'Ideal companion? Someone who looks worse in a swimsuit than me'

'When you get to Tahiti, they put garlands around your neck'

Michael Whitaker will be riding his Windsor Grand Prix winner, Amai, when he goes last for the British team in today’s Samsung Super League Nations Cup.  Derek Rickett, who named the team yesterday on the opening international day of the Royal International Horse Show, has chosen Geoff Luckett to go first (with Britain having been drawn in the opening slot, he will be first in the entire competition). Charlotte Platt, a 22-year-old newcomer to the Super League, will go next for Britain, followed by Duncan Inglis.

In a corner of Germany cloaked from the West for 40 years lies a fairy-tale land of lakes and castles. Ray Kershaw steers through Mecklenburg

In a corner of Germany cloaked from the West for 40 years lies a fairy-tale land of lakes and castles. Ray Kershaw steers through Mecklenburg

A week today, British football's first couple will tie the knot on the Italian Riviera. Rob Sharp kicks off the celebrations

Michael Whitaker appeared to have a bright star of the future in his stable when he rode Beatrice Mertens Amai to win yesterday's Grand Prix on the closing day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Bargain of the week: Dutch carnage

Of course Formula One is a macho environment and has attitudes to match. But, Jane Nottage argues, women can still survive - and thrive - in it

AN OLD Bailey judge ordered the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to explain yesterday how a woman in a rape case had returned to America before giving evidence.

PERMISSION to come alongside? Thank you. Now, closely studying, as is my way, a copy of the Financial Times over the shoulder of a rather grumpy fellow on the train last week (sorry, but he would keep turning the pages too quickly!) I was particularly taken by a report expressing worries that Britain was not attracting as many big investors as it might. I think I can help here, as an unconventional approach often pays dividends (!). Here follows the Captain's Top Nine Tips For Attracting Inward Investment. 1) Make it fun! When potential investors arrive at the airport, let's get those chaps holding up their names on placards to dress up as Morris Dancers and jig around a bit. 2) Entertainment can be a clincher. Bernard Manning always goes down well, and, if you're in the area, the Cabaret Club in Oldham has quite a reputation. 3) Actually, talking of the North, here is a case where positive thinking and action can turn a problem into a solution. You will have read about the North emptying as its population moves south: why not give your investor Salford? 4) If you feel the investors are not quite grasping all the benefits of your company, talk much more loudly and a lot more slowly. This often helps. 5) Probably better, though, not to arrange a meeting for them with John Prescott. 6) Jonathan Aitken, on the other hand, is very good at this sort of thing, and he's out really quite soon now. 7) Have you ever thought of hypnotism? 8) Foreigners, I find, are tremendously impressed by our Royal Family. I should be glad, as a help to your presentation wotsit, to loan out one of my 17 copies of 50 Golden Years, a video celebrating the Queen's golden wedding, for a nominal amount, say 12 guineas. 9) And more than that: I should like to announce now that anyone investing more than pounds 2bn in this country will receive one of my prized Moonlight Badges. Roll up!

Collect four tokens to take advantage of this fabulous opportunity - then enjoy meals at 25 per cent off

The map We all know about the Dome, but what will the rest of the world be doing as the final seconds of the millennium are counted out? Michael Booth investigates