by Dee | Feb 26, 2016 | Featured, Travel
Caravanning is an ever increasing choice for families and empty nesters as a holiday or even a second home.
It may surprise you to know that the first Caravan site was opened in 1890 in The Isle of Man and it was after that regarded as the ‘rich man’s’ past time, right up until the fifties when it exploded as a more affordable option for families on a tight budget.
With the increased deluxe design of caravans and campervans, and the reinvention of camping sites, it is now more reminiscent of a high end hotel than an episode of Heidi-hi.
It is not that we are against a good karaoke or a camp fire furore, far from it, but the option is yours, and more and more people are making it.
Harvey Alexander, Caravan Club Director of Marketing says ‘Caravanning is a fantastic holiday option. Modern caravans are so luxurious, truly five star. The Club represents one million caravanners and we are delighted to have many celebrity members and ambassadors’.
(Photo courtesy of: www.campingmougas.es)
If you are already a caravanner or are considering it as an investment, it would benefit you to join this well established club. The Caravan Club was first formed in 1907 and it now has an incredible 375,000 family members. It is a pool of information and advice, and if you have a question, rest assured they will know the answer with anything Caravan related. They have access to a multitude of sites, and have experienced all the practicalities of caravanning. Check them out on www.caravanclub.co.uk.
Dame Helen Mirren, Lorraine Kelly, Billie Piper and Jamie Oliver are just a few of the celebrities who are now owners of motorhomes or caravans.
Caravans are now equipped with all amenities, and give us the flexibility to cook our favourite meals, without having to rely on restricted hotel food, select your location or holiday destinations.
You can buy or hire a campervan if you would prefer to tour, which will give you access to the many camp sites throughout the UK and Europe and will give the sense of adventure to explore landscapes, villages and architecture that would otherwise escape you.
If you are travelling with kids, it will give you the opportunity to introduce them to new horizons including the many farms and parks catering for young people with inspiring activities to keep them amused.
Caravanning now adds to the economy by an amazing £6 billion, which is proof in itself. It is evident that this is the way to go, and more and more people are grabbing the concept and making it their own.
by Glotime | Feb 24, 2016 | Featured, Travel
As part of the Glotime ‘UK Holiday Challenge’ we stumble upon a gem of an Inn in the charming village of Coniston, Cumbria in the Lake District.
Coniston is a great destination for walkers and climbers, as well as families wanting to explore beyond its boundaries. Many famous writers have visited and lived in Coniston, including Coleridge and John Ruskin, who is now buried in the famous St Andrews Church and has a Museum in his name in the Village.
In more recent times, Donald Campbell broke the water speed record on Coniston Water in 1955, but was killed attempting to regain it again in 1967. There is a memorial to him on the village green, just opposite the car park, and information about him in the Ruskin Museum.
The delightful Black Bull Inn and Hotel was built around 400 years ago as a coaching inn providing accommodation for travellers, coachmen and horses.
The Inn is situated in the heart of Coniston Village, beside the beck and in the shadow of the ‘Old Man’ mountain. We felt it important to give you more detail of this exceptional accommodation, as they have left no stone unturned in their effort to cater to all of their guests.
They have 15 comfortable bedrooms, each with bath/shower ensuite, colour tv, tea/coffee making facilities, hair-dryer, full central heating and double glazing. The original features and character of the rooms have still been retained.
They serve a range of light snacks, catch of the day, hearty meat dishes and vegetarian dishes.
The most recent addition to their hostelry is a microbrewery, in which they brew their own beer, Bluebird Bitter and Old Man Ale. They use on the finest ingredients and their local mountain water.
We began to investigate the location and country inn when one of our Glotime followers, Lynn Walker contacted us recommending this as a great place to visit and stay.
Lynn had visited The Old Bull last year with her husband and two children, and one evening was walking across the courtyard, when she glimpsed a man walking ahead of her in Coachman attire. When she turned the corner the man had disappeared, which she put down to him being faster on foot. She assumed that there was a local celebration or festival in the village for its history, but on investigation, discovered that there was nothing to explain a fancy dress occasion.
Many ghostly experiences have been recorded in the Village and especially at The Old Black Bull, but it is hardly surprising with its rich cultural past and vibrant history.
Lynn related her findings to us with great excitement, and assures us that it did not spoil her holiday in any way, but added to the quality of the stay, which she would heartily recommend.
(Images courtesy of Ian Bradley)
http://www.blackbullconiston.co.uk
http://www.conistonbrewery.com/black-bull-coniston.htm
by Dee | Feb 23, 2016 | Fashion, Featured
A real diversity of styles and influences decked the catwalk at London Fashion Week – with some great ideas for us high street consumers (or commoners) to stay on trend with the shades and shapes of the season stretching as far as Autumn/Winter 2016.
Eye catching is the name of the game, and Olivia Palermo donned some exciting bold patterns in midi length dresses with loosly flung cardies.
Ok, we are starting at a leather trench coat which is not a snitch at £175 but is an investment if you like the classic cut, and will actually last you for several seasons (or years!). This gorgeous leather coat is on offer in Miss Selfridge and will look good over jeans or a pencil skirt.
Available at www.missselfridge.com
If you want to go seventies you could go as far as a pair of Bell Bottoms in Zara at £39,99. Okay a bit over the top, but worth mentioning and think about it – this could be your big fashion moment to really shock your kids, or even your Mum who will remember wearing them back in the day. They are also rather flattering.
If you are shocked by the Bell Bottom idea, a more sensible suggestion would be a stripe trouser suit, influence Jasper Conran, you can pick up in River Island – the jacket is £60 and the trousers £38.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on shoes, and we have spotted some great buys at Miss KG for around £15.
Getting the idea? Well just a few suggestions, and I am sure with your own creativity you can elaborate and dress up any outfit with a seventies style skinny scarf from M and S at only £12.50 to complete the look.
http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk
