Whilst Steve and I love swanning off on our travels around the world, we do like to make the most of what the wonderful UK has to offer. Whether it’s staying in a yurt in Snowdonia, lazing on a beach in Cornwall (in the warmer months, anyway!), stuffing my face with chocolate at Cadbury World, or ticking off our list of events that take place annually in Britain, such as the Hay-on-Wye book festival (come on! I am an English teacher!), the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, or, as in the case of last year for Steve’s 30th, the Formula 1 at Silverstone, we like to make the most of what’s happening in our own country just as much as when we’re abroad.
A happy Steve enjoying his 30th birthday present, courtesy of the best girlfriend in the world ;o)
And one thing I’ve never, admittedly, really considered as a great day out is a day at the races.
The Cheltenham Festival
This year, Steve and I have been invited to the Cheltenham Festival, taking place in March. Neither of us have ever been to watch horse racing before, so friends of ours who live in Cheltenham have decided to ensure we lose our horse-racing virginity and take us this year. Bring it on!
I’m excited because, as well as making the day into a bloody good night out as well, I have the best excuse ever for investing in a new dress!
Being as I have practically zero knowledge of all things horse-racing related, I have done a bit of research to gain a little more insight into what to expect, and have found this pretty funky infographic I thought I’d share with you!
Who knows…perhaps it’ll inspire some of you to visit the Cheltenham Festival this year and I’ll be meeting up with you!
It’s beginning to look at a lot like Christmas…even in Malaysian Borneo! OK, so it may be roasting hot here, but there are still Christmas trees aplenty and carols played in the shopping centres, so we’re not totally without a Christmas build up being away from the UK – just missing an advent calendar which, being the chocoholic I am, am a little gutted about.
We’re flying back to the UK on December 22nd, arriving home on the 23rd to spend Christmas zooming all over the UK to catch up with various family and friends.
What this means is, while I’ve been picking up little bits and bobs here and there as prezzies for our loved ones back home, we can’t obviously carry large or heavy items back with us, so we can’t do our traditional Christmas shopping trip to Manchester or Liverpool to pick up gifts for everyone, and instead we’ve (I’ve!) been ordering everything online. To be honest, getting out of our annual shopping trip this year has made Steve’s month!
So I’ve put together this guide to our favourite presents we’ve purchased online, just to give some ideas to fellow travellers needing to purchase online, people who’ve moved abroad, or even those staying at home over Christmas who, like Steve, prefer to avoid the madness of the shops this time of year! Enjoy!
If a dodgy Christmas jumper is good enough for Bridget Jones, it’s good enough me for me – and there are some absolute crackers on this site! Steve and I ordered a handful of them for various friends and family members – and one each for ourselves!
The jumpers are incredibly quirky and original. A lot of the designs are subtly rude and funny, and definitely a fab prezzie for anyone with a great sense of humour. Santa weeing in the snow, decapitated snowmen, Nana in a hit and fly accident involving reindeer…as I said, there’s something for everyone!
I’ve order a gorgeous green jumper for myself featuring reindeer. Look carefully at it, and the reindeer are doing the conga…!
Humping reindeer. Only with Tipsy Elves!
We’re totally sad getting jumpers of matching colour (cheesy couple alert!) but Steve loved this bucktooth reindeer design – and it was one of the least offensive designs so he’ll get away with wearing it on Xmas Day in front of his grandma! I, on the other hand, am banking on her not realising the reindeers are up to no good…
The items arrived quickly via Royal Mail tracked 48 hour service. Steve and I are, obviously, away at the moment, but we got our housemates to let us know when the package arrived (within 2 days of our order!) and to take a few pics of our items for us. Can’t wait to get home and try them on!
2. Hot Topic – Have gone a bit Disney mental! (www.hottopic.com)
I found this site last month whilst looking for Disney-themed gifts for my toddler niece and baby nephew. Then it kind of escalated and I’ve bought Disney presents for my grown-up sisters from the site as well – and have earmarked a few ideas for myself! You’re never too old for Disney…are you?
So cute for my niece! (Or for her Auntie Becky…)
Hot Topic doesn’t just sell Disney items, but has tonnes of popular categories; Harry Potter, Hunger Games, super heroes, The Goonies, Sherlock. Definitely worth checking out.
Couldn’t resist this for my Potter-mad step-sis!
