May 2016 Magazine

TV INTERVIEW WITH 

DOON MACKICHAN 

FROM TWO DOORS 

DOWN 

Are we clueless when it 

comes to Olympic rules? 

HOW VE DAY WAS CELEBRATED 

The best short haul 

holiday desitinations 

for 2016 

THIS EDITION HAS BEEN KINDLY 

SPONSORED BY: 

FREE MAGAZINE EVERY MONTH 

Cestria Magazine 

1

2 Cestria Magazine

FROM THE EDITOR 

magazine monthly edition just for you 

Hello and welcome to the second edition of 

Cestria Magazine. 

First of all I would like to say a massive thank you 

to everybody who gave us feedback on our first 

edition, to say it was a success is an understatment. 

Well, we are now in May and I cannot believe how 

fast this year is going, Christmas only seems like 

yesterday. At least the weather seems to be trying 

to dry up. 

We have some really exciting content in this 

edition, with the Great North Dog Walk event 

happening in June, we have an interview with 

Doon Mackichan from BBC2’s new sit-com, Two 

Doors Down and we have a feature about how us 

Brits celebrated VE Day 

So dive in and check out Cestria Magazine. This 

magazine has been put together for you, the 

Chester-Le-Street and Birtley audience, so we 

hope you love reading it as much as we’ve loved 

creating it. and dont forget to follow us on Twitter 

and Facebook too 

Contact Us: 

T: 0191 6770897 

E: hello@cestriamagazine.co.uk 

W: www.cestriamagazine.co.uk 

Get Social With Us: 

@cestriamagazine 

DISCLAIMER - Whilst we take every care to ensure accuracy in 

this magazine, we regretthat we cannot accept responsibility for any 

incorrect information. All advertisements are accepted in good faith 

as to their veracity and we are not responsible for views expressed 

by contributors or other sources. The copying of any material within 

this publication is strictly forbidden without the publishers or Studio 

Managers written consent. Tel: 0191 6770897 for more information. 

If you have any comments about the magazine 

(good or bad) please send us an email and let us 

know your thoughts. 

You can reach us at hello@cestriamagazine.com 

See you in the next issue! 

Publisher 

Ian 


3

12 

MUSIC- 5 UK festivals for May 2016 

14 

rio 2016 

Are we clueless when it comes to following 

Olympic rules? 

20 a brief guide to greece 

12 

TABLE OF 

CONTENTS 

8 

TV Interview 

With Doon Mackichan from BBC’s Two 

Doors Down 

10 home ideas 

We tell why a new kitchen needed cost the 

earth. 

16 Fitness 

Yogic breathing for fit bodies and minds 

06 

12 festival season 

6 

We take a look at a few festival ideas for 

May 

motoring feature 

Same day drive away service 

14 


8 

18 

20 


5

motoring 

MOTORPOINT TRANSFORMING CAR BUYING IN REGION WITH 

SAMEDAY DRIVEAWAY SERVICE 

Motorpoint is transforming the way in which people buy their cars in the 

North East since it arrived in the region at the end of last year. 

The UK’s leading car supermarket, 

which opened the doors to its £5m 

nine acre supersite on Durham Road 

in Birtley in November, is offering its 

customers the opportunity to drive 

away within the hour in their next 

car thanks to its ground breaking 

Sameday Driveaway Service. 

The complimentary seven day a 

week service enables motorists to 

not only agree a part-exchange price 

together with competitively priced 

finance but drive away in one of the 

600 plus new and nearly new low 

mileage cars that are onsite from 

over 30 different manufacturers in 

as little an hour. 

And customers from as far afield 

as Alnwick, Billingham and 

Stockton on Tees have been quick 

to take advantage of the Sameday 

Driveaway Service with one in four 

customers currently utilising it in 

2016. 

