neighbour

THINK crystal clear waters, dolphin spotting and independent boutiques – well, the UK’s best seaside destination has all of this.

Less than three miles from its popular and busier neighbour – Tenby – you’ll find Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

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Named the best seaside spot in the UK by Time Out, it said: “Saundersfoot is one of Pembrokeshire’s most energetic spots” adding that it has a “lively spirit”.

One of the top things to do in the village is of course heading to the beach, which stretches more than half a mile long.

The Blue Flag beach is a popular spot for families as it has shallow water and boasts a lot of fun activities such as canoeing, windsurfing and swimming.

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The beach has also previously been named as one of the cleanest beaches in the world by TripAdvisor.

You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of dolphins or a grey seal from the beach.

At one end of the beach you’ll find the harbour, which dates back to 1829 and was built as an industrial port to export coal from local mines.

Today, the harbour is a tourist hub for Saundersfoot, with a number of places to grab a bite to eat as well as a ship you can play crazy golf on.

If you like history, make sure to walk around the entire harbour, as at the end you’ll see Saundersfoot Lighthouse, which was built in 1848 to mark the entrance to the harbour.

From the harbour you can also hop on a boat trip with Saundersfoot Sealife Adventures to see local wildlife and Caldey Island for an hour and a half.

Each trip costs around £25 per adult and £20 per child.

Just steps away from both the beach and the harbour, you’ll find Hwyl Outdoor Sauna where you can enjoy a sauna session from just £9 per person.

Spread across a couple of roads, again just steps from the beach, there’s also the high street with independent boutiques, cafes and art studios.

Back in 2024, The Telegraph even noted how Saundersfoot is a “little-known hip town” that is the “perfect bolthole for those who want to see West Wales’s sights and lively towns but also enjoy quiet, sunset-watching downtime in the evening”.

From the village, you can head on a number of walks as well along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, where you will see amazing views of the coastline.

And just outside of the village, you can visit Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo which is home to a number of animals, rides and a recently updated play area.

The Pirate Adventure has a castle and a number of accessible play areas, including low level options for wheelchair users.

You can also opt to stay at the holiday park onsite, which in November was named one of the best family campsites in South Wales by the Campsites.co.uk awards.

There are other places to stay in and around Saundersfoot though, including Sunnyvale Holiday Park.

The holiday park has 53 caravans ideal for families and is less than a mile from Saundersfoot Beach.

Facilities at the park include a games room, kids play area, hot tubs, pet-friendly options and an indoor pool.

A two-night stay in August costs from £300.

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The government of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has surged its tariffs on the neighbouring country of Colombia to 100 percent, effective May 1.

On Thursday, Ecuador’s Ministry of Production issued a statement blasting Colombia for failing to adequately address drug-trafficking and border security.

It was the latest salvo in an ongoing cross-border dispute between the right-wing Noboa and his left-wing counterpart in Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who have been feuding for months.

“After noting the lack of implementation of concrete and effective measures regarding border security on the part of Colombia, Ecuador is obliged to take sovereign actions,” the Ministry of Production wrote in its statement.

It justified the tariff hike as a necessary incentive to “confront the presence of drug trafficking on the border”.

“For Ecuador, security, as well as the fight against corruption and drug trafficking, are a non-negotiable priority,” the ministry said. “This measure reaffirms the country’s commitment to protecting its citizens and safeguarding the integrity of its territory.”

Already, Noboa had slapped Colombia with 50 percent tariffs on its exports to Ecuador as of March. That, in turn, was a spike from a 30 percent tariff rate announced in January and implemented in February.

Just over an hour after the new tariff rate was announced, Petro responded on social media that Ecuador’s actions were causing the collapse of the Andean Pact, a regional free-trade agreement whose origins stretch back to the 1960s.

“This is simply a monstrosity, but it signifies the end of the Andean Pact for Colombia. We have no business there anymore,” Petro wrote.

He called on Colombia to shift its focus away from its Andean trading partners and towards Mercosur, a trade alliance helmed by Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia.

“The Foreign Minister must initiate the process for us to become full members of Mercosur and steer us — with greater vigor — toward the Caribbean and Central America,” Petro added.

The escalating tensions between Ecuador and Colombia come within the final months of Petro’s presidency. Elected in 2022, Petro is Colombia’s first left-wing president and a former rebel involved in the country’s six-decade-long armed conflict.

But his government has faced stiff opposition from right-wing political movements both domestically and abroad.

Leaders like Noboa and United States President Donald Trump have repeatedly condemned him for not doing enough to tackle the illicit drug trade, despite historic drug seizures during Petro’s term in office.

Just last November, Petro’s government seized a shipment of cocaine worth roughly $388m, the largest drug bust in a decade.

