.

There was much to think about amongst the click and laughter of so many selfies, and much history to process.

In our 4 days in Kanchanbhuri we were treated to the most amazing hospitality, kindness and generosity by our hosts and I cannot recommend Mstay more highly. I love leaving a place knowing when I return there is more to experience. The families merged beautifully laughing and joking with ease as if we had grown up together. We mostly ate locally and of course it was delicious and very different to the usual red and green curries. And it absolutely proved the old saying: if it’s meant to be so it will be in the most beautifully eloquent fashion.

Alex Bannard has lived the nomadic life of an expat for over 10 years. After a successful career in retail she became a mum and decided on a more holistic approach to life, teaching yoga. In 2015 the family moved to Bangkok where Alex started writing articles on yoga and her Bangkok adventures for a local magazine, Expat Life, and is also Frost Magazine’s correspondent. She continues to teach yoga and mindfulness to adults and children.

Glass Inspiration with the artist Gloria MacArthur by Wendy Breckon

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Enter the fantasy world of Gloria MacArthur’s light filled studio in leafy Hertfordshire and admire the fabulous glasswork dangling from the ceiling, the funky jewellery and bright dazzling bowls glinting on the open shelves.

All work is fired in the kiln, where coloured frit glass in sand or egg shell form, is usually fused between two layers of sheet glass to make weird and wonderful artefacts. Gloria has been practising as a glass artist for fifteen years and specialises in using float, bullseye, andMurano glass. She can also casts sculptures using Gaffa glass.

Her cosy, intimate studio is tucked away in the beautiful grounds of Ponsbourne Manor, in the lovely village of Newgate Street twenty miles from London and four miles from the M25. The perfect setting to relax and meet other people.

Gloria grew up in Huddersfield in the industrial North. Here, creativity thrived and flourished in the home environment. Artistic crafts and skills were passed on and encouraged by both parents. Her father was a loom tuner in a textile mill, who often experimented at home, making objects in wood. From an early age, she too became fascinated by this, as well as the medium of textiles and collage. All of her three sisters were very artistic. Their mother, recognised the combined talents of her daughters, and entered them in art competitions which the Drurey girls often won.

Gloria worked in the mill for three and a half years, before deciding to gain the qualifications for a career combining teaching and art. Eventually the bright lights of Brighton beckoned! Her final exam degree piece was a soft sculpture of an enormous chain hanging down with a broken piece on the ground. For many years she was a successful Head of Art, becoming fascinated eventually by a love of glass and the new opportunities presented, to experiment with glass artefacts at the University of Hertfordshire.

The courses offered in Gloria’s studio are, a whole day with lunch, (£70) or a half day (£40), for up to four people. The next one is Sunday 29^th May followed by Thursday 16^th June. Perfect for a group of friends, an individual, a birthday gift or any other special occasion. Different levels of ability are catered for and there is much individual attention from this superb contemporary artist, who enjoys passing on her many skills.

The emphasis will be on learning glass techniques, such as cutting, slumping, using different moulds and a wide variety of materials. People go home with at least three items such as a funky glass mirror frame, a quirky piece to display in the window or hang on the wall, or maybe a striking pendant or earrings.

Gloria also offers longer courses at the Courtyard Arts Centre in Hertford, where students can develop extension skills. Her eye catching pieces have been displayed at the Cambridge Glass fair, the Knebworth Glass Fair and the Herford Art Trail.

As I gaze around the studio, my eyes are drawn upwards to the soft blue and white shining glass of a boat set in driftwood, spinning above my head. If I don’t leave with that piece, or one of Gloria’s abstract clock designs, her latest project, I will be most surprised!

Inspiration comes from many sources. One, the colours and images of the English landscape, the famous glass artist Dale Chihuly, and the Japanese artist Hokusai renowned for his images of Mount Fuji.

So, if you are seeking fun and inspiration, or feel the desire to learn a new skill, this talented glass artist with a contemporary vibe will be the right person to ‘fire’ and develop your imagination.

To contact Gloria for a commission or take part in a course email her at gloria.macarthur@btinternet.com or phone her on 01707870734.

Song of the Skylark by Erica James Reviewed by Frances Colville

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Song of the Skylark is Erica James 20^th novel and having read all the others I can confidently say that it doesn’t disappoint. Telling the stories of Clarissa Dallimore before and during the Second World War and Lizzie Moran in the present day, this is really two books in one, but there are enough links between the two to make the story flow and the plotting work well.