3. Get Personal at Moonpig! (www.moonpig.com)
Yes the advert is cheesy and I hate the “moonpig dot com” at the end (though not more than the Go Compare advert – NOTHING beats that for making you want to slam someone’s head into a wall!), but the site does offer a lot of options for personalised gifts.
I love personalised gifts as they’re so fun to make, and I think the recipient often feels special if a bit of thought and effort has gone into their gift.
Also, my dad is incredibly hard to buy for – but I know he’ll love this!
He’s mad on dogs and currently has 2 who we all love to pieces – Cara and Tilly. He and my step-mum lost 2 of their other dogs this year and last, so I thought I’d get them both a personalised mug featuring images of all 4.
I love my mum to pieces, and I don’t often struggle to come up with ideas for a Christmas present for her. This year she did say she would like a casual watch, and I was made up when I found this site as the watches are gorgeous and, for what they are, not too expensive at all.
This is the one I chose for her; light coloured wood (Ely design) so will go with lots of her outfits. Slightly blurry photo courtesy of Steve’s sister :o)
Well folks, I have a couple more gift ideas to add to my guide but am just waiting for a few pics to be emailed over from back home! Will updated asap!
On camping trips, there are different levels of deprivation people are prepared to tolerate. No matter how you do it, by simply leaving home and heading off into the great outdoors, we are taken out of our comfort zones. It seems the whole camping lark is defined differently depending on who you speak to – silver trekkers do it in their caravans, the young are happy with a tent in a muddy field, some approach it like an endurance test. They leave home with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing and a map, whilst others prefer to glamp in style and high heels – everyone has a unique take on camping. However, there is one thing most agree on: anything that makes the experience a tad more comfortable should be encouraged. Read on for the low down on the best gadgets to take to ensure your camping trip is a success. Additionally, take a look at For Her About Her By Her to find the best rental equipment deals for when you just need the camping basics sorted out. (more…)
The Continent may have its sun, sand, and sea, America may have its big tourist attractions, but there is quite simply nothing like a day out or a holiday in Britain when the sun is shining or the autumn leaves are falling.
Britain has so much to offer
There are few countries in the world that can offer the wealth of history, a variety of terrains, picture-book countryside and world-class cities in the same way Britain can. Because Britain has such a diverse heritage, it does not even matter if you are looking for something to do when the day is overcast or it is in the dead of winter. Britain is always open.
Heritage sites
The Tower of London
One thing Britain has plenty of is history and the wonderful thing is that much of it is still standing. London has a plethora of historic sites worth visiting. Perhaps the most popular historic attraction is the Tower of London, where you can walk through one thousand years of history, enjoy hands-on experiences and sample typical British grub. If you are in the countryside, why not visit the home of the nation’s greatest Briton, Winston Churchill? His Kent home, Chartwell, is packed full of memorabilia from the Churchill family, set amidst rolling countryside and furnished just as Winnie would have known it.
Get active
Mountain biking in North Wales
Fancy a more active day out? Then get your bike out for a bike ride through one of the country’s many parks and forests. If biking is not your thing, yet you still want to experience the picturesque countryside and fresh air on offer, put on your sensible shoes and take a country walk, then stop for lunch at a country pub. Many of the heritage sites in the countryside have parkland and forests attached, so you could even combine a visit around a historic home with a bracing walk or bike ride.
Al fresco dining
If you enjoy the chance to do something simple, try the original al fresco dining .Just remember to include a blanket to sit upon and pack a wicker hamper with food and drink to enjoy an old-fashioned British picnic. Keep the food typical British fare, such as pork pies and chicken, to stay with tradition, but make it a little extra special by taking along a bottle of champagne, with some champagne glasses, of course.
Sporting occasions
If you like sport, then during the summer you could always try a day out at the world’s premier tennis tournament, Wimbledon. This is a sport and a location that has retained its essential Britishness, and even if you are not lucky enough to get a ticket to the Centre Court, you can still camp out on Henman Hill and tuck into delicious strawberries and cream. If you want to get sporty yourself during the winter months, keep a lookout for open-air ice-skating events.
Britain really does have so much to offer the family looking for a fresh and invigorating way to spend the day, so turn the TV off, grab the kids, and do what Britons do best – get out there.
I don’t know about you, but I think that here in the UK we have some of the most iconic sporting venues in the world.
Football
If you are into football, there are of course Wembley and the other national stadiums, Scotland’s Hampden Park, Wales’ Millennium Stadium and Windsor Park in Northern Ireland. While each has its own distinct atmosphere, all are easy to get to by plane, train or car. Even though the stadia may be relatively new or have undergone major restoration and expansion to meet the needs of the modern supporter and health and safety regulations, they still manage to retain echoes of their illustrious predecessors.
