By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Early hours snow: A north-west London street at 1:30am this morning


Dozens of cancellations and severe delays at London City Airport

AA responds to 20,000 calls on Monday with similar number expected today

Temperatures in north-west Highlands fall to -15C


Snow showers swept across almost all of Britain today as bitter easterly winds continued to bring Arctic conditions to the country and risked chaos for road, rail and air passengers.

Almost every corner of the UK woke up to between 0.8in (2cm) and 4in (10cm) of snow this morning, with the east coast worst hit by flurries and sub-zero temperatures.

The AA responded to more than 20,000 breakdowns yesterday, but warned today could rival it, while air and rail travellers also face disruption to their journeys.


Speeding through the snow: A train battles the weather at Tring station



Feeling the chill: The village of Edlington near Alnwick, Northumberland


Though Edinburgh Airport reopened after an overnight closure, London City Airport was reporting cancellations and severe delays.

Britain's railways were also affected by the severe weather conditions, with some services not operating and others facing long delays.

Kent commuters were badly hit, as buses replaced rail service between Ramsgate and Dover via Deal, as well as on the Tonbrige-Tunbridge Wells route.


Fancy a dip? Residents walked along Tynemouth beach in North Shields as more snow fell overnight


With most of Britain waking up to a chilly morning, the cold blast from the North Sea was expected to continue to batter eastern areas throughout the day, even bringing snow to London and the South East.

Severe weather warnings were issued by the Met Office for almost all regions with London, the South East, the East of England, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, the North East, North West and Wales all on alert for heavy snow well into the morning.

Grampian, Strathclyde, Tayside and Fife, south-west Scotland, Lothian and Northern Ireland were all warned to expect widespread icy roads.


Snow ploughs try to clear part of the runway at Edinburgh airport yesterday. Britain's big chill is set to intensify and spread this week with stronger winds, severe frosts and more heavy snow, forecasters said


Slowly does it: Cars drive on snow-covered roads in Newcastle


Temperatures in the north-west Highlands dropped to minus 15C (5F) last night, with the Met Office warning the mercury will barely rise above 0C (32F) for the rest of the day.

Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said: 'Overnight, we’ve had some outbreaks of snow and a lot of the country has seen some snow showers with accumulations of 2.5cm (1in) in the South East and East of England.

'Temperatures today are going to be very cold and we’re looking at 1C (33.8F) to 2C (35.6F) with a very strong north-easterly wind.


Dig deep: A man shovels snow off his car in Newcastle



A church spire and trees are covered by heavy snowfall in Gateshead


'In towns or cities, we’re looking at minus 2C (28.4F) to minus 4C (24.8F) tonight, dropping to minus 6C (21.2F) or minus 8C (17.6F) in less sheltered parts.'

Mr Morgan added: 'The worst-affected areas will be eastern parts of the country and perhaps Kent and Essex and the North East.

'In terms of this week, the cold spell is going to continue but will be less widespread as we go through the week.'


The A1 in Newcastle this morning, which was temporarily closed between Berwick and Edinburgh as heavy snowfall continued to cause travel chaos


Yesterday, thousands of motorists were hit by one of the worst days on Britain’s roads, flights were cancelled and hundreds of schools were forced to close.

An AA spokesman warned motorists to prepare for the worst on the roads today due to the increased likelihood of breakdowns or disruptions.

‘I think there is that mindset where people think, “It is not going to happen to me, I am not going to get stuck”,' he said.


‘They forget that if there is a breakdown or an accident they have to get to a place of safety.


‘We have had call-outs to a lot of shunts where people slide into the car in front of them. It is really vitally important that people wrap up warm,’ he added.

Edinburgh Airport reopened this morning after closing at 6.15pm last night but a number of flights arriving and departing from the snow-stricken transport hub faced disruption.

With snow spreading to the London suburbs for the first time during this cold spell, services on London Overground between London and Watford Junction in Hertfordshire were delayed.


Sweeping up: A man clears the snow from the footpath beside a beggar on Harcourt street, in Dublin, Ireland


The bad conditions also led to disruption to all East Coast Main Line services, particularly in Scotland and the North of England.

The East Coast train company had to introduce a revised timetable which included an hourly service between Edinburgh and London and reduced London-Leeds and reduced London to Newcastle-upon-Tyne services.

A number of ScotRail services were unable to run including Dalmuir to Springburn, Dalmuir to Larkhall, Motherwell to Cumbernauld and Edinburgh to Dunbar.

On the roads, a series of accidents on main roads led to road closures.
Part of the A66 in Cumbria was shut as was a section of the A57 in Greater Manchester and part of the A49 in Shropshire.