Lizzie has a reputation for attracting bad luck and the story begins with her ending a relationship, losing a much loved job and being compelled through lack of money to move back to her parents’ home. Against her better judgment she begins a temporary job and meets Mrs Dallimore who is also reluctantly having to adjust to a new situation, in her case old age necessitating a move to a care home. A friendship develops between the two as they learn about each other’s past, and try to adapt to their present situations.

Both main characters are well-drawn and easy to identify with, as are the other more minor characters in the book. And Erica James has a delightfully fluent style of writing which draws you in and means that you don’t want to stop reading. If a good story and the feel-good factor is what you are looking for, I recommend this wholeheartedly and the same goes for all Erica James’ other books.

Song of the Skylark: Orion Books – available in hardback from 17 March 2016, with paperback and ebook editions to follow.

Thetford Open Gardens

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Thetford Open Gardens

10 am – 5.pm: Sunday 26th June 2016

Frost is really pleased to hear that Thetford Open Gardens are swinging into action again in June 2016.

Thetford Open Gardens has been going for ten years, and this year as a celebration, they are hoping to raise in excess of £10,000 for St Nicholas Hospice Care.

So, how did it all begin?

In 2007 Liz Hodgson had the idea of opening some of Thetford’s lovely gardens to the general public, and thereby raising much needed funds for St Nicholas Hospice Care.

This year about 30 gardens old and new will be open for garden lovers, including one which has opened every year. Although the hospice reaps the financial rewards, there have been many community benefits to the day. Local people are surprised by the amazing gardens hidden behind brick walls, the tranquillity of those running down to the river, and the ability of gardeners to fill a “potted” garden with such variety and colour.

Visitors from further away are surprised and delighted to find interesting gardens and a very warm welcome in the town.

Thetford and Croxton [7 gardens this year] ensure refreshments are provided at strategic locations throughout the day. It is possible to start with a ‘bacon butty’ and coffee, lunch on smoked salmon, sip afternoon tea out of china cups and end up with a glass of Pimms, all the while appreciating the flora and fauna in pleasant surroundings.

It is a great English tradition isn’t it, to saunter about, admiring the blooms, sipping Pimms – given ‘alf a chance. So why not join in.

There will be a chance to buy plants on the day and at the plant sale on May 7th 2016 outside St Cuthberts Church near the market place.

As part of the celebrations, there will be a flower festival in the local Methodist Church on Tanner Street entitled “There is some corner of a foreign field that is forever England”. The flower festival opens on Friday 24th June and runs until Sunday 26th June 10am – 4pm each day.

On Saturday 25th June Lake House, Castle Lane IP24 2ER will be open from 3pm for garden visitors with a programme. Then at 5.30pm the audience will start to arrive for the evening concert with an hour to enjoy their picnic before the fanfare sounds for the music. The Thetford Singers will top the bill, which will include musicians from the Thetford Academy and children’s voices.

‘Pop up’ Spring gardens will be announced on Facebook and Twitter. They will also be in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care.

There will be a prize draw with 10 big prizes including an inclusive hotel break.

Programmes for the open gardens can be bought for £5 from Thetford Garden Centre (01842 763267) and Thetford’s Great Information Centre (01842 751975) and Hospice Shops. On the Sunday they will be available in Kings House Gardens in the centre of town.

Thetford Open Gardens is organised by Rachel Woods, Sue Norman and Jen and Brian Farrell. @ThetOpenGardens

Such a great cause, such great gardens, and lead Frost Magazine to the Pimms, please.

From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson Book Launch

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Frost was exceptionally pleased to be invited to the launch of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson. Yes, we had champagne, and yes, the eats were fantastic, and most of us wore masks, but it it was the occasion. It was such fun, and the ideal way to launch a book – a book which after all, could be life changing.

Frost’s Margaret Graham, duly masked meeting those waiting to buy a copy of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope

If you haven’t yet readthis guide which Dr Thompson wrote to help those with breast cancer, you should do so. She explains the ins and outs of treatment, the questions to ask, and includes wise words on helping to prevent a recurrence. All this alongside her own journey to recovery from the disease.

Dr Kathleen Thompson signing copies of her books.

Frost is proud to include a further excerpt from this truly fascinating book.

Chapter 1

Let’s face it, cancer is what happens to other people. Poor souls, with the sword of Damocles swinging on a fraying thread over their heads, these are people who are inevitably going to die, and soon. Of course we feel sorry for them — we’ll send them a card, a basket of fruit, some flowers, but we certainly don’t have plans to join their exclusive club.

Well guess what? All of us have cancer cells in our bodies on a fairly regular basis, and more than one in three of us in the western world will experience some form of cancer during our lives. So I’m afraid there’s a fairly high chance of ‘us’ becoming ‘them’. Maybe you’re reading this because you’ve already joined the ‘club’.

