WE’RE all know the great American road trip Route 66, but now there’s a new trail for the list: The Crooked Road in Virginia. The 300-mile route twines through the Appalachian Mountains linking up nine major country music destinations like jewels on a necklace. It’s a hit with both country music buffs as well as newbies like us. The appeal lies in cruising through the Mid-Atlantic region — the birthplace of eight presidents — with its rolling hills, clapboard houses, hundreds of wineries, plus fiddles and banjos at every turn. We begin our musical education in the far corner of Bristol, which is split almost directly in half by the Virginia/Tennessee state line — stand in the middle of the main street and you can straddle two states. If Nashville is the glitzy mecca of country music, Bristol is the modest birthplace. It was here that in 1927 the Bristol Sessions brought about the Big Bang of country music. Many Scottish and Irish settlers … [Read more...] about Experience the breathtaking Crooked Road trail in Virginia
Boothroyd aiming to prove English coaches are among the best
Sport by Press Association 15/06/2019, 10:33 pm Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter Aidy Boothroyd is out to prove English coaches can challenge the world’s best. The England Under-21 manager has dismissed any notion foreign coaches are better than their homegrown counterparts. He is preparing for Euro 2019 in Italy and San Marino with the Young Lions facing France on Tuesday. And the 48-year-old is eager to show the talent of the English coaching pool. “I hope we play in a way that excites and entertain people and changes the perception of English coaches,” he said. “For too long there has been this widely-held belief that foreign coaches are better than our ones simply because they come from abroad, and they are not. “The quality of a coach should not be decided by nationality, it is about whether they can do the job or not. “It’s the same with our players too. For years they have been denied opportunities … [Read more...] about Boothroyd aiming to prove English coaches are among the best
Adam Quinlan and big props stand out in important win
Adam Quinlan: The full-back underlined just how much he had been missed with a brilliant performance, capping off a dream comeback with the winning try. 8 Ryan Shaw: Hasn’t contributed many tries this season but the winger is one of the most reliable goal kickers in Super League, something he proved with his nerveless touchline conversion to win it. 7 Craig Hall: The backline looks much stronger with Quinlan and Hall both in it. Not at his most effective but kept Warrington on their toes. 7 Ben Crooks: Effort has been the buzzword at Craven Park since Tony Smith came in and few players put in more than the centre. 7 Will Dagger: Moved to the wing and had a frustrating afternoon until coming up with a big play at the end to lay on Quinlan’s try. 7 Josh Drinkwater: A mixed performance but kept asking for the ball and will only get better under Smith. 7 Chris Atkin: Handed a rare start and while he did not stand out, Rovers looked more threatening close to the Warrington line … [Read more...] about Adam Quinlan and big props stand out in important win
The walk around a mysterious abandoned village
There is an eerie place just outside East Yorkshire where you can step back in time. The lost village of Wharram Percy was suddenly abandoned some 600 years ago but tantalising glimpses of the past remain. It is a perfect way to spend an afternoon walking down to the valley before coming across the remains of the medieval village. The village, in the Yorkshire Wolds between Wetwang and Malton, was continuously occupied for about 600 years. It was founded in the 9th or 10th century and flourished between the 12th and early 14th centuries, when members of the noble Percy family lived in the village. But by the early 16th century it was almost deserted, as a result of gradual abandonment and forced evictions. Rumours it was ravaged by the plague or some other devastating disease appear wide of the mark. The ruined church is the last standing medieval building. Around it are the grassed-over foundations of two manor houses and about 40 peasant houses and their outbuildings. Since 1948 the … [Read more...] about The walk around a mysterious abandoned village
First review of Elton John’s big Cardiff gig
Elton John 's farewell tour hit Cardiff like a glitter ball explosion as the undeniable rock legend treated the crowd to a rip-roaring set full of hits. After a deluge of non-stop rain in the run up to the gig, the audience was relieved to see that the blue skies were to welcome a singer-songwriter who has been the soundtrack of people's lives for many generations. Elton's about halfway through the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which, by the end of it, he'll have played to more than half a million fans - but you'd never guess it. The self-styled Rocketman - looking as flamboyant and fabulous as ever - and kicked off his set with Bennie and the Jets, sounding as fresh as it when it first was released in 1973. And the hits kept on coming - Border Song and I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - and belted out with plenty of passion and power passion. For a 72-year-old, who has released 30 studio albums, Elton looked and sounded more like a newcomer and than a rock n roll … [Read more...] about First review of Elton John’s big Cardiff gig