Trim and halve the brussels sprouts. Place in a saucepan, cover with boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Drain well. Grate the pieces of coconut, chopping the pieces that become a little too small to grate. Keep the chopped coconut separate.
Heat the oil in a frying pan or wok and fry the fennel and peppers for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the sprouts and fry for 3 minutes. Stir in the chopped coconut, garlic and cumin and fry for a further 2 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk, bouillon powder and chilli flakes and simmer gently for a further 3-5 minutes until hot and bubbling.
Spoon into bowls and scatter with the grated coconut. Delicious served with warmed essential Waitrose Wholemeal Pittas or brown basmati rice.
Whether you’re living in a small studio, a period property with a curious electrical arrangement, a home with angles in all the wrong places, or a mansion with a propensity for seventeen foot ceilings, getting the illumination levels right without overhead lighting can be one tricky task.
From maximising the flow of natural light to making smart use of table and task lighting, here are 5 tips for illuminating rooms with no overhead lighting.
Maximise Natural Light
The key to getting those lighting levels right without any bulbs overhead is to, conversely, forget about any artificial lighting at all. Natural light, as with most questions in life, is the answer here.
But letting just the right amount of natural light into a room can be a challenge, especially if you have awkwardly positioned windows that don’t get the best of the sunlight hours!
The first step to getting the right amount of natural light is simple – clean your windows. A window that is covered with dust and grime can trap light, making it harder to achieve that all-important, generous flow of natural light you want in a room.
Once your windows are clean, it’s time to swap out your old curtains for a lighter version as they let light through even when closed.
Another trick to achieving the right amount of natural light in a dark room is to deploy the correct furniture materials. Several options include light metals, see-through materials and acrylic. These are all great ways to bring light into a room. Equally, it’s important to find pieces with smooth lines as these will help light bounce around the room, making it appear larger and more lit.
Using floor lamps in rooms with no overhead lighting is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to add the desired levels of illumination to a room. Many lighting specialists suggest such lamps as they are a great way to brighten up a space without sacrificing style. In the right hands, in fact, floor lamps can add a real sense of sophistication to a space.
Floor lamps come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, and can most generally be used to provide task lighting (such as for reading) or accent lighting, the latter of which can be most skilfully achieved by deploying smart bulbs that let you cycle through multiple colour options. When opting for floor lamps, make sure you’re using energy-efficient lighting and energy saving bulbs, or you may find the electricity bill goes up more than you’d like.
Not only are table lamps an alternative for overhead lighting; they can also be used as an accent piece to add a decorative element to a room. There are many different styles of lamps, and they can be placed anywhere within a room to bring intrigue and pull the focus to a particular area.
Another way to add that sense of focal point to a room’s illumination is through floating candle displays. You can choose from a variety of shapes and sizes of LED candles and arrange them into an eye-catching display, and are a great way to add colour to a room, all without having to worry about calling an electrician to complete a comprehensive re-wiring project.
Both floor lamps and table lamps can be used in various ways:
Mood lighting helps to set the mood in a room. This type of lighting tends to be low-light and warm, often creating shadows and pockets of intrigue.
Task lighting helps you to perform a specific task, such as a desk lamp illuminating a surface from which you write, illustrate, cook or compose your masterpieces. It gives light to your workspace and provides a very specific job. It isn’t meant to light a whole room and instead creates focal point in one specific, designated space.
Ambient lighting is meant to be used throughout the home so that you can move from room to room without a transition too stark. It can replace sunlight during the evening hours, which means it should be bright enough to stand its ground in darker periods.
Using Candles To Add More Light To Your Room
Using candles to add more light to rooms with no overhead lighting is a great way to create a cosy scene in your house or flat, and are a savvy way to save money on electric bills and fill your room with beautiful scents, too!
In fact, if you enjoy entertaining, using candles with a specific scent is a cool way to turn your home interior into a ‘vibe’ in the same way many upscale hotels use scents to achieve the same.
And if you’re not into using fire in your home, no problem. You can add light to your room by hanging faux candle displays. You can choose from a variety of shapes and sizes of LED candles and arrange them into an eye-catching display. They are a great way to add colour to a room and you don’t have to worry about getting an electrician in!
Adding More Light With Mirrors
Mirrors, whose power can be harnessed even in a room with no overhead lighting, are another savvy – often fun – way to brighten up your space. They can also help to add depth and dimension to the room.