But Petro has also championed a policy he calls “Total Peace”, which involves negotiations with rebel groups and criminal networks to put an end to the country’s internal conflict.

Trump and Petro have been at odds over multiple issues, including US immigration policies and its boat-bombing campaign in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

In September, however, the Trump administration took the extraordinary step of decertifying Colombia as an ally in its “war on drugs”, saying that it had “failed demonstrably” in its efforts.

Then, in October, Trump sanctioned Petro and his family, blaming the Colombian president for having “allowed drug cartels to flourish”.

Noboa has echoed Trump’s stance on several foreign policy issues, including its pressure campaign on another left-wing government, Cuba.

He was among the right-wing leaders in Latin America to join Trump’s “Shield of the Americas” coalition, designed to confront criminal networks and cartels in the region.

In announcing the initial volley of tariffs in January, Noboa claimed his country had shown a “genuine commitment” to combatting drug trafficking, while Colombia had not.

“We have made genuine efforts to cooperate with Colombia, even while facing a trade deficit exceeding $1bn annually,” Noboa wrote.

Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, a persistent trend that has existed since before Petro’s presidency.

But other factors have aggravated tensions between the two neighbours.

On Wednesday, for instance, Ecuador recalled its ambassador from Colombia over statements Petro made about its imprisonment of left-wing politician Jorge Glas, calling the former vice president a “political prisoner”.

Noboa had warned earlier in the week that he considered such rhetoric an “assault on [Ecuador’s] sovereignty”. He had previously faced criticism for authorising a raid on Mexico’s embassy to arrest Glas, which prompted Mexico to sever its relations with Ecuador.

Petro, meanwhile, has accused Noboa of bombing close to the Colombian border, as part of joint military operations with the US. Colombian officials have said they recovered 27 charred bodies from the border region.

Since Ecuador first imposed its tariffs, Colombia has suspended cross-border energy sales, which have been vital in helping Ecuador’s government navigate electricity shortages prompted by recent droughts. It has also issued retaliatory tariffs on certain Ecuadorian products.

GERI Halliwell has jumped the final hurdle in a neighbour row – as her plans to build a £30k horse walker are finally approved.

The Spice Girls singer and her husband, ex-F1 boss Christian Horner, want to install the 77ft structure to train horses near their Oxfordshire home.

Geri, 53, and Christian, 52, own a horse racing company called OMBI, featuring stables for 14 horses and a full-time trainer.

But plans for the walker, essentially a circular cage that moves horses to improve their fitness, were met with fury by locals, with several objections registered with West Northamptonshire District Council.

Concerns over the height of the building, its visual impact, inadequate screening, and lighting have been raised by neighbours.

However, the council has now approved the application, provided the celebrity pair follow strict conditions.

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It said: “The building shall be used for private equestrian and land management uses only and no commercial use, including riding lessons, tuition, livery or competitions shall take place at any time.”

The authority added: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the walker incorporates a steep pitched roof for its size, the general design is functional in form.

“Giving regard to its siting, scale and rural-equestrian character, the design is considered appropriate for the open countryside location and would not harm the character of the area.”

Full details of lighting still need to be approved before it is built, but it is far enough away from neighbours not to cause issues, the council added.

And the couple have proposed to hide the training device with 12 newly-planted trees, which was deemed appropriate by planners.

But one neighbour, who objected to the horse walker plans, fumed the structure would be “extremely prominent” on the skyline.

He said: “Whilst we do not object to the principle of a horse walker… we object to the plans as currently presented.

“The proposed structure would be extremely visible from our property, other village properties, and from a public highway.

“In a rural conservation area this would be unacceptable as it would completely change the character of the area.”

The local also objected to the main property being “away from the main buildings when other infill sites are available”.

Another slammed the proposed lighting set-up and described the suggested screening as “totally inadequate.”

They said: “There is already significant lighting at the property. We would not want to see this area illuminated outside of normal working hours.

“Further lighting would be encroaching into an area which is currently unlit behind the existing barn.”

Writing on behalf of Geri and Christian, a planning agent pointed to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) codes.

He wrote: “It states that animals must be given freedom to exercise off the tether for a reasonable period at least once a day.

“The installation of the horse walker will ensure that this is possible and that they are exercised properly, regardless of weather conditions and other limiting factors.

“The proposed horse walker will provide the horses with a space to be suitably exercised off the tether.

“Once the new hedgerow matures it will be largely screened from all public and private views onto the farm.”

The scheme is the latest in a number of planning rows between the couple and their neighbours.

Geri and Christian were recently given approval to keep a pergola that had been built without planning permission.