“We’re thrilled with the feedback 

we’ve been receiving since we 

opened in November,” explained 

Matthew Lewis, General Manager of 

Motorpoint Birtley. “Our customers 

really have been raving about the 

choice, value and of course, our 

Sameday Driveaway Service, with 

many customers happy to drive 

many miles to benefit from it.” 

Among those to compliment 

Motorpoint’s service is Carolyn 

Jell, who travelled almost 50 miles 

from Redcar to buy her Ford Fiesta. 

“Thank you for making buying my 

new car so easy. Everyone was so 

friendly and helpful.” 

Her sentiments are echoed by those 

of Catterick-based Brian Hamer: “My 

wife and I thought the service was 

excellent. We were very satisfied. 

The staff couldn’t have been more 

helpful and we will definitely 

be recommending (Motorpoint) 

to family and friends as well as 

returning when a change of car is 

needed.” 

Motorpoint Birtley was officially 

opened on November 6, 2015. 

Located on the A167, it stocks 

600 new and nearly new cars up 

to three years old onsite from 30 

different manufacturers. There is 

also ample free parking, free Wi-Fi 

plus a Customer Cafe serving a wide 

selection of hot and cold foods. 

For more information about our 

Sameday Driveaway Service visit 

motorpoint.co.uk or call the team 

on 0191 283 9445. Alternatively 

follow Motorpoint on Facebook 

(#Motorpoint) or Twitter (@ 

motorpoint) for all the latest news, 

views and giveaways from the UK’s 

leading car supermarket. 



7

TV- Interview with Doon Mackichan, two doors down 

Packed with energy, boasting a serious thirst for wine, and always looking 

to gossip, Doon Mackichan’s character in the new BBC Two comedy Two 

Doors Down isnt for everyone. And thats precisley the point. 

Describe Two Doors Down... 

It’s real enough to be recognisable but bonkers 

enough for comedic licence - Two Doors Down is 

proof that big things do happen in small places. 

It’s a comedy about domestic life and a group of 

neighbours who live side by side, invading each 

other’s lives. It’s all about fish in the fridge, washing 

machines and fights in the garage. 

What makes Two Doors Down stand out? 

The writing. It’s written really well for women and 

all the funny lines are written equally for both 

sexes. There was one day we were filming a scene 

in the garden which featured the four female cast 

members [Doon, Arabella, Elaine & Sharon], a female 

producer, a female camerawomen and a female first 

AD [Assistant Director] - that was an all-time first for 

my career. 

What’s your character, Cathy, like? 

She’s a wannabe Pussycat Doll. She lives in fantasy 

world, she’s slightly hysterical and uptight but she’s 

sort of loveable and flawed in equal measure! Not 

“floored” but “flawed”- although in saying that, 

she’s often floored because she’s drunk a lot of the 

time. 

What’s her marriage to Colin like? 

She’s got a great relationship with Colin [Jonathan 

Watson] which is her redeeming feature. He keeps 

her feet on the ground as much as he can. Believe 

it or not, without Colin she’d be all over the shop - 

well more all over the shop than she is already. They 

are one of those couples who genuinely love each 

other. They’ve got big ideas and are forever surfing 

the net, looking out for the next big thing. Cathy 

totally buys into the celebrity culture and wouldn’t 

think anything of booking a holiday to Capri because 

she read about a celebrity going there. 

Would you describe Cathy as the neighbour from 

hell or heaven? 

She’s the neighbour from purgatory - somewhere in 

between heaven and hell! In so many ways she’s a 

really lovely person but she can also be a complete 

nightmare. She’s not horrible with it, she’s just lives 

in a bubble of her own. Being Cathy’s friend is a bit 

of a rollercoaster ride - you don’t quite know what 

you’re going to get when she knocks on the 

door. She’ll either be in tears or having 

a manic joyful episode because 

she’s booked her latest holiday. 

How does she feel about 

her neighbours? 

She thinks they’re 

very lucky to have her, 

that she’s the shining 

light of the street. She 

absolutely believes 

she’s a great asset to 

her neighbours but the 

truth is she would be 

absolutely lost without 

them. 