Mirrors can be placed strategically in a room to reflect light from start white walls from lamps. They can also help to amplify the light flowing into the room from big and small windows alike.
Of course, to use strategically placed mirrors to their full potential, you need to make sure that you’re not obstructing any natural source of light, so make sure that you don’t have anything in your home office directly in front of your windows as they can block the flow of light and make the room feel dingy.
This doesn’t only apply to that stack of books you can’t find a home for, but also to bulkier pieces, such as furniture, desks and computers. Clearing visual room can go a long way to making your room look more spacious.
To maximise the effect, consider an updated colour scheme of bright, blocky colours. Giving a new lick of fresh paint is an extremely cost effective way of getting the most out of your cellar space. Of course, an over abundance of bright orange or yellow, for instance, is overkill. Go instead for subtler shades of warmth and wellbeing which still bring that light giving, mood lifting quality, such as sand, ecru or almond.
Now that’s dispensed with, if you’re looking for tips on how to harness the power open-plan living to brighten up your kitchen, then you’ll find them here. We can’t wait to be invited over to your beautifully-lit home.
Brand new, second hand. Are we referring to the 1999 debut album from British hip hop artist Roots Manuva; the song of the same name released by Wailers guitarist Peter Tosh in 1976; or the decision you have to make when buying a car?
Today, we’re here to extol the virtues of the latter. With rising inflation impacting the car market and the need for making climate-conscious driven decisions ever more pressing, it’s never been a better time to consider a second-hand set of wheels.
From more choice at a cheaper price all the way to enhancing your green credentials, here are 5 reasons why buying a second hand car is the better choice in 2023.
Affordability
Obvious, we know, but buying secondhand is cheaper. And whilst we’re sure we don’t need to repeat this oft-quoted fact about car depreciation, we’re going to anyway: cars lose a ton of value as soon as they’re driven out of the lot.
According to the Money Service Advice, the amount is as much as between 15% and 35% in the first year. But if that lot contains second hand cars, the sudden loss of value is far less. In fact, the majority of depreciation occurs in the first 8 to 10 years of a car’s life. After this time, it’s likely that the value will plateau, but in some cases, it might actually rise as the vehicle becomes considered a ‘classic’.
If this is your first time purchasing a car or your budget options are limited when it comes to buying a car in general, then it’s always good to go for a used car. These tend to offer budget friendly cars in comparison to new cars.
Choice
There’s also a lot more variety available in the second hand market.
For discerning shoppers, buying a secondhand car means you may be able to drive a ‘better’ car than your budget may otherwise have allowed. That said, it’s essential that you seek quality assurance from the dealer, as well as a return policy (the longer the better) and a 90-day or extended used car warranty as standard.
Incidentally, check out our advice on some luxury cars that are best the buy second hand if you’re hoping to make an investment. And if you’re not, don’t worry; the choice is still vast, enabling you to get the car of your dreams affordably without having to sacrifice on quality.
Lower Insurance Costs
Generally speaking, it’s not just the price tag on a used car which tends to be cheaper; insuring your second hand car will usually be a less costly process than doing so for a brand new model. This is because, in the event of an accident, it will likely cost your insurance provider more to replace a new car.
That said, it’s important you check that the car still has some form of warranty attached (a given with a new car) if you’re buying from a second hand dealer.
Many believe that the answer to running a car that’s good for the environment requires them to buy a shiny new one. However, the carbon footprint of making a new car is complex; there are metals to be extracted, parts to be shipped and assemblage to be done.
Indeed, to get a car showroom ready for sale, every stage requires a massive amount of embodied energy. To put things into perspective, the Guardian pointed out that ”producing a medium-sized new car costing £24,000 may generate more than 17 tonnes of CO2e – almost as much as three years’ worth of gas and electricity in the typical UK home.”
This is especially true for electric cars, as these require more materials to be mined in the first place. Though they are, on the flip side, better for the environment than petrol and diesel cars, buying an electric car does present a bit of a minefield (ahem).
Surprisingly, opting for a used car is a more sustainable choice and means your initial impact on the environment is reduced, even if the vehicle is less fuel efficient as a result of its age. All of this means that you’re not enabling all that pollution to happen by a new car being built.
And speaking of sustainable cars…
Contribute To Your Electric Journey
Shopping for a high-quality second-hand car certainly isn’t easy. There are boxes to be ticked, preferences to pander to and a bank balance to look after. Regardless of everything else, if there is one box that needs to be ticked, it’s the car’s environmentally sustainable credentials.