Massive Liverpool fan…couldn’t resist including this pic!
Many of the country’s leading football teams play in equally iconic venues; Old Trafford, home to Manchester United and Liverpool FC’s Anfield being two prime examples. Fans from all over the world descend on these grounds every day to take the guided tours. Celtic Park in Glasgow was redeveloped in the 1990s, but the club’s fans are still recognised as being some of the most fervent and dedicated to be found anywhere. As with the national stadia, all these club grounds have first-class links to the motorway network and public transport systems.
Tennis
Wimbledon…where dreams are made and broken!
Mention tennis to anyone, wherever in the world you may be, and I can almost guarantee they will agree that Wimbledon hosts the most prestigious tournament on the planet. This is the one event on the international tour that even hardened professional players want to win. Located in southwest London, getting to and from the venue is easy, thanks to the city’s underground network.
Rugby
Twickenham Stadium
If excitement and atmosphere are what you are looking for then Rugby Union is the game for you. Twickenham is the home of English rugby and there could be no better place to be if the team is taking on the likes of Scotland, Wales, France, South Africa, New Zealand or Australia. The fans may be noisy, but you and your kids, if you have any, are sure to have a great family day out. Wales play all their home games at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Scotland is based at Murrayfield in Edinburgh and Ireland call Dublin’s Aviva Stadium home. Some of these stadia are shared with their footballing cousins, while others, perhaps most notably Twickenham, are unashamedly dedicated almost exclusively to rugby.
Motor racing
Silverstone….massive congratulations Lewis!
Long-time home to the British F1 Grand Prix, Silverstone, which is located near Towcester in Northamptonshire, has undergone a major rebuilding programme in recent years and is now amongst the best tracks on the Grand Prix calendar. It is also a favourite with the drivers, being rated alongside other iconic circuits such as Monaco, Monza in Italy and Spa Francorchamps in Belgium. The Grand Prix takes place every July and is usually a sell-out, with over 100,000 fans attending on race day alone. A whole host of other events take place throughout the summer, including the British Motorcycle Grand Prix and a world championship sports car race featuring Le Mans type racers.
Golf
St. Andrew’s in Scotland is the undisputed home of golf, though Wales and England also have their fair share of excellent courses, for example, Royal St. David’s in North Wales, Royal Liverpool, on the Wirral near Hoylake and Royal Birkdale, near Southport. Scotland boasts several other famous courses, such as Muirfield, Carnoustie, Turnberrry and Royal Troon. Next year’s Open is due to be contested over the Old Course at St. Andrew’s, so check out David Rycott on Facebook, he’s sure to have a comment or two on the subject.
How do I get tickets?
Tickets for events at all the locations mentioned are easy to find on the Internet, either directly from the venue or from one of the major ticket agencies. However, as many sell out within a few hours of going on sale I suggest you add the relevant sites to your favourites list or sign-up for reminders from the various ticket agencies.
No matter what your sport there is sure to be a great venue not too far from home. Why not try something different; if you are a football fan get yourself tickets for a day out at the 2015 Open at St. Andrew’s? It’s sure to make a change from watching your favourite team lose again.
A sponsored bike ride can be a great way to raise money for a charity – whether it is a London to Paris cycle ride, a Coast to Coast challenge or even an epic Lands End to John O’ Groats bike ride. The more people you get to sponsor you, the more money you will be able to raise for your chosen charity and the more of a positive effect your bike ride will have. No matter how much you raise, nonprofits will be thrilled with any donations that they receive. Many of them even use software from UpMetrics to track progress towards goals. Your donation is likely to help them achieve even more.
Sometimes it can be difficult to ask your friends and family for people for your charity ride. You want them to donate, but you don’t want to pester them or be annoying. Here are some tips that can help you raise money for charity in the most effective and friendly way.
A successful Paris to London charity cycle
Set Up an Online Donation Page
A very easy option for setting up your donations is to use an online page, such as JustGiving. These websites are designed to collect your money, reclaim GiftAid and make it easy to set up a page for charity events that explains what you are doing.
Setting up a page online will make people more likely to donate to your cause, because it is easier for them. When they can simply give money with the click of a button, they are more likely to get involved. Also when you set up this page make sure that the first donation displayed is of a decent amount. Studies have shown that people tend to donate a similar amount to whatever others are donating, so a healthy first donation will set a good precedent and encourage others to give more.
