From the highest quality leather shooting accessories such as cartridge cases and gun slips to a gorgeous desk blotter or stationery tray, the words ‘England’, ‘craftsmen’ and ‘leather’ seem to evoke an innate sense of quality.

We almost expect to discover the kind of quality that makes you proud to own the luxury goods, to run your finger along the seams, to smell the leather and admire the way it looks.

If you have a beautiful wooden writing desk then a luxury leather desk blotter not only provides a very practical solution, protecting the surface of your desk and providing a convenient surface for writing or signing letters and documents, but by choosing a luxury leather desk blotter that’s
handmade in England by real craftsmen, then you know that the way it looks and feels is every bit as important and appreciated as how it works.

Hip flasks have long proven popular, whether by those setting off for a long country walk, a highland hike or a day shooting. But hip flasks serve a greater purpose than simply being a portable container for a refreshing drink, or a wee drop of the special Scottish water!

Hip flasks are stylish accessories, beautiful items in themselves, providing convenience, luxury and style all in an elegant, lightweight, durable package that can be carried or worn easily.

Luxury English leather goods can include a range of hip flasks, or containers for hip flasks, enabling you to face nature with a bracing determination and a beautiful hip flask of which you’ll be as pleased with the exterior as much as the interior! Plastic bottles are for students. For the perfect English gentleman, luxury leather hip flasks are the order of the day.

When it comes to choosing gun slips and cartridge cases, leather shooting accessories are head and shoulders above plastic alternatives, providing both the look and style that is the mark of quality. But it’s more than that, because leather is soft, malleable and durable, providing protection from the elements, and ensuring your shooting equipment remains in excellent condition, removing any possible excuse for missing that brace on Sunday!

Campingandcaravandirect

UK Suppliers of famous outdoor brands like Coleman, Campingaz, Sevylor and Royal all at great prices. They also have a camping & caravan site finder that holds the contact details of camping & caravan parks from all parts of the UK for you to choose from for your next holiday, you can even leave your own site review or photos of your holiday.

There are some fantastic reasons for taking up the hobby of metal detecting. Some may even refer to it as a sport due to the exercise you will also be getting as you search for the unknown – the hidden treasure that could lie just beneath your feet. Using a metal detector, could quite simply take you anywhere, the possibilities are endless.

Think of how satisfied and excited Terry Herbet must be right now with his massive find in Staffordshire! Terry may have just unknowingly stumbled upon the discovery of a lifetime, one that has the potential to change our beliefs and challenges the way we will now view history.

In case you are not aware, Terry stumbled upon one of the most amazing treasures of all time whilst metal detecting in Staffordshire, and once the items are valued, the pay off for his hobby will more than likely provide him with millions to last him the rest of his life.

How’s that for a hidden treasure!

We may not all be able to come across as brilliant a find as Terry, however there are definitely some valuable discoveries still to be found out there. They could just be waiting for you and your metal detector to discover them.

So how do you do it?

First and foremost, you will need to ensure you have a good metal detector that will be effective for the places you wish to search. There are different options available if you would like to detect on the beach, park, or underwater. Yes underwater!

Finding treasure underwater is often referred to as deep metal detecting. This can be extremely profitable as many valuable items are lost out at sea and never to be recovered again. That is of course, until you came along!

To achieve success with your metal detecting, it is important to conduct research beforehand. The useful information that you can gather from your local library or through searching the Internet can provide you with a great starting point.

Knowing where to start is one of the key factors for any person wishing to take this hobby seriously. Simply getting out your metal detector and starting on your front lawn may lead you to finding some interesting things, however visiting places from our history, that you have researched beforehand, could prove far more fruitful, as Terry now knows all too well.

Metal detecting can be fun and rewarding for anyone wishing to give it a go. It doesn’t have to cost you the earth to purchase a metal detector – Terry got his from a jumble sale!