The phasing out of sales of new petrol and diesel cars is well underway. By 2030, new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from sale. The appetite for plug-in-cars has hit an all time high. As such, there are more used electric cars entering the secondhand market at affordable prices.
That said, pre-owned electric cars are generally more expensive to buy than old petrol or diesel run ones. Price is, of course, a massive consideration when it comes to buying a second hand car. So why not buy a cheaper diesel or petrol run vehicle to see you through, and when it eventually needs replacing, you’ll have had the opportunity to save up for a plug-in-car and do your bit for the country’s journey to net-zero emissions.
Another option is to enroll in a salary sacrifice scheme, if you’re intent on purchasing a brand-new EV. It is the most cost-effective, efficient, and financially accessible way to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle.
The Bottom Line
With environmental issues demanding more investments are ‘circular’, buying a used vehicle is certainly a sound move. That said, certain checks and assessments are required to ensure the purchase is a prudent, judicious one.
But as any English language student will attest, so much of the focus seems to fall on the formal, written word. Whether it’s because you’re taking your IELTS exam soon, you’re studying at an English speaking university, or you’re trying to get to grips with the complex grammatical structures of the language, the vast majority of study takes place on the page.
For English language learners, this isn’t always helpful, particularly for those who are particularly keen to improve their speaking and listening skills.
Should you be learning English as a foreign language and you’re wondering the best way to strengthen your grasp of the more natural, informal side of things, then you’ve come to the right place; here’s how to improve your understanding of spoken English.
Immerse Yourself In Popular Culture
Picking up the core spoken elements of the English language needn’t have to revolve around academia, learning and study. There is another tool in your arsenal; immersing yourself in English via the medium of popular culture.
By listening to English music and watching TV shows and films in English, you’ll pick up plenty of natural turns of phrase, slang, different dialects and forms of pronunciation, and perhaps most importantly, begin to recognise the rhythm and flow of spoken English.
Stress patterns, both in sentence and word, chunking, phrasing, intonation and pitch can all be incredibly hard for non-native English speakers to grasp.
Initially, it might be a good idea to watch these shows with subtitles or read the lyrics of music whilst listening, but by engaging with a wide variety of popular culture in the English language, you’ll passively familiarise yourself with these patterns. In time, you’ll find that reproducing a more natural sound becomes easier.
Slang refers to words or phrases with an especially informal register, often used by a particular in-group or generation. This type of language can be playful, cheeky or amusing, and as a result, won’t likely appear on any written English exams.
That said, if you’re keen to make friends in the UK, the States or Australia, and keep up with the pace of conversation there, it’s essential you familiarise yourself with the specific slang of the country, region or even city.
Yep, slang in the English language (hey, let’s call this thing ‘slanguage’) is often location specific; the slang used in London will differ from New York, sure, but it’ll also diverge from Manchester, and even different areas of London won’t share the same slang.
It’s important to note that slang can quickly become outdated, inappropriate or even offensive, so it’s wise to view learning slang as an ongoing process.
Listen To A Variety Of Different Accents
Perhaps you’ve strained to understand a post-match interview with Sir Alex Ferguson? Maybe you’ve wondered why everyone on Neighbours was (is?) constantly asking questions? Either way, as a learner of the English language, you’ve almost certainly have developed an understanding of the plethora of different accents involved across the world of spoken English.
To recognise the difference between Cockney and Scouse, New Yorker and Texan, Aussie and Canadian and many more, it’s essential that you expose yourself to a wide range of different accents. As we mentioned earlier, the best way to do this is to immerse yourself in all manner of forms of English speaking popular culture.
And rest assured, even native English speakers sometimes find it difficult to understand accents from other sides of the world. It’s often suggested that Geordie, Edinburgh, Cockney, Glaswegian and Barry are the hardest accents to understand as a non-native speaker of English. To help you get to grips with each, the website even suggested five TV shows and films which feature those accents. These are:
To hear Geordie, watch I’m Alan Partridge
To experience the Edinburgh accent, watch Trainspotting
For Cockney (from London’s East End), watch Attack the Block
Glaswegian accents feature prominently in Sweet Sixteen
Barry accents, from Wales, are a major part of Gavin & Stacey
Speak & Listen To English Strictly
If you’re keen to get to grips with spoken, informal English as quickly as possible, then it’s sensible to be strict and only expose yourself to the English language, if that’s possible in your day-to-day life.