Keep Everyone Updated
You can share the process of preparing for a long distance bike ride with your friends and followers, whether you are going through a tough day of training or buying new bike shorts. Keeping them involved in the preparation will make everyone more invested and make them more likely to donate. Let them live the experience along with you.
Ask the Company You Work For
If you work for a large company, it never hurts to ask them to match your funding. Many companies will offer support when their employees are fundraising for charity, so it’s certainly worth enquiring. Also sometimes your boss can help you arrange a fundraising event that involves the entire office. For example, you could have a Casual Friday where employees pay 1 to be able to wear their jeans to the office. If you have a few hundred employees in your organisation, this can result in a significant amount of money!
Get the Local Media Involved
Your local newspaper, TV and radio stations are always looking for human interest stories about people in your town that they can use as small fillers for their breakfast shows. Contact the local media and let them know what you are doing – they will be likely to want to email you. This will get the word out about what you are doing, which might attract the attention of more potential sponsors.
Hold a Raffle
Why not invest some money into a nice prize, then hold a raffle at your work? The money that you raise can be used toward your sponsorship account. Also the raffle will further spread the word about what you are doing and might inspire others to donate.
Don’t Be Apologetic
Whenever you are asking someone for anything, whether it is a charitable donation or a favour, it is important to ask in the right way. Don’t be too demanding, but ask with confidence and explain why your charity is worth of a donation. If you are too shy or apologetic, it will be easy for people to turn you down. If you ask the question assuming a no, you will probably get a no. Turn on your best smile and convince the person that their donation will make a positive, concrete difference.
These are just a few tips to keep in mind when you are raising money for your charity bike ride. It can be different to ask your friends, family and co-workers for fund raising money – but it’s not as difficult as you might think. If you truly believe that you have chosen a worthy charity and that your fundraising will contribute to a good cause, you will be able to portray that to the people you are talking to and convince them to donate. Good luck with it!
Are you tired of the same old weekends, doing the same old thing? Do you fancy going away with the family for the weekend but you are fed up of visiting the same old places? We’ve put together a list of unusual destinations in the UK that you may not have visited, for times when you feel like you need to do something different.
Godshill Model Village – Godshill, Isle of Wight
The model village is 1/10th scale version of the village of Godshill and Shankllin Old Village and chine – which are two of the oldest tourist areas on the Isle of Wight. The model village features replicas of real buildings that are made with sand and cement so that they weather with age to give the ultimate ‘real life’ effect. This is a great place to visit with the family and you can enjoy gorgeous-tasting tea and cake afterwards. You could turn the day out into a mini holiday if you are travelling a far distance. Finding somewhere cheap to stay by searching for iow/iow holiday on Google will allow you to discover great deals from sites such as www.ukbreakaways.com/destination-guide/isle-of-wight.
Stonehenge – Wiltshire, England
A wonder of the world and the best known prehistoric monument in Europe, a trip to Stonehenge is well worth a visit to learn about some of the history in the UK. You can explore the world class visitor centre, listen to an audio tour and explore the Neolithic houses which reveal the type of homes that the builders of the ancient monument might have lived in four and half thousand years ago.
Fingal’s Cave – Staffa, Scotland
Boasting a structure that is unique and incredible to look at, Fingals’ sea cave is a part of a National Nature Reserve that is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It has a unique, cathedral-like structure and its hexagonal columns create a beautiful artistic look. You can enjoy a daily boat tour on the Isle of Staffa to witness this spectacular view. The cave has an arched roof and produces eerie sounds by the echoes of the waves, which gave its name ‘Uaimh Bhinn’ which means “the melodious cave.”
Portmeirion Village – Portmeirion, North Wales
Designed to look like an Italian village, this beautiful location was designed and built by Sir Colough Williams-Ellish between 1925 and 1975. Now owned by The Charitable Trust, you can come and spend the day exploring the beautiful village, enjoy a beautiful lunch, browse around the small shops or spend some time relaxing, looking over the water front.
Dark Hedges – Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
Dark hedges is a beautiful avenue of beech trees that dates back to the eighteenth century. The trees were planted by the Stuart family in hope to create a compelling landscape feature to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their Georgian mansion. The eerie avenue is said to be haunted by the ‘Grey Lady’ who appears at night amongst the trees along the roadside. This location is great for those who love country walks in the great outdoors.
