For all those cyclists out there, the founder of the Globetrotters Club, Norman Ford is an avid cyclist and has a web site: www.ktc.com/~blodwen which urges readers to tour the world by bicycle on their own. To give some ideas, he lists reports on about a dozen bike tours or bike vacations he’s taken in the past 5 years.

But the real heart of the site is the menu link to “Helpful Websites for Bicycle Touring” which links to just about every website for self-reliant bike tourists he could find and covers the world.

Moreover, if you are interested in knowing a little more about the history of the Globetrotters Club, when you go to Norm’s web site, have a look at the link at the bottom called www.globetrotters.co.uk which gives you an idea of what he’s been up to since 1945! It’s great reading!

Norm is happy to answer e-mail queries except during the fourth quarter of the year when he is away travelling the world by bicycle ~ now there’s an offer! Norm’ can be contacted via his web site.

Evan recommends visitors to Britain to see the intricately carved 15th century ceiling beam (remnant of original rood screen) in the church in Llangattock Lingoed near Abergavenny, Wales. Visit the friendly owners, Alan and Liz Evans at the remote Star Inn, Llansoy, near Raglan, Wales, and to capture the mystique of Avebury, enter the monument along West Kennett Avenue. Evan also just completed a walk following Offa’s Dyke on the Welsh/English border. Despite the foot and mouth scare that is currently blighting our otherwise beautiful country, he says that although he had to keep to the tarmac, it was a small price to pay for a wonderful time.

Arizona: Grand Canyon Nat Park, California: Redwood Nat Park, Yosemite

Colorado: Anasazi Indian dwellings at Mesa Verde

Florida: The Everglades Nat Park

Kentucky: Mammoth Nat Park

Missouri: Cahokia Mounds ~ pre Colombian civilisation ruins

North Carolina and Tennessee: Great Smoky Mountains Nat Park

New Mexico: remains of the Chaco culture (1020 to 1110), Carlsbad Caverns Nat Park now some 81 recognised caves!

New York: the Statue of Liberty

Pennsylvania: Independence Hall in Philadelphia

Virginia: Monticelleo and the University of Virginia – architecture of Thomas Jefferson

Washington State: Olympic Nat Park

Wyoming: Yellowstone Nat Park

Best beach in the world (3) is Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman. Situated (strangely enough) in the west part of the island, about a 15 minute drive from the capital, George Town. Driving is British style, in other words on the left, and it is preferable to hire a car as the local minibus service can be cramped and infrequent, although cheap. It’s a great place to take children as it is a reasonably safe place. The beach itself is golden yellow is flat and gently sloping ~ no rogue waves here. Activities include sunning, swimming, snorkelling and diving. Most of the hotels and timeshare apartments are also in this area. The only downside is that it can be quite expensive to lodge, eat and drink.

Next month: The Beetle’s Top 3 Wreck Diving sites.