Here is just a small sample of the excellent reviews May Cottage B&B in Bowness-on-Windermere have received on TripAdvisor:

“Great B&B accomodation close to the centre of Bowness”
5 of 5 stars
Date of review: 4 Apr 2011

Most pleasant welcome received from Sue – the accomodation was ideal for our three night stay – with a very comfortable bed room and fine ensuite. The excellent full English breakfast ,accompanied by Sue’s little talk on the locality and its history, set us up for the day’s walking . The B&B is just a few minutes walk to the centre of Bowness and the pubs and restaurants.
For Rugby League fans, a must is a chat with Len Casey , Sue’s husband and breakfast chef, who can relate anecdotes about his playing career for Great Britain ( some as captain) and England and both Hull clubs.

“A gem of a B&B”

Date of review: 1 Apr 2011
Our first trip to the lakes and first visit to a B&B. We recently married and decided to stay away for a couple of nights.

Sue and Len are great value, warm and welcoming. Place is a gem, you ll be lucky to get availability as the repeat business is a sign of how popular this place is.

Would love to stay again!
“SIMPLY THE BEST”
5 of 5 stars
1 more review of May Cottage by Sallyberisford:

Date of review: 23 Mar 2011

We returned to May Cottage, & yet again received a warm, friendly welcome. Sue goes out of her way to make you feel at ease & welcome. She has stories to tell you & her knowledge of the area is outstanding. She has a brillant sense of humour, ALL the rooms are lovely & clean.
If you stay here it is only a very short walk into Bowness & all the shops, pubs etc.
I mustn’t forget Len, who doe’s a wonderful breakfast each morning, Len to is a chirpy chappy.
Throughly recommed you to stay here.
We felt like part of Sue & Lens extended family. Will definately return.
THANKS BOTH

Built in 1845 in the heart of the Victorian city, many of our rooms still include the original fireplace features. Combined with en-suite facilities, hospitality trays and digital widescreen TVs, our rooms are a subtle blend of contemporary modern and historic.

Their intimate award-winning licensed restaurant is a great place to spend an evening or start the night. The restaurant serves a range of home cooked healthy meals, snacks and light bites, all freshly cooked using only award-winning ingredients.

Knowle House is a large Victorian terrace house situated off Bootham on the North side  of the city of York.  York Minster is within a six to eight minute walk.  It is also next door to and under the same ownership as Hedley House Hotel. These York self catering apartments are self-contained, fully furnished and contain all necessary linen, crockery and cutlery.  All have central heating, colour television, electric cooker and fridge.  Wireless internet is available. All but one of the apartments have direct dial telephone.

In a city where car parking space is limited, Hedley House Hotel and Apartments have 19 allotted parking spaces. When these spaces are full there is room for 8 more vehicles in the middle of the car park, the keys to these must be left at reception in case of emergency. The car park operates on a “first come first served” basis.  If this is unacceptable there is a large public car park (chargeable) 2 minutes walk from the hotel.

When thinking of a destination that caters for just about all tastes then Dublin is hard to beat. From the extensive arts and culture, to sporting events and music festivals, Dublin has it all. For group travel, it really is the destination of choice.

Universities, schools, brides and grooms to be, family and friends are all feeling the effects of the economic downturn. These groups are having to be more aware of costs for group travel.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a great time in Dublin and Cork - there are lots of things to do, see and experience and we can help you to plan and book the best of them at the cheapest group prices. Many of Dublins top attractions are located within easy access of a large selection of Dublin hostels.

Somewhat of a hidden gem of a day out is on the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) commuter train service which runs right along the coast, so it’s like a cheap tourist train, with breathtaking views and fabulous places to visit along the route.

One must visit location on the train journey is the pretty fishing village of Howth (rhymes with ‘both’), a twenty minute DART journey along the coast north of Dublin city centre. Howth has a pretty harbour, which is used by both working fishing boats and pleasure craft – but did you know that it also has a beach? Shhh! Don’t tell anyone, but when you come out of the DART station, walk about 100 meters towards Howth village, take a left then walk down the little alleyway to your left – and you come out on Claremont Beach! It’s right beside the pier, but you could easily miss it – it’s a great place to take a stroll, building up an appetite for…

Top money saving tip’s when staying in Dublin hostels
Travelling with a student group is certainly not easy or cheap, so making wise decisions prior to your trip will pay off when you arrive in Dublin or Cork. Planning your itinerary and booking the most important elements of your trip can not only be more cost effective for a group but also less stressful for the group leaders!
Here are some top tips on how you can save your group money for your stay in hostels in Dublin.

In some hostels, your group’s breakfast is covered so you just have lunches and dinner to think about for your group saving both time and money. Whether your group are busy with itineraries everyday or just taking it easy, wouldn’t it be great not to have to stress about sorting out lunch or dinners for the whole group? You can organise packed lunches prior to your arrival in some hostels and they will be delivered to the hostel reception for your group to collect in the morning time. Make use of the hostel’s helpful staff. They can often pre-book a local restaurant for your group at discounted group prices. Booking and paying for lunches and dinners in advance means your group saves money, saves time in the precious evenings not having to find a place to accommodate a large group and helps with daily budgets.

Many groups plan their trip to Dublin and Cork and don’t even consider costs of visiting attractions /activities until they arrive. They’re missing all sorts of opportunities to save money. By planning ahead and booking prior to arrival in Dublin hostel you will save a significant amount of money for the group.

Student discounts and other concessions will make a difference to your groups budget. If you are a student group in one of the Dublin hostels, make sure you bring your student cards on your trip. Lots of shops and attractions in Dublin offer student discounts.

Directly employing only fully qualified electricians, they offer a level of technical capability and service which is unparalleled in the Industry.

With continued growth over the last decade, the company is rated as an exceptional performer by industry analysts.

Electrical Testers have the culture, people and systems to provide the ultimate service.

UK Health & Safety legislation is extensive and requires that whatever your activity, you must provide a safe environment for your staff and your customers.

The services provided by Electrical Testers Ltd are designed to comply with a variety of legislation, regulations and British Standards.

Although not exhaustive, most of the relevant regulations and standards are listed below:

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 PAT Testing

BS5839:Pt1:2002 - Fire Alarm Inspection & Testing
BS5266:Pt1:1999 - Emergency Lighting Inspection & Testing
BS7671:2008 - Periodic Inspection of Fixed Installations
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - Fire Risk Assessments

There is in fact only one piece of water that is officially a lake and that is Bassenthwaite Lake 3 miles from Keswick. All the other bodies of water are either a “mere” or “water” for example Windermere and Ullswater or a tarn which means a small body of water.

There are 20 major lakes of which the largest and busiest is Lake Windermere. The lake can be acessed from Bowness, Newby Bridge and Ambleside and visitors will find both Bowness and Ambleside to be thriving tourist destinations with an excellent choice of Lake District bed and breakfast accommodation providers, hotels and cottages. Windermere the town is located 1.5 miles from the lake but Bowness-on-Windermere sits right by the lake swarming with boats, tourists and tours. At nearly 11 miles long, Windermere can fit a lot on it including 14 islands. The speed limit of 10 miles per hour maximum has caused some controversy but of course it has also pleased some people. Another very fascinating fact is that in the heavy rain of January 2005, Windermere rose by nearly a meter overnight. That equates to an extra seventeen thousand litres of water!

The next largest lake is Ullswater in a different part of the county but which offers a much quieter experience. Ullswater is set amongst some of the largest mountains, the main one being Helvellyn, the Lake District’s 3rd largest. The Ullswater Steamers operate on the lake so not only does this area appeal to walkers, but also some sightseers for the spectacular views and quiet lake.

Derwentwater is the 3rd largest lake and offers a very good choice of Lake District guest house venues surrounding it and is located just a mile from Keswick which is a haven for walkers. Derwentwater is only 3 miles long which is significantly smaller than the Windermere and Ullswater.

The deepest lake is Wastwater, being 79 metres or 258 feet deep. At the end of Wastwater at the head of the Wasdale valley are some of the highest mountains in the Lake District, Scafell Pike (which is the highest), Great Gable and Lingfell. The Screes is a mountain that catches the eye on Wast Water. It measures 2000 feet from top to base but 200 feet of it is below the surface of Wastwater. The view towards Scafell Pike from the other end of Wast Water, won Britain’s Favourite View in the ITV programme last year.

It is not just the size of the Lake District that attracts tourists but the density of the area. No other National Park in the UK has the amount of fells and lakes so it is truly special and should be visited by everyone.

To take full advantage of the Lake District visitors should look to stay in one the area’s fine hotels, Lake District Bed & Breakfast accommodation, or self catering properties.

It’s not too late to attend the last in the series of exhibiton road shows put on by Bibby Consulting and Support. June 6th and 7th sees the road show at its final destination, the Care Forum, Heythrop Park Resort, Oxford.

With 5 major events planned in just 6 weeks the team are busy preparing themselves to talk to business leaders up and down the country explaining why Bibby Consulting & support are the supplier of choice.

May 4th saw the start of Bibby Consulting & Support’s exhibition road show at the Manchester Central Business Complex before heading to Newport, Liverpool and Oxford.

Bibby Consulting & Support is part of the Bibby Line Group, a family run business with a distinguished 200-year heritage, encompassing financial services, retailing, logistics, shipping, marine and offshore services.

With businesses and business owners being safeguarded through the expert management of human resources and ensure essential compliance with Employment Law, Health, Safety and Environmental obligations.

As part of a family owned and run enterprise, Bibby Consulting and Support (Bibby CAS)understand the needs of smaller businesses. Their membership of The Bibby Line Group has given them a unique insight into the importance of maintaining a strong customer-focused and people-based culture, to support the growth and development of a successful business.

If you would like to join the Bibby CAS team at the Heythrop Park event, or just find out more about how Bibby CAS can help your business through their employment law specialists and health and safety advisors, visit http://www.bibbycas.com

A UKAS pressure calibration laboratory is well equipped with a wide range of standards from precision digital barometers to primary sources such as pressure balances. We can generate and accurately measure pressures from about 0.001mbar right up to 4,000bar with low uncertainties.