The cold snap is expected to last until at least the end of the week, with overnight temperatures in parts of Scotland likely to plunge to minus 20c before Saturday.

The coldest overnight temperature in the UK was minus 16c, recorded in Altnaharra in northern Scotland.

The UK’s lowest recorded temperature in November was minus 23.3C at Braemar, in the Highlands, on November 14, 1919.


Winter wonderland: Snow falls on fir trees and an empty road near Stirling




source: dailymail

By HARRY MOUNT

Lighting up Lancashire: While Blackpool is popular in summer, many also flock there in winter to see the famous Illuminations


When, in 1879, the Blackpool Illuminations were first switched on, just eight electric arc lamps lit up the promenade. The Victorian visitors were dazzled by what they called the 'artificial sunshine'.

Those Victorians would have to stick on several pairs of sunglasses these days, not only to deal with the illuminations - which light up six miles of the prom - but also the Christmas lights.

This year they include a feature designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, and were switched on by X Factor star Joe Mcelderry. Think Oxford Street's Christmas lights, but on a more magnificent - and tasteful - scale.

Prince William was in town shortly after announcing his engagement, adding some extra sparkle if any were needed.

You might see Blackpool as a summer place, but the town's gaudy grandeur lifts the mood during long winter nights, too. end- of- the- pier shows are replaced by top- of-the-tower panto: Mooky And The Beanstalk at the Blackpool Tower circus and Aladdin at the Grand Theatre.

Blackpool also has a new winter attraction in the form of its football team.

Promoted to the Premier League this year, the club have put a smile on the face of the most famous seaside town in the world. The council has even wrapped a lurid tangerine Blackpool FC scarf around the neck of the Victorian laughing clown at the Pleasure Beach amusement park.


Royal seal of approval: Prince William headed to Blackpool just after his engagement was announced


That's not the only improvement. Despite the recession, a tidal wave of investment has swept down the Golden Mile over the past few year s . A huge renovat ion programme of the seafront - a section is dubbed the Tower Festival headland, between the sea and Blackpool Tower - will be unveiled next summer, providing a new restaurant, wedding chapel and a 20,000-capacity concert venue.

Boutique hotels, including number One St Luke's and number One South Beach, have popped up alongside the old Victorian palace hotels; at the funfair, in Madame Crevette's bar, they're selling champagne and oysters.

Don't worry, though. Beneath the upmarket facelift, the cheap and cheerful seaside town with the Kiss Me Quick hats and the sticks of rock is still going strong. In the Tower Ballroom, the 1935 Wurlitzer organ is playing a slow, melancholy version of Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside.

The red velvet on the tip-up seats in the auditorium might be a little threadbare, but the heart still lifts as you look up from the dance floor to the 1899 rococo ceiling, with its fairytale frescoes and wide-bellied balconies supported by angels. Strictly Come Dancing was broadcast from here last weekend.

Even in winter - perhaps especially in winter, as the breakers build higher and higher - the sheer scale of the front is a tonic to the spirits. The sands stretch for a dozen miles, from Lytham St Annes in the south to Fleetwood in the north; access to the beach is via walkways, flanked by handsome Doric colonnades.

Step inland from the front and there are signs of recession: the booze buster off-licences and the pound shops. But that's half the point of the British seaside town - all that ageing, battered glamour, harking back to a time before cheap flights took the gilt off the Victorian splendour.

At Sandcastle Water World - home of the world's longest indoor waterslide - visitors have increased by 20 per cent every year for the past three years.



Blooming Blackpool: There is still something magical about this seaside town


Harry Ramsden's on the seafront had such a long queue for its restaurant that I had a takeaway instead - £3.99 for cod, chips and a fizzy drink. 'There is no chip cut by man which cannot be cooked to perfection in three minutes,' said Harry Ramsden.

I'm with Mr Ramsden on that. His perfectly-cooked chips lasted the whole of my tram ride, south along the front.

The taste police might issue a few tickets along that promenade. Next to the spare, white, art deco lines of the casino and the robust Meccano skeleton of the Tower (built in 1894, in imitation of the Eiffel Tower), there are gimcrack buildings offering cabaret, with creaking nightclub singers and dancing girls who are some way past girlhood.

Candy-striped booths ('Clairvoyant Lavinia - Past, present, future') perch on the tarmac, in front of the megashows such as Louis Tussaud's Waxworks, with vast advertising awnings ('Simon Cowell's got the Wax Factor!').

I got off the tram at the Pleasure Beach. Wandering away from the super-duper new rollercoasters and dodgems, I strolled over to the older attractions: the slow-moving car race, with its old E-Type Jags and Eddie Stobart lorries; the River Caves ride, built in 1904, promising a round-the-world trip in 80 days.

