Polo - British style.

When you move to a new country, you always have in your mind a list of things you want to do, a list of things you have never done and you want to experience in this new country.

Despite living in the UK for 16 years,  going to a polo match was still not ticked on my list. What could be a better first polo match than going to The (Cartier) Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club? The Club was founded by Prince Phillip in 1955 and this trophy was first presented to the Club by HM The Queen in 1960. So, I went with my family to watch the finals on Sunday.

You drive through the beautiful Windsor Great Park to arrive at the car park and immediately you see those elegantly dressed people having their picnics near their cars. I am always amazed at what Brits call picnics at these open air events: tents, chairs, tables, proper tableware and food and drinks that look more like a banquet.

There is something quintessentially British about Guards Polo Club. The only luxury is really the lawn that is simply perfect in all of the 10 grounds or 130 acres. In fact, I never realised that one polo field is the size of 3 football pitches.  The royal box and the clubhouse are the only buildings on site and all other stands, hospitality, snacks area and even toilets are tents and removable structures.

The final match starts right on time. The narrator not only is very witty but also explains the rules and jargons as the game progresses. We learned that there are 6 chukkas (periods) in the game and that ‘ponies’, which are actually big horses, cannot play more than 2 chukkas in a row. The 4 players on each team change their horses constantly.

During half time, all spectators are invited to partake in ‘divot stamping’ together, which consists of walking on the fields to help put the earth and grass that are torn up by the horses back in place and also socialising. There was even a guards’ band playing. This is an opportunity for celebrity spotting.

The final score was Zacara 15 vs  9 El Remanso. We managed to be in a prime position to watch the trophy presentation done by none other than the queen herself!                                                                      

 

What a great first polo match!

There are other matches coming up. Check the websites of Guards Polo Club and also the Hurlingham polo Association. Both websites also have information on learning to play polo.

You can also learn more about the A- Z of polo

by Ana Beatriz Alencar

Visti the Focus website: www.focus-info.org

A Greek New Year's Day

“When am I going to get the Vasilopita coin?” I shouted as my husband was making victory noises, hugging our guests and screaming “This is going to be my year!” as he was retrieving the Vasilopita coin from his half eaten piece of cake!!!

But before I continue - let me explain to you the ritual of this Greek tradition which I believe is one of the most beautiful and inspiring customs of the Greek Orthodox Church. It is so much fun that my kids stay up till midnight, despite how tired they may be, just to be part of this whole experience! Anticipation – Hope – Expectation - Joy, are only few words that can describe the emotions going around the room during the observance of Vasilopita...and all these...just for a cake!  

Vasilopita is a New Year's Day cake in Greece which contains a hidden coin which gives good luck to the receiver. It is made of a variety of doughs, depending on regional and family tradition. On New Year's Day families cut the Vasilopita to bless the house and bring good luck for the new year. This is usually done at midnight on New Year's Eve. A coin is hidden in the bread by slipping it into the dough before baking. At midnight the sign of the cross is etched with a knife across the cake. A piece of cake is sliced for each member of the family and any visitors present at the time, by order of age from oldest to youngest. Slices are also cut for various symbolic people or groups, depending on local and family tradition. They may include the Lord, St. Basil and other saints, the poor, the household, etc. In olden days, the coin often was a valuable one, such as a gold sovereign. Nowadays there is often a prearranged gift, money, or otherwise, to be given to the coin recipient.

The singing of the "Kalanta" (carol-type song) which are part of the Vasilopita Cutting in each home on New Year's/Saint Basil's Day follows. Everybody in the family sings!!!! The words stress the joy and excitement of the New Year which brings new opportunities and they ask Saint Basil to stay a while at their home, to partake of their meal and fellowship, and to grant them "good cheer".

So if you are in London in January and you didn’t have the chance to cut the Vasilopita on the 1st of the month and you would like to do so, these are a couple of places that you could visit:  
Macedonian Society of GreatBritain 
The Vasilopita will be followed by the Society's Annual General Meeting.
Date: Sunday 13 January 2013
Venue: St Sophia Greek Cathedral, Moscow Road, W2 4LQ 
 
Hellenic Centre  
Vasilopita and Greek Evening
Traditional New Year’s cake and an evening of Greek live music, dance and food! For further information and bookings call 020 7487 5060.
Date: Monday 21 January 2013
Venue: 16-18 Paddington Streett, W1U 5AS                                                                  

Although I didn’t win the coin this year....it doesn’t mean that you won’t!!!! I would like to wish you A Happy New Year and an exciting time here in London....Good Luck!!!!!!!


by Maria Alexopoulou

Visit the FOCUS website www.focus-info.org

Salmon fishing in ....Devon!