She likes to drop in 

unannounced on Beth & Eric - 

why? 

I think Beth’s like the mum she doesn’t have and 

the Bairds’ represent a solid regularity she doesn’t 

have in her own life. She doesn’t work, Colin looks 

after her like a princess in the castle so she needs 

her neighbours to feel ‘normal’. Beyond shopping 

and visiting her neighbours, she doesn’t tend to go 

out much or very far, so her neighbours help Cathy 

break up the stir-craziness of her life. 


How does she feel about Christine? 

Well she certainly doesn’t like Christine as much 

as she likes Beth. She finds Christine a bit of a 

pain to be honest and she’s a bit disgusted by 

Christine’s lack of style and love of tracksuits. 

A lot of the time, Cathy looks at Christine and 

thinks, how do you even dare to come out of your 

house looking like that? 

Cathy likes to hold court and Christine is a threat 

to that. They don’t dislike one another, they 

tolerate each other. If Beth was ever on holiday 

then Cathy would turn to Christine. 

What was it like returning to Scotland 

for the shoot? 

Bloody fantastic. I did a bit of 

research into my ancestors 

and they’re all from 

Ardnamurchan in the west 

coast, so I felt like a had 

a real affinity with the 

area. I took part in the 

Lamlash Splash where 

you swim from the Holy 

Isle to the Isle of Arran - I 

love wild swimming. We 

used to rush off to Loch 

Lomond which is near the 

BBC Dumbarton studios as 

the sun was setting. We filmed 

in a studio which had no natural 

light so as soon as the day was over 

we’d all drive off to Loch Lomond to go 

wild swimming, taking whoever was stupid 

enough to agree to come with me. 

You’ve got a new face in Two Doors Down with 

Elaine C Smith joining the cast... 

It was an absolute joy of joys working with Elaine. 

She has such a lot of experience, she’s a theatre 

actress, a comedy actress, a dramatic actress - an 

all-round superwoman and I love her. She gets the 

giggles a lot on set and the trouble is I can’t get 

them, because once I do I can’t stop. 

The BBC Two hit sitcom is currently being aired 

every Friday at 10pm. 

Finally... does everybody need good neighbours? 

I think your neighbours are always there to challenge 

you. I’ve moved quite a lot in my life so I know the 

importance of good neighbours and curtain-twitchers! 


9

Home idea 

A new kitchen doesn’t 

have to cost the Earth 

It’s easy to feel as though nothing in life comes cheap anymore, 

let alone free. Britain in the 21st Century is amongst the most 

expensive countries in the world when it comes to cost of living, the 

result of which means that once you’ve paid for monthly travel to 

work, mortgage or rent, food, water and clothes for you and yours, 

there might not be that much leftover for things like holidays and 

home improvements. 

This sirarely more pronounced than in the 

kitchen and bathroom. Once the sole reserve 

of the domestic chef, these days there’s far 

more to the room traditionally associated 

with cooking than simply an oven and work 

surface. It’s a space to socialise in, entertain 

and, when combined with a dining table in an 

open plan layout, sit down to eat with loved 

ones. Meanwhile, the bathroom is a sanctuary 

for many, providing a corner of the house 

where we can unwind, take stock of the day, 

and pamper ourselves. 

IIt’s a reality somewhat at odds with how much 

pressure there is to keep up with the Joneses. Or, 

more accurately, the latest interior design trends, thus 

avoiding any embarrassment when we invite friends, 

family and acquaintances round only to realise that our 

home is in urgent need of modernisation. 

Two very important parts of any home, 

making improvements and modernising 

either doesn’t actually have to cost as 

much as many people think. Or at least not 

in the long run. Quality craftsmanship and 

innovative design can provide you with a 

timeless kitchen and bathroom that won’t be 

outdated in a matter of mere years. By opting 

for neutral, traditional finishes, and clean, 

handleless modern lines, you’ll be guaranteed 

beautiful rooms that don’t have to be 

completely replaced in order to keep up with 


ever-changing trends- think of 

this like a base coat of paint, ready 

for any additions in the future 

that won’t look out of place. The 

same rule applies whether we’re 

talking about the kitchen or the 

bathroom, and regardless of the 

budget you have set aside. All you 

need is a reputable, innovative 

specialist firm with a proven track 

record of delivering great goods 

at a range of price points, which 

may be closer than you think. 


11

Festival season never ends these 

days- no sooner has the hangover 

set in you’re being asked to buy 

super early bird tickets for next 

year’s edition. 

The result is plenty of events selling out ages 

before most right-minded people have really 

started to make any plans for the summer. Fear not, 

though, if you’re currently hoping to make it to one 

festival in the coming weeks, but without any idea 

which, we’ve scoured the UK and come up with the 

following five bashes that should satisfy your desire 

to get drunk in a field. 

The Great Escape, Brighton 

19th - 21st May 

£65.50 

Britain’s number one festival for new music 

takes over pretty much anywhere with an amp in 

Brighton, and a pass gets you to the lot. 2016’s bill 

includes Stormzy, The Joy Formidable, ESKA, Craig 

David, Mystery Jets, Black Honey, and quite literally 

hundreds more vying for attention, hence this being 

a huge hit with industry heads on the hunt for the 

next big thing. 

Common People, 

Southampton and Oxford 

28th - 29th May 

£50 

Direct from the lunatics behind Bestival and Camp 

Bestival, Common People will host a pair of twoday 

events in both Southampton and Oxford over 

the second May Bank Holiday weekend of 2016. 

Names like Soul II Soul, Duran Duran, Primal Scream, 

London Elektricity, Public Enemy, Gaz Coombes, 

Ghost Poet, The Sugarhill Gang and Katy B are all set 

to play. 

Sound City, Liverpool 

28th - 29th May 

£70 

One of the biggest events in the north sees tens upon 

tens of thousands of fans descend on Liverpool’s 

docklands for two days of performances, and two 

nights of afterparties. Catfish & The Bottlemen, The 

Coral, Leftfield, Hot Chip (DJ set), Peter Doherty, The 

Dandy Warhols, 2 Many DJs (DJ set), Young Fathers 

and more are all lined up for, which means an 

esteemed selection of eclectic, arena-filling sounds. 


If you’re on the hunt for 

a fabulous new summer 

wardrobe, then make sure you 

visit Durham Does Vintage 

Open to the public, on 7th May this vintage fair 

has been a regular on the events scene in Durham 

for some years. This new venue allows Britain Does 

Vintage to host it’s own vintage tearoom and with 

the fair being in one big room everyone can take 

advantage of listening to the two live acts which will 

be playing throughout the day. 

If scouring vintage stalls, tapping your feet to the 

beats of yesteryear, learning how to impress on 

the dance floor – vintage styley of course, getting 

crafty at vintage inspired workshops and of course 

indulging yourself at the vintage tearoom with 

scones and tea a plenty, then make sure you put this 

date in your diary. 

Looking to redecorate your house? Or maybe your 

student flat looks a little tired. Well perhaps it’s 

time you started taking inspiration from the 40s, 

50s and 60s and start treating your home to a 

retro touch. Coloured glassware, 50s kitchenalia, 

a mismatch feature wall of pictures, mirrors and 

clocks all make your place quirky cool. You’ll be 

certain to find something to breathe new (old?!) life 

into your décor. 

Likewise the same goes for your wardrobe. Out with 

the new and in with the old is Britain Does Vintage’s 

favourite saying – so why not treat yourself to 50s 

dresses, 60s headpeices, 70s leggings and 80s 

jackets. You only live once! And if you’re already the 

owner of a wardrobe bursting in 40s and 50s attire 

then you must, must dress your absolute best. 