Is it just me watching Brighton Rock too many times, or is there something intensely nostalgic about the seaside? Not just a nostalgia for your own childhood, but for Britain's younger days.

Nostalgia literally means 'a sadness in longing for the past'. For me - walking around Blackpool, at any rate - it meant intense pleasure.


Travel Facts
The Barceló Blackpool Imperial Hotel has double rooms from £60 B&B (01253 623 971, www.barcelohotels.co.uk)
More information: Blackpool Tourist Information (01253 478 222, www.visitblackpool.com)


source :dailymail

By TOM AVERY

The great outdoors: Tom Avery went on the adventure of a lifetime with his wife and two babies


Our 22ft Britz Frontier motor-home was not in the same league as Robert De Niro's palatial version in the film Meet The Fockers, but it seemed to have everything we could possibly need.

Actually, my wife Mary and I hadn't a clue what we'd need for a month on the road in New Zealand with our six-month-old twins, Maud and Olive. Optimism and Dunkirk spirit were clearly going to come in handy.

We began our adventure two-thirds of the way up North Island, in Auckland. Known as the City of Sails because of its yacht-filled harbour, it's the country's largest city by some distance.

As we trundled through the rolling countryside north of Auckland, windows down, Old MacDonald on the stereo, cutlery clanking in drawers, we felt wonderfully free. We had a shortlist of places to visit, but the rest we'd make up as we went along.

Thanks mainly to a huge supermarket shop earlier in the day, it was almost dark by the time we arrived at the Pakiri Holiday Park, two hours from Auckland, for our first night.

With suitcases, shopping bags and nappy boxes piled high in the living quarters - and two wailing babies letting everyone know the Averys had arrived - we fumbled around in the gloom frantically looking for matches so we could warm up the girls' milk. Then it dawned on us that we had forgotten to buy any.

Thankfully, an Australian couple in the van next door heard our plight and came to our rescue with matches and a torch.

It was the first of many instances of the incredible camaraderie that exists among the motor-home set.

It took several hours to put our house in order, finding out where everything was and how it all worked. Mod cons included a microwave, fourring cooker, fridge-freezer, dining table, flatscreen TV, three double beds, shower and loo.


Bath time: Mary, Olive and Maud in the Waikite thermal springs


The cab above the driver's seat would make the perfect bed for the girls; the string mesh across the front hopefully enough to prevent them rolling off.

With beds assembled and everything finally stowed away, we collapsed in a heap, safe in the knowledge we wouldn't have to pack up again for a whole month.

Dawn revealed a magical scene. The holiday park is on a five-mile-long stretch of deserted white sandy beach, with the jagged outline of the Hen and Chicken Islands rising majestically on the horizon.

As a family of black oystercatchers danced in and out of the surf, we set up our breakfast table on the sand and tucked into croissants and kiwi smoothies, taking in the panorama. Our first week was spent exploring New Zealand's subtropical north.

Despite not being the high season, the weather was perfect, with almost unbroken sunshine and the temperature a constant 25C.

With the girls strapped into their baby carriers, we ambled among giant kauri trees in the Waipoua Forest, along deserted beaches in the Bay of Islands and through the 150-year-old botanical gardens on the idyllic Kawau Island.


Stunning: Taking the motor-home enabled Tom to reach secluded areas of New Zealand


We passed the symmetrical volcanic peaks of the Tongariro National Park, the largest of which, Ruapehu, I had tried to climb as a naive teenager on my gap year. Not appreciating it was one of the world's most active volcanoes, I got the fright of my life when it decided to erupt as I was traversing the crater's edge.

New Zealand has a sophisticated network of holiday parks. As well as power and fresh water, the facilities include wireless internet access, barbecue areas and washing machines. There are some real gems off the beaten track. A tip-off from a friendly petrol station attendant led us to an oasis called Waikite, a tiny park with just ten powered sites, up a remote valley outside Rotorua.

A natural spring provides enough hot water to replenish six thermal pools daily, and the girls loved splashing around in the mineral-rich waters under the shade of giant tree ferns.

Just a three-hour ferry ride from North Island, South Island is the adventure capital of the world, even if you have babies in tow.

Before leaving Britain, we had lined up various nurseries and babysitters through fantastic organisations such as Annie's Nannies, who could take the girls off our hands for a few hours every few days while Mary and I got our adrenaline fixes.

Our first day out without children was sedate enough, as we explored the Marlborough wine region by bike, our cycling becoming increasingly wobbly the more wine we sampled.


