MANY A TIME I HAVE DRIVEN UP THE A11 EITHER ON MY WAY TO THE COAST FOR A SCENIC WALKWITH THE DOGS OR TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME MUCH NEEDED RETAIL THERAPY IN NORWICH. THERE REALLY AREN’T PLACES TO EAT ON THE WAY; THE ODD ROADSIDE BURGER JOINT AND SOME 80S STYLE CAFÉ CHAINS LITTER THE JOURNEY.

My next sight test is obviously overdue, as I have never noticed the Olde Bull Inn at Barton Mills although it can be seen from the A11 and is just 15 minutes drive from Newmarket. However as the Olde Bull Inn is a listed building, red tape prevents it having any significant signage, so I suppose I can forgive myself the oversight and may be don’t need to dash to the opticians just yet.

The current owners have only been in residence as landlord and landlady for a year, and Cheryl has certainly put her love for interior design into practice. My guest and I are greeted with a grand tour; the private dining rooms and bedrooms look like a cross between an OK magazine shoot and the Furniture department at Selfridges & Co. The three private dining rooms can be booked for parties of 10-20; my favourite was the Cambridge Room,, decorated boudoiresque in black and silver with a huge black chandelier as centrepiece.

Of course, if you’re not planning on bringing 20 friends with you, an intimate dinner for two is more than possible in the main restaurant or try the more casual experience of the bar. My guest and I chose the Oakroom Restaurant. Again the interior design did not go unnoticed – fuscia pink tea lights and silver table runners set a stylishly chic scene.

Yet, overwhelmed as we were by the décor, we were here to experience the food. To start, we opted to share, as we simply could not decide between the poached pear, Stilton and bacon salad and the miniature Beef Wellington. Beef Wellington is a treat at the best of times, but as a starter, I really was spoilt! For just one second I felt it was too cute to eat, but as the smell of the beef, pate and puff pastry rose, that feeling definitely only lasted for just one second!

After having Beef Wellington as a starter, I wasn’t too sure if the main event would live up to its name. My guest chose the Olde Bull Inn’s piece de resistance, the fillet steak tower. The fillet steak tower is a reinterpretation of a classic dish. Amused at first, by the suspicion that this dish may be just ‘reinventing the wheel’, my amusement soon turned to jealousy as my guest tucked into what he said was amazing; a pile of char grilled thinly sliced fillet steak stacked and covered in creamy pepper sauce, and resting on a parsnip and potatoes rosti. Not feeling too adventurous, I chose sweet chilli and honey glazed chicken. The chicken was plump, local and served on a bed of tasty chow mein noodles and crunchy vegetables. Perfectly balanced and deliciously light. Light enough to save room for desert!

A sucker for a theme, I had to try the Chef’s cheesecake of the day. The theme of chocolate bars rotates weekly. My week was After Eight week, and I was presented with a wickedly luxurious mint and chocolate cheesecake, served with fresh pouring cream. Bounty week was the choice the previous week, so I’ll certainly be waiting for that one to come round again! Also selected were handmade profiteroles, filled with cream and dripping in rich chocolate sauce.

In summary, the Olde Bull Inn offers a reasonably priced menu, which you can enjoy in a stylish but comfortable setting, with a very warm welcome. A three course meal in the Oakroom Restaurant is from £20 per person. Breakfast is served daily, food is available everyday from 12pm - 9pm in the bar and in the restaurant, Tuesday to Sunday 6pm - 9pm & for Sunday lunch.

Olde Bull Inn, The Street, Barton Mills, Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 6AA T. 01638 711001

IT WAS ONLY A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT TANIA BYRON, THE TV PRESENTER WAS TELLING US ALL ABOUT VIDEO GAMES AND THEIR AGE RATING, SUITABILITY FOR CHILDREN…
This was no whim of an idea, she was commissioned by Gordon Brown and so came up with a two hundred page document on the subject. The fact that the games industry has been self-regulating and has worked with the BBFC and politicians since the late eighties did not seem to bother our prime minister. Perhaps he thought he should be ‘tough on games, tough on the causes of games’.

Nintendo, the Daddy of gaming, have produced a product which should make all members of the Nanny State and their consultants hang their collective heads in shame. Wii Fit is one of the most innovative products for a long time and could well prove that buying a games console is actually good for you. A couple of years ago the Japanese gaming giant trained your brain with help from Chris Tarrant in the TV commercials, now they’re targeting your physical fitness too. With a product so fresh and dynamic it does not come cheap and for £69.99 you get a copy of the game and a balance board peripheral, like a set of bathroom scales that plugs into the Wii. After booting up the console you can then create your own personal Wii Fit profile which then allows you to determine your Body Mass Index. This is done by entering your birth date and height which allows the balance board to measure your weight and calculates your BMI, giving you a reading whether you’re underweight, ideal or overweight.