Suitable for the UKAS Instrument Calibration of…

* Pressure gauge or transducer
* Pressure calibrator
* Switch
* Transmitter

Range covered…
Gauge or Absolute Pressure: 5bar to 4,000bar

Typical UKAS Pressure Calibration Uncertainties…
Gauge or Absolute Pressure:
±0.011% from 5bar to 70bar
±0.009% from 70bar to 1,100bar
±0.024% from 1,100bar to 4,000bar

Even though mail and parcel forwarding has been available in the United Kingdom for some years, most notably offered by Royal Mail, for business and domestic use in the form of “Mail Redirection”. With more and more businesses either moving premises or having operations in other countries, mail forwarding using a UK mailing address is now offered by other companies and to suit more specific requirements.

Mail forwarding is used for many different purposes but it is the onset of internet that has created the need for more mail forwarding options. Internet based businesses for example who wish to have a valid postal address but who do not have business premises and that do not wish to have a Uk mailing address. Purchasing goods online from abroad is another reason why both business and domestic consumers would require a mail forwarding address. A parcel forwarding company will set up an address, in the United States for example, where goods purchased will get sent to you and then they will organise the shipping of the goods back to the United Kingdom.

By ordering goods in such a way, shipping costs can be greatly cut down.

The latest in mail forwarding in the UK is an international mail and parcel forwarding service offering consumers and businesses the advantage of a hassle free UK

postal address from which they can ship anywhere in the world. A UK mail forwarding address also enables overseas businesses to have a presence in the United Kingdom.

A mail and parcel forwarding service streamlines businesses and enables even more efficiency when carrying out operations overseas and internationally.

Mail forwarding how it works
Sign Up to a mail forwarding service to get a UK mailing address.
This typically involves following quick and simple steps to register. Choose the right account to suit your need parcel forwarding needs. Click here to compare our parcel forwarding membership options. Once you’ve decided on which service account is right for you, you’ll be given a unique and genuine UK street address.

Make sure your goods are legally importable to the country of delivery
Its your responsibility to make sure that your goods are legally importable to the country of delivery. The forwarding service company will have a list of excluded items to make sure your package isn’t among them.

Get a quote
Find out how much it will cost to get your parcel to the destination country.

Order you goods
Get shopping and place your order. Make sure you enter your mail forwarding UK address when prompted to fill in the shipping address.

The packing forwarding company will receive your parcel
The company will let you know as soon as we receive delivery of your parcel. When you sign in to the online UK mailing address account, you’ll be able to track the status of your parcel as it is prepared for shipment.

The parcel will be prepared for shipment
The mail forwarding company will sort out all the paperwork for you and make sure your parcel is securely packaged.

Your parcel arrives at your doorstep
You can typically expect to receive delivery of your parcel from your UK mailing address within 5 days of the date of dispatch from the warehouse.

First in Service will design and install air conditioning and ventilation systems, and electrical equipment and installations. Their helpdesk is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call. Their planned, preventative maintenance contracts are available across all disciplines to ensure that your equipment is kept in peak condition. All our Engineers are employed by the company and are CRB checked.

If you are looking to save energy or utility costs within your business First in Service can help you by installing energy/utilities meters, and they can assist in your application for an interest free loan from the Carbon Trust to help you install new equipment that will save energy.

For more information about First in Service, or any of their servicing, installation and maintenance services please visit www.firstinservice.co.uk.

With such vast, varied and breathtaking scenery as in the Lake District, it is far too difficult a task choosing one destination for a holiday or short break. Great driving roads+breathtaking scenery=the perfect recipe for camper vans.

Camper vans give you:
The opportunity to visit and experience numerous locations in one trip.
Give you the freedom to stop off when and where you like and for what duration.
No need to worry about there not being a hotel or guest house available in the area.
You are protected from the elements unlike camping.

You’ll never tire of driving on the roads in the Lake District and Cumbria which has some of the most scenic roads in England. In particular, Hartside Pass which The AA and Top Gear list in their top 10 driving roads in England. Other great driving roads include the Kirkstone Pass, the A591 which passes through Ambleside, Grasmere and onto Keswick and not for the faint hearted Hardnott and Wrynose passes.
VW camper vans are particularly suited to the roads in the Lake District. They are compact and allow you to drive on the stunning, narrow roads which other, larger camper van and mobile homes would not be able to.

Camper vans have seen a renaissance in recent years both in terms of new camper vans and mobile homes but especially the popularity of the classic VW camper van. Their iconic status continues to grow and excite young and old. Driving around in the VW camper van is guaranteed to turn heads and makes a holiday even more special.

A mobile holiday is the ultimate in economical holidaying. The cost of parking up on a camping or caravanning site is nominal and sometimes areas can be found that are free. You can self cater as much of the meals as you wish although the Lake District has some fantastic eating houses that really should be visited.

Many people simply can’t justify purchasing a VW camper van for themselves due to lack of annual leave and other commitments. A camper van has to be used regularly both for economy and for the wellbeing of the van. The perfect solution is in the form of hiring. Classic VW camper van hire is now available in the Lake District and enables those who want to experience a camper van holiday but that do not want to purchase one. Volkswagen camper van hire is also great for those thinking of purchasing a van to gain knowledge of driving one. Camper van hire in the UK, sorted.

It’s understandable that in all businesses, continuous examination of operating costs are routinely made. Within this, the cost of fire suppression is often considered to be a relatively high but necessary cost. However, there can be very few applications where the absolute reliability of operation of the automatic fire suppression equipment is more business critical than in a data room.

For instance, data rooms of any size will have an air conditioning system in place to control the temperature because of the tremendous amount of heat that’s generated on a continuous basis. Failure of the air conditioning system to function may lead to overheat situations placing stress on the equipment and components. This could cause an outbreak of fire with a resultant and devastating loss of all data within minutes. And don’t forget, we’re potentially talking here of data that’s taken many years to build.

So no question, data rooms need to be protected by a dependable automatic fire suppression system, but does the cost of the system have to give the financial director sleepless nights? The answer is a resounding no.

One thing that we all know is that high volumes of water and computers don’t sit happily together. That’s why for years now, chemical gaseous agents such as FM 200, Inert gas systems and now water mist have been employed to do the job of fire protection. They have performed the task of suppressing fires by physical cooling of the affected area or by decreasing the oxygen in the atmosphere to a level that no longer supports combustion. All utilise a system of high pressure pipework and nozzles to deliver the suppression medium into the risk area.

However, recent world wide shortages of raw materials have prompted dramatic increases in the cost of chemical gases, FM 200 in particular. This in turn has affected the cost of new fire system installations and that of recharge and service where gas needs to be replaced  (up to 40% in some cases), making them far less competitive on price. This fact has forced buyers of fire suppression systems to widen their search for equally reliable but more cost effective alternatives.

As already described, Data Rooms need the optimum in automatic fire suppression systems and extinguishers as do other special areas such as network infrastructures, art galleries, museums, antique centres, and power generation plants to name just a few. The objective is always to save lives and property. But innovative fire protection can now do a whole lot more. Today it combines science and economics and matches these qualities to total effectiveness and reliability.

In the case of Data Room protection there is now a system that not only beats the performance of chemical and Inert gases, it also provides a superior, environmentally friendly fire suppressant. Not only that, the system known as Stat-X allows easier and more cost-effective installations for all these types of challenging applications.

There may still be a chill in the air and it’s not quite shorts and t-shirt weather yet but the daffodils are almost out, the days are getting longer and the smell of spring is well and truly here.

It’s about now that any fashion savvy fashionista has one thing and one thing only on their minds……their summer wardrobe. London Fashion Week has been prompting people to think about fashion and clothing after the long, dark winter and all the fashion magazines are beginning to feature summer fashion tips and advice.
As much as any fashionista loves wearing boots and let’s face it, there were stunning ones around this winter, it has been long since many have seen their toes! It’s been too cold to have toes uncovered for any longer than it takes to have a shower and thick socks have ruled.

Footwear is an excellent place to start when first thinking of a summer wardrobe. The summer styles are in all the shops both on the high street and online, the styles are fresh and the full range of sizes are available so no disappointment. Close your eyes and think of sandals, holidays and sand between your toes! And think about all the festivals coming up. The UK does see its fair share of rain at these events so take your Hunter Wellies but also your sandals.

In terms of both womens sandals and mens sandals, the rise in comfort footwear is very much welcome. The summer is chilled out and about having fun so sandals such as from Birkenstock and Crocs give that chilled vibe.

Jamaica is the third largest of the Caribbean Islands. Cuba is the largest with the second place taken by Hispaniola which contains the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Jamaica is the largest English-speaking Island in the Caribbean, measured at one hundred and forty six miles long and fifty one miles wide and occupying an area of 4,400 square miles.

The population of Jamaica is just over two and a half million with high concentrations in the cities and surroundings, especially Kingston, the capital. Most visitors fly into Montego Bay as the North Coast is home to most of the beautiful beaches and other famous visitor attractions, like Dunn’s River Falls.

It is said that Columbus described Jamaica as “a land of hills and valleys” and crumpled a piece of paper to demonstrate its topography. Almost half of Jamaica is over a thousand feet above sea level and about forty square miles are above five thousand feet. 

The mountainous character of Jamaica creates a wide range of micro-climates. The northeast winds blow regularly throughout the year. During the day, the sea breeze blows onshore and at night, the land breeze blows off- shore. During the American winter season, cold fronts may affect Jamaica, producing very strong cold winds, rain, and a change in wind direction from the North.

There is little seasonal change in average daily temperatures in the lower regions of Jamaica where the majority of the population resides. Readings at St. George’s College Station, Kingston:

·         July Average Low at 75.1 degrees Fahrenheit, Average High at 90.7 degrees Fahrenheit

·         January Average Low at 69.1 degree Fahrenheit, Average High at 86.7 degrees Fahrenheit

Temperatures are ten to twenty degrees Fahrenheit cooler in the highlands, but the summits of the Blue Mountains have seen light frosts on winter nights.

Higher than average rainfall occurs during September to October and May to June. The major dry period is from January to March. The average annual rainfall of 77.1 inches is strongly influenced by the terrain. The northeast of the island receives the most rain. Areas of the Western end also receive high rainfall.

Daily winds develop along the coasts with great regularity and have greater climatic influence than seasonal variations. Typically, the sea breeze commences in the morning, reaches its maximum velocity of about 20 knots at midday, and then gradually subsides in the afternoon, when they often produce afternoon showers in the interior.

