The clue
Sometimes it’s hard to gauge my friend’s feelings. But there’s no doubting his anger now.
“How could you be so narrow-minded?” he rails, as we stand in a station opened in 1864.
In one sense, he’s right. But in another, he’s being unfair. The excursion I’m proposing is both charming and unusual — and will give us a chance to explore the hinterland of this university town.
Eleven years ago the surrounding countryside was the subject of an arresting TV drama series. Friend, however, is set on another route. Sure, it’s a marvel of engineering as it follows the coast north and then (generally) westwards. But travelling its full length — and back again — is going to take up the whole day. There won’t be time to visit anything at our base. Besides, we can see the sea without leaving town. All we have to do is look west.
“Why don’t we spend the day here instead?” I suggest.
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After all, one of Friend’s favourite actors (mother: Christine) spent several formative years here — before later starring in a musical biopic. He found his vocation in the local arts centre’s theatre. We could walk over and take a look. Friend’s eyes light up, and so it is that — en route — we find ourselves passing a large stone-faced building half a mile east of the station.
“What’s in there?” Friend asks. “Books,” I reply. “Millions of them. I’m going to take a look.” “How long will you be?” he asks. “I think it’s gonna be a long, long time,” I tell him. “I need to open my mind, remember?”
The questions
1. What is the name of the town?
2. What is the actor’s surname?
The prize
The winner and guest will stay for four nights, B&B, in an Ocean Wing Junior Suite at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu. In a nature reserve, this serene beach resort is home to a lagoon-style pool, a spa and eight restaurants and bars — as well as a water sports centre and an 18-hole golf course. The prize includes two buffet dinners and an Asian Blend spa treatment for two. For more see shangri-la.com. Also included are return flights from Heathrow to Kota Kinabalu (via Kuala Lumpur) with Malaysia Airlines, which flies direct from London to Kuala Lumpur twice daily with connections to Asia and beyond. Passengers experience a warm sense of hospitality in modern cabins, with comfortable seats, in-flight entertainment and free wi-fi. For more see malaysiaairlines.com.
How to enter
Can’t see the competition form? Answer the questions and complete the entry form at thetimes.co.uk/travel/where-was-i by the end of Thursday, June 6. One entry per person.
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See here for the full competition terms and conditions from The Times & Sunday Times. Your information will be used in accordance with our privacy and cookie policy.
Last week’s prize
The answers are Pleasington and King George’s Hall. Vicky Newitt from Oxfordshire wins a stay for two nights, B&B, at Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa in Wiltshire.
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