13

Are we clueless about the olympic rules 

Even though we will be watching the Games, most of us are a bit vague 

about the rules and point systems for some sports. But now there is an 

app that will explain all. 

The Olympics might be this year’s most watched 

event but most of us actually have little idea about 

the rules of the games. 

With the clock ticking down until the world’s 

greatest sports spectacle kicks off in London, the 

results of a new survey reveal that there’s plenty of 

homework for us to do when it comes to knowing 

our somersaults from our saltos. 

In addition, only four per cent of the 1200 adults 

quizzed know how points are allocated for Olympic 

sports while this figure is as low as two per cent for 

some specific sports such as archery and canoeing. 

The poll, commissioned by the people behind the 

app Curly’s Pocket Guide to Sports, reveals that 

while over three-quarters of Brits will watch the 

Olympics, either live or on TV, 84% of us possess 

no more than a rudimentary grasp of the rules and 

points systems that govern the various sports. 


The five least-known sports 

- with an overwhelming 

percentage of Brits not knowing 

the rules at all - are Greco- 

Roman wrestling, taekwondo, 

freestyle wrestling, handball and 

canoeing. Unsurprisingly, the 

top five Brits are clued up on are 

the ubiquitous events - football, 

athletics, tennis, swimming and 

badminton. 

Men said they know more than 

women about all sports - even 

for female-only sports such as 

synchronised swimming. 

However, while the survey found 

that our sporting knowledge 

is rather rusty, almost threequarters 

of Brits agree that it is 

important to know what’s going 

on, with 83% saying they enjoy 

watching sport more if they 

understand the rules. 

But all is not lost, as an 

encouraging 92% say they are 

willing to spend time learning 

the rules of a sport, although 

three-quarters of them don’t 

want to spend more than half an 

hour doing it. Looking up rules 

on the internet is the preferred 

method for 62%, while one in 

three prefer to phone a friend. 

Perhaps surprisingly, nearly half 

say they wouldn’t simply pick up 

the rules just by watching. 

Katie “Curly”, the brains behind 

the new app, says: “During a 

sports-packed summer like this, 

we can find ourselves going nuts 

about events we don’t normally 

watch. 

“Maybe it’s not as surprising as it 

first seems that so many people 

are in the dark about sports like 

rhythmic gymnastics or fencing 

when they’re so rarely seen 

worldwide. 

“It was obvious to me that, 

although you could probably 

find out the rules of sports by 

trawling the internet, 

it would be a lot easier 

if there was a handy 

‘one-stop shop’ for all 

the info about them, 

presented in a clear, 

non-technical and fun 

way - that’s why we 

created ‘Curly’s Pocket 

Guide to Sports’.” 

Katie says the app is 

the perfect on-the-go 

companion for this 

jam-packed summer 

of sport and features 

all events, from cricket 

to canoeing, golf to 

gymnastics, in a jargonfree 

format, and offering a wealth 

of weird and wonderful stories 

behind each event. 

Almost like having a 

knowledgeable friend sitting by 

your side - so you can impress 

your real friends when it 

comes to watching everything 

from sailing to synchronised 

swimming. 


15

FITNESS 

Beginner yoga style: 

Advance your yoga 

practice this Spring 


Yogic breathing for fit bodies 

and minds 

Experts in both therapeutic traditions and modern 

medicine believe in the intimate relationship 

between our breathing patterns and our physical, 

emotional, mental and spiritual health. 

Studies have shown that natural, healthy respiration 

not only increases longevity and supports our 

overall well-being and self-development, but 

also helps in medical conditions such as asthma, 

poor digestion, insomnia, low energy, high blood 

pressure, anxiety, panic attacks, heart ailments, and 

many other problems. 

A breath of fresh air 

With each breath, oxygen enters your body and 

triggers the transformation of nutrients into energy. 

With each exhalation toxic carbon dioxide is 

eliminated from your body. The presence of oxygen 

purifies the blood and vitalises every cell in your 

body and it is required to maintain vital organs. 