Getting to El Valle Golf Resort

Flying in from the UK will take approximately two hours and by 2010 there’ll be a choice of airports. Currently, San Javier airport is the closest with just a 20 minute drive to El Valle. Alternatively, Alicante airport is a 45 minute journey but by next year the new airport under construction at Corvera will open which means journey time to El Valle will be down to just 15 minutes.

If you’re looking to travel within the country or perhaps are already located in Spain, the golf resort is 3.5 hours drive from Madrid, 2.5 hours from Valencia and 2 hours from Granada.

Location of El Valle Golf Resort

As the name of the resort suggests, El Valle is located in a valley at the foot of the Carrascoy Mountains next to Baños Y Mendigo, a hamlet with only 340 inhabitants. The name ‘Baños Y Mendigo’ translates as ‘Baths and Beggar (or pauper)’ and refers to the historical waters which were used for irrigation and bathing of locals and a small chapel which was once home to a beggar.

The beaches at Mar Menor and the other golf resorts of La Loma, La Torre, Hacienda Riquelme, Laa Terrazas de la Torre and Mar Menor are within a 15 minute drive.

Facilities and things to do at El Valle

As with many of the golf resorts in Murcia, construction is still ongoing but once complete El Valle will boast some high quality facilities. The clubhouse opened last summer and is home to the El Asador restaurant, the Sandalo Bar and the Clover Irish Bar. Once the town centre is complete, all the amenities you’d expect such as shops, gym and a health spa will become available.

In the meantime, El Valle is on the Polaris World shuttle bus route which means as a resident you can travel to the nearby resorts of Hacienda Riquelme, La Torre and Mar Menor and take advantage of their facilities without having to drive.

If you want a break from golfing, the city of Murcia is a 15 minute drive from El Valle. There you’ll find stunning architecture, a grand cathedral, museums, high street shops and pavement cafés. The Aqua Natura water park is also close to Murcia city combining water slides with a zoo.

The clear blue seas of Mar Menor and its splendid beaches are just 10 minutes from El Valle. Mar Menor is perfect for the water sports enthusiast. If water isn’t your thing, you can go hiking, cycling and fishing around the nature reserves and mountains of Murcia.

El Valle Resale Golf Property

Just 668 properties including apartments and three types of villa have been built at El Valle. Apartments range from two bedroom/1bathroom to 2 bed/2 bathroom. Villas are available as three bedroom/two bathroom, three bed/three bathroom and huge five bed/five bathroom. Interiors have been fitted with superior finishes including air conditioning, fully fitted kitchens, timber shutters and private pools.

Recommended properties

	This apartment has been reduced to a fantastic price. Two bedroom and two bathrooms and has air-conditioning throughout, central heating and double glazed windows. It has a great terrace with two aspects and is not far from the sports facilities and golf clubhouse.
	Ground floor apartment with large garden around front and side of apartment including a jacuzzi.  Views over the communal pool towards the town centre. The apartment has 2 bedrooms and one bathroom and is in a great position on this exclusive resort. The apartment is located on a corner and is in a close to the town centre and hotel.
	This beautiful villa has three bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, two bathrooms (one with whirlpool bath), living room with high vaulted ceiling and doors onto the rear patio, covered eating area with built-in barbeque, private heated swimming pool, driveway, kitchen with fitted appliances and utility room.

El Valle Golf Course

The real reason for buying a property at El Valle is to play the Jack Nicklaus designed championship golf course. An 18-hole desert-style par 71 challenge awaits you each day and this undulating course utilises the natural terrain and hazards you’d expect of golfing set in Murcian hills and countryside.

El Valle is by no means a long course at 6,161 yards and any golfer with a long game will score well provided they steer clear of the many hazards. With few trees and very little out of bounds areas even the wayward shots off the tee can pick up an advance forward on the ball and get back in play without problem.

