On the trail of Agatha Christie

By guest blogger LEE MYLNE

Sleuthing is not required, but there’s much to be discovered on the Agatha Christie Trail and fans of the 'Queen of Crime' should add Devon to their plans for a UK holiday.

Spending time with Alex Graeme of Unique Devon Tours will reveal all you ever wanted to know about Torquay’s favourite daughter, who set many of her best-selling mystery novels in and around what’s now called 'The English Riviera'.

Library at Greenway (image by Lee Mylne)

From the Torquay’s Grand Hotel, where Agatha spent her honeymoon, we hit the Agatha Christie Mile, taking in the Princess Pier (her favoured roller-skating spot), the elegant Pavilion where Archie Christie proposed, and the bronze bust created to commemorate the Agatha Christie Centenary Year in 1990. The Torquay Museum is worth a look, as it is home to the UK’s only dedicated Agatha Christie Gallery.

Agatha Christie bust at Torquay (image by Lee Mylne)

From Dartmouth, take the ferry to Agatha Christie’s country house, Greenway, for a glimpse of the private world the writer shared with her second husband and daughter. Surrounded by rambling gardens, the National Trust-listed house is a time capsule preserved with the same furniture and knick-knacks that belonged to the family.

Torquay Pavilion (image by Lee Mylne)

The Greenway boathouse is a quiet spot to contemplate the Dart River. Allow time for a Devonshire tea in the café before you leave, and perhaps pick up a mystery novel for your in-flight reading at the souvenir shop.

Die-hard fans should note that every September there’s the Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay, and plan their visit well ahead!

Unique Devon Tours: www.uniquedevontours.com

2012 - the Year to Visit Britain

Only 100 days to go before the beginning of the London Olumpic Games - and us Sydneyites, proud of our Games - wish them well and a great success.
But besides that - there are 100 GREAT anniversary reasons to visit Britain this year - here are the first 10:
1. Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 60 years on the throne -
2. Bond is 50 - he doesn't look it but Britain's dashing secret agent makes it to half a century this coming October in Skyfall.
3. Dickens is 200 and the museum of London recreates Victorian London to celebrate.
4. Shakespeare is 400 - double the age of Dickens. Britain is going Bard crazy with the World Shakespeare Festival inviting over 60 theatre companies to perform in myriad languages; Visit which presents 37 plays in 37 days in 37 languages.
5. The Sandwich is 250 - it was invented in Britain.
6. The Titanic sank 100 years ago. Belfast's new museum is the toast of the town - see the interactive displays and breathtaking recreation of the ship's dining room.
7. The Beatles released their first single 50 years ago - yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah . . .
8 The craziest take on the Olympics, the Cotswold Olympicks began the same year that Shakespeare was born in 1612. Madcap sports events make it one of Britains quirkiest attractions.
9. The Science Museum celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alan Turing, a pioneering computer scientist.
10. 40 years ago the musical Grease opened on Broadway - whats that got to do with Britain you ask? Leed's castle, a majestic attraction will screen the hit film as part of its Jubilee festivities.