In normal conditions the body follows a natural 

breathing pattern that is slow and regulated. 

When breathing is slow, deep and full, the lungs 

work more, the diaphragm moves well, back and 

abdominal muscles work fully, drawing in extra 

oxygen to the blood stream. 

cells are contributing factors in cancer, immunity 

deficiency, heart disease and strokes. Breathing also 

affects our state of mind and consequently makes 

our thinking either confused or clear. 

Pranayama 

Regulating your breathing patterns during yoga 

sessions is just as vital as the yogic positions. Slow, 

controlled conscious breathing has a calming effect 

on the emotions, reducing fear and anxiety in the 

nervous system. Regulated and mindful breathing, 

dynamic movement of the head, shoulders and arms 

during the practice of breathing and meditation 

promote concentration and relaxation. 

Try the following exercise: sit comfortably in a 

chair. Close your eyes and visualise a swan gliding 

peacefully across a crystal-clear lake. Now, like the 

swan, let your breath flow along in a long, smooth 

and peaceful movement. Inhale and exhale through 

your nose. Extend your breath to its comfortable 

maximum for 20 repetitions. Gradually let your 

breath return to normal. 

Afterwards, take a few moments to sit with your 

eyes closed and notice the difference in how you 

feel overall. 

Under stress, the body begins to tighten the 

muscles, and you may feel anxiety, hyperactivity 

and anger. During this time breathing becomes 

quick and shallow. Your natural healthy breathing 

pattern is disturbed and you will tend to breath 

erratically or hold your breath. 

By restricting your breathing, the inflow of oxygen is 

restricted. Lungs are unable to exhale the stale airs 

and residual toxins build up inside the body. Under 

stress, the stiff muscles restrict the circulation 

of the blood, so even less oxygen comes in and 

fewer toxins are removed. It affects the healthy 

regeneration of cells. 

Medical studies indicate that the oxygen-starved 

If you have problems with your lungs, such as a cold, 

bronchitis or asthma, or heart disease, consult your 

doctor before embarking on breath control, even 

under the supervision of a yoga therapist. Don’t 

practise breathing exercises when the air is too cold 

or too hot. Avoid practising in polluted air, including 

the smoke from incense. Whenever possible, 

practise breath control outdoors or with an open 

window. Don’t strain your breathing; remain relaxed 

while doing the breathing exercises. 


17

May 8, 1945 is a day 

that will live forever 

in the memories of 

those that lived 

through perhaps the 

greatest outpouring 

of joy the world has 

ever seen. 

After a radio address from Churchill and King George VI, the party could begin. For those who had 

lived through the Armistice Day celebrations at the end of the First World War, VE Day seemed a little 

more restrained. Six years of fighting had taken its toll. The British people suffered huge losses on the 

battlefields and in the cities. Homes and lives were destroyed, and Britain was tired -tired of rationing; 

tired of the incessant bombing and threats from Hitler; tired of air-raid sirens; and tired of hiding in tube 

stations. However, upon finally hearing the news that the war was at an end, they marked VE Day as only 

the British know how.. 

Plenty of people didn’t wait for the official announcement on the 8th. When the news broke on the 7th, 

festivities began. The Board of Trade announced that people were allowed to buy bunting without the 

need to use ration coupons (as long as it was red, white and blue and cost less than one shilling and 

threepence), people lit bonfires for the first time in years and the pubs filled with people. 

Even Churchill – though preoccupied with the complex business of ending a war – still found time to 

enquire whether there was enough beer in Britain’s pubs. The Ministry of Food assured him there was. 

Restaurants hastily prepared special VE Day menus and some entrepreneurial types even produced 

commemorative items! 

Street parties and parades were organised, and thousands attended 10 consecutive services at St. Paul’s 

Cathedral. Later in the day, Churchill appeared 

on the balcony of the Ministry of Health and 

proclaimed ‘this is your victory’ to the gathered 

crowds, to which they responded as one ‘no, it’s 

yours!’ 