Foolhardy: Tom had previously tried to climb the active Mount Ngaruhoe volcano in Tongariro National Park


In Otago, we rafted down the gurgling twists and turns of the Shotover River, clinging on for dear life as a succession of rapids with sinister names such as Pinball, Miners Revenge and Toilet tried to flip us overboard.

From Queenstown, our faces were pressed against the windows of a four-seater Cessna as we flew over Lord Of The Rings country, the awe-inspiring majesty of the Milford Sound and the snow-covered Southern Alps, where my team and I had trained for our South Pole expedition in 2002.

The windswept Otago Peninsula near Dunedin is an excellent place to get up close and personal with New Zealand's coastal wildlife.

Kaikoura was one highlight in our 3,000-mile journey. We ditched the motor-home for a couple of nights and checked into Hapuku Lodge, a collection of luxurious tree houses nestled between the Pacific and the Seaward Kaikoura Mountains.

With the girls in a creche, Mary and I were booked on a dolphin swimming trip. It wasn't long before the boat's skipper spotted a 200-strong pod of Dusky Dolphins.


Just the two of us: Despite travelling with young children, Mary and Tom still got some alone time


'Remember, folks, you're their entertainment for the day - so make as much noise as possible,' he said as we donned wetsuits and snorkels. We leapt overboard, straight into the path of the oncoming pod.

Within seconds, the dolphins were cavorting all around us, jumping clean out of the water and mimicking our movements as we swam in tight circles and made silly noises through our snorkels.

After lunching on the most incredible crayfish at a roadside barbeque, we boarded another vessel to watch one of the many Sperm Whales inhabiting the waters off Kaikoura.

With Royal Albatross circling overhead, and a family of fur seals escorting us back to shore, it capped off a truly magical day.

New Zealand may be the other side of the world, but having a baby (or two) shouldn't get in the way of a visit to the ultimate adventure holiday destination.

And six months is the perfect age to take them: they're small enough to fit in a skycot and are sleeping through the night (well, mostly).

The only downside is they won't remember a thing. Which is the perfect excuse to return when they're older and do it all over again.


Travel Facts
Discover The World (01737 218 800, www.discover-the-world.co.uk) organises motor-home holidays to New Zealand from £1,992pp, including return flights with Air New Zealand (via LA or Hong Kong), transfer on arrival and two-berth motor-home hire for ten days. Childcare: Barnardos Early Learning Centre in Kaikoura (www.barnardos.org.nz), Fun4Kidz in Queenstown (www.activecarenz.com) and Annie's Nannies (www.anniesnannies.co.nz). More details about New Zealand: Tourism New Zealand (www.newzealand.com).


source: dailymail

By WENDY DRIVER

Call of the wild: Cyril's accordion music summoned up an inquisitive minke whale


It must have been the sound of the accordion that attracted the whale. Cyril had just started playing an Irish jig when a minke surfaced a few yards away, sending waves crashing against our bow. maybe it had mistaken the music for the call of a mate.

It was high summer in Canada's Newfoundland, the time when whales arrive en masse to gorge themselves in the rich feeding grounds just offshore, so we knew we stood a good chance of seeing one. But it added an extra thrill to our excursion along the Bonaventure coast.

Bruce was taking us on a boat trip to visit the old fishing villages that now lie derelict. the 'outports', as they are known, are situated in remote coves and sheltered bays and are inaccessible by land.

Bald eagles soared overhead as we cruised past rugged cliffs, the surf pounding the rocks below. sailing into one, Ireland's Eye, Bruce produced photos taken in the Fifties of simple wooden cabins and long, rickety platforms where the salt cod was laid out to dry.

Now all that remained were a few bleached planks strewn across the bare rock.

'my uncle Joe lived here,' he said. 'He was heartbroken when he was relocated in the sixties. they floated his house across the water on oil drums as part of the resettlement programme.'

We were to hear many such poignant stories from the friendly locals. Pretty communities of white clapboard houses are dotted along the coastline with rust-red shacks built on stilts over the water, but the fishing vessels are long gone.

Look at a map and Newfoundland resembles a gigantic iceberg nudging Canada's eastern seaboard. Our ten-day itinerary took us across the island from the west coast to the Avalon Peninsula in the east.

Distances were vast and we often found it was a five or six-hour journey to our next destination. much of it is pristine wilderness and we drove for miles through endless spruce forests without seeing another car.

But there were other hazards. 'You know what we call speed bumps here?' one local joked. 'Moose.'


On the loose: The island has more moose than humans


I was hoping to see one in the Gros morne National Park. they far outnumber the human population, but they turned out to be surprisingly-elusive. the nearest I got was when our guide, sue, pointed out hoof-prints in the mud on a trek to Big Look Out. the park is an ideal location for serious hikers and there are many well-marked paths and tracks, but she led us off-trail to one of its highest peaks.