For instance, whether you’re currently studying English at a well-regarded, adult-focused language centre like the London School of English or a summer school for kids like the fantastic Skola, it’s essential that you try to converse with your peers in English, even if you’re from the same country or share the same mother tongue.
On top of that, in your downtime, continue to expose yourself to the English language as much as possible during recreation. Doing so will help you learn English by osmosis, which is often the best way to produce the most natural sounding spoken version.
Let’s face it, in this day and age it’s easy to pick up a language online — all of the resources are at your fingertips and a lot of those are completely free. One of the best ways to practice your chosen language is via a ‘language exchange’ session online; you share some of your conversation over Skype (other platforms do exist) with a partner, and in return they engage in a little conversation in English with you. Social learning at its finest, we think, and the worst thing that can happen is you’ll make a new friend. Here’s 9 of the best free language exchange websites.
Should it be possible, endeavour to make friends with native English speakers in person, too, as this will help you practice informal, spoken English and understand slang and different accents most thoroughly.
Assimilate Abroad
The single best way to learn a new language is by booking a flight to a destination which speaks it. Because there truly is no better way than getting in the middle of the English spoken language, rolling up your sleeves and getting stuck in. Stepping outside your comfort zone and into direct, necessary interaction with native speakers is like pressing the booster button on your language learning. If you can afford to, you should.
What a time it is to be alive for all the beer lovers out there. Beer distilleries are everywhere, new craft-beer companies are popping up all over the place, and the amount of beer-related gifts, toys and accessories available for Christmas or birthdays is broad-ranging and diverse.
As we all know, the festive season is a time for making merry, and what better way to do that than with beer (responsibly, of course)? This guide will walk through some of the best gifts for beer lovers this Christmas.
Tennent’s Beer Accessories
Thankfully for those who love traditional Scottish lager, brewers like Tennent’s offer a limited-time Christmas selection with endless amounts of gifts to choose from. If your giftee is an avid fan of Tennent’s, or even if it’s a beer they have yet to try, why not browse what’s on offer from this giant of brewing?
How fun does a Lager advent pack sound? Yes, you read that right; an advent calendar for a lager. Amazing, right? It’s a little something more than chocolate to look forward to. The only downside is you can’t exactly have a can before you go to work in the morning, so maybe save it for the evenings.
Complete with 24 x 240ml cans of the famous lager, you will certainly find a treat behind every door – remember to drink responsibly, of course.
A Tennent’s Christmas gift set might be an even better option. Complete with everything you might need for a gift at an affordable price, and containing a chef’s apron, Christmas coasters, a festive pint glass, and a pair of Christmas socks, it’s the ultimate variety gift set. Cheers!
A Draft Beer Machine and Keg
This gift is best aimed at those with a significant other in mind, as it’s on the pricier side. A draft beer machine is arguably the best high-end gift to surprise any beer lover or aspiring publican, allowing them to fulfil their dream of having a fresh draft pint right at their fingertips. Whether in the converted sports bar in the garden or the kitchen, they won’t be able to thank you enough for a gift like this.
Though it might sound a little extravagant initially, the price tag is actually fairly justified for what you get, with the popular Philips PerfectDraft clocking in at just under £200.
You can’t argue with the fact that it’s a great investment for any beer fanatic. The machines are made up of 6 components:
Cooler – Set the desired temperature for your cold beer
Keg – Replaceable keg filled with the beer of your choice
Coupler – Clamps onto the keg and opens the way for gas
Gas – Pushes beer out of the keg, usually uses co2 cylinders
Tubing – Connects the keg to the machine via a tube
Font – Free flow tap that controls the pour
But you didn’t need to know that just yet, did you? All you need to do is maintain the machine and replace the kegs now and again. If you’re smart, you can use the keg as a repeatable gift over several occasions; keep surprising them with new beers.
A New Beer Glass
A classic, and although it might seem like little thought goes behind it, it’s usually appreciated a lot more than cliched pair of socks or novelty mug. Many beer lovers enjoy drinking a glass that matches their beer, so that is well worth considering. What’s their favourite beer? Do they already have a glass that matches it?
If you can’t help but feel like it isn’t enough, why not combine it with another gift? It’s the perfect addition to any gift set. Alternatively, consider personalising the glass with your beer-loving friend or family member’s name on.