Residents of El Valle receive favourable discounts on Green Fees. Special promotional periods where you can get free buggies are also sometimes available. Once you’ve played the El Valle challenge, there’s the other Nicklaus golf trail courses located at each of the Polaris World resorts to visit where you can receive up to 50% of your Green Fees.

The Pyramat Sound Rocker is as comfortable as a luxury chair, with a home theatre-like speaker system built in. Providing heart-pounding bass with a 5.5 inch subwoofer and side speakers, the Personal Surround Sound of the Sound Rocker will allow you to relax with your favourite music, or submerse yourself in your favourite game after a long, hard day at work. With unequalled sound quality and extraordinary levels of comfort watching a movie, listening to music, or playing your favourite game will become an event instead of a daily occurrence.

Perhaps you simply hate having a bunch of wires lying around. Consider the PM 450 Wireless. Feel the action in your favourite movies, music and games, with the most advanced and innovate design in a gaming chair. The PM 450 Wireless contains the best sound system and the largest, most comfortable design in a wireless rechargeable gaming chair that you’ll find anywhere. Whether using the PM 450 Wireless game chair as a wired chair or a wireless game chair, the sound quality is unmatched.

Pyramat gaming chairs are completely compatible with any MP3 player, TV, DVD player, VCR, or gaming console. They are easy to set up, easy to use, and the most comfortable gaming chair you will ever see. The fantastic sound makes you feel a part of the action and will transform your experience from the ordinary to unforgettable.

Involve your friends and family by networking several Pyramat game chairs. Outstanding networking abilities create the option of connecting up to eight Sound Rocker gaming chairs together. This will create the feeling of actually being in the crowd at the concert of your favourite band, or in the backseat during the car chase in your favourite movie. Everyone will feel part of the action and will look forward to the event of the day.

Pyramat gaming chairs are comfortable chairs, simple to set up and use, and provide high quality sound to accompany your favourite movie, music or game. You can feel and hear what you see on screen like never before. Don’t just play the game, become a part of the game with a Pyramat game chair today!

Condado de Alhama Golf Resort

The Polaris World Condado de Alhama golf resort is in the Valle del Guadalentín area of Murcia, Spain. Situated in the foothills of Sierra Espuna and Carrascoy-El Valle (two regional nature reserves) the resort is divided into three areas: Los Jardines de Alhama, Los Naranjos de Alhama and La Isla del Condado.

Los Jardines de Alhama

Translated this means ‘The Gardens of Alhama’ and the area, as you’d expect, is spacious and green with properties built around landscaped gardens and swimming pools. The Los Jardines complex is pedestrianised with dedicated cycle lanes enabling residents to stroll or cycle around the parks and enjoy the vast variety of plant life. Los Jardines de Alhama is extremely family friendly with its separate play areas for children and it also has excellent sports facilities including tennis courts, football pitches and basketball courts. The properties are built in a traditional Mediterranean style with architecture that blends in perfectly with the manicured surroundings.

Recommended properties:

	Ground floor apartment situated on Los Jardines de Alhama  within the resort of Condado de Alhama.  Great position close to the communal pool.   It is situated within a short distance from the town centre where there will be many bars, restaurants and all the facilities expected within such a resort.
	First floor apartment situated on Los Jardines within the resort of Condado de Alhama.  Great position overlooking the communal pool with West facing orientation. Property construction is to first floor level only, and this apartment benefits from a great roof solarium.

Los Naranjos de Alhama

‘Naranjos’ is the name given to a native orange tree of the region and this area of Condado de Alhama is lined with the ornamental tree on its streets, within its gardens and around its squares. Los Naranjos is in the heart of the golf resort and once had its own town centre called El Agora. This town centre has been extended to encompass the new resort town centre called El Foro providing an even greater range of facilities just a short walk away along the leafy avenues. Properties in Los Naranjos have a stepped architectural design and the penthouses look out onto the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course (under construction – due for completion in December 2009).