My husband has been going trout fishing for a few years and quite enjoys discovering new places where to practise this passion. So he got very excited when, through some Italian friends (yes, the Italian network is always very powerful!), he met an English couple who, not only enjoy fishing, but also belong to a fishing club. There you go! We were, to my great joy, invited to a salmon fishing weekend in Devon. He had never done salmon fishing so of course he was thrilled. 

We left on a Friday at midday and after a nearly 4 -hour drive we arrived in the stunning county of Devon. The river where he was supposed to fish is the river Tamar and it’s truly beautiful. Unfortunately, it had been raining heavily during the previous days resulting in the river being very high making the fishing particularly challenging, even for the most experienced fisherman. We did see a few salmon jumping in the water but nobody caught any fish. 

It was very nice to meet such keen fishermen and fisherwomen and to experience a quintessential British weekend! In fact, a part from learning to wade and properly cast, the highlight of the weekend was the social part of it. All of these people come together once a year for the last weekend of the fishing season but since they have known each other for years, the atmosphere is extremely friendly and relaxed. 

The base of the club is the Endsleigh Hotel, once a country house of the Duke of Bedford, and now a stunning hotel that feels more like somebody’s home. Big fireplaces were warming up the various sitting rooms exquisitely decorated by Olga Polizzi, the younger sister of Sir Rocco Forte. The Endsleigh fishing club was celebrating its 50^th anniversary so we enjoyed a couple of special dinners including a black tie one. The food was very good (which counts double if it comes from an Italian!) and the company even better. I was lucky to meet many extraordinary people and for the first time in my life even a 007!

by Alessandra Gnudi

Visit the FOCUS website www.focus-info.org 

A Celebration of London's Architecture

Last week end was Open House London 2012, the biggest celebration of London’s architecture that takes place every year at the end of September.

It is really an opportunity to explore the diverse buildings, gardens and neighbourhoods in London.

I’m not an architect or a designer, but I’ve always been fascinated by the contrasts of this city’s architecture: the historic and the new next to each other in a fluid mix of contemporary shapes and classical columns.

So I couldn’t miss this opportunity to explore some of the most famous landmarks and small private houses usually closed to the public.

We decided to start with our neighbourhood, Hampstead. The list of buildings was so long that we had to opt for a couple of houses not too far from each other. The first one was Fenton House and its garden, a beautiful 17th-century merchant's house, a place of unique charm and ambience. They host a large collection of beautiful and charming porcelains and early keyboard instruments. What was a nice surprise was the view from the top floor balcony: the green hills of Hampstead leave space on the South-East side to a spectacular view of the City skyline. The garden is a gem: orchards and lawns alternate and the apple orchard is rich with 30 different varieties.  Once a year  “Apple and Orchard Day” gives the opportunity to harvest apples, vegetables and herbs. A really nice discovery at our doorstep! Unfortunately no time was left for the second house we wanted to visit.

The following day we explored a Victorian house in Primrose Hill: it has been recently renovated in a contemporary style, maintaining many of the original features. A creative lights arrangement and a Victorian stairway contributed substantially to the mix. A high standard interior design work completed the picture.

I wish we had more time to spend for Open House London: many more buildings deserve a visit and one that I won’t miss next year is St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, a Victorian masterpiece designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1873 to accommodate rail travellers through the St. Pancras Rail Station. 

I’m already looking forward to next year event on 21^st & 22^nd September 2013.   Check the website for more information: www.londonopenhouse.org

 by Paola Longobardi

Visit the FOCUS website www.focus-info.org

Is it Christmas already?

In London one often bumps into celebrities. Last year, when my husband and I took our two daughters to see Santa at the Christmas Grotto in Harrods, the entire Beckham family was there as well. My husband thought Victoria looked fabulous, which I could not confirm as I was obviously looking at David. I thought he looked so thin!

Well, August is over and the booking for the Harrods Christmas Grotto 2012 has arrived! Have you booked your tickets yet? If not, this is the time! Who knows whom are you going to bump into this year...except Father Christmas of course!

I know what you are thinking......it’s too early!  I just came back from holidays myself and I’m up to my eyeballs with unpacking, school shopping, overdue bills...

but all of these need to wait....ensuring the kids see Father Christmas is far more important! I wouldn’t even dare to be in a situation where I would need to explain to my kids why they couldn’t see Santa this year....! They enjoy it too much - the fairies, the elves, the story books, the whole festive atmosphere of a Christmas Grotto is a long lasting magical tradition! It wouldn’t be fair not to mention the fabulous and exciting family photograph with the 2012 Father Christmas....I could definitely use another addition to my collection!

My tickets are already booked...how about yours? There are many wonderful Christmas Grottos throughout London, just make sure you book in advance or you will have to wait in the queue.

Good luck and see you there!

by Maria Alexopoulou 

Visit the FOCUS website www.focus-info.org