If ‘experiences’ are more your loved one’s thing, then booking a brewery tour could well be the best gift you could get a beer lover. It allows them to get right into the behind-the-scenes and discover what the beer is all about and how it’s made and sent out. It’s interesting and informative, and you usually get a free drink at the end of it!
Some of the best brewery tours in the UK include the Beavertown (of Neck Oil fame) Brewery tour in Tottenham, the Hawkshead Brewery tour in the Lake District, and the Bristol Beer Factory.
The Bucket List Beer: Beer-Themed Adventures
If one of your friends or family members is truly passionate about their favourite refreshing drink, then you should consider buying Justin Kennedy’s great book The Bucket List: Beer. Aimed at those who enjoy a beery break, and offering over one thousand exciting beer-related adventures, from pop-up beer gardens to pub crawls, brewery tours and Bavaria, this is ideal for the thirsty traveller, make no mistake.
The Bottom Line
Christmas is approaching fast, so it’s best to avoid bouts of frantic panic buying. Instead, give a gift that’s assured to go down well in more ways than one!
How often do you munch on a nice snack and suddenly find your cat coiling around your legs, looking up expectantly? It often makes you think, what treats for cats are safe for them to eat? Well, there are plenty of healthy treats out there that your cat can benefit from, some of which are fully natural, and several that come from the human plate.
Remember, just because a specific kind of food is okay for us to eat doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe for them too. This guide will discuss some common household foods you can treat your cat to every now and then.
Cheese
Cheese is a snack that many people enjoy nibbling on or putting in a sandwich, which makes it such a common question: Can cats eat cheese? To put it briefly, yes, it is relatively safe, but there are some things you should know.
Despite containing protein, cheese offers very little nutritional value for cats, meaning there are plenty of better treats out there. But should you still wish to feed your cat cheese, you should pay careful attention to the kind of cheese.
Most cheeses are fine for cats eat in moderation, but you should refrain from giving any large amounts. Some cheeses you need to avoid are blue cheese and processed cheese like cream and string cheese. Also, cheese high in salt values, like halloumi, should be avoided. Any mould contaminants are hazardous for cats – that’s no stinky stilton for your feline friend, then.
The high amounts of lactose in cheese can lead to various health implications, including obesity, diarrhoea and constipation, especially if fed excessively. As previously mentioned, there are healthier alternatives to cheese, but that doesn’t get rid of the sympathetic eyes glaring at you, so if you must, stick to cheese made from sheep, goats, or yaks.
Salmon is a fantastic source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients. However, like all good things, it needs to be given in moderation. It has even been found that cats refuse to eat anything else; they like salmon that much! Which is not very helpful for keeping your cat on a balanced diet.
For the average cat, it is recommended that they should consume around 270 to 290 calories per day in total, and only 10% of that should be dedicated to treats. With the average salmon fillet containing around 700 calories, your cat should only eat a tiny proportion. This makes it a great tasty treat but never take it too far.
Cooked salmon alone isn’t enough to give your cat a healthy balanced diet, but it is a great option as a treat.
Spinach
Get the greens in! Spinach is a great treat, bursting with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, K, iron and calcium. Spinach is the perfect, healthy, cat-friendly treat. Various cat foods even contain traces of spinach to get out some of its health benefits.
Some rare occasions where spinach may not be good for cats, for example, if they have kidney or urine problems. This is due to spinach containing calcium oxalate, which can cause cats to develop harmful crystals in their urine, leading to further issues.
Preparing spinach as a small snack couldn’t be any easier. Offer your cat a small amount of cooked spinach to see if they like it, don’t be surprised if they don’t. Cats may take time to come around to the ways of different fruits and vegetables; but be patient. Avoid adding salts, spices, or seasonings, as they aren’t good for your cat.
Chicken
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they require diets that are made up primarily of meat. Their bodies can’t digest fibrous food as easily as other animals and tend not to like the same kind of food that most humans strive for.
Fruit and veg isn’t the only good source of vitamins and minerals; chicken contains nutrients like selenium, vitamin B6, and phosphorus.
Meat like chicken is a great treat to add to any cat’s diet. Cook the chicken all the way through and ensure to remove the fatty skin. Chicken is another common ingredient in many commercial cat foods due to its broad range of health benefits.
Bones have a high chance of creating a choking hazard for cats, so always remove any big or small bones that could pose a risk.
