Happy 2010... go to the land where you grow younger

EVERYONE has a Queen of Sheba in their life. And mine was laying down the law as she got more and more frustrated whizzing around the hotels near Dublin Airport trying to get me to a function at the Clayton.

We had been up at Castle Leslie in Glaslough for afternoon tea on the second part of a Monaghan odyssey which but for my disorgination should have been a oneparter. I’ll tell you more in the coming weeks.

As ever the idomitable Mrs M got me there in time... for New Year.

Ethiopia welcomed in 2010 in good style and we learned more about Enkutatash, the secular and religious celebration meaning ‘gift of jewels’ which goes back to the time of the Queen of Sheba who showered King Solomon with spices and jewels. My Queen of Sheba demands the same treatment.

2010, I hear you ask? Well, Ethiopia uses the Coptic calendar which consists of 13 months so is seven years behind us, and which also means that you become seven years younger in one night!

We probably all have certain perceptions of Ethiopia but this thriving beautiful verdant country has only been selected by Lonely Planet and Rough Guide as a mustsee destination.

For lovers of history and culture there is much to savour and Ethiopia has nine UNESCO world heritage site.

Ethiopian Airlines services this vast country with flights direct from Dublin (7hrs 50min there and 8hrs 15mins return). Snaps found a week’s holiday staying in the Empire Addis International Hot hotel in capital Addis Ababa for €930 on the sample dates of October 6-13. Visit www.ethiopianholidays.com

Of course, the indomitable Mrs M didn’t miss out that day, having savoured the wonderful delicacies Castle Leslie has to offer. Afternoon tea is €25pp. If you want a glass of champagne that’s €18 each.