We scrambled up steep slopes through dense scrubland and across boggy marshland where rare orchids and pink, insect-eating plants blossomed beneath our feet. After a strenuous four-hour hike, we finally reached the summit.

If the climb hadn't taken our breath away, the view certainly did. We gazed out over hazy blue mountains, deep green fjords and the barren martian landscape of the tablelands where you can walk on what was once the ocean floor. Far below, a silver streak snaked away into the distance. It was the Trans-Canada Highway and the start of our road trip.

We stopped off en route at quaint old-fashioned B&Bs and luxury inns such as the Fisher's Loft in Port Rexton, a collection of clapboard houses scattered on the hillside.

My bedroom had stunning views over the bay below and I was even able to keep an eye out for moose in the surrounding woodland. From here it was a short drive to the little port of Bonavista.

On the rocky windswept headland, John Cabot made landfall in 1497, thereby becoming the first modern-day European explorer to set foot in Canada.

His bronze statue stares out to sea and a full-scale replica of his sailing ship, the Matthew, is on display in the harbour, looking alarmingly small for such a gruelling voyage.

Off the northerly tip of Newfoundland is the island of Quirpon (which rhymes with harpoon), uninhabited except for the lighthouse-keepers' cottages that have been converted into a small hotel.

I was one of only five guests, and a more idyllic spot would be hard to find. there was no television or radio, and mobile phones didn't work. We went on long rambles across the cliffs, stopping to watch massive chunks of ice drift slowly across the strait of Belle Isle from Labrador. In the evenings we'd sit on the veranda, eyes glued to binoculars looking for whales.


Total solitude: The only buildings on Quirpon Island are the lighthouse keeper's cottages which have been turned into a hotel


At Bay Bulls on the Avalon Peninsula on the east of the island, we headed out to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve in our search for them aboard a catamaran. Within minutes Captain Al had caught sight of a humpback. 'Can you see its footprint?' he asked, pointing out what looked like a circular oil slick on the surface.

For a really close encounter with whales you can join Stan Cook on a sea kayaking-trip at Cape Broyle nearby. As we set out, he dipped his fingers in the crystal clear water to prise tiny pink starfish and spiky sea urchins from the rocks to give us a closer view.

We paddled into narrow-openings in the cliff face and so close to waterfalls that I felt the spray on my face, but there was no sign of a whale.

'In a couple of weeks there'll be about 70 humpbacks round the kayaks,' he said.
I will just have to time things better on my next visit.


Travel Facts
Windows on the Wild (020 8742 1556, www.windowsonthewild.com) offers a range of holidays to Newfoundland. Prices start at £1,775 for a 12-night package including return flights with Air Canada, car hire and accommodation on a room-only basis, except for two nights' full-board at Quirpon Lighthouse Inn.

For information on excursions, visit www.grosmorneadventures.com, www.ruggedbeautyboattours.net, www.gatheralls.com and www.wildnfld.ca.


source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Blackpool: Holidaying at home became more popular during the credit crisis
As many as 36 per cent of Britons think they will spend more on their holidays in 2011 than they did this year, with 14 per cent of those questioned intending to splash out more than £8,000.


As the big freeze grips the country and temperatures continue to drop it comes as no surprise to hear that fewer people are planning a 'staycation' in 2011.

Sixty-seven per cent of Britons are preparing for at least one holiday in their own country in 2011 compared with 73 per cent in 2010, a survey has found.

Holidaying at home became popular during the credit crunch as families tried to cut costs but now it seems Britons are keen to escape damp summers and freezing winters.

Two thirds of people are planning at least one long-haul trip abroad, according to the survey by TripAdvisor.

But strikes are a concern for travellers - with 31 per cent fearing that union action could upset their plans.

28 per cent said they were 'concerned' about the effects of a rise in Air Passenger Duty.


Canary Islands: More Britons are planning foreign trips to escape the weather


Travel companies going into administration and fears of a return of volcanic ash clouds that led to flights being cancelled also concerned holidaymakers.

TripAdvisor spokesperson Emma O'Boyle said: 'Overall, 2011 looks more positive for both travellers and the travel industry.

'Britons intend to travel more often and will spend more money doing so, but will proceed with caution as the industry emerges slowly from a very difficult year.'

Only 10 per cent of Britons intend to go on more 'green' holidays next year - compared with 14 per cent this year.

source: dailymail

Snow business: The Cairngorm mountains in Scotland boast some of the best ski runs in the UK


The big freeze has caused mayhem for motorists and closed airports across the country but there is a silver-lining to the coldest November in 25 years.