There’s nothing like attention to detail, Nintendo have included a series of balance tests which involve shifting your weight left or right on the board so you stay within certain markers on the screen, or try to remain steady while standing on one leg. At the end of all this your BMI, age and balance test results are combined to calculate your Wii Fit age. The screen provides a series of graphs to keep you updated of your BMI status so you can check back day-to-day to measure your progress. With the setup and BMI weights and measurements out of the way you can now get into the action which means it’s time to train. There are four categories of exercises to choose from; Yoga, Muscle Workouts, Aerobic Exercises and Balance games. They’re designed to improve your posture, tone your muscles, burn fat and improve your balance respectively. Initially, less than half the exercises in each category are available. The amount of time you spend on each category is stored in a virtual piggy bank so the more minutes you collect the greater choice of exercises you unlock. It likes to break you in gently, so even if you’re feeble at first, you’re rewarded just for putting in the effort.

Wii Fit Yoga is all about stretching your body and maintaining your balance - the difference being the balance board is there to measure performance. The Muscle Workouts are more traditional exercises, involving lots of lunging and bending and some impossibly hard press-up sequences. Too much too soon will leave you out of breath and, if you’re not used to doing regular fitness and didn’t warm-up properly, you’ll be aching (and probably moaning) the next day.

Exercising is more fun when you’re with friends and Wii Fit works well in multi-player. You can’t perform any of the exercises simultaneously, but they’re short and entertaining enough to ensure that taking turns does not have to be a chore. But, as with so many Wii titles,will the novelty will wear off? Everyone will want to come round and have a go at Wii Fit right now, but will they get bored in a few weeks like some people did with Wii Sports tennis? For me, Wii Fit is better as a solo experience rather than a giggly, tipsy party game. You can of course compare your results with others, but really it’s about setting your own targets and seeing how your performance improves. So far I’ve found this provides enough motivation to play Wii Fit every day, it’s also a lot cheaper than gym membership. So will this get you into shape for summer? Any qualified fitness instructor will tell you that it takes three months to get into proper shape based on three hours of concentrated balanced all round exercise per week. In my opinion, and I’m not a qualified doctor or fitness instructor but if you played Wii Fit for the same duration, you’d probably look and
feel better in yourself..

Driving through the windy open roads on the way to the sleepy village of Tuddenham gave us a real sense that we were out in the fine English countryside, ready to enjoy great British food in a traditional pub.

The village of Tuddenham, just 12 miles north of Newmarket, is home to the White Hart, which serves traditional ale, beverages and great gastro pub food. The cosy pub has just completed its first stage of renovation, offering a new look and new menu for the dining room. The dining room has a cosy, relaxed atmosphere and is decorated in warm red with traditional dark wood furniture, giving it that real gastro pub flavour. Over the next six months, the pub will have subtle but complete
refurbishment, echoing the relaxed theme created in the dinning room.

Our super friendly waitress gave us the menu and brought over the daily specials blackboard. The menu has variety but is still simplistic, always a good sign that the food will be freshly prepared! Still, as usual, it was hard to decide, especially when I glanced over to see the couple next to us being served the gammon grill. Not usually a gammon girl, I was tempted. However, I couldn’t resist the vegetarian special – mushroom, brie and cranberry Wellington. My guest opted for the pub classic of Newmarket sausages and mash.

The portions coming from the kitchen looked more than generous, so I wasn’t too sure about ordering a starter. But, in the name of research, we succumbed to a portion of home made Greek style feta parcels, alongside battered brie wedges to wet our appetite. The brie was definitely the star attraction. Normally, when you order battered brie, three perfectly formed wedges are served, a sure sign that they have come straight from the freezer. However the wedges served to us were large, rustic and uneven in shape – definitely freshly made. Even though I was planning on ‘just a taste’ of my starter, two empty plates went back to the kitchen!

It was cold out side, so we were looking forward to a good home-cooked hearty main course. My mushroom Wellington was certainly not a last thought veggie option. In fact my meat-loving guest was more than a little jealous! My individual Wellington had delicate layers of garlicky mushroom, spinach, savoury nuts and oozy brie wrapped in puff pastry. My meat loving guest enjoyed his three generously chunky sausages, perfectly accompanied with mustard mash and thick onion gravy.