The good news is, our bodies are very capable of fighting cancer. Indeed, most of the time cancer cells are destroyed as soon as they develop, much in the way that our immune system hunts down and destroys bacteria or viruses. Other times, the cancer sneaks through our defences, but even if it does, it can still be overcome. I say ‘can’ because despite all efforts, some people do succumb. To keep things in perspective though, many cancer sufferers live to a very respectable old age, and eventually fill up completely different columns in the ‘cause of death’ statistics.

Cancer is on the increase, and there are many theories as to why. So, what steps can we take to reduce our chance of getting cancer, or to help fight an existing cancer? I have some ideas for you inside this book.

But first, who am I? What qualifications do I have that would permit me to offer you advice in what could be an extremely traumatic time? I’m a medical doctor. I’m on the wrong side of fifty and divorced. I have two fabulous children, a loving extended family and some good friends. I’d always worked hard, but I was starting to ease off, take up more hobbies and enjoy myself — when my life changed.

Like you, I never thought I would get cancer.

As a doctor, I would sympathise with cancer patients and offer them encouragement from within my armour-plated white-coat. They were the patients, I was the doctor. Simple.

Even when my developing cancer crept into my consciousness, I ignored it, and my own advice.

Maybe it would just go away.

But it didn’t, and I had to face the realisation that my life might be cut very short. Then, on top of that, I had to negotiate my way through complicated highly-specialised medical treatments and, on occasions, challenge medical decisions. I found this extremely hard, even as a doctor, because I was also a vulnerable patient, and I was depending on other doctors for my survival.

Cancer taught me a great deal. Primarily it taught me that diagnosis is not a death sentence. People can and do survive cancer, most of the time. However, being forced to face the possibility of my imminent demise, I gradually learned not to fear death either. I also learned to appreciate every day of this wonderful thing called life.

I have a lot to share with you, so welcome to Cancer Club —whether you have cancer yourself or you know someone who has.
From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Both-Ends-Stethoscope

Journey to Death by Leigh Russell Review by Frances Colville

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Margaret Graham

The first of a new series by established crime writer Leigh Russell, Journey to Death is set on an island in The Seychelles. Lucy Hall arrives on the island with her parents for a holiday following the traumatic break-up of a relationship, but soon becomes aware that all is not as it seems. Behind the warmth and tranquility of a popular tourist destination lies a dark and mysterious threat to the safety of Lucy and her family. Is someone trying to frighten or even kill them, and if so, why?

Lucy is an appealing if rather naive character who steps up to try to solve a crime in which the authorities are not particularly interested. I enjoyed the setting, and the descriptions of the island and its beaches and thought the book was generally well plotted. There were a few occasions when it was all a bit slow and tedious and I wanted things to speed up and get sorted. But overall it’s a good read – uncomplicated and easy to follow. And intriguing enough to make you want to get to the end and discover how it all works out.

Journey to Death is a stand-alone book but the seeds are sown within it for a new crime series featuring Lucy Hall. Published February 2016 by Thomas & Mercer (an imprint of Amazon Publishing) and available in paperback and e-book versions.

Best Chinese New Year Ever by Alex Bannard – Bangkok Correspondent

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Margaret Graham

The year of the monkey.

My first Chinese New Year (well not my first, I’m 45, there have been many) but the first I have celebrated was amazing, energizing and inspiring, spiritual and serene. Since I arrived in Bangkok I have wanted to do a cycle tour of the city. A very good friend invited me up join her and her cousin. On the day we realized our tour coincided with Chinese New Year and were a little doubtful of whether being bound for Chinatown on saddle was such a good idea. We couldn’t have been more wrong.

We arrived at the Follow Me headquarters a little late but we were welcomed warmly & joined by a Japanese girl who was in Bangkok over the weekend for work. We were dispatched to watch an amusing induction movie on cycle conduct before wobbling out of the drive and heading off.

Navigating the narrow soi’s was at times precarious especially if there was on-coming traffic either on foot or 2 wheels but we soon got the hang of it. Our first stop off was at a local Wat home of a primary school. The King, Rama 6 was educated at Oxford over 100 years ago and travelled around Europe. He saw children being educated in schools initiated the building of primary schools in the same grounds as the temples, the monks becoming the teachers. To this day many of these schools survive today. Matthew our guide, was educated in such a school.

Matthew’s Thai name is Thew meaning good view, a fitting name since he was born to be a guide and gave us a great insight and view of Bangkok, full of knowledge and very entertaining. He proceeded to tell us about his 15 days training as a monk, common in Thailand and a huge honour. He was 25, the lessons he learnt and the 15 days immersed in the spiritual life of a monk changed his life.