Skiers are making the most of the icy Siberian blast as a thick blanket of snow covers the north of the country and the ski season comes early to Scotland.

The UK is experiencing some of the heaviest widespread early snow for 17 years and up to 2ft of snow has fallen in Northumberland and northern and eastern Scotland.

In Allenheads, Northumberland, skiers were today hoping for more snow to fall on the village's 100m ski slope. People were able to ski there for the first time this year on Sunday after six inches of snow fell in the village.

In Scotland, hundreds of skiers enjoyed a day on the slopes on Saturday before snow blizzards descended on Sunday.


Staff at Cairngorms ski resort are battling to get the funicular railway at the resort up and running


In Aviemore, workers at the Cairngorm ski resort were battling to clear the funicular tunnel mouth this morning, which had become blocked by snow drifts.

Colin Kirkwood, a spokesman for the resort, told TravelMail: 'We've had a lot of snow over the last couple of days - in places it's as deep as 40 inches - it's early to have this amount of snow. The official starting date of the ski season is normally 1st December but we had 1000 people skiing here on Saturday.'

Temperatures had dropped to -9C at the resort today and more snow blizzards were expected. The cold weather is of course good for business and the resort has seen a big jump in season ticket sales.

'It looks like the snow is going to stay right through Christmas and New Year - so we're expecting a bumper Christmas holiday period,' Kirkwood said.

'We had 145,000 skiers last year compared to an average of 55,000 for previous years. It's all thanks to the amount of snow we're getting - although last year we were skiing from 29th November right up to 21st June!'

At Glenshee ski resort, the temperature had dropped to -6C and access to the resort had been blocked by overnight snow drifts. Stewart Davidson, a spokesman for the resort, said: 'We've had lots of fresh powder snow with most runs now complete - we're all ready to go but the problem will be trying to access roads - if these can be cleared we hope to have an operation in progress later on today.'


Cold snap: A worker clears snow at Glenshee Ski Centre in Scotland


The resort is expected to open once the A93 has been cleared. Just six lifts will be in operation due to lack of staff.

Davidson told TravelMail: 'It is quite early in the year to get this amount of snow - we opened a week before Christmas last year so we don't have the staff in place at the moment to operate all the ski lifts.

'The forecast is for 25cm more snow tonight. It's very rare to get that much snow this early but it's definitely a positive thing for the resort!'

Lecht ski resort is also battling with snow drifts and is expected to open tomorrow once access roads have been cleared.

Over in the west of Scotland, Glencoe ski resort hasn't been so lucky with the weather and is currently closed due to lack of snow but further snow falls are expected at the resort this week.



source: dailymail

By DAN FRANCIS

Christmas cheer: Dan and Maisie get ready to hunt down their favourite Disney characters


At the risk of sounding like Ebenezer Scrooge, I must admit I wasn’t filled with tidings of joy at the prospect of heading to Disneyland Paris for the launch of their Christmas spectacular.

As someone who breaks out in a cold sweat at the thought of spending a couple of hours in my local shopping centre during the festive period, and enjoys thrilling theme park rides as much as Gillian McKeith enjoys bushtucker trials, I feared I might have bitten off more than I could chew with a three-day visit to the House of Mouse.

Perhaps it was also because, as my heavily-pregnant wife was unable to make the trip, I would be ‘flying solo’ in the parenting stakes - accompanying our three-year-old daughter Maisie who, like most little girls her age, is already obsessed with all things Disney and is currently at the stage where the mere mention of the word ‘Christmas’ has her bordering on hysteria.

Nonetheless, with an open mind and a heart full of hope, I took the plunge and even began to warm to the idea as an excited Maisie dragged her Minnie Mouse pull-along case on our way to central London for a first experience of Eurostar’s high-speed service from St Pancras.


Festive fairytale: Maisie prepares to explore the park's main attraction - Sleeping Beauty's castle


Free Disney goodie bags and colouring books were handed out to keep the youngsters occupied during the journey and there were more pleasant surprises to come with Eurostar's overall service.

For speed, efficiency and comfort, it’s the perfect choice of travel if you’re keen to keep stress levels at a minimum, and little more than two hours after setting off from London we were at Disneyland’s Marne La Vallee station, with me feeling remarkably relaxed and by now a touch excited about what lay in store.

I was completely unprepared for the Disney magic that greeted us. The look on Maisie’s face as she stared open-mouthed in awestruck wonder at the sheer scale of it all was enough to melt my cynicism immediately, and it wasn't long before we were joining in the madness, chasing after Tigger, Pinocchio and Baloo with camera at the ready and autograph book in hand.

As you'd expect, Christmas at Disneyland is no ordinary affair. For a start, it lasts for two months and, despite it being early November when we arrived, the seasonal celebrations were already well underway.

It snows several times a day on Main Street USA, where an 80ft Christmas tree is the main attraction, while the park’s centrepiece - Sleeping Beauty’s castle - is transformed at night into a sparkling crystal palace.

Children have the opportunity to drop off their letters and wish-lists to Santa at his post office, and every evening the tree-lighting ceremony takes place with the help of one lucky youngster plucked from the crowd.


For those really wishing to get into the yuletide spirit, a small corner of the park has been transformed into a traditional Christmas market, selling festive wares and goodies, while Mickey's Winter Wonderland On Ice show is a delight not to be missed.


Disneyland Park is split into four themed quarters and, with a three-year-old not too interested in the stomach-churning thrill of Space Mountain or The Temple of Peril, we spent most of our time in the Fantasyland area where all the magic of the great Disney classics is on offer.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups and the Mary Poppin's carousel all received the thumbs up from Maisie, although we were somewhat caught out by Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

What appeared at first glance to be a gentle fairytale tour around an idyllic cottage actually turned into a ghost train through the haunted forest, with witches lurking on every dark corner and blood-curdling screams crying out at regular intervals - mainly from the little ones.

There was no such drama when we hopped aboard a pink riverboat at the start of 'It's a Small World’ - billed as the ’happiest cruise that ever sailed around the world'.

Having enjoyed a maiden voyage, I'd have to agree.


Disneyland Paris by Maisie (aged three years and four months)
Dan may have been won over by the magic of Disney but when it comes to first-hand experience, daughter Maisie is the real expert. Here she reveals her favourite rides and characters and what it was like to meet Father Christmas...


The daytime fun reaches its peak at 5pm every afternoon with Disney's Once Upon a Dream parade, an extravagant procession of floats carrying all the Disney characters makes its way along the park's Main Street as the crowds line the pavements either side.

And throughout the Christmas period, Santa rides in on his giant sleigh at the end of the parade, supported by his elves and several extremely well-drilled toy soldiers.


New kids on the block: The Toy Story float is a big hit in the Once Upon a Dream parade


Day two of our visit was to be spent 'on set' at the Walt Disney studios, the second main park at the resort, where the Disney movies and their characters come to life.

Sadly, we drew back the curtains in the morning to discover that the wet weather had followed us across the channel but it takes more than a few drops of rain to dampen the mood at Disneyland.

The majority of rides and attractions take place under cover, while there are numerous communal areas providing shelter and of course the lure of the warm, dry restaurants and souvenir stores.


My new best friends: Maisie hangs out with Minnie Mouse and Pluto


We managed to escape the downpour by booking our seats at the delightful Disney Playhouse puppet show, before heading next door for the Lilo and Stitch live adventure, a fully interactive 3D masterpiece that the adults enjoy just as much as the youngsters.

This year has also seen the launch of the Toy Story Playland attraction, where a giant Buzz Lightyear greets visitors and rides such as the Slinky Dog roller-coaster and toy soldier parachutes provide thrills and spills for youngsters of all ages.

With so much to see and do, however, it’s easy to lose track of time and then suddenly realise that your energy levels need a boost.

When hunger does finally strike, it doesn’t take long to find a place to eat - there are 74 restaurants to choose from in the resort, ranging from the standard fast-food burger bars to high-class buffet-style establishments, offering cuisine to suit every taste and budget.

We enjoyed a delicious Arabian-themed lunch at Cafe Agrabah, but Maisie was more taken by dinner at Annette’s Diner where the menu folded into a vintage pink chevrolet and her chicken nuggets and fries came on a plate that doubled as a Frisbee.

Our third and final day at the resort was spent enjoying one last go on our favourite rides and attractions, and searching for the elusive princesses that Maisie had been so desperate to meet and compare dresses with.

Her wish was eventually granted at the picturesque castle stage, when first Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, and then Rapunzel - Disney's latest heroine, who will let down her hair in UK cinemas in January - were on hand to pose for pictures.


Top Five Tips for Disneyland Paris
If you're daunted by the thought of visiting the theme park at the busiest time of year, Dan has some top tips for keeping your cool at Disneyland this Christmas, from investing in a Fastpass to remembering to stay 'hands-free'...


There was a palpable sense of sadness as our visit came to an end, and it dawned on me that my initial fears and concerns had been unfounded.

Yes, it's expensive, but Disney certainly offers good value for money and the whole experience is well worth it when you see the magical effect it has on the little ones.

Above all, it’s the staggering attention to detail that sets Disney apart as the world leaders in family entertainment. While it might sound corny, you can't fail to be mesmerised by the fantasy and charm of the place. He may have celebrated his 82nd birthday this month, but Mickey Mouse still knows how to do it in style.