The Bottom Line
Treats from the fridge can be a great addition to a cat’s diet, but only if given in proportions daily. If you notice a sudden increase in your cat’s weight, you will want to scale back the amount you give them.
When trying new treats, always incorporate them gradually and never all at once. If you are unsure of anything, always consult a veterinarian who can make an informed decision based on your cat’s needs.
*This article is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified veterinary professional. Neither it is intended to give nutritional advice for your cat. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries, always consult your vet first*
Planning a hen do is not an easy task. Between gathering everyone together and getting the whole gang to chip in on an amount they all agree on, there is the difficult job of picking a location for the do itself.
Just how do you pick, and where might be some suitable places to celebrate a hen party? We’re here to help with that; here are the best hen party destinations in the UK and abroad.
What Makes A Great Hen Do?
A hen do is what you make of it – ‘you’ here meaning your glorious gaggle of friends and family, and of course the bride. If you’re a fun-loving bunch, then partying will surely be the focus, but if you like to sample the finer things, your hen party could benefit from a laissez-faire trip of wining, dining and restful experiences. The opportunities are endless – but where could you go?
The Best UK Hen Party Destinations
According to a recent report discussed in the Mirror, the average cost of attending a hen party in 2022 is £242 (up 60% in ten years) with accommodation and meals out accounting for the biggest costs. In the current climate of rising travel costs, decreased spending money and, ideally, efforts to fly less, might the UK be the safer bet?
Keeping things domestic is a winning choice when it comes to planning a hen do; it ensures things remain relatively simple and within budget – giving you all the more room to book some extra fun luxuries for the big night.
Brighton
For a very different hen do experience, why not take your gaggle down to the seaside for an extremely British coastal jaunt? Brighton is naturally one of the best choices here, being a resort that contains multitudes – from cultural delights to quintessential beachy fun like the arcades. Oh, and Brighton’s food scene isn’t half bad either.
Manchester is city chock-full of 24-hour party people, and it shows. From the glitz and glamour of its rooftop hotel bars to the sticky floors and stickier cocktails of its Oxford Road nightclubs, you can’t go far wrong for an excellent evening – to say nothing of the endless array of bottomless brunches you could be choosing from!
London
Last but certainly not least, where else but the Big Smoke? London is a sprawling megacity of adventure and experiences, and a brilliant place to bring a large group for a weekend to remember – or forget, as it were. There’s incredible food wherever you look, and each district has its own merits for a night on the town.
From sophisticated afternoon tea parties to chocolate tasting experience on the London Eye, check out these 5 alternative London hen party ideas to get properly inspired!
The Best Hen Party Adventures Abroad
Of course, sometimes home soil simply doesn’t cut it for the last ‘free’ nights of the bride-to-be’s life. Foreign shores beckon, with some amazing destinations around the world presenting their own unique backdrops for a full-scale hen celebration.
One lesser-travelled entry on the hen-do list might be Budapest, or as it is more alluringly known, the City of Spas. With thermal baths and relaxing spas by the dozen, this could be the pampersome trip of a lifetime for you and yours.
If it’s partying rather than pampering you’re after, then you’ll be pleaded to hear that Budapest has earned a reputation as being the playground for twenty something hedonists wishing to venture further afield than the usual party hotspots of Amsterdam, Barcelona and the rest.
For those folk, District VII is definitely the hippest place in the capital. Though once ravaged by war, left run-down and ruined for many years, after undergoing a restless revitalisation, the historic Jewish corner has blossomed into an up-and-coming cultural hub. Jam packed with bars, cafés and restaurants, the bohemian atmosphere of District VII has been likened to Berlin’s Kreuzberg.
If you’re planning a visit then hitting the ruin pubs with their worn-down pieces of furniture and thrifty interiors should definitely place high on the itinerary. The best of their kind have live music and DJs on the weekends, as well as film nights and art exhibitions. One of our favourites is Mazel Tov which serves up delicious Israeli/Mediterranean food in a green and leafy setting.
Ibiza
Speaking of DJs and dancing, if a party atmosphere is your group’s number one priority, why look further than Ibiza? The island resort has made a name for itself as a veritable paradise of party, and is the perfect high-octane destination for a hen party ready to let loose.