Next stop was the old customs house along side the river. Now derelict it is soon to be renovated into a luxury hotel. We made our way past the modern post office, the old British embassy. Then we went to the Chinese temple which was amazing.

The Doctor Buddha resides in this temple, so called because of his healing hands during his lifetime.

Locals who desire better health will pilgrimage to this temple but on Chinese New Year, the temple was buzzing, incense filled the air & tall thick red candles bought by local families, labeled with the family name burned brightly.

It was a very special moment to celebrate the dawning of the year of the monkey 2259 (2016 on the Gregorian calendar).

We cycled into Chinatown. Red lanterns adorned shop alcoves. Banners hung across the street and almost everyone was either dressed in traditional Chinese dress or red. The atmosphere was electric, carnival like. And it was barely 10am.

I needed to buy Chinese New Year costumes for the kids and myself so we could join in the celebrations at school and got very lucky with some great purchases. Then I got the kids a Chinese New Year dragon…when in Rome and all that. Talk about taking multi-tasking to the next level.

The next stop was the flower market. The flower market runs 24 hours a day. It is divided into the offerings section and the wedding section. Don’t get them confused and take flowers from the wrong section to the wrong event, it could get awkward. We saw 50 roses for 80bht approx £2 and other Valentine treats, such as roses styled out of Ferrero Rocher, a perfect Valentine’s treat for Mr P.

Then we loaded the bikes on the river taxi to go across the river to another local Wat, The Royal Temple. Not known on the tourist circuit since it nestles next door to and is overshadowed by the Arun Wat but since this is enfolded in scaffolding rendering it hugely underwhelming, Matthew took us next door.

This fabulous set of temples is usually quiet during the week but since it was Chinese New Year it was absolutely bustling. The air was again heavily incense infused, the bells ringing in our ears as the worshippers cleansed their spirits by chiming every bell.

Matthew gave us each 2 lotus flowers and showed us how to fold the lotus leaves to reveal the flower, a wonderfully therapeutic exercise, almost meditative in its essence.

Then we made an offering to the Buddha of the flowers and wound our way back to our bikes through the throng.

Back on the saddle we wove through more Soi’s glimpsing snatches of Thai life: small dark shop openings; flashes of flatscreen TV’s through part open doorways; women sitting on wooden seats watching the world go by; kids playing bare foot in the street; family members asleep on the floor and lots of greetings of ‘Sawadee ka’ and ‘Happy new year’. It was marvelous.

Every so often through the tour we would venture onto the main roads and on the way home we certainly navigated the busiest roads, 3 and 4 lanes in both directions but it was not as treacherous as I thought it would be. The smaller roads, where cars has slowed to allow us through were more so as the moped drivers whizzed through the gaps, reminding everyone who really is king of the road in Bangkok.

Back at base we were awarded an ice cream and the possibility of a foot spa in the pool of tiny hungry fishes, I declined this with my sights set on Dean and Delucca round the corner and a well deserved New York style lunch for a change, but is a great tour, a totally different way to explore and experience Bangkok with or without the added festivities of Chinese New Year.

Later that week, the kids and I headed to school adorned in our Chinese New Year outfits for a morning of welcoming in the year of the monkey. In Foundation Stage the children made lanterns, lucky money and ribbons amongst other traditional crafts. The girls cavorted with their ribbons along to videos of professionals doing the same before we headed to the Chinese New Year assembly. A wonderful celebration showcasing the best of Bangkok’s Chinese music, Kung Fu & off course the finale with the Chinese Dragons. Next year we’re planning to join the Chinese Dragon Parade and party in Chinatown.

www.followmebiketour.com/

Playmobil creates another winner by Margaret Graham

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Margaret Graham

At Frost we love Playmobil’s products. The company seem to have a great understanding of what children want.

At Christmas we gave their long-lasting ‘alternatives to chocolate’ advent calenders. The children are still playing with the characters, happily creating worlds of their own.

We at Frost are really pleased then, to see the new Playmobil Gift Eggs for Easter 2016

This year there are four new themes:

Mermaid with Seahorses

For those into football

What about the Pirate hunting for Treasure?

Our personal favourite is the Zookeeper and his alpaca.

Partly because one of us lived near an alpaca farm and the farmer would walk them along the cliff path as he took his family for picnics. Gorgeous.

One of these eggs will find their way into the lives of our little ‘uns this Easter. Such a lovely time of year, and these eggs will go on giving pleasure until the figures can be added to next year.

All eggs @ £6.99 each.

http://bit.ly/PLAYMOBIL_UK

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