Vatican City Seek

What is this life if, full of care, / We have no time to stand and stare. The poet who penned those words was born in this large cathedral town (formerly Novus Burgus) NEWPORT, where I have spent all day trawling the sales. My booty? A pair of gaudy-coloured gloves. So now I am heeding the poet's words, and gazing out into a nearby rivermouth - contemplating tomorrow's agenda. For a start, I could hang around in town on a structure completed in 1906. Fully restored, it is one of only a handful in the entire world. From there, it would be a brief jaunt to the cathedral; there has probably been a church here since the 5th century, but it only began to acquire its cathedral mantle in 1921. The remains of the castle, of 12th-century origin, are close by; there might have been rather more had it not been sacked by, among others, a 15th-century rebel and self-proclaimed prince (who appeared in Henry IV, Part 1). Or I could venture further afield. North, east, west ... there is plenty to take in - a small settlement about nine miles to the east looks promising. Being pretty active around here, the Romans knew it as Venta Silurum. The remains are, apparently, still visible. It appears they also rather liked a second town about 17 miles north of where I am now. There they built a fort - Gobannium; the Normans followed with a castle; and the aforementioned rebel plundered the lot for good measure. If time permitted, I could check out ,a third town, between here and there, that is famous for two things: first, its _link_s with Japan - through the Allgood family. And second, for forging - of the _meta_llic kind. (America's first forge was probably established by emigrants from here.) So, that's north and east covered. And west? Well, to the southwest is a city, in whose suburbs was born a great author. Master of many genres, his output included screenplays for You Only Live Twice and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. There, I could take in the cathedral, castle, parks ... or end up shopping again. Which, back in the present, reminds me of another of the poet's works: What can I find in the city shops, / To please your pretty eyes to-night. More than a pair of gaudy gloves, I'll wager ...    HOW TO ENTER If you are already a Times Online member, you will not be required to enter your registration details again. Simply click the Enter the competition button below. If you regularly delete cookies then you may be asked to log in. If you are not a member and this is the first time you've entered the Where Was I? competition online, all you need to do is register your details with us. By clicking the Enter the competition button below, you will automatically be taken through to the registration page. The process should not take long and you will not be required to register for future competitions. After registration, you just enter your answers in the boxes provided. For your chance to win this fabulous prize, simply study the passage of text on the left, then give the answers to these two questions:  Q1: Who was the poet? William Henry Davies Q2: What is the name of the third town? Pontypool THE PRIZE A week for two in a Tuscan farmhouse, with Magic of Italy. The winners will stay in a studio apartment at Il Reggio, part of a 15th-century farm estate, which has a terrace for alfresco dining and a pool overlooking the surrounding hills. The prize includes a hire car, courtesy of Europcar, and return flights from Gatwick, and must be taken in March, April, May or October, 2003, excluding bank holidays and half term. This year, Magic of Italy has greatly increased its range of villas and apartments in Tuscany, and is also offering properties in Lazio for the first time. For a brochure, call 08705 462442 or visit www.magictravelgroup.co.uk. To enter, please click the enter the competition button above. Entries must be submitted by midnight on January 15, 2003. Winners will be announced next week in Directions and online. Only one entry per household. Normal Times Newspapers rules apply. No correspondence will be entered into. Please note: Due to the provisions of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, this competition is not open to readers in the Irish Republic. LAST WEEK'S WINNER The answers to last week's Where Was I? competition are Edward II and Westonbirt Arboretum. The winner is Brenda Scott of Hungerford, Berkshire, who wins a week's walking and wine-tasting holiday for two in La Rioja, Spain, with the specialist walking tour operator Headwater Holidays.