From cruising on a catamaran and dancing at Ibiza rocks too watching the beautiful sunsets with a cocktail in hand, there’s plenty to do on a Ibiza hen do. Of course, the island has plenty to offer beyond the parties; check out these ways to unwind in Ibiza for more on that.
Bucharest
Don’t let the low and slow pace of life in rural Romania fool you into thinking the nightlife is lowkey. There’s plenty going on in the capital Bucharest, nicknamed ‘the Paris of the East’ thanks to its stunning architecture and unique monuments. Indeed, the affability of the locals and affordability of the place make it a great choice for a party.
Temperatures soar here in the summer, to over 30 degrees Celsius in the height of the season, and with plans afoot to turn the city’s Mori lake into a huge artificial beach, there’ll be plenty of time for topping up your tan in preparation for the big day in the unlikeliest of locations. There’s also Europe’s largest urban beach, the Sands of Therme, just outside Bucharest.
At night, the city comes alive, with several lively clubs hosting the action. For hyped-up hen dos, Bamboo is the ultimate spot for dancing and debauchery. It’s notoriously difficult to get into, so make sure you’re dressed smart but not overly showy, and keep your cool in the queue.
Should your group’s tastes lie more in getting spooky than sloppy, then make sure you leave the city to visit Bran Castle; like no other castle in the world, it’s nicknamed Dracula Castle and is located in Transylvania.
It’s a discovery we all dread. Yep, running into a pest or a rodent in your home isn’t something that any homeowner wants to see. Unexpected guests aren’t welcome — and neither is the detrimental health impact they can cause.
That said, these pesky critters and four legged invaders would sometimes believe they’ve been invited in for supper. In fact, often homeowners unintentionally make their domestic space a thoroughly welcoming place for pests.
Don’t make it easy for them! If you’re like many homeowners, you might not want to kill these pests yourself. We don’t blame you, and as with most of life’s biggest issues, prevention is better than cure. With that in mind, here’s our IDEAL guide to maintaining a pest-free home.
Schedule Regular Pest Control Visits
Let’s be honest; keeping your home completely free of pests and bugs is not a walk in the park. Sometimes your efforts are futile and you end up with terrible insect problems, and DIY solutions aren’t always the answer. Though we said prevention is better than cure, sometimes precautionary, preventative methods aren’t enough.
In times like this, you may want to arrange a pest control company to do an annual inspection. Regular pest control visits are vital since they help you control infestations before they get out of hand. The cost (and impact on the liveability of your home for a short while) of a fully blown extermination effort is much higher than gentle, yearly upkeep.
Give Your Pets A Regular Wash
Cleaning your pets does more than offer some quality bonding time, although the look on your dog’s face as they get a rub down is pretty priceless! In fact, it also helps you get rid of pests. Insects like fleas don’t just affect your animals. These pests can also spread to the rest of the house, resulting in itchiness and other complications for humans. That’s why you should use flea treatments on your pet’s skin, and keep their bedding supremely clean, too.
Cleaning your home and removing any clutter that fleas can hide in is another crucial initial step because fleas don’t really reside on your pet, but rather in the spaces around your pet. Fleas, as well as their eggs and larvae, should be killed by washing any pet bedding in hot, soapy water. Pet bedding should be washed every week until the infestation is eliminated. Discard and trash any pet bedding if you have a severe flea infestation.
Remember to deworm your pets, too; consult a vet for detailed instructions.
Keep Pantry Items In Sealed Containers
Pests love entering cardboard boxes and food containers in the hunt for something to nibble on. It’s essential, then, to keep food tightly stored in lockable containers and keep those containers in cupboards with fasteners attached. Tightly tied plastic bags and sealable cartons work, too. If you want to be extra careful (and ruin that still life, fruit bowl aesthetic you’ve been cultivating) then put your fresh produce in the fridge to keep fruit flies and ants at bay.
If there’s a small crack around your doorframe, window or any other entrance into your house, pests will have it easy when accessing your home. So, take the time to inspect your house’s exterior, particularly the foundation, and tightly seal any gap that’s big enough for a pest to fit. Holes, cracks, and crevices on the window frame are also culprits as easy access points, so remember to cover them, too.
Prevention is better than cure, as they say, and identifying entry points is one of the most effective ways to manage a reduction in pests.
Vacuum Up Crumbs
The kitchen and pantry offer an ideal environment for pests to grow and flourish, with every whisper of crumb an invitation for a pest party. This is particularly true during the night, when the kitchen is unoccupied and tiny invaders left undisturbed run riot. So, every evening before going to bed, remember to clean all food items from your kitchen countertops.