Visitors will not be disappointed by the variety on this luscious island, from sun-kissed white sand beaches to rivers and waterfalls, to mountains and valleys in the interior. There are lots of different types of accommodation to choose from including hotels, Jamaica Villas, and Jamaica apartments. There is so much to see and do in including visiting the best beaches at Silver Sands in Jamaica where you will find fantastic places to stay including Silver Sands Villas and cottages. Silver Sands is located on Jamaica’s famous North Coast, midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.

From an environmental point of view, artificial grass has a number of benefits. The biggest being the need not to water. Although most people are very aware of water conservation, the temptation to water a brown, scorched lawn is all too big. It is predicted that hose pipe bans will become more and more frequent as the need for water increases and we have warmer summers. Then there is the fact that artificial lawns require no trimming so the need for petrol or electric lawnmowers is eradicated saving fuel, emissions and electricity.

Whether it’s on a lawn, on plants or when growing vegetables, the use of fertilisers is getting less and less. Artificial grass, of course, does not require any fertiliser or chemicals. Mossy grass is a thing of the past.

A reason often not thought of initially but that is becoming more and more common is the use of artificial grass in small gardens. A small yet maintained garden can encounter difficulties of trying to cut the grass with a lawn mower due to the impracticality of such a small area. An edge strimmer has been known to be tried but this looked very uneven and messy. The final straw is by cutting the grass with a pair of hedge cutters but this is frankly quite unreasonable and completely wastes time. Artificial grass is the ideal solution.

Another situation that is occurring more and more now is the appearance of roof terraces. Roof terraces are a much sought after way of having outside space, in a city especially. The problem is these areas can be dark and concreted. Laying artificial grass creates instant green and most importantly requires no maintenance.

Second homeowners are also on the up and artificial grass is a very useful product for them as well both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Some examples of the benefits are as follows:

1.    There gardens do not have to be maintained while their properties are rented out or unoccupied.
2.    Some have just wanted the artificial grass around their pool area because it gets muddy with natural grass.
3.    Developers often fit artificial grass outside their show apartments and villas, which have inspired prospective purchasers.
4.    Water is always in short supply, so artificial grass is always more practical in this type of climate.

These are just some of the domestic advantages of artificial grass but commercially there are so many obvious advantages for having a virtually maintenance free and durable synthetic surface.

Coniston Water
Coniston is the third largest of the lakes and is approximately 5 miles long and ½ a mile wide. The lake is hugely popular with tourist due to its large expanse of water, which contains a number of tranquil islands, as well as the stunning scenery. The lake was famously the setting for the book Swallows and Amazons as well as the setting for Donald Campbell’s ill fated attempt to break the water speed record.

Derwent Water
Derwent Water is approximately 3 miles long and 1 mile wide making it the widest lake in the Lake District. The lake has a number of islands within, one of which contains Derwent Island House which is open to the public just 5 days a year. The huge Skiddaw overlooking the lake and the nearby market town of Keswick make Derwent one of the most popular lakes for visitors.

Ullswater
Ullswater is the second largest of all the lakes in the Lake District at approximately 9 miles long and ¾ of a mile wide. Regarded by many as the most beautiful of all the lakes, Ullswater often finds itself compared to lakes in Switzerland, such as Lucerne. This favourable comparison is thanks to the beautiful scenery with mountains to one side and green fields and woodland on the other. The lake is great for water sports, with canoeing, sailing and wind surfing particularly popular. There are also the more relaxing steamer boats that take you on a cruise of the lake.

Windermere
Windermere is the largest lake in the Lake District and is the largest in the whole of England at approximately 10.5 miles long and 1 mile wide. As well as being the largest of the lakes Windermere is also the most well known and has long been a very popular attraction for tourists. Many of the tourists who do visit end up taking part in at least one of the many on water activities available. These range from wake boarding, sailing and canoeing to a more sedate pleasure cruise.

About the Author
This article was written on behalf of Borrowdale Gates one of the best Keswick Hotels providing luxury base for your Lake District holiday.

When visiting Eden Ostrich World over the festive period families will be able to experience Christmas themed areas and activities including a craft table where visitors can make a Christmas mask or perhaps colour in a picture and they can even make a Christmas decoration to be displayed on the Eden Ostrich World tree.

The Christmas themed program of events will take place on the 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 22nd and 23rd of December and is the perfect way to start the Christmas holidays, both young and old!
Eden Ostrich World is a family run business hosting a working farm and visitors centre, which opened to the public in 1998. Diversification came about due to the dramatic changes within the agricultural industry: as it became more difficult to survive whilst farming new ideas started to emerge and after several years planning we created and opened our doors to the public as Eden Ostrich World.
Situated in the middle of the Eden Valley, we couldn’t ask for a more magnificent setting, with the River Eden running straight through our site, it allows customers to take in the views and have a wander down by the river! It is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the different varieties of birds and wildlife.

Their aim is to offer bags of fun and Lake District things to do as well as an educational day, not only learning about the ostrich, from incubation and hatching through to being fully grown, but to give people an insight into modern day farming. They also host playgrounds, a tea room and a very reasonable gift shop, as well as the Hayloft Gallery which is packed full of unusual gifts – a Cumbria attraction for the whole family.

For more information on the festive events and for further information on Lake District attractions, visit http://www.ostrich-world.com.

Since opening in September 2010, Lake House has already proved a resounding success with guests who have been blown away with one couple’s comments being “it’s like a decompression chamber for stress – you simply feel your body relax”.

Lake House is comprised of six individual suites sharing this fully staffed boutique hotel with bar, dining room, lounge, swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and Knipe Tarn, a four acre right outside the door. The attention to detail is second to none at Lake House but its uniqueness is the combination of their unfussy service which creates an experience of escapism rarely found these days. Quiet, untouched, and devoid of traffic or people, whether sitting by the fire in the lounge, or in the cedar wood hot tub, Champagne in hand, or in the swimming pool, the view instils a sense of peace and calm.

The Lake House is set in 100 acres of private grounds. From the east side of the Lake, over the dam and the waterfall, a stile leads you into the grounds which are a mixture of hilly woodland, moorland, grassland and wild ponds.

Approximately half an hour’s walk from the main house, one particular hill has been named “Viewpoint”. From here you have 360 degree panoramic views of the Lake District, including the distant mountain ranges of Coniston and the Langdales. From this vantage point wild deer and birds of prey are frequently seen. Quite simply a unique location, setting it apart from other Windermere hotels.

The family and team are very proud to have been voted best small hotel in the national tourism awards held by Visit England in April 2010. This follows winning the Cumbria Tourism awards in April 2009, and the North-West England Tourism awards in November 2009.

For further information on Lake House including image galleries, visit http://www.gilpinlodge.co.uk

During the improvements to Paul and Clare;s home in Essex Sarah Beeny mentioned how good the artificial lawns are and that they should consider having one installed. Until it was mentioned to them Paul and Clare had never even considered artificial grass, but this gave them the opportunity to improve the overall look of their home while having a maintenance free lawn area that looks good for years.

Episode 1 in the first series of Help My House is Falling Down it was evident to viewers Paul and Clare had a challenge on their hands. But the challenge was one they were ready to face.

Watching the episode it is fair to say that the immense work involved for the Essex couple was very nearly a bridge too far.

Thanks to Sarah Beeny, Channel 4 and their team of experienced contractors Paul and Clare succeeded.

Part of the restoration involved the installation of artificial lawn. The couple agreed that an area of block paving to the front of their property looked drab and lacked colour. Responding to their request the artificial grass company removed a large area of paving then prepared a base for the synthetic grass and completed the task in just one day. The transformation was an instant success and complemented the new look of the property.

Thanks to Paul and Clars hard work and all involved the couple and their children have a home they can be proud of and a lawn to look good for years to come without the effort thanks to EverLawn.

For more information on Everlawn artificial grass and to order samples, visit http://www.everlawn.co.uk

Introducing the Crocs Tembo Polartec winter clog available from Cloggs.co.uk. This Crocs winter shoe features a PolarTec lining for increased warmth and a classic Croslite™ material footbed for a truly comfortable clog. Warmth and comfort combine in a classically designed Crocs shoe that will be your best friend on those cold winter days.

Crocs Tembo PolarTec
The Crocs Tembo PolarTec Clog Features a creatively functional clog perfectly suited for winter wear. The Polartec® liner material provides exceptional insulation, warmth and breathability. A secure fit is provided by the Ripstop nylon collar with cinch cord and toggle system. The liner is both removable and washable. The lightweight cushioning is due to their fully-molded Croslite™ material construction.

Converse Sparkle Ox
It’s a wrap this Christmas courtesy of Converse at Cloggs with the latest Chuck Taylor designs for yourself and all your friends including kids, mens shoes and womens shoes. These sparkle, low tops have synthetic uppers which features wrapping paper patterns and a textured shine but not forgetting the ol’ faithful rubber outsole for grip.

Christmas is fast approaching and with the poor weather conditions the UK is experiencing at the moment, doing your Christmas shopping online is the way forward. Cloggs.co.uk offer free delivery as well as free exchanges.

The team behind Cloggs.co.uk has more than 35 years’ experience of trading on the high street and began operating online over ten years ago. Cloggs.co.uk now stocks more than 20,000 items across specialized departments covering womens shoes and mens shoes as well as boys and girls shoes. Other popular brands include: UGG boots, Converse and Crocs. The Cloggs.co.uk Bullring store also recently won ‘Best New Store’ at the Drapers Footwear Awards 2010.

The full Crocs and Converse ranges as well as all the mens and womens shoes ranges can be found on http://www.cloggs.co.uk.

Since opening in September 2010, Lake House has already proved a resounding success with guests who have been blown away with one couple’s comments being “it’s like a decompression chamber for stress – you simply feel your body relax”.

Lake House is comprised of six individual suites sharing this fully staffed boutique hotel with bar, dining room, lounge, swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and Knipe Tarn, a four acre right outside the door. The attention to detail is second to none at Lake House but its uniqueness is the combination of their unfussy service which creates an experience of escapism rarely found these days. Quiet, untouched, and devoid of traffic or people, whether sitting by the fire in the lounge, or in the cedar wood hot tub, Champagne in hand, or in the swimming pool, the view instils a sense of peace and calm.

The Lake House is set in 100 acres of private grounds. From the east side of the Lake, over the dam and the waterfall, a stile leads you into the grounds which are a mixture of hilly woodland, moorland, grassland and wild ponds.

Approximately half an hour’s walk from the main house, one particular hill has been named “Viewpoint”. From here you have 360 degree panoramic views of the Lake District, including the distant mountain ranges of Coniston and the Langdales. From this vantage point wild deer and birds of prey are frequently seen. Quite simply a unique location, setting it apart from other Lake District hotels.