Picture perfect: Maisie gets her photograph taken with Disney characters Rapunzel and Flynn Rider


Travel facts
Prices for a two-night, three-day package including return travel with Eurostar in December start from £412 per adult, £178 per child aged 7-11, and £65 per child aged 4-6 (travel only - children under 7 stay and play for free).

The price includes two nights' accommodation with continental breakfast at Disney's Hotel New York and three-day hopper tickets to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Alternatively, the same package staying at Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe stars from £287 per adult, £178 per child aged 7-11 and £65 per child aged 4-6.

For more information, call 08448 008 111 or visit www.disneylandparis.com


source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL

Black tie: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrive in warm clothes for the Paris premiere of his new animated film Megamind


It's one of the most romantic cities in the world.

And judging by tonight, Paris has rubbed off on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

The couple appeared smitten with each other as they appeared at the premiere of Brad's latest film Megamind in the French capital.


Sealed with a kiss: Brad and Angelina get cosy in the French capital


The couple arrived warmly dressed in black to keep out the Parisian cold, with Angelina sporting a velvet trouser suit and sparkling top.

Brad, who provides the voice of Metroman in the animated film, wore leather trousers and a dark grey suit jacket.

They appeared smitten on the blue carpet, with Brad at one point planting a kiss on a delighted Angelina's cheek and holding hands.

Brad also wrapped his arm around his partner as they chatted to the film's star Will Ferrell.


Look of love: Angelina and Brad couldn't take their eyes off each other


Look smart: The couple wrapped up warm in black coats, with Angelina sporting spiky black heels with her velvet trouser suit


Angelina also spent time with the waiting fans, signing autographs before she went inside.

The couple had spent the previous day with four of their six children as they celebrated their son Pax's seventh birthday by having a hot air balloon ride and riverboat cruise.

'They were like any other family,' the balloon's operator told People.'There was nothing out of the ordinary to tell you about them which made them any different from any other family.'

He added that the 'charming' couple had a 20 minute ride with the children who were 'excited but well-behaved. What I think they wanted was a little moment of peace.'


Happy together: The smiling couple share a joke with Brad's Megamind co-star Will Ferrell


Autograph hunter: Angelina meets and greets the fans in the French cold



Autograph hunter: Angelina meets and greets the fans in the French cold







source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Fireball: Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) is seen walking away from a huge explosion which throws other characters to the ground


It's the soap scene everyone is talking about - the tram crash in Weatherfield which leaves THREE main Coronation Street characters dead.

But it's not just the crash which claims victims, as these terrifying new pictures of a huge fireball ripping through the town show.

In one shot, a desperate Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) attempts to protect baby Jack from the fire and shattered glass in Dev's corner shop, while in another, Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly) is seen thrown to the floor by the force of the explosion.


Death and destruction: The explosion, the result of a tram crash, is expected to kill three main characters


The scenes, which have apparently cost over £1million to film, are to mark the 50th anniversary of the show, and will be screened next Monday night.

And while it is speculated that three of the main characters will die, it is not known which of the stars it will be.

According to some reports, Kabin owner Rita Sullivan, played by Barbara Knox, 77, and Norris Cole, played by Malcolm Hedben, 70, are missing after the crash.

Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson, 33, is left buried under the rubble while Sunita Alahan, played by Shobna Gulati, 44, is left fighting for her life after becoming trapped in her shop.


Terrifying: Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) is seen trying to protect baby Jack as the fireball rips through the town


Violent: Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly) is thrown backwards by the sheer force of the explosion


Stunt doubles, pyrotechnics specialists, special effects experts and computer generated imagery are all being used to ensure the event is the most spectacular in the show's 50 year history.

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson said earlier this year: 'All last week we filmed the exciting and explosive moments that lead to the tram crashing from the viaduct.

'The early scenes are wonderful and everyone is pulling together through the night to bring the brilliant scripts to life.



Realistic: A previous publicity shot shows the tram stuck in the Kabin post office in between takes


'Now with the tram in situ, it is time to start filming the dramatic scenes that explore the immediate aftermath of this terrible accident. Weatherfield will definitely never be the same again!'

In the dramatic scenes the tram is seen falling from the viaduct after a massive explosion at The Joinery bar, with the front of the vehicle causing damage to the Alahans' Corner Shop, while the second carriage hits Norris Cole's general store.

Collinson revealed he had to ask ITV bigwigs for more money to shoot the scenes.
He said: 'We've had a significant amount of extra money from ITV for this stunt.

It's the most money we've ever spent in the show's history; it's going to be a spectacular set of episodes.'





source: dailymail