As thousands of people danced their way down 

towards Buckingham Palace, King George VI 

and Queen Elizabeth – with daughters Princess 

Elizabeth and Princess Margaret – as well as 

the Prime Minister, waved to the throngs from 

the balcony. In all, they came onto the balcony 

eight times, and the last one was minus the two 

princesses. They had been allowed, under heavy police escort, to anonymously mingle with the crowds. 


eader’s story 

My name is Brenda, I was born in 1937 and lived in 

a street next to Horners Sweet Factory, Wilko’s is 

there now. When I was small I was scared to walk 

down Foundary Lane, which was the road left of 

the Queens Head. It was called the “Doss House” 

for poor people. 

A friend of mine, her gran would cook meals for 

these people and make a few coppers. I wonder if 

anyone can remember. 

When we were young we did not get many sweets 

as we all had ration books. The good thing was I 

would climb up the window of the factory and the 

girl would give me a few toffees. Lovely! 

Fifty thousand were in Piccadilly Circus, and 

social convention was disregarded. People were 

hugging and chatting to strangers and there 

was camaraderie only the bringing together of 

a nation after a time of such hardship can affect. 

Dance halls stayed open late, licensing hours were 

extended, effigies of Hitler were burned, and there 

was a collective sigh of absolute and utter relief. 

The British public were thankful to be free from 

the threat of the Nazi war machine and the 

constant worry and hardship war brings, and 

the relief on the streets was palpable. For many, 

however, VE Day was bittersweet. Britain suffered 

to the tune of 450,000 dead and for many of the 

widows, parents, friends and siblings of those who 

perished, rejoicing seemed too much to bear. 

As the parties died down over the next week, the 

British people realised that decades of rebuilding 

was nigh. The war had all but bankrupted the 

country, and the return to some semblance of prewar 

normality was going to be a long and arduous 

process. Armed with endless cups of tea and a 

bulldspirit, Britain would rebuild. 


19

TRAVEL 

Santorini, Greece 

a brief guide to greece 

Greece is a country of contrasts and boasts a multitude of places to explore, 

both on the mainland and around the islands. 

The Hellenic region remains 

one of the world’s most 

fascinating. Here the foundations 

for democracy and Western 

civilization were first laid, and 

several millennia-worth of 

history, along with the resulting 

melting pot of cultures, have all 

combined to create the country 

we see today. 

Although not particularly vast 

in terms of land area, Greece’s 

offering is huge. You could lose 

yourself in the country’s most 

southerly island, Crete, for more 

than a fortnight alone - exploring 

its gorges, mountains and lost 

beaches, or simply sitting back 

in a traditional village taverna. 

Meanwhile, a few hundred miles 

north, the mainland’s coast 

remains largely untouched by 

mass tourism, with cities such as 

Thessaloniki resplendent with 

ancient monuments, museums, 

and world-famous markets. With 

so much choice it can be difficult 

to decide exactly where to plant 

your holiday flag, and as such 

we’ve put together this quick 

reference guide to the various 

options. Happy planning. 

Mainland: 

In a nutshell - The Greek mainland 

is largely overlooked by tourists 

travelling from outside the 

country, and much to their loss. 

Less crowded, even in the peak 

season months, it’s far less 

developed and as such hides 

some of the most serene parts of 

the country. 


Cyclades Islands 

Highlights - Santorini, Folegandros, Mykonos, Naxos, Kea 

In a nutshell - The most famous of the island groups is amongst the most 

beautiful. Although you need to be under 25 to enjoy the nightlife on Ios, 

party and family-friendly Mykonos, traditional Folegandros, and luxurious 

Santorini are far more universal. 