Unless you’re a saint, don’t expect to visit the White Hart without having dessert. We opted for the apple and caramel crunch served with vanilla ice cream, and the raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake served with fresh cream. The star of the show was the apple and caramel crunch, which comes served as an individual pie topped with a hot caramel sauce – yummy!

In summary, the food at the White Hart is both classic and well prepared, whilst taking standard pub fare to a more contemporary level.

The White Hart, High St, Tuddenham, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6SQ T. 01638 717685

The Jaguar XKR is the ultimate expression of Jaguar design and engineering. Perfectly balanced and a study in elegance and refined power, it displays a passion for style and luxury and a promise of performance to make the heart race. At its heart a Supercharged 4.2 litre V8 engine, featuring twin air intakes and variable inlet camshaft phasing to develop 416PS and a peak torque of 560Nm. Acceleration is breathtaking 0 to 60mph in just 4.9 seconds. The supercharger also ensures high levels of power and torque are available at all engine speeds, providing instant throttle response, outstanding mid-range acceleration and excellent driveability. So from the outright exhilaration of the XKR, through the sporty soundtrack of the 4.2 V8, with its Advanced Induction and semi-active muffler systems, power is never an issue in the XK.

A sports car that could only be built from aluminium, featuring a monocoque bodyshell formed using epoxy bonding and riveting techniques more commonly used in the aerospace industry. The result is a structure that is light yet exceptionally strong and rigid. The benefits to the driver are compelling faster acceleration, exceptional agility, quicker braking, reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions. Driving dynamics for the purist. Perfect balance and instant response. Jaguar´s new Sequential Shift 6-speed ZF transmission provides the choice of fully automatic or paddle-shift manual gear changes. CATS™ (Computer Active Technology Suspension) is engineered to determine the best possible balance between ride and handling, by analysing road conditions and continually adjusting suspension settings. Trac Dynamic Stability Control is designed to intervene in demanding driving situations by applying braking to individual wheels and reducing engine torque. The system helps to prevent oversteer and understeer, and also improves traction and acceleration.

The exterior of the XKR is perfectly proportioned, with contemporary clean lines and a purposeful, assured stance. Sleek and athletic - it is a car that looks fast even when it is standing still. The detailing is exquisite – from the elegantly crafted headlights and distinctive front grilles, to the side power vents and powerful rear haunches. XKR models feature additional styling cues that reflect their performance credentials - including Aluminium finish sports mesh grilles and side power vents, twin bonnet power vents and quad exhaust tailpipes. A cockpit designed around the driver intuitive controls, inspired by a sporting pedigree and tailored to respond precisely on demand. The XKR features a host of intelligent technologies, each engineered to empower the driver and enhance the pleasure of driving. And this is luxury with a new-fashioned flavour. Contemporary Aluminium or Satin American Walnut veneers provide striking alternatives to the signature Burr Walnut. Choose between sumptuous Warm Charcoal, Ivory or Caramel leather upholstery, while optional twin-stitched softgrain hides set the interior further apart.

The 2+2 cabin, remains intensely driver-focussed - spacious and comfortable but in perfect pitch with the XK´s sporty dynamics. In the supercharged XKR that includes unique front seats with additional cornering support, bright metal pedals, and distinctive ´R´ brand badging on the tachometer, gearshift lever, headrests and leather steering wheel. The same flawless craftsmanship and tangible luxury run just as deep in the Convertible, whose sophisticated three-layer roof is light and flexible, yet still delivers superb insulation from both weather and exterior noise.

Its that time of the year again when the leading manufactures in football boots put there offerings out into the retail world. We’ve chosen four of the best football boots that will make any player at any standard sit up and take note. Check out the full review in this months Nktbe magazine.

Boots available from www.prodirectsoccer.com

Brighten up your life with our pick of exciting and funky chairs… perfect to perk up a kitchen or delight a dreary office… Check out the full article in this months Nktbe magazine

All available from www.homefrenzy.com

Pushing the boundaries of performance cars, meet the Caparo T1, the closest anyone will get to an F1 car on the road. Ben Scott-Geddes and Graham Halsted, the engineers that helped deliver the iconic McLaren F1, developed the Caparo T1. With this pedigree the Caparo T1 is set to be blisteringly special from the start. It’s a new, uncompromised and unconstrained sports car that sets new boundaries in performance, driver experience and enjoyment.

