April 2020

I was fortunate enough to be asked to join a group trekking in Nepal for nearly a month in May. I was there to try to photograph the wonderful landscapes, the mountains, the flora and fauna, also the people and rural life. The others in the group were Laura Owens (WPA-World Pheasant Association) council member from Fauna and Flora International, with a friend, Suzanne Martin, and Louisa Lewis, an artist.

The special edition production of Ford Mustang Bullitt – celebrating the 50th anniversary the legendary Warner Bros. film starring Steve McQueen – is to be extended into 2020.
Following a popular first run of production, in which the full 2018 quota was sold shortly after announcement, production into 2020 has now been confirmed and gone on sale.

The 23rd edition of Europe’s longest-running superyacht regatta got started yesterday with the bay off Mallorca’s capital again delivering sparkling racing conditions for The Superyacht Cup Palma.
Nilaya got proceedings underway, the 34m dark hulled black sail carbon sloop powering up and crossing the line as the first to start the opening Pantaenius Race in the 13-strong superyacht fleet.
 

The internet has changed transparency for ever. Now there is a vast amount of information to be found about every brand, from mainstream media, blogs, reviews, forums, comments and trust sites. This has been a boon to luxury companies that are willing not only to engage directly with customers but to share their company values and processes. Companies that take a deeper stand on culture, society and the environment are performing better than their less conscientious counterparts.

Following an initial development programme of simulated aerodynamic testing in Italy, Automobili Pininfarina has revealed its stunning Blu Iconica Battista with new design details at the Turin Outdoor Auto Show.
The evolution of the Battista’s design as it heads into its development programme resulted in design detail upgrades that have redefined the front of the Battista and reinforced its hypercar look and feel, presenting an even greater visual connection between front and back.

It wouldn’t be at all difficult to think of 360 reasons why staying at 3Sixty Hotel in Nafplio would be one of the best ideas you’ve had all year. A list as glorious as a never-ending gelato menu – and equally as scrumptious. But life is enough of a list as it is (albeit, for me at least, a ‘to do’ one), so instead let’s take a leap into the Hellenic microcosm of Nafplio, home to the Neoklasiki Hotel Group, and, quite frankly, home to the friendliest Greeks I’ve ever met.

I popped over to Turin for the launch of the new Fiat 500 Star and Rockstar. Turin is a mere two hours away in the very north of Italy, just shy of the border with France. Typical of the area, Turin boasts a mixture of post modern industrial buildings and classical Latin Renaissance, Baroque and Empire architecture. It feels like you’re travelling through time as you jump centuries from one building to the next.

Tucano Urbano Jacket Network 2G
£114.99
Sizes M > 3XL
I've been using the Tucano Urbano Network 2G jacket recently, taking advantage of the nice weather we've been having.
Tucano Urbano is an Italian manufacturer who's range offers Italian design and style with practical solutions for urban scooter and motorcycle riders, so I'm told.
They've been around for 120 years and have a good reputation for making quality gear.
Construction:

The new Codecasa 65 – Hull F74 is an elegant steel and aluminum motor yacht, which features large and comfortable spaces on her five decks. The Yacht was designed by the Codecasa Shipyard technical staff in close co-operation with the design studio M2 Atelier of Milan, personally chosen by the Owners.

Ahead of ‘World Gin Day’ this year on 8 June, award-winning UK online broker, The Share Centre, has taken a look at how an investment of £1,000 in household-name gin brands could have returned a refreshingly nice profit of £172 since last year. Not a bad yield at 17.2% per annum all things considered.