Mail on Sunday

Style Notebook

ORCHIDS DIRECT To add an earth element to your home like Rashmi, you can use indoor plants. According to feng shui principles, they are especially important in alcoves and dark corners.

Airline Boss in Cockpit for Axed Pilots 320mph Stunt

THE British boss of a major airline was under fire last night after it was revealed he was on the flight deck of a Boeing 777 during a daredevil stunt that cost the pilot his job. Christopher Pratt CBE, chairman of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, was with pilot Ian Wilkinson when he swooped at 320mph just 28ft above the runway on the planes maiden flight out of Seattle on January 31.

Federer's in Way of Murray Title Bid ; Tennis

ANDY MURRAY is bidding for a third title of the year in Dubai this week but he will have to do it the hard way after being drawn against Roger Federer in the first round. Defending champion Federer has been out of action since his shock defeat by Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals six weeks ago.

Donald On Classic Trail

LUKE DONALD bounced back impressively to give himself the chance of winning the Honda Classic for the second time. Donald, 30, from High Wycombe, who led the US Tour event at Palm Beach Gardens after an opening 64, only to drop to 12th with a second-round 74, returned a bogey-free 66 to post a six-under-par 204 total.

Youre Just As Bad As Cheats Drug ; with the Boat Race Approaching, Oxford Are Still Seething Over Last Years Fiasco

THE crews for the 154th Boat Race will be announced this week with a giant shadow hanging over one of Britains oldest sporting traditions. With four weeks to go before the annual race from Putney to Mort- lake, Oxford president Nick Brodie insists his defeat as cox last year should be overturned because Cambridge broke a gentlemens agreement between the universities and effectively cheated their way to victory.

Peer Defise Cameron Over Atack On Nurses

A TORY peer who launched a stinging attack on grubby, drunken and promiscuous nurses defied his furious party leader David Cameron last night and insisted he had absolutely no regrets about his outburst. Lord Mancroft hit out during a Lords debate on patient care as he recalled his experiences while being treated for gastroenteritis in the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

White and Haskell Throwing a Wobbly

CALCUTTA CUP rivals Jason White and James Haskell have been playing controversial mind games ahead of next Saturdays Six Nations clash at Murrayfield. But rather than indulging in the usual psychological warfare, the two back-row men have been employing unorthodox training techniques, originally devised to help children with learning difficulties, as part of their preparations.

Happy Harry

Leicester 34 Leeds 21 HARRY ELLIS, the scrum-half Brian Ashton would love to pick for England against Scotland on Saturday, was finally back in Premiership action yesterday.

Richards Still Refusing to Join the Quins Party

Quins 30 Gloucester 25 HARLEQUINS players celebrated victory as if they had won a World Cup but Dean Richards had seen it all before.

Irish Say Justice Served As Jackson Fluffs Chance

L Irish 27 Saracens 24 IF Glen Jacksons last kick of the game had travelled a yard further left, honours would have been shared. But according to London Irish forwards coach Toby Booth, it was natural justice that the Sarries effort slid wide.

Late Deals of the Week

BEST ACTIVITY TALL Ships Adventures (023 9283 2055, www.tallships.org) has two for the price of one deals for crew aboard the brig Stavros S Niarchos in the Caribbean. Prices start at Pounds 699 for two on its ten-day sailing holidays departing Barbados March 16 or 27. No sailing experience is necessary and the holidays include full board and instruction. Flights are extra.

Rocky Mountaineer and Vancouver From Pounds 1,199 ; Travel Selection

THIS wonderful Canadian adventure sees you fly to Calgary and travel by coach to Banff, capital of the Rockies, before heading to Jasper to board the world-famous Rocky Mountaineer train for an unforgettable journey to Vancouver on the Pacific shore. Our ten-day break costs from Pounds 1,199 flying from Manchester and from Pounds 1,249 flying from Gatwick. Prices include: .

Our Quest for Camelot ; Ask Barrett

Q: FRIENDS from Canada will be visiting us this summer with their 12-year-old son who is passionately interested in the legend of King Arthur (something to do with a popular computer game, apparently). He wants to be taken to Camelot. What do you suggest we do? Beverly Sutton, Oxford

Cracking Easter Breaks ; From Zip Wires to Water Parks ... Britain Is Overflowing with Superb Attractions

SPRING is the perfect time to discover the pleasures of a short break in the UK. A couple of days in the great British countryside or a weekend spent discovering the delights of one of our wonderful cities provides a fantastic family break. And with Easter coming early this year Easter Sunday is March 23 you should start planning your UK family break now.

I Thought It No Big Deal Until I Was Told I Could Have Been for a Year

SCOTT MacLEODS initial reaction to being told that a random drug test last month had uncovered traces of the banned substance terbutaline in his bloodstream was not the sort of deeply remorseful response you would normally expect from a sportsman who had been caught out. I know. Thats what I take, he replied, with the nonchalance of someone who didnt quite appreciate his whole world was in danger of falling apart.

William and Kate Are On the Pistes, Not the Rocks

WHILE the spotlight is on Prince Harry returning from Afghanistan, brother William is busy planning a skiing trip with girlfriend Kate Middleton. Recent reports have suggested they are going through another rocky patch in their four-year relationship, but I can report the couple are happily heading off together to the Swiss resort of Klosters next month.

Katie Nicholl

Freddies Big Suze Loves Her Own Space Too

ACTRESS Sophie Winkleman may have tamed party-loving bachelor Lord Freddie Windsor by virtually moving into his Notting Hill flat, but the pretty 26-year-old has no plans to live with Freddie, pictured with her left, on a full-time, permanent basis. Theres no way I could do that, joked Sophie during the Hightide Festival launch party at the Adam Street Club. I have my own nice, tidy flat to retreat to. It would ruin it if I had to share my home with a horrible oafish boy all the time hed mak...

Katie Nicholl

Katie Nicholl