Northern Aegean Islands 

Highlights - Chios, Ikaria, Limnos, Samos, Lesvos 

In a nutshell - Perhaps the least visited, certainly in terms of mass tourism, 

this island group is regarded as the most unspoilt in the eyes of many 

Greeks, with Limnos having almost avoided holidaymakers altogether. Ripe 

for exploring, you might say. 

Saronic Islands 

Highlights - Hydra, Aegina, Angistri, Poros 

In a nutshell - If you fancy seeing the sights of Athens but staying on an island 

then the Saronics are for you. Hydra’s ultra-cool-yet-hyper-traditional 

atmosphere makes it a hit despite lacking beaches, and Angistri is a longestablished 

favourite 

Sporades Islands 

Highlights - Skyros, Skopelos, Skiathos, Alonissos 

In a nutshell - Alonissos boasts Byzantine ruins and pine forests, Skopelos is 

allegedly the greenest island in the Aegean, and Skyros has been attracting 

holistic travellers from across the planet for decades now. Definitely best 

suited to the naturally-minded. 

Dodecanese Islands 

Highlights - Halki, Karpathos, Kos, Rhodes, 

With huge contrasts between islands, it’s no wonder the Dodecanese prove 

so eternally popular. Halki and Karpathos are like stepping back in time, 

perfect for rest and relaxation, whilst touristic Kos and Rhodes have abundant 

historic sites and facilities. 

Elsewhere 

Highlights - Crete, Cyprus, Elafonissos, Evia, Zante 

Crete is nicknamed the mini-continent, thanks to its dramatic peaks, 

endless wildernesses, bustling towns and cities. Cyprus is a true yearround 

destination, boasting enough charm and history to satisfy anyone. 

Evia is the country’s second largest island, and Elafonissos is said 

to have some of the most jaw-dropping beaches in Greece. 


21

classic spanish 

omelette 

Get that holiday vibe going, try this easy recipe 

and bring a taste of the Continent to your table. 

Serves 4. 

WIN TICKETS TO THE NEW 

AND EXCITING VINTAGE 

FESTIVAL IN NEWCASTLE 

INGREDIENTS: 

* 500g new potatoes 

* One white onion 

* 150ml extra virgin olive oil 

* Six eggs 

* Three tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley 

* Half teaspoon of salt and pepper 

METHOD: 

1. Cut potatoes into thick slices and chop onion. 

2. Heat oil in large frying pan, add potatoes and onion 

and cook gently, partially covered, for 30 minutes, 

stirring occasionally. 

3. Strain potatoes and onions into large bowl and set 

strained oil aside. 

4. Beat eggs and stir into potatoes with parsley and 

salt and pepper. 

5. Heat a little strained oil in frying pan. 

6. Transfer mixture into pan and cook on a moderate 

heat, shaping the omelette as it cooks. 

7. When almost set, flip omelette and cook for a few 

more minutes. Repeat twice, shaping omelette as it 

cooks. 

8. Transfer to plate and cool for 10 minutes before 

serving. 

Serve with slices of Chorizo, Sarano Ham and garlic 

mayonnaise (Allioli) 

Buen Apetito! 

Thanks to Britain Does Vintage, we have five pairs of 

tickets to give away for the new and exciting vintage 

festival at The Clayshed, Hoults Yard in Newcastle 

on the 23rd April. 

To enter simply send us a vintage story of no more 

than five hundred words about your experience 

of Chester-le-Street, Birtley or Durham. It may be 

about growing up, how you met your husband/wife 

or how life was in your era. You may also supply 

photographs. 

Please email your enteries to competition@ 

cestriamagazine.co.uk or by post to “Competitions, 

Cestria Magazine, 128 Highfield Rise, Chester-le- 

Street, DH3 3UY” before 15th April. 

The chosen winner will have their story published in 

the May edition of Cestria Magazine and will receive 

two free tickets to the Vintage Festival. The runners 

up will receive a pair of tickets for the event. 

Winners and runners up will be notified by post (so 

dont forget to include your address) 



23

May 2016 Magazine

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