Just last year, they were allowed to build a second pool on the grounds despite fears it would be a “blot on the landscape”.

And three years ago, they were also granted permission for a first floor extension, a replacement barn and a new greenhouse.

Geri’s representatives have been approached for comment.

I visited a unique British city which has plenty of character, a liberal vibe and a thriving art scene, but it’s often overshadowed by its posher neighbour

Britain boasts numerous cities waiting to be explored, and it’s remarkable how distinctive each one is, moulded by its heritage, residents, and surrounding terrain. I recently returned to a British city I’ve visited before, and whilst much has evolved in this vibrant metropolis over the years, it frequently gets overlooked because of its more celebrated neighbour.

I’ve been travelling to Bristol for several decades now, and the city conjures up warm memories of the Lakota nightclub from the late 1990s – the night spot is still open.

This urban centre has always possessed a rebellious “soul” with an independent spirit – and in recent years, the Green Party have effectively assumed complete control of Bristol City Council. During my visit to the city, I was struck by how spotless it was in the shopping area – and also how welcoming locals were.

As with everywhere else I’ve travelled to recently, there appears to be substantial construction underway in Bristol as the need for new housing continues to surge, but the city also boasts some striking, well-maintained period buildings.

I observed that many of the historic structures in Bristol were constructed from the same stone as those in the neighbouring city of Bath – and Bristol is frequently overshadowed when compared to the more conventionally picturesque city of Bath.

Nevertheless, Bristol possesses its own distinctive appeal and a progressive atmosphere, the city has a multicultural population alongside a flourishing arts culture, as well as some excellent retail and culinary destinations.

Bristol’s historic structures, constructed from a honey-hued limestone (referred to as Bath stone), contrast strikingly with the contemporary cityscape, whilst numerous modern buildings in Bristol have been decorated in vibrant colours, enhancing its distinctive charm.

A trip to Bristol can often prove more budget-friendly than Bath, and the city boasts excellent transport connections including a train service to London taking merely one hour and 30 minutes.

During my visit to Bristol I was accommodated at the Clayton Hotel on Broad Street, this four-star establishment occupies what was formerly a historic printworks location – with the structure dating back to approximately 1900.

The hotel’s striking Art Nouveau facade was created by William James Neatby, who served as the principal designer at Royal Doulton throughout the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

Broad Street itself proved fascinating, as upon exiting the hotel and glancing right, positioned just at the street’s end stood an ancient church, St Johns, which I’ve since learnt originates from medieval times and sits within the original city walls.

Visitors can pass through an archway of St Johns church (Nelson Street) to reach a main thoroughfare and considerably newer section of the city, creating the genuine sensation of travelling back in time; this district comprises Bristol’s old town.

Stumbling upon remnants of Bristol’s historic quarters is captivating, and nestled within the charming Castle Park in the city stands another church (St Peter’s) which traces its origins to the 11th century, encircled by a Physic Garden – and spending time here allows you to envision the lives that once unfolded in centuries past.

Today, Bristol city centre sits just 30 minutes from Bristol Airport with regular buses and coaches ferrying passengers back and forth – and there are rail connections or coaches to South West locations including Cornwall or Devon.

Many people mistakenly believe that Bristol sits within Somerset, but the city and its surrounding areas are actually an independent county corporate, established as far back as 1373, with a present-day unitary authority council.

The About Bristol website put it clearly: “Bristol is the largest city in the south west of England, with a population of approximately half a million.

“The city lies between Somerset and Gloucestershire and has been politically administered by both counties in part at various times. However, Bristol is historically a county in its own right and is properly entitled the City and County of Bristol.”

So what makes Bristol “better” than Bath, well there’s the Banksy claim to fame and the Banksy trail – and I’ve encountered a couple of these iconic works on previous trips.

Then there’s the nightlife. During this visit I attended an experimental gig at Strange Brew and the vibe was edgy yet inviting (that encapsulates Bristol perfectly I’d say).

Bath is undeniably a beautiful city to explore, but it exudes an air of affluence, whereas Bristol, rich in its own history, has a more down-to-earth vibe – and there are far fewer tourists to navigate around.

Indeed, Bristol made headlines in 2020 when a historical contentious bronze statue of Bristol-born slave trader Edward Colston was defaced and toppled during an anti-racism protest nearly six years ago – and this certainly raised some eyebrows at the time.

Those involved were making a stand and delivering a significant message, despite many labelling the statue’s toppling as vandalism at the time.

This act by protesters will also be etched in history as those responsible spotlighted Colston’s involvement in the Atlantic slave trade, in a manner that brought it to the attention of a wider audience – and I believe Bristol will always possess a rebellious spirit, it’s simply the nature of the city.