Recommended properties:

	First floor apartment situated on Los Naranjos within the resort of Condado de Alhama.  Situated close to the communal swimming pool, the property faces to the South-East, however the solarium will provide a great place to sunbathe throughout the day
	Constructed in blocks of four staggered floors in the traditional white Mediterranean architecture.  Within a short distance to the town centre where there will be many bars, restaurants and all the facilities expected within such a resort

La Isla del Condado

Condado de Alhama translated means ‘Alhama County’ which is where the resort is situated in Murcia. La Isla del Condado means ‘The Island of the County’ and this area is an apartment complex on an island on the lake in the centre of the golf resort. La Isla is a waterfront setting that stretches down to the main town centre of El Foro. Residents benefit from stunning views from their apartments across the lake as well as three infinity pools that give the impression of being part of the lake itself. La Isla has tranquil boulevards and green spaces that incorporate children’s play areas. Around the lake are several piers from which a ferry service runs to the town centre.

Recommended properties:

	First floor apartment situated on La Isla within the resort of Condado de Alhama.  Great position with lovely views over the lake facing towards the South-West with only one immediate neighbour.
	Lovely penthouse apartment situated on La Isla within the resort of Condado de Alhama.  Great position with lovely views across the lake to the South.  With accommodation of approx. 66.8m2 and terrace of 18.10m2.

El Foro & El Oasis Town Centre

The focus of activity at the Condado de Alhama golf resort is within the El Foro and El Oasis town centres. El Foro means ‘The Forum’ and this vast 12,000 square metre complex includes the relocated El Agora town centre which initially served the Los Naranjos complex. Designed in a Hispanic-Arabic style around a courtyard with a large central water feature, the El Foro town centre is due to open this month (July 2009) and along with the 60,000 square metre El Oasis town centre provides bars, restaurants, banks, stores, supermarkets, hairdressers, launderettes, pharmacies, restaurants, cinemas and healthcare services to residents.

Mar Menor Golf Course & Property

The course at Mar Menor golf resort is currently a 9-hole par 36 but is being extended to an 18-hole par 72 with full clubhouse and practice facilities projected to open in October 2009. Make no mistake, at 9-holes this course is still a great challenge and as you’d expect from Nicklaus Design the wide smooth fairways, greens and simple shaped bunkers are in excellent condition. Properties are located close to each hole meaning that if you buy here you really will have a golf course in your back garden!

This beautiful 2 bedroom townhouse overlooks 3 of the new 9 holes of the Mar Menor course that is currently being extended. Air conditioned lounge and a third floor solarium with balconies front and rear make this a great buy.

La Torre Golf Course & Property

La Torre golf resort has an 18-hole course fully complete and presents the golfer with a par 68 challenge around trees and three lakes. An accurate short game is required when playing the wide fairways which are dotted with large bunkers waiting to catch you out. And for those who like to put their driving to the test there are two par 5’s to let rip on. The facilities at La Torre are first rate with driving ranges, putting greens, a pro shop and bar/dining areas.

This 2 bedroom villa is south-west facing but has a rooftop solarium which gets the sun throughout the day. The property is fully furnished, has an air-con lounge and access to a communal swimming pool so you can cool off after your round of golf.

El Valle Golf Course & Property

If you like your golf course in the ‘desert’ style then El Valle is for you. The par 71, 18-hole course across 51 hectares of rocks, native vegetation, cascading waterfalls, streams and two lakes will offer golfers of all standards a real challenge in stunning surroundings under the perfect Murcia sunshine. Excellent facilities await you before and after your round as well as trained staff and instructors on hand to help your game.

This ground-floor 2 bedroom apartment benefits from a large garden to the front and side of the property and a jacuzzi. Fully air-conditioned and close to the town centre this property is great for access to all the El Valle golf resort has to offer.