The family and team are very proud to have been voted best small hotel in the national tourism awards held by Visit England in April 2010. This follows winning the Cumbria Tourism awards in April 2009, and the North‐West England Tourism awards in November 2009.

For further information on Lake House including image galleries, visit http://www.gilpinlodge.co.uk

The history of Broughton dates back many centuries with the oldest building thought to be the church of St Mary Magdelene, first built as part of an eleventh century Saxon settlement. The church today is the result of a major restoration taken place in 1873 by the firm of Paley and Austin.

Over time, Broughton became an important market town, a centre of the wool trade and the manufacture of the oak baskets known as swills. Among the little back streets you would have found blacksmiths, millers, tanners, dressmakers and cobblers carrying out their crafts in readiness for the weekly markets.

During the reign of Elizabeth I the town was granted a charter giving permission to hold fairs. To this day, each year on the 1st August, there is the ceremonial ‘Reading of the Charter’, where pennies are thrown to the children.

Today many of the houses and buildings are Georgian, centred on the elegant town square, built by the Lord of the Manor to resemble a London Square. The Market Hall, a fine structure, was built in 1766, originally housing small lock up shops and is now the home of the Tourist Information Centre, exhibiting locally produced glassware, ceramics and paintings. In the centre of the square is a fine obelisk, erected to celebrate the silver jubilee of King George III in 1810, and stands next to both the ancient fish slabs, used to sell fish caught in the River Duddon and Estuary, and the village stocks for those who broke the laws or behaved in an unseemly manner.

For day to day needs Broughton is perfectly self contained with some good shops, inns and restaurants. On Prince’s Street there is Melville Tysons Grocer and Butcher. The shelves groan with preserves, chutneys, wine and pastas; the deli counter has a fabulous selection of cheeses, hams, salami, olives and pastries and the butcher sells the finest cuts, many from locally produced fell bred stock. Next door is the Village Bakery and Cafe. Using only the finest produce to bake their wonderful fresh breads, pastries and cakes the aroma as you pass is enough to draw anybody inside. Finally on Prince’s Street, is the Post Office selling local maps, books, ice cream and general goods.

To take full advantage of Broughton in Furness visitors should look to stay in one the area’s fine Lake District self catering holiday homes. Combine stunning architecture and heritage with stunning scenery.

The clothing brands specifically created for children really have got it right. Many have created the right brand name, a catchy name that children will remember. They have brightly coloured branding and maybe a quirky logo. Tags on the clothes are tactile and of course, most importantly, the clothes are fashionable, colourful and exciting.

Children are becoming more fashion conscious but do we really want our children to follow the main stream look, copying others are school and looking the same as the next child? Through the rest of their growing up we try to make their personalities grow and for them to be an individual. Dressing children can sometimes be stressful but if they like the clothes and they are fun, it makes it much easier for parents.

Some of the latest brands to be popular with both children and grownups are the following. Both being European brands and centred on fun, colour and durability:

Molo Clothing
The Molo kids and Molo baby clothing collection is becoming more and more popular in the UK. A Danish brand, Molo kids and baby clothing is always fun, unique and fantastic quality. Mismatch of patterns and colours, layering and fun prints make this collection definitely stand out from the ‘designer crowd’!

Molo’s philosophy is that when kids are free to express their creativity through their clothing they gain self-esteem and confidence. Molo kids clothes fit and allow freedom of movement, while the rich details allow for freedom of expression. Molo kids clothing is unique and unpredictable. For Molo, designer kidswear has to be a mix of everyday durability and funky. The clothes are full of fun; quirky details set within the context of the clean and ‘raw’ design traditions of northern European children’s clothing.

Molo kids clothes are designed with the child in mind and not the adult, their quirky outlandish designs help children express themselves freely. Molo kids clothes are not the type of clothes that should be saved for special occasions but should be worn every day. Children, especially younger children, will test the durability and quality of their clothing to the limit and the Molo kids and Molo baby clothes collection is designed with this in mind. Molo kids clothes combine comfort and practicality, and they are unique too. Molo clothing provides a quality range of vibrantly colourful clothing for cool kids.

Mayoral Children’s Clothes
Mayoral clothes is the leading brand for children’s fashion in Spain. Many parents throughout the whole of Europe love Mayoral baby clothing for its great quality, value for money and its fantastic range of accessories that finish off the Mayoral clothing designs beautifully. It’s all about the whole look, not just the actually piece of clothing.

The Mayoral clothing collection for tweens is great for boys and girls that develop their own style and taste and want some individual great value pieces. Dressy, comfortable and great quality outfits for older boys and girls. It is found that many customers buy the Mayoral baby clothing but are still buying it right through to the Junior collection years later.

According to the Giftware Association, the gift industry is worth and estimated £10 billion per year. This is made up of various sectors such as traditional gifts, design led gifts and cards and gift wrap.

Unlike Christmas, a Birthday is a special day for the person who Birthday it is solely. This makes it even more important that a special gift be sent. At Christmas time, the shelves are filled with generic Christmas gifts and it is very hard not to buy a gift set. Buying a Birthday gift is the perfect opportunity to purchase a present that is personal and unique.

A quirky, unique or personal gift, no matter what budget, can be extra special. A real emphasis should be on the thought, not the budget. Thoughtful Birthday gifts can be worth so much more than an expensive item which has hardly any thought. This is especially true with children. How many times does it happen that a child will be more
taken with a smaller gift but that is fun, than the main present that cost fortune?!

Special gifts are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face no matter what age as well as the giver of the gift. Quirky and unique gifts are available now for example, grow your own chilli plants, to become a laird or lady, or own a share in playboy.

The giving of gifts is not just birthday’s, sending Wedding gifts or at Christmas anymore. Easter, Mother and Father’s days, Christenings and moving house are seeing increasing amounts of gift giving. Everyone likes receiving presents so it enables even more excitement than just on the usual days.

Finding the right gift has never been easier now we have the internet. The online gift industry is huge. Having the choice of so many online retailers at a touch of button means a special gift can always be found and the ability to have the present gift wrapped and sent direct to the receiver makes it even easier.

Environmentally, examples of the use of dredging are to clear waterways also to collect sand in order to repair coastal erosion. Industrial and commercial uses dredging are for example the collection of materials used in concrete production and the dredging for valuable trace substances.

Dredging has become an essential operation in process of flood prevention through increasing an area’s capacity for holding or carrying water away.

Dredging requires not only the correct craft but also the correct dredging equipment which is mainly the dredging bucket. Each type of dredging project requires a different type of bucket as each location and material required to be dredged is different.

Dredging buckets are made by the process of the fabrication of steel through welding. They are either constructed in a workshop or onsite depending on the nature of the usage and location. Dredging buckets can range from 3m3 to 25m3. The first process is to design the bucket using CAD software and then the drawing service. It is these critical initial stages that enable the bucket to be fabricated.

The materials used in the construction of dredge buckets, excavator buckets and mining buckets are highly sophisticated. The steel is high strength and abrasion resistant with tungsten or chromium carbide wear protection systems. Each bucket is ESCO wear resistant encompassing their protection systems and are bushed and line bored.

As mining, dredging and excavation buckets are often used in challenging and demanding situations, it is important to keep on top of refurbishment. A professional dredge bucket manufacturer should also offer the service of repair and refurbishment.

The refurbishment and repair of mining and dredging buckets is as skilled a job as manufacturing. The welding and fabrication processes are as complex and so a fully equipped workshop is required with a lifting capacity in the region of 15 tonnes. The welding should be to ASMA 9 standard or higher with a mobile line boring facility. Once the welding and fabrication has been completed the process of the abrasion resistant and steel plate coatings can be implemented.

The technology and design used in the manufacturing of wiring harnesses makes it a plug and play utility for end users. This means people who are responsible for the assembly of wiring harnesses do not need to know the intricacies. They just need to plug wire harnesses as suggested in user’s manual and they are done.

Advantage of a wiring loom
There are several advantages of using wiring harnesses. Some of the most important advantages of using wiring harness are as follows:

Ease of Use – Using a wiring harness is really very easy. One does not need technical expertise during the installation or assembly of wiring harness. Using the manuals provided with wiring harnesses anyone can fix them with ease.

Time Saving – Wiring harnesses and looms work on plug and play principles. They are ready to work after installation. They are designed in such a way that they fit exactly at the place for which they are made. Several industrial case studies illustrate that the introduction of wiring looms has reduced the time taken in the production of certain equipment (like automobiles, access control systems).

Less Clutter – Wiring harnesses combine several wires in a single string. They are usually fixed in an external coating of PVC tubes or non-flexible bundle. So, they need less space for installation and save a lot of space. It helps during maintenance as well as overhauling.

Safe and Secure Wiring – Wiring harness or loom has reduced the chances of accidents caused by loose wires. In sectors like automobile and aviation, wiring harnesses are used to reduce the chances of technical fault or short circuits. For example, in aircrafts and space shuttles several miles long electrical wiring are used. At such places, modern wire harnesses cut the chances of possible risk caused by vibrations, abrasions, and moisture.

In summary, wiring looms are needed for all industries nowadays. They have become industry standard in almost every sector where complex wiring is being used. To serve the immense demand of customized wiring harnesses, some wire loom manufacturing companies are offering their services to interested clients globally.

With one of the most critical parts of non slip flooring being the adhesive, it is odd that a non slip flooring company will rarely get asked about what adhesives are utilised on their anti slip flooring but to them, it is something that occupies a great deal of effort. A non slip or safety flooring range has widely disparate uses; everyday the director and his colleagues in sales discover a new application for a product that they have been selling for over 18 years!  As the uses are so varied that subsequently means the adhesive has to adhere securely to a variety of substrates.  Like most chemicals pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) have constantly improved their capabilities, the adhesives we use on our range of non slip flooring is vastly superior to the materials we supplied back in the 1990’s.  Levels of tack, shear and temperature range have improved dramatically, all to the benefit for our customers ensuring total quality.  Please find the most common adhesive questions below.

What PSA does Heskins use?
Heskins generally use modified acrylics (there are a tiny handful of exceptions for specific non slip flooring applications).  They like the all round capabilities that modern modified acrylic PSAs offer, as mentioned previously their product has many varied demands made of it, they appreciate that the modified acrylics allow high tack levels, high shear levels and superb temperature ranges encompassing extreme minus ºC to high ºC.  All the transparent range has a further PSA modification to ensure no UV problems, please enquire for specific grey scale tests for each product if this is a concern.

