All things Romance- Novel Reviews, Thoughts etc.

I found out today that one of the boys I went to school with 4 years ago has died. A mountain biking accident somewhere in South America, at least he was living to the full. Theo was in my boarding house, and in my politics classes in Lower Sixth. He was so everything always brimming with energy, so full of confidence, good looking and intelligent. He had a good heart too, even though he always tried to hide it! He hurt my feelings only once in the time I knew him and apologised so freely later, I always remember that because in my experience not many males apologise well.
I remember cooking Pasta with pesto together in the girls kitchens (because they were so much cleaner than the boys!) He bought the pesto and I bought the pasta and the Port Salut cheese we topped it with! It seems like such a silly little thing but we had a laugh and those are the things about school that you remember, the things that made you laugh.
We had interviews in Oxford at the same time and he showed me round the college he was applying to, he got in of course he kind of had a Midas touch on life.
I never stayed in touch after we left Marlborough, I haven't stayed in touch with anyone really. So it kind of shocked me how hard it hit me when the news travelled down the grapevine to me that he was dead. I guess people have a lasting effect on your life even if you don't realise it. He always awed me a little bit, he seemed so certain of life. He knew he was going to Oxford, and he knew he wanted to be a diplomat, he knew he wanted to see the world. He basically knew who he was, in a way that eludes most people even if they live into their old age. I have no doubt if he had lived long enough he would have fulfilled every one of his dreams.
My thoughts are with his family, with his parents and of his two younger brothers who I know looked up to him and followed him in everything. My heart goes out to the people who will feel his loss in their everyday lives and to the people like me who find so many memories of how much they really liked him coming back even after years of absence. I also feel sorry for everyone who will never get to meet him.
May he rest in peace and long may he be remembered and live on through those who remember.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a greater number of women watching snooker tournaments with the gorgeous young Australian Neil Robertson making it into the final stages.
I have definitely been enjoying myself with him on my TV screen for hours a day in the quater and semi finals of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. Unfortuantely it doesn't look like he's going to be making it to the final so I wont be bothering to watch it!lol
I'll be booking my front row seat for the next major tournament that's for sure. ;-)

Anyway for those of you who don't know who he is...

5. Geneva
When people think of Romantic European Cities they think Paris or Rome, even Budapest is on the up in popularity. But Geneva is general overlooked and really I don't understand why. Being Switzerland everything is ordered and precise, the trains run on time and getting around the area is easy. Geneva is packed with Museums and art galleries. There is also a wealth of theatre.
Central to the beauty of Geneva is the awe-inspiring Lake Geneva and a day sailing on the lake is both idyllic and romantic.

4. Zanzibar
A small island of the coast of Tanzania, East Africa, Zanzibar is an archetypal paradise island. Zanzibar has a rich history and culture with a spectacular sultan's palace as a central feature. It was also the last bastion of the slave trade and a kep part of Britain's empire building strategy and the evidence of both can still be seen. Zanzibar also has a varied and exotic wildlife for those who like to explore. It has an enduring popularity amongst those who know of it's existence.

3. Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a place where East meets West almost effortless. It is the product of its Chinese heritage and it's years as a British province. Modern and contemporary culture ar eblended seamlessly with ancient Chinese traditions like Feng Shui. The result is a vibrant and fast paced city that has all the glamour and attraction of Chinese culture. Hong Kong is a must visit spot and a wonderful place for a couple to find excitement and entertainment.

2. Moscow
So much of Moscow is iconic, even though it has a wealth of culture in the form of museums, galleries and theatres just wandering down the streets and your likely to be so bowled over by the beautiful architecture you'll never make it to the gallery, or at least you'll never make it inside the gallery. Moscow in the snow couldn't be more romantic especially when you can go back to your hotel and enjoy a log fire. The Moscow State Circus is a definite must a truly spectacular night out.

1. Turtle Island, Fiji
This one was a no brainer as far as I'm concerned you can't get more romantic than a private island of the coast of Fiji, and whilst there are a few of those Turtle Island is undoubtably the best. The island is designed for romance. Couples can enjoy there own private beach, a hot tub that looks out over the sea, sunset horserides, lobster picnics, dinner on floating platforms in the sea, spectacular scuba diving, sailing and so much that one would never want to leave. I can't imagine anywhere I would rather be on my honeymoon.

So there are my five, I'd love to hear your suggestions.