Hacienda Riquelme Golf Course & Property

From an ecological point of view the course at Hacienda Riquelme is well designed as its sown with Papsalum grass which requires less watering but remains in top condition for golfing. For the golfer, the course is larger than average with 18-holes and a par of 72. Fairways are lined with olive trees and wild flowers and there’s five lakes. Once the old Hacienda Manor House at the end of the course has completed its restoration it will provide a dramatic backdrop to the final hole.

The resort itself is apartment only meaning a low-density of property and this 2-bedroom is a great example of what’s on offer at Hacienda Riquelme. Situated on the second-floor with views across the course, it has a communal swimming pool, underground parking and air-conditioned lounge area.

La Loma Golf Course

The La Loma resort has been designed as a sports centre resort and a 9-hole course is currently in the planning phase of construction. Once complete it will aid the resort’s golfing academy and teaching centre. The course will serve to improve the game of beginners as well as providing a fun pitch and putt style challenge to more experienced golfers.

Las Terrazas Golf Course & Property

Another ‘desert’ style golf course can be found at Las Terrazas golf resort. Similar to El Valle and designed to be reminiscent of the Jack Nicklaus ‘Lake’ course in Las Vegas, the course at Las Terrazas is currently under construction but once complete will be one of the jewels in the crown of the Nicklaus Golf Trail. Rolling fairways and undulating greens run through the desert style dunes and around a large six hectare lake. The 18-hole par 72 will have similar characteristics to the links courses found in the UK but with the benefit of Spanish sunshine!

Now’s the time to take advantage of a property at this “apartment only” resort and this 2-bedroom second floor apartment overlooks the communal pool with a south-west facing balcony.

Condado de Alhama Golf Courses & Property

Notice we say courses for the Condado de Alhama resort because this great location will boast three Nicklaus Design golf courses. The first is a Jack Nicklaus Principal Signature course meaning the great man designed it himself for Polaris World. With 18-holes and a par of 72, this course promises to be the best on the Golf Trail with elevations that change sharply and four lakes providing a dramatic backdrop.

The second and third courses are in the planning phase but will be designed as ‘replica courses’. This will mean 18 different holes at each course that are replicas of Nicklaus Signature Courses from around the world including: Muirfield, Royal Palm and Bayside. The first course will be reminiscent of the tropical style course found at Florida Parklands while the second will have holes selected from 240 Signature Courses in the desert style similar to Mexico and Arizona.

The potential for some of the best golf in the world at the Condado de Alhama resort will surely have whetted your appetite to buy a property and this stunning first floor 2-bedroom apartment could be the one. Great views across the lake and access to the communal swimming pool are just some of the benefits

And remember, as a Polaris World property owner and resident you have discounted tariffs for all the golf courses on the Nicklaus Golf Trail.

Getting to Murcia – Flights and Airports

Murcia is just 75km south of Alicante and both cities have their own airport from which you can travel to Mar Menor. Currently there are 10 airlines flying to both these airports which means plenty of low-cost flights. In 2010, another airport will open in Corvera just 20 minutes outside of Murcia city.

With a flight time from London to Murcia airport at just under 2 hours, and many UK regional airports also providing daily flights to the region, Mar Menor is simple to get to making it a great golf resort for long breaks or a short weekend trip.

If you’re flying into Alicante you’re just a 45 minute drive from the Polaris World Mar Menor resort via the A7, AP7 and A30 motorways. From Murcia airport, which is actually situated near the town of San Javier (45km from the city of Murcia) it’s a mere 10 minute car or taxi journey.

Getting to Mar Menor Golf Resort – Taxi or Car Hire

If your flight lands at Murcia airport then your best options for getting to the Mar Menor Golf Resort are by taxi or hiring a car – public transport does not serve the area well.

A taxi from Murcia airport will cost around €20.00 and take approximately 10 minutes. If you’re landing at Alicante, expect to pay around €70.00 for a 40 minute journey into the Mar Menor Golf Resort.

If your search for a golf property at Mar Menor is over a few days why not take advantage of hiring a car so you can get around and visit some of the fantastic attractions, mountains and beaches the region has to offer. Spanish car hire is relatively cheap and you’ll find a good choice at both Murcia and Alicante airports. Book ahead and then pick up your keys from the terminal rental office on arrival. You can get some great deals using online internet car hire brokers such as Sky Cars or Car Jet.

Once you become a Polaris World Mar Menor Golf Resort resident or owner you’ll be able to take advantage of Polaris World’s own car rental service. You’ll find the service offers some competitive rates and exclusive services such as collection from the airport and your car being delivered to your golf property. Prices for this exclusive service for a small hatchback begin at around €40-50 per day.

Staying at Mar Menor Golf Resort

Given that your golf property search is at Mar Menor it makes sense to try and stay in the heart of the golf resort to soak up the atmosphere, play a round of golf and see for yourself all that this quality resort has to offer. Mar Menor has its own 5-Star hotel with all the facilities you’d expect from a world-class hotel including a pool, gym and a number of bars and restaurants.

A short car journey west of the Mar Menor Golf Resort is the municipal of Torre Pacheco where you’ll find some quality accommodation for your stay in Murcia. A few miles East of the resort is Los Alcazares, a village on the coast of the Mar Menor sea famous for its therapeutic waters. Here you’ll find some great 4-Star hotels ideally placed for water sports and your journey to Mar Menor to check out some golfing properties.

Polaris World Mar Menor Golf Resort Properties

Once you’ve arrived safely in the sunny region of Murcia you can begin your search for the ideal golf property at Mar Menor. The resort boasts a Jack Nicholas designed golf course surrounded by lush green vegetation and palm tree lined pathways which will guide you around this magnificent resort. Created as place for complete luxury, relaxation and a healthy lifestyle for its residents, you won’t be disappointed by the unique atmosphere Mar Menor has to offer.

Here’s a selection of the great Polaris World golf properties currently available at Mar Menor.

	Mar Menor Golf Resort – 2 Bed Villa A beautifully furnished 2 bed villa with 2 bathrooms and a living/dining room area. West facing with air-conditioning, central heating, a glazed terrace area, private swimming pool and solarium.
	Mar Menor Golf Resort – 2 Bed Villa West facing semi-detached 2 bedroom villa with large rear garden that’s well-established with plants and borders. Both floors have their own terrace and the property comes complete with its own Jacuzzi.
	Mar Menor Golf Resort – First Floor Apartment Ready for late 2009, this first floor apartment boats south facing views over the golf course. 2 bedrooms and constructed over two floors this is effectively a penthouse that offers a great value way into property on the resort.
	Mar Menor Golf Resort – Ground Floor Apartment Only 9 of these large terraced apartments are being built at present and will be ready late 2009. South facing with views over the golf course, the property offers 2 bedrooms and a great internal design.

La Manga is well worth a visit, 3 excellent courses and owners accommodation arranged in the style of small villages across the estate ensure that you will never be short of choice for things to do. Add to this 28 tennis courts, 2 cricket pitches and numerous pools and you can understand why La Manga is popular with sports personalities – both Nigel Mansell & Kenny Dalgliesh own property there and the England football team often take mid season breaks to use the extensive training facilities.

However, Murcia has many more options to offer the visiting golfer whether on holiday or those looking to invest in property with golf at hand. Served by a local airport from where flights depart daily to the major cites of the UK, Murcia is easily accessible for the regular visitor and makes Mar Menor golf property highly desirable.

Moving slightly wider afield, Costa Calida property in general has enjoyed strong interest from UK owners looking for the benefits of this desirable area but perhaps wishing to live in more traditional Spanish developments. Whatever your inclination, the area has a number of specialist property agents familiar with all the options available including the extensive portfolio of Polaris World property across the region. They will have first hand knowledge of local market conditions and the key things to look for when buying or selling property in Murcia.