Do you offer different adhesion levels?
Heskins do.  In over 99.9% of cases their adhesives on the anti slip flooring are more than sufficient, however, for clients with a special demand for higher tack levels we also coat the HG adhesive.  For customers who take our HG x-coarse product, this adhesive is standard on their materials, for all others it can be coated dependent on quantity.  Our HG offers exceptionally high tack levels without any compromise on the other parameters.

How well do the adhesives cope with low energy surfaces?
Low energy surfaces are becoming more prevalent and popular for various reasons; they are often the by-product of a shiny appearance or can be present in composites constructed from recycled plastics.  An example of a low energy surface would be after you have waxed your car you will notice the water globules form small puddles on the surface, the puddles are formed by the low energy surface, and these low energy surfaces create major problems for PSAs.  Heskins has worked tirelessly to ensure that our anti slip flooring customers receive a high quality non slip flooring regardless of the surface energy level, to this end in 2008 we developed our LE adhesive.  Specifically designed to allow excellent adhesion onto difficult surfaces this adhesive can be coated onto all our range, please enquire for MOQs.

What if the low energy surface has lots of release agents?
They can still create a solution.  Due to the vast experience in adhesives, films and anti slip technology they have never (so far) been defeated and also offer two other possible solutions to aid our adhesion levels.

1).  Use of H3506 primer - this has inbuilt keying agents.
2).  Use of a specific keying solution - Heskins has worked with various chemical manufacturers to create surface keying solutions to enable adhesion on even the most difficult surface.

I want the opposite to the above points, I want something removable, is it possible?
It is.  It is not rare for them to coat a removable adhesive onto our anti slip flooring.  They typically employ a further filmic liner (usually PET or PP) with a differential adhesive coat either side to allow removal.  As each removable adhesive application is often unique the differential levels are customised to the customer’s application, please enquire.

Just one more silly point, why does the paper not stick to the adhesive?
The paper is coated with silicon although on some of the materials employ a silicon coated PE film.

Whilst standards of product are getting better problems still occur with miss selling methods, badly installed products, unfulfilled remedial work and lengthy guarantees which are not honoured (due to traders going out of business or having an unwillingness to make good on their promises).

The general public still have a deep-rooted and long standing distrust of the industry.

Many installers believe that the quality of membership of most Trade Associations and Installer Schemes doesn’t lend itself to the grouping of highly professional businesses who are customer focused.

The lack of consumer protection is considered appalling by many who experience problems.

Most trade associations/ installer schemes do not have any “teeth” when called upon to intervene with complaints between installers and customers.

If the installer has been unprofessional or carried out unsatisfactory work and refuses to co-operate with the customer or trade association there is little any one can do until now.

The only legitimate options left for double  glazing consumers were: (a) The Citizen’s Advice Bureau, (b) Trading Standards or (c) a trip to the local solicitor or county /high court.

The former two can advise but often fail to persuade an intransigent installer to give the consumer satisfaction and the latter can be daunting and very often costly to the complainant.

The Ombudsman Scheme has an extensive Accreditation Procedure. This helps members achieve a higher standard of service, administration and consumer satisfaction. The Ombudsman Scheme has extensive legal powers to investigate complaints made against members. Any decisions made are legally binding and enforceable under the terms of The Arbitration Act 1996. Members have signed a legally binding contract at the point of entry into the scheme allowing the Ombudsman to investigate and thereby
agreeing to abide by any decisions made.

The complaints process (consisting of conciliation, mediation, independent inspections and ultimately, if necessary, arbitration) is a totally free service to the consumer/complainant.

This provides a level of protection hitherto unavailable in this industry to consumers.

In short, the scheme is long awaited, very well received by installers, the industry, consumer groups, the press and general public.

The Ombudsman Scheme is a powerful way to help bring renewed consumer confidence and enhance the image of the industry and also in giving double glazing advice.

Members promote professionalism, competency and customer care, combined with a robust form of legal redress for justified complaints.

An Ombudsman is someone to whom you can address a complaint about an organisation or body if you feel you have been dealt with unfairly or have suffered some financial or other loss you would like investigating.

There are a number of Ombudsman Schemes in the United Kingdom. Some Ombudsmen are Government appointed, for example, The Local Government Ombudsman and The Financial

Services Ombudsman, whereas others are industry appointed, such as the Telecommunications Ombudsman and the Surveyor Ombudsman. The Double Glazing Ombudsman is a similar non-statutory scheme.

The reunion attracted past employees from all over the world including Peter Dixon and his wife who travelled especially from Australia for the occasion and stayed on to see friends in the Lake District. Also present was Kurt Hartmann and his wife who travelled from Germany. Kurt was Head Chef at the Lodore Falls Hotel for 27 years and it was he who taught current Head Chef Mike Ward.

The reunion began with afternoon tea at Lake District Hotels ltd Lodore Falls Hotel, followed by an evening trip into Keswick for drinks and a friendly pub catch up.

On Sunday everyone gathered again at the Lodore Falls for Sunday lunch and a group picture before departing home or on holiday.

Organised by Head Chef Mike Ward, Sales Manager Tanya Sentance, and past employee Vikki Brier, they all agreed the effort of finding everyone was worth it. Finding staff was made easier by using social media sites like Facebook and friends reunited. Mike said “Social media has made an impact on being able to keep in close touch with friends across the world. It made finding everyone and keeping them informed so much easier. It was a monumental occasion and great to meet people who worked here years ago.

Mike really enjoyed catching up with his Head Chef mentor and it was especially important that lunch was perfect. Having over 60 people at the event shows how much people fondly remember their time working here at one of the most famous Keswick hotels. It was also nice for our current team to catch up with old friends.”

The other main attraction for visitors to Cartmel is the racecourse. With the first recorded race said to have taken place on the mid 1800’s, Cartmel races continues to grow in stature and popularity year on year. The creation of a new grandstand, with the back drop of the beautiful southern Lake District coupled with catering to rival any top race event has really put Cartmel on the map.

Cartmel is very much becoming a gastronomic destination. Cartmel and its surrounding villages have some of the best examples of Lake District gastronomy in the whole of Cumbria and the Lake District. Even though many of the restaurants and public houses are located within historic buildings, the food served is right in the 21st century using the finest locally sourced produce that is found in an abundance in the south Lakeland area.

Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding is one of the most famous exports from Cartmel. The pudding is now sold all over the United Kingdom and even world with high class restaurants in London serving this still handmade in Cartmel pudding.

With its top quality food, beautiful historical buildings, race course and spectacular scenery, it’s not hard to believe that Cartmel attracts a cosmopolitan visitor. Luckily, Cartmel offers some stunning Lake District self catering accommodation. When attending the races, what better place to stay in than a beautiful Grade II listed manor house or a beautiful double-fronted period property in Cartmel.

Nearby attractions also include Holker Hall (a stately home with lovely gardens and grounds and a cafe, Cark-in-Cartmel), the Lakeland Motor Museum (In addition to vintage and classic motors, the museum now features of faithfully recreated period shop fronts and also has a themed gift shop. It is now located at its new site in Backbarrow, on the main A590) and Brantwood (an historic house & gardens which used to be the home of John Ruskin with a shop, café and terrace on the east side of Coniston Water).

The Eden Valley situated around the River Eden and is a mix of lush green countryside, traditional towns and attractive sandstone villages some dating back to Viking times. To the south are the peaceful Howgill Fells, a favourite of Wainwright.

The River Eden which has its source in the Mallerstang Valley, is one of the finest salmon and trout rivers in the North of England and you can enjoy some great riverside walks. Look out for Lacy’s caves, carved out of sandstone right on the riverbank or go in search of the Eden Benchmarks, ten intriguing sculptures in dramatic settings which act as welcome seats.

The most scenic railway in England, the Settle to Carlisle line runs through the Eden Valley with stations at Appleby and Kirkby Stephen. Penrith, a welcoming market town makes an ideal base to explore the area.

Alston and the North Pennines

Alston in the North Pennines is surrounded by a unique landscape of moorland, hills, rivers and waterfalls and is England’s highest market town. This intriguing town with its cobbled streets and fascinating nooks and crannies was the location for the ITV’s production of Jane Eyre and the Oliver Twist.

Enjoy marvellous views over the Eden Valley, Lake District hills and Scottish borders as you climb up to Alston via Hartside, a route named as one of the World’s Top Ten Most Scenic drives by the AA.

Alston and the North Pennines have long inspired artists and writers, the poet and writer W H Auden loved the area and today Alston is an inspiration to the craftspeople who live and work there. There’s a host of unusual shops in the town including quality crafts and galleries.

There is a good choice of Alston accommodation including hotels and guest houses to Alston cottages - many with great views and there’s a Youth Hostel in the town.

Take a ride on one of the lovingly restored steam and diesel engines on the South Tynedale Railway, a round trip from Alston to Kirkhaugh takes around 50 minutes through the beautiful scenery of the South Tyne valley. Visit The Hub Museum with its interesting local history and bygone transport collection.

The North Pennines used to be one of the wealthiest lead mining centres in Europe and you can go down a real lead mine today at Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre-a great family day out with interactive exhibitions.

Designated Britain’s first UNESCO European Geopark, the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a haven for special wildlife and plants.

Alston is an ideal walking and cycling centre with the Pennine Way passing through the town and great opportunities to get away from it all in the surrounding countryside. The C2C, Walney to Wear and Pennine cycle routes all pass near the town making their way through some stunning scenery. You can also go horse riding or fishing on the River South Tyne.

Ullswater Valley

Ullswater is known as one of “England’s most beautiful lakes” and at nine miles long is surrounded by dramatic mountains and inspiring Lake District countryside, featured recently in the “Miss Potter” film.

The perfect place to unwind, you can choose to stay in traditional farmhouses, cosy Ullswater cottages, welcoming guesthouses, fine Ullswater hotels or well run caravan and camping sites around the lake-all offering quality Lake District accommodation. Local restaurants, cafes and inns provide local fare and cuisine to suit all tastes.

The village of Pooley Bridge, at one end of the Ullswater valley is linked by a lovely drive along the lake to the villages of Glenridding and Patterdale at the other the end of the valley. Enjoy a cruise and soak up the atmosphere of this peaceful lake on one of the Ullswater “Steamers” which carry passengers all year round. There are piers at Glenridding, Pooley Bridge and Howtown.

Ullswater is a great lake for sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, fishing and skindiving and you can hire rowing, sailing or small motor boats to explore the islands and bays at your own pace. There’s an active sailing club, various activity centres and pony trekking too.

Follow one of the many scenic paths which skirt around the lake, much admired by Wainwright or head up to the nearby fells such as Helvellyn for a full days hike. Look out for red deer or red squirrels along the way!

Go in search of the Spring daffodils on the shore line around Glencoyne which inspired Wordsworth to write his famous poem or visit the National Trust’s Aira Force, where a series of waterfalls plunge through an attractive wooded ravine.

For anyone feeling less adventurous there lots of other enjoyable walks in the area including a choice of lakeside paths around Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite and Thirlmere, you can explore neighbouring valleys and secluded places, plus to the West of Keswick you will find the wonderful Whinlatter forest which offers a number of different forest trails.

Of course walking is not the only outdoor pursuit available in Keswick on Derwentwater there are opportunities for mountain climbing, mountain biking, sailing and kayaking to name a few.

Keswick on Derwentwater and the Northern Lakes covers one half of the Lake District National Park. This is the perfect area to choose for gentle relaxation or for an action packed family adventure holiday with lots of activities and attractions.

The picturesque market town of Keswick, nestled on the shores of Derwentwater, has a wide array of shops, restaurants and galleries. Explore the five major lakes, beautiful valleys and unspoilt villages.

For visitors to Keswick and North Lakes there is a range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, whether you prefer a Keswick Guest House, hotels, caravan sites or Keswick cottages, the choice is yours.

When it comes to places to visit and things to do during your stay you will find Keswick has plenty to offer including Derwentwater lake cruises, Cumberland Pencil Museum, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Trotters World of Animals, Cars of the Stars Motor Museum, Mirehouse Historic House & Gardens and the Keswick Brewing Company.

When it comes to eating out in Keswick visitors will find an excellent choice of quality restaurants, pubs and hotels. Many different cuisines are catered for including traditional English bar meals with many places specialising in local ingredients. You will also find Italian restaurants, Indian restaurants and even a Mexican restaurant. Fine dining is available at some of the top hotels in the area including Armathwaite Hall, Lodore Falls Hotel and Swinside Lodge in Borrowdale.

There is less stuffiness regarding art. Artwork can now be ordered more readily in bespoke commissions or particular colours and themes can be stipulated. A few years ago, this was an absolute no go area, the artist ruled and what they said was final. There are a number of artists now offering an easier to reach bespoke service, both by way of approaching the artist but also in terms of cost.

Not everyone has the money to buy modern canvas art produced by famous artists so it has enabled the not so famous but equally as talented new artists to produce work and be successful selling them. Canvas art is quite dramatic as the medium used is either oil or acrylic paint. Both achieve high depth in colour and on a bright white wall, a piece of canvas artwork on a stretched canvas frame has maximum impact.

Art can be bought in many different forms, one very in vogue at the moment is canvas art. The canvas is stretched over a wooden frame and oil or acrylic paint can be used or even mixed media. The canvas stands away from a wall and enables the painting area to go right to the edge. Painting around the edges can also be done for an enveloped look.

Art is the perfect gift for someone very special. Some artists offer the service of recreating a memorable photo into oil or acrylic. This is a highly personal and special gift and something completely unique. Such a service has been enabled to be found through the internet. The internet has been the most influential part in enabling art to be reached to the masses and now being more accessible. Galleries that were once confined to purely the premises can now sell and advertise their work online and reach the whole country in fact, the world. Artists that may not have been able to afford a gallery premises can now sell their art online, reaching a far wider audience. In the respect of the consumer, a huge variety of artist’s styles, genres, media and themes can be chosen from. Mail order has enabled the artwork to be sent when collection is not obtainable. There are artists in the UK that through the internet, have been able to sell their work to clients abroad. This brings in a whole new market and is extremely exciting.

Guest artists are now selling their canvas artwork through large department stores. As with many of the supermarkets that stock local produce, this is a similar occurrence in department stores with local artists. Even if not local, then an artist can sell their work through a selection of stores.

Interior design has become high in a home owners mind in recent years with shows such as 60 Minute Makeover, Changing Rooms and other home make over shows. Artwork is always a large part of the overall finish of the room that has been decorated. Interior designers are working more and more closely with artists for artwork that complements the interior of a room. A piece of canvas art can make a huge difference to the way a room looks and feels and can transform a drab, boring room into something very special.

So, to conclude, art is one of the oldest forms of enjoyment yet new technology has in fact transformed and lifted art. It has made people feel more comfortable about art and that it is available for anyone, not just the rich or privileged.

The following points are general observations that should be considered before making a decision about whether to opt for a converted, or an adapted vehicle.

With converted wheelchair accessible vehicles the structure and layout has been fundamentally and permanently altered to accept a passenger in a wheelchair. Whilst an adapted vehicle has had adaptations added which can subsequently be removed, for example upon resale of the vehicle.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Pros:
• If you have a complex seating system, you can remain in the same seat
• If you are not able to use any other means of transfer, or your partner is not able to assist you in using an alternative transfer system, then a WAV may be suitable
• If different wheelchair users use the same vehicle, then an adaptation may not be suitable for each user

Cons:
• You are ordinarily sat directly over the rear axle, so you feel every bump in the road
• Your seating height is much higher than a car seat, so you tend to sway more, which can lead to travel sickness for some passengers
• You cannot easily communicate with the driver or other passengers when in the rear of a vehicle which can be noisy, of particular importance if the passenger is likely to require monitoring
• You are ‘on display’ as a disabled person in your wheelchair
• The vehicle will always be a converted wheelchair accessible vehicle, so when it’s time to sell, you can only sell it as a WAV (adaptations can be removed and the vehicle becomes ‘standard’)
• You require up to 2 metres behind the vehicle to fold down the ramps to then gain access to the WAV. This distance can be reduced, by having a lowering floor WAV, but the additional cost can be up to £5000, if it is an option at all
• Securing the wheelchair once in place can be onerous on the carer, who may well have to be very agile and dextrous. This can be addressed to some degree by installing electric restraints, but these come at additional cost
• The majority of WAV conversions are done to ‘van based’ cars, so the level of comfort and options can be restricted, relative to a standard vehicle, as well as the performance of the vehicle against ‘non van derivatives’, not to mention noisy.
• The conversion can dramatically reduce the luggage space in most vehicles

Adaptations:

Pros:
• Most standard production cars can be adapted. The suitability of the vehicle is determined by the height, weight and disability of the user versus the shape, size and height of the door aperture
• The user is sat in a normal seating position, sometimes in a normal seat, at the normal seat height, all of which offer relative comfort, security and safety.
• The adaptation can be removed from one vehicle to the next, whilst also facilitating the VAT exempt supply of a new vehicle* Thereby being a very cost effective solution
• To the outside world, the vehicle in no way labels the occupants as disabled
• Adaptations can be extremely cost effective, relative to buying a converted vehicle
• All of the luggage area is retained
• Some adaptations can also be used in other applications, either around the home or on holiday, e.g. in hotels
• In most cases, the vehicle maintains the original number of seats, whereas conversions normally require at least one, if not more seats removing

Cons:
• For ‘very heavily disabled people’, an adaptation may not be suitable
• If the disabled person is very big and/or heavy and their carer is very slight or frail, the operation of an adaptation could be overly onerous on the carer
• Adaptations are retro fitted to a vehicle, so may not exactly match the interior, e.g. if a swivel seat is fitted

Sending a pet to a kennel whilst you are on holiday can be inconvenient as not everyone has a kennelling centre near them. Kennelling and pet sitting services can be quite expensive almost doubling the cost of the holiday. Another and perhaps the biggest reason why pet and dog friendly hotels are appealing is that many owners hate the thought of having to leave their dog or pet when they go away. Taking a dog abroad has its problems with quarantining etc but if the holiday is in the UK, why not take your pet along? Pets are often a large part of the family so leaving him or her for a week can sometimes be quite upsetting. In fact, some even let pets go free which makes taking a pet with you far cheaper than kennelling.

It is not always appropriate or right to take a pet on holiday should the destination, type of accommodation or the activities on the holiday not be suitable for a pet. The Cumbria - Lake District on the other hand is one destination with a great choice of activities and that both the family and Fido with enjoy equally. It is now far easier to take your pet away with you without compromising on the choice of holiday. In fact, there are now pet friendly hotels which a few years ago, was almost unheard of.

Many hotels in the UK and the Cumbria - Lake District specifically exclude dogs and pets of all sorts from their premises. However, some hotels welcome all well-behaved pets to enjoy a holiday with their owners. Some pet friendly hotels in the Lake District offer walking services, special bed linen and beds and food.

Self catering holidays benefit the environment too. The carbon footprint of a self catering holiday is significantly less than a hotel based holiday. Many factors contribute to this, the amount of lights, sheets and towels washed and spa and swimming pool facilities. Some self catering property owners and developers are creating a more eco friendly property, for example, installing solar panels, wind turbines and worming and composting facilities.

In areas such as Grasmere and Ambleside there some idyllic self catering properties such as traditional Lakeland houses dating back years. Staying in Grasmere cottages or Ambleside cottages means there are views in every direction.  Located at the heart of The Lake District National, some properties have views of Helvellyn also Silver How, Steel Fell and Helm Crag. Grasmere is an idea base for walking with the foot of Helvellyn just minutes away and located on main A591 road which leads right up to Keswick for the highest concentration of fells in the Lake District.

The last few decades have seen the demise of many thousands of miles of established hedgerows and their associated wildlife. To help redress this balance we are offering four carefully selected mixtures of native species, these will grow together to form a dense rustic hedge that will be stock proof and encourage a wide variety of wildlife. Trim at any time from August onwards, ideally in winter. These well balanced mixes are a more economical and convenient way of planting native species. Privet is the most common hedging plant found in suburban areas. It is dark green so provides a good strong border and is easy to cultivate. Leylandii is another very popular hedging plant but one that grows at an extremely high rate causing many a neighbourhood dispute.

Evergreen mix native hedging would be the preferred choice of many homeowners and gardeners. Unfortunately there are very few suitable native or indigenous plants that are true evergreens so garden nurseries have had to adapt and use. For example, leaf retaining Beech and Hornbeam for more variety. This mixture provides as good a degree of year round privacy as is possible without using more ‘suburban’ evergreen plants.

The native Green Beech is a particularly versatile hedging plant, suitable for both formal garden hedges and more extensive stockproof country hedgerows. When trimmed as a hedge Green Beech can easily be maintained at any height from 2ft upwards. (The world’s tallest Beech Hedge at Meikleour in Scotland stands at 100ft.)! The delicate wavy edged new foliage emerges light green in late spring and darkens to a rich bright green during the summer months. As autumn progresses these leaves often change to a buttery golden yellow before turning to a familiar rich copper in winter.

To complement the interest people have in cooking and dinner parties the items on a dining table and the settings should be strongly considered. How the food looks on a plate is extremely important as well as how the plate looks within the table setting. The look of the food is the first impression and as is regularly said, you eat with your eyes. The food itself needs to look appealing but what it is presented on can also greatly affect the way the dish looks. Top chefs know the importance of this and they will be the ones that choose the dinnerware range for the restaurant. Only a few years ago, a standard plate would be used to serve all the dishes. Now there are curved, square, rectangle, oval and shallow bowls.

You cutlery then needs to match the dinnerware. A traditional set of cutlery would look out of place next to a modern square plate for example. Likewise, a modern set of cutlery would not feel right with a traditional set of china plates. Leading cutlery brands such as Arthur Price cutlery have been manufacturing high grade cutlery for over 100 years. Their traditional ranges remain popular but they have introduced contemporary ranges in keeping with the modern look that many home owners are requesting.

One of the leading modern cutlery brands at the moment and one which is synonymous with innovative design is Villeroy and Boch. Villeroy and Boch cutlery as with other brands of such stature retain a timeless design but firmly keeping with a contemporary look. Due to the nature of stainless steel, cutlery can be a real statement on a dining table. For a customer wanting to achieve a very contemporary look, modern cutlery perfect finishing touch.

There is an excellent choice of accommodation available within Eden including hotels, guest houses, Cumbrian cottages and caravan parks. Away from the main holiday season many of the Lake District holiday cottages offer the flexibility of short breaks rather than just whole weeks, so visitors can enjoy a long weekend in the area and perhaps buy some fresh local produce to cook yourself at the property. However your eating requirements are catered for by the many excellent restaurants and traditional pubs that reflect the local flavour.

Historic Penrith, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Northern Lakes”, is the major town in the Eden Valley, with a good mix of traditional shops selling locally made products and crafts, including famed Cumberland Sausage and Penrith Toffee.

When it comes to places to visit during your stay the Eden Valley offers a wide range of historic houses, castles, gardens, craft workshops, galleries and museums. In fact there are over seventy visitor attractions in Eden. For the more active there are many sporting facilities including sailing, windsurfing, horse riding, golf, squash, tennis and fishing.

One of the area’s key activities is Appleby Horse Fair, which takes place every June. The Horse Fair gathers together travelling folk from all over the country, buying and selling horses, keeping alive a 300 year old tradition. This is Britain’s largest gypsy gathering, with hundreds of tradition horse-drawn caravans converge on nearby Gallows Hill.

Walkers will find Eden is wonderful walking country, either a leisurely walk along river banks and lake shore or you can take to the higher paths over the Pennines and Lake District fells. In fact, the Pennine Way National Trail reaches into the Eden Valley at Appleby-in-Westmorland as it winds its way towards Scotland. Cyclists can follow the coast to coast (C2C) and Cumbria Cycle Way, both routes are clearly marked along the way.

The River Eden provides challenging fishing, and has in place a “Go Wild” scheme to enable visitors to try wild fishing on the river.

The first modular building we installed as a temporary walk in centre, was a used 6 bay modular building.

Prior to arrival on site, jackpad foundations were used to erect the building instead of traditional concrete foundations.

Portable Building Sales have agreed to purchase the building back after the Primary Care Trust no longer have a use for the building and in addition will also purchase the jackpad foundations leaving a clear and clean car park area once again.

The Portable Building Sales “buy back” scheme ensures that the building is removed safely, professionally and to the current Health & Safety and CDM regulations. They ensure that the Primary Care Trust has no disposal problems and receives payment for the building before it is removed.

Portable Building Sales Ltd is one of the few companies in the UK to provide this type of service.

The used steel framed modular building that was supplied consists of six plastic coated steel modules which have white Upvc double glazed windows. The building also has a plasterboard lined ceiling and walls and a double thickness plywood floor.

This used modular building was decorated internally, cleaned externally and reinstated electrically to the latest regulations.

This temporary modular walk in centre building complies with the current Part L2A 2006 building regulations and is extremely environmentally friendly as it only uses 3% of the energy required to manufacture an equivalent new modular building. This is because the embodied energy is transportable and therefore can be relocated to a new site.

Also there are significant cost savings to the client and in this instance the tax payer as well, as this building was approximately a third of the cost of an equivalent new manufactured modular building.

Portable Buildings completed the installation of this building within four weeks from the date of order and to the client’s complete satisfaction.

Even though this modular building is pre-owned, Portable Building Sales still provide a 12 months guarantee with the building.

Portable Building Sales provided the Coventry Primary Care Trust with complete peace of mind throughout the process of attending meetings, submission of our Health & Safety plans, supply and installation of the used modular building, arrangement of the crane, to even organising the transportation and temporary traffic management to enable the building to be off loaded from a road adjacent to the site.

For more information please visit http://www.portablebuildingsales.co.uk or telephone 01482 656590

Moving to November and December and the Lake District is lucky to have a good share of those spectacular bright sunny winter days when the air is at its crispest. On days like these, you can see for miles and they are excellent times to go walking or to visit the area for a short break. In November especially, there are some great offers available in Lake District hotels. For those wanting a real escape and complete tranquillity, November is ideal.

January celebrates the New Year, recharges the batteries after a hectic, over indulgent Christmas and can be one of the best value short breaks you have. The Lake District is becoming a popular choice in January. There are many activities to do in the Lake District along with the possibility of snow still being on the fells. As with hotels and leisure accommodation throughout the country, Cumbria hotels and Lake District hotels have excellent rates for January as it is traditionally thought to be the quietest month of the year. This enables the consumer to enjoy short breaks in the Lake District at fabulous prices, much needed after Christmas but especially when everyone is being hit by the economic crisis.

Savvy travellers are noticing the great value deals to be had in the winter months. Holidays are quite often being thought about and planned for spring and summer but waiting until then without a break is too long. A short break in the Lake District can combine a much needed break with the chance to go canoeing, sailing, walking, mountaineering, fell running, cycling, the list goes on. The most popular, cheapest and most accessible is walking on the hundreds of fells in the Lake District. Wainwright alone walked and wrote about 214 of them but there are many further smaller fells allowing walkers of any age or ability to sample what the English Lake District is famous for.

All cars need to be looked after and sheltered from the elements and damage but of course, the more expensive the car, the greater the emphasis is on keeping it under cover and protected. There are a huge number of houses that do not have a garage or a driveway. Cars then have to be parked on streets where rain, dirt and the risk of damage is extremely high. Most outdoor covers are 100% waterproof and made of a lightweight breathable material making them very easy to quickly put on to a vehicle.

Car covers are mainly associated with the protection of cars when they are outside. Cars stored inside are still in need of protection and now special indoor covers are available manufactured from a soft breathable material that is designed to protect vehicles from dust, bumps and knocks, and scrapes and scratches. There are of particular use should a car be going into storage for a length of time. Even if just covered in a domestic garage, a car cover can protect against dust, dirt and grime and especially scraps and scratches that all too often occur. Half covers are very useful where you only need the roof of your vehicle protecting against garages with leaking roofs or to protect your vehicle from frost or ultraviolet rays in summer.

Living by the sea is a huge draw for many people, the views and fresh air. It is not such an idyllic situation for cars. Airborne sea salt is highly corrosive both on outer paintwork and inside the body of a car. Salt corrosion can result in nuts and bolts and even fuel injector pipes corroding. Well fitted car covers can eliminate this.

Buying the correct cover for your car is important to get the most protection. There are now car covers available to fit most makes and models of cars. For example, should you have a Porsche there are Porsche car covers available including Porsche Boxster car covers. Should here not be a cover suitable for a particular model of car there are companies that can manufacturer bespoke car covers individually hand made to order. It may be that a cover is required for a very specific reason too which would require a bespoke cover to be produced.

Firgarth Windermere Guest House has the advantage of car parking, and is situated just a short walk from Windermere centre, with its many shops and restaurants and rail/bus station. We make an ideal base for touring, walking or just a relaxing break at any time of year.

Just take a 15 minute walk through ‘Millerground’ to the shores of Lake Windermere or alternatively climb to ‘Orrest Head’ from where stunning views of Lake Windermere and Morecombe Bay can be enjoyed.

Firgarth offers eight bedrooms comprising of double, single, four poster and king size double which are all ensuite. All rooms are centrally heated and decorated in a combination of modern and traditional design, all have colour TV, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer and a range of toiletries.

Three rather special Ambleside cottages have been imaginatively converted from the barn and stables of our 17th century farmhouse. The Hawkshead cottages are set above a quiet country lane [National Grid Reference: 33420,49970] on the edge of Black Fell [a ‘Wainwright’ fell] close to Tarn Hows, near Hawkshead.

Each of the Hawkshead cottages has its own individual character and is centrally heated for all year round comfort. Benches outside the cottages and on the fell side, as well as the al-fresco dining area and barbecue, make an ideal location in which to absorb the peace and tranquillity of the area whilst enjoying the views and abundant wildlife.

Now there are integrated audio visual, or AV, installations that can really make a difference at a conference, meeting or pitch to a prospective client. There are various audio visual and sound system installation packages available, many of which are tailor made to each specific requirement. For example, a large conference room can have 3 separate audio visual installations enabling the room to be divided into three, acoustically isolated rooms for hire to individual groups. Such installations can be operated completely independently but also have the ability for all of the projection systems to display the same image when the main hall is completely open for large delegations.

To further engage delegates and in addition to an audio video installation, interactive whiteboards can be used to energise presentations and motivate learners. Interactive whiteboards combine the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer and engages students and audiences. The touch-sensitive display connects to your computer and digital projector to show your computer image. You can then control computer applications directly from the display, write notes in digital ink and save your work to share later. And what is a huge plus point with these interactive whiteboards is that if a person can use a computer, they can use one of these systems.

Hardcragg Hall is the latest addition to Holidaycottagescumbria.com Cumbria portfolio of 5 individually owned luxury Lake District holiday cottages. Hardcragg Hall is the pinnacle of 5 star luxury self catering accommodation and can facilitate large groups of up to 14 guests with its 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. This stunning Elizabethan manor house makes an excellent choice for luxury family holidays, short breaks, celebrations, special occasions, wedding guests, parties, large groups or for a get together of family or friends.

Hardcragg Hall is steeped in history and dates back to 1563 and this grade II listed country manor house is reputed to be the oldest building in the local area. There are several spacious reception rooms that all interconnect, including the dining room, drawing room, bar area, breakfast room, library, the oak panelled entrance hall area with its roaring log fire and the snug lounge with patio doors leading out into the landscaped gardens and grounds. The recently furnished farmhouse kitchen is superbly equipped with everything you will need to cater for large groups or couples alike and boasts a four oven Aga.

This large Lake District self catering accommodation sleeps 10+ is ideally located in Grange-over-Sands on the Southern edge of the English Lake District. Grange over Sands is one of Cumbria’s secret gems and is the Lake District’s principle sea side town. This is an ideal location for scenic fell and woodland walks, together with a mile long, traffic free promenade overlooking the sands of Morecambe Bay.

Holidaycottagescumbria.com is owned, managed, and run by Simon Cleasby with the help of a team of good housekeepers, and maintenance staff. Simon is a knowledgeable local Cumbrian (nee Westmorland) with a huge passion for the Lake District and Cumbria. Simon travelled and worked his way around the different continents for a few years before coming back to live in the South Lakes to start up this luxury Lake District holiday cottages company.

Scottish golf courses are all over. The particular Scottish areas doing well for golf include Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dumfries & Galloway, the Scottish Borders, Perthshire and pockets of the Highlands. The supreme Scottish golf hotspots, containing golf courses which frequently host the Open Championships, are to be found on the Ayrshire Coast, The Angus Coast, the Fife Coast and in the heart of Perthshire. Scotland golf location meccas include Troon, Turnberry and Prestwick on the Ayrshire Coast, Montrose and Carnoustie on the Angus Coast, St Andrews on the Fife coast and finally Gleneagles luxury golf resort in Perthshire. International golf visitors are well served by airports near these Scotland golf hotspots. For the Ayrshire golf coast head to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, for the Angus golf coast look to Aberdeen Dyce Airport and both St Andrews and Gleneagles are just a reasonably short drive from Edinburgh Airport and the many Edinburgh hotels.

Troon on the Ayrshire coast, alongside Prestwick and Turnberry, is renowned for its place within the history of Scottish Golf. The Royal Troon golf course plays host to numerous world class golf competitions including the Open. Golf lovers will want to take a turn on the Old Course at Royal Troon, touching golf history and admiring the splendid views from the course across the Firth of Clyde.

You could certainly describe Prestwick as a Scottish centre for golf. The famous Prestwick Golf Club is home to the Open Championships - the first Open was held here in 1860. Situated off the A79 and just one mile to the north of Prestwick Airport, you can be literally straight off the plane and playing golf here on this historic Scotland Course.

Turnberry on the Ayrshire Golf Coast boasts two splendid luxury golf courses, both part of the luxury golf resort and golf hotel complex Westin Turnberry. The two on-site Turberry golf courses here include Turnberry Kintyre, with a Par 72 and Ailsa golf course, one of the world’s best golf links course. Ailsa is remembered particularly for the Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson showdown in the 1977 Open Championships.

St Andrews on the Fife Coast of Scotland is a pilgrimage for golf fans looking to play golf in the footsteps of golf champions. The famous six golf links St Andrews courses are open to the public so you can touch golf history on the Old Course (Handicaps required). Cottages in Scotland are a great idea for accommodation.

Bassenthwaite Lake, a key habitat for the ospreys, is a National Nature Reserve and a Special Area of Conservation owned and managed by the Lake District National Park Authority.

Each year these beautiful and rare birds return to nest and this Easter was made ‘eggstra’ special by the return of our male and female Osprey 2 weeks ago.  The female osprey laid her first egg of 2009 at the nest near Bassenthwaite Lake on Thursday 16th April.  The female bird is now incubating the egg and it is hoped that further eggs will be laid in the coming days.  Ospreys normally lay a clutch of three eggs.  Incubation is carried out mainly by the female and takes between 34-40 days.

Peter Wells, General Manager of The Castle Inn Hotel Keswick said: Staff at the hotel are very ‘eggcited’ that the first egg has been laid.  We are hopeful that there will be more eggs and that the clutch will hatch in time for our Spring Bank holiday visitors in May.

Hundreds of people visited the Bassenthwaite area over the Easter weekend to get a glimpse of the Lake District Ospreys.   Visitors can get great views of the birds from a Viewpoint in Dodd Wood, only 400 metres away from the nest.  The Viewpoint is open all daylight hours, with staff on hand with telescopes from 10am-5pm daily, as part of the RSPB’s ‘Dates with Nature’ Project.

It is also possible to see the birds on the nest on a giant videowall at the Visitor Centre on the Forestry Commission estate at Whinlatter Forest, near Braithwaite.  Live pictures from cameras overlooking and inside the nest are also beamed to the screen and can also be viewed on the Project’s website www.ospreywatch.co.uk and the BBC Cumbria website at www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria.

It is now easier than ever before to visit Dodd Wood and Whinlatter thanks to the Osprey Bus which was launched in 2008.  The liveried bus service named after the spectacular birds of prey operates around Bassenthwaite Lake taking in the Whinlatter Exhibition and the Dodd Wood viewpoint and runs weekends from 4th April to 31st August 2009, except during the following school holidays, 6-17 April, 25-29 May and 18 July - 31 August when it runs every day.  A bus timetable is displayed at the hotel as the liveried bus service picks up from and drops off at The Castle Inn Hotel during these times.

Of course, it isn’t just leisure guests that need to be lured. With businesses cutting staff and budgets, the business guest is just as important to target. Cumbria is an excellent stop off for business guests from the south on their way to Scotland. Another market is conferencing. Conferencing facilities and packages are offered in most of the larger hotels Lake District now. With most conferences held on week days, it is an excellent market to target. Creative marketing campaigns are springing up such as the Best Western ‘message focussed menu options’ where bread and water is an option if a team has recorded poor performance. This is an eye catching campaign but which saves the business money but helps to improve the performance of their team as the same time.

Short breaks offers for leisure guests have been popular for some time but short breaks are a great way to get away when money is tight. Keswick hotels are popular with leisure and business guests due to its location and facilities. Easily accessible from the M6 motorway, Keswick has some of the most equipped hotels in Cumbria and with such fantastic scenery and walking, it creates a very cost effective break. An area full of activities and stunning scenery is the area of Keswick and Bassenthwaite. There are many Keswick hotels that offer child friendly rooms with excellent leisure facilities on site. These facilities include heated swimming pools, gyms, tennis courts, putting greens and some even have games rooms with both board games and computer games such as Wii consoles installed. The practical facilities within these hotels come in the form of flexible meal times for children, the use of complimentary high chairs and cots, bed time books and stocks of essential items such as nappies, baby milks and food and dummies.  Bassenthwaite the village itself is one of the most beautiful Lakeland villages and is an ideal base for discovering the woodlands of Thornthwaite Forest and the trails of Dodd Wood. It is the northernmost and only true ‘lake’ in the Lake District; it is renowned for its peacefulness, accessibility and continually changing scenery caused by changeable weather and seasons.

With hotels keeping creative with their offers, listening to the needs of their guests both leisure and business and keeping up a high standard, it should hopefully keep them in a much better position during this recession.

This exclusive development of Lake District lodges for sale offers you a tranquil retreat with nature and luxury sitting side by side. Each of the log cabins for sale in Cumbria is finished to the highest standards, ideal for comfort. It is the perfect holiday base to get out and enjoy the many wonders of the English Lakes.

Whether it is relaxing, getting back to nature, outdoor pursuits or sight seeing, High Bracken Lodges provide ideal Lake District holiday homes for sale. The farm boasts fantastic open views of the fells, with walks through bluebell woods and a river to splash your wellies in.

The seasons bring many changes on the farm from new lambs in Spring, to the Summer grass mowing, right through to Winter cattle feeding, find out all the latest with the news and pictures on The Farm page.

The Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales are filled with things to do and it is all on your doorstep here, the local tourist board site has lots of information.

If it’s shopping, restaurants or culture you want then these lodges lie just a short distance from Kirkby Lonsdale with its boutique shops, delis and pubs or the historic market town of Kendal.

For more information and to arrange a viewing please call Eileen or Stephen on 015395 67219. We have regular open days and are open for viewing every weekend 12 - 4pm. We look forward to hearing from you.

Open for viewing every weekend 12 - 4pm.

Alston, Newby and Kirkby Stephen are lesser know areas in the Eden Valley. Kirkby Stephen is a market town with cobbled streets and rural scenery leading to wild uplands. Kirkby Stephen has a great atmosphere and community making it a great place for a drink or a bite to eat. It has three public houses and individually owned shops.The distinctive local stone used is very different to the slate used in structures in south Cumbria.

Newby, with its Pennine backcloth, delightful Jacobean Hall, and surrounding landscapes really have a rather special unchanging beauty. Newby, neighbouring Lake Ullswater and picturesque Appleby in Westmorland, it is a small mediaeval market town of distinction.

Alston is the highest market town in the UK at 1000 metres above sea level. The road leading to Alston is a motor biker’s paradise, the A686 up Hartside Fell. The road climbs steeply and bends almost at right angles and has been voted by The AA as one of their “Ten Great Drives”. The views down into the Eden Valley are views to savour with the craggy Lake District fells to one side and the pennies to the other. Passing right through the Eden Valley is the Coast to Coast route which runs from St Bees on the West Cumbrian coast across to Whitley Bay so this area is very popular with cyclists.

The Eden Valley will surprise with its wide range of activities - strenuous mountain walks to gentle riverside strolls, watersports, golf and even activity centres where paintball shooting, archery and quad biking can be experienced. For such an activity packed holiday, Lake District cottages and Cumbrian cottages are a good choice of accommodation type. They give greater room for equipment, for cyclists especially, and are located in settings where a hotel or bed and breakfast would never be.