The figures for this car are staggering; for instance, itspower-to-weight ratio is double the Bugatti Veyron, at 1000 bhp/tonne. The Caparo T1 creates so muchdown force that you would be able to drive it upsidedown in a tunnel at 150mph - now that’s special. Just looking at the Caparo T1, you’ll be struck by its unbelievably aggressive looks. It features a carbon fibre low drag body composed of individual sections, with an adjustable twin element front wing, single element rear wing, fowler flaps, and a ground effect diffuser.

The Caparo T1 is a track day and road going 2 seater sports, which uses aerospace and high formula composite racing technologies whilst providing race-bred safety. This extremely lightweight sports car is capable of incredible performance; with its 2.4 V8 F1 Spec engine producing 480bhp, it can get from
0-60mph in just 2.5 seconds, and 0-100mph takes 5 seconds and will pull 3G round corners and under heavy braking.

Visit www.caparo-t1.com for more information.
Caparo Specification
Maximum Speed: 322kmh (200mph)
(Low down force setup)
0-160km/h: (0-100mph): 5 seconds
0-96km/h (0-60mph): 2.5 seconds – (depending on
tyre setup)
Lateral acceleration: Up to 3g+
Braking deceleration: Up to 3g+

It’s true, working out is the legal way to get high; when you’re working out with others, the buzz from those Endorphins makes it an especially addictive substance.

Making a commitment to getting fit is one thing, but choosing how and where to do it is another. There really isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to places to work out. Nktbe have looked around to find you a selection ofthe best.There reallyis something for everyone!

THE SELF CENTRE

Providing an alternative option to the traditional gym approach, the centre presents the opportunity to work your body,relax, and simply be yourself. There is a wide variety ofy oga classes including introductory, Hatha, Iyengar, Power Vinyasa Flow, and Ashtanga, as well as Pilates, Tai Chi and Qigong. The centre provides opportunities for people of all ages and all levels of ability to take part; there is a class foreveryone, including the superfit, babies and the elderly. Don’t be fooled by the stereotypical view you may have of yoga, it is not for the faint-hearted. Different forms of yoga, such as Ashtanga, work on holding positions to improve tone and flexibility, so although you will feel relaxed by the end of the class, the day after you will feel the burn! Not to be missed, are the more up beat yoga circuits, a new way to raise the heart rate! The Self Centre, Bury St. Edmunds T. 01284 769090

PERFECT U

Perfect U in Newmarket is an extremely social gym, where like-minded people can work out together and reach their goals. This gym is for people who are serious about stepping up their fitness regime, but at the same time want to enjoy the social aspects of joining a gym. There is a number of personal trainers to help you on your way, each of whom specialise in different areas of fitness and can provide a programme specifically tailored to your needs, as well as suggesting meal plans to make sure that what you put into your body won’t ruin your hard work at the gym. Perfect U also has a wide range ofclasses, from Boxercise to Yoga, Spartan Training to Bodypump, and evengood old fashioned step, to get your heart rate pumping. PerfectU, Newmarket T. 01638 561228

GYMOPHOBICS

Gymophobics is a unique ladies-only gym and fitness club, aimed at like-minded women who have never visited a gym before, or have a phobia of gyms. Unlike conventional healthclubs its members appreciate the social and friendly atmosphere and the less intimidating environment. A session takes just 30 minutes, so that you can work two or three sessions easily into your week, no matter how busy your lifestyle is. Gymophobics believe that whatever your age or level of fitness, everyone can easily achieve quick results and a body you’ll love. Gymophobics, BuryStEdmunds T. 01284 725007

THE EDGE HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUB, BEDFORD LODGE HOTEL

This superb state-of-the-artgym and spa has all the latest equipment; so, after a workout, why not take a swim in thesparkling 15 metre indoor heated pool or relax in the Jacuzzi bath, sauna and steam rooms? The Edge has just fully re-opened after a major revamp, so be one of the first to check out its new luxurious facilities.This is the place to go if your motivation is lacking; its pure luxury will convince you! The Edge, Newmarket T. 01638 666075

SK Clinic and Spa held their official launch party on the Thursday 3rd July. The Nktbe team joined them to celebrate the opening of their flag flagship premises in Bury St Edmunds. Check out the full review in this months Nktbe magazine.

SK Clinic and Spa, T. 01284 748470

A new destination in Bury St Edmunds Ruin Nightclub opened its doors to the public on 31st July 2008. Check out next months Nktbe magazine for full review and pictures of the opening night.