If possible, avoid leaving dirty utensils in the sink for any prolonged period of time, too. Should you be low on time and unable to wash the dishes, do at least endeavour to clear the food from your plates and into a tightly sealed bin. Finish up by using organic detergents to clean the kitchen cabinets, countertops, and floor.
Regularly Clean House
One of the best tips for getting rid of pests is also the most simple one; keep a clean home at all times. Ants, rodents, cockroaches and the rest thrive in unclean spaces, and these pests are particularly attracted to food stains and dust. Once some pests have a presence, others will follow, and this exponential growth is a breeding ground for things getting out of hand. Avoid it via your first and most effective line of defence; a sparklingly clean home.
Use Rubbish Bins With A Lid
Household rubbish can attract pests like cockroaches, ants, and rodents, with rotting food being particularly aromatic to these pesky creatures.
It’s imperative, then, that you use garbage bins that have tight-fitting lids to keep pests away, particularly those which you position outside. What’s more, you should regularly wash your bins and the outdoor area where they sit to get rid of spills and debris which are guaranteed to attract pests.
Keep Your Bathroom Floors Clean & Dry
Aside from food and debris, pests are also hugely attracted to any water source. Because of this, regularly cleaning the bathroom will go a long way to preventing pests. Take care of leaking faucets and pipes as soon as an issue occurs, as well as fixing drain traps and openings; they’re gateways for rodents to enter a building and present an easy passageway into your home.
Trim Plants & Minimise Mulch
Thick plant bushes do more than make your yard look unruly; they can also harbour pests and present a fertile breeding ground for critters to hide and procreate. Fallen leaves, twigs, and branches are a gateway for all kinds of insects to enter the house, so do make sure you trim the shrubs and trees in your garden, especially those that are close to your home.
Likewise, the mulch in your garden may offer a perfect shelter for pests. Instead of using mulch in places close to the foundation, choose something that won’t attract pests, such as small stones.
And with that, we await the all clear before we pay another visit to your lovely home!
Ideal for those looking for new fitness motivation.
Despite what your aching limbs sometimes suggest, getting fit doesn’t have to be a chore. Honestly, hear us out. Though our busy schedules, topsy turvy sense of willpower, and the current erratic state of opening hours of gyms in the UK may be presenting obstacles, exercise needn’t be a burden. Whisper it, exercise can even be fun.
If you don’t like doing sport or jogging, or if the gym fills you with a particular feeling of dread, there are many other activities you can try that will burn just as many calories. And if you actively enjoy working out – however that looks – then you’re far more likely to be motivated to continue.
Yep, this thing feeds itself, releasing endorphins and feel good chemicals which keep you returning for more, if only you can get into the right rhythm in the first place. Whether it’s dancing, exploring, or simply playing, you can find a fun way to get in shape so you won’t even notice you’re doing it. With that in mind, here are 7 ways to keep fit by having fun, IDEAL for those looking for new fitness motivation.
Never Stop Playing
Remember when you were little and you ran around for hours? Take us back! The unbridled joy of simply letting loose and living in the moment was something we’d love to recapture. It might seem harder now but it’s important to try and rediscover this joy for movement.
If you have children, endeavour to play with them outside more, taking inspiration from their gloriously free-spirited nature. Alternatively, take the dog for a walk or play in the garden any way you like (ignore the curtain twitchers!). Should you be seeking a little external motivation, there are also several fitness games and apps designed to keep you entertained and active. No matter your age, this should be your mantra: never stop playing.
Geocaching
Geocaching is the world’s largest treasure hunt, and can be done with any smartphone as all you need is GPS. In fact, it’s an activity taking the world by storm. Simply search your location and find out about hidden gems near you and as you find more treasure, you’ll be given clues to move on. Sometimes, the treasure takes the form of a logbook and pen, to record your movements, or sometimes a Tupperware box containing a trinket is your reward.
It’s a great activity for summer and you can do it alone, in pairs or bring along the whole family along for the ride. It’s also a fantastic way to discover natural and interesting places in your local area or when on holiday.
Dance The Night Away
Dancing is a great way to feel more energised, to connect with your body and find comfort in your own skin. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a natural dancer there is such a wide variety of options out there that you’re sure to find the type of dance for you. And, even if you find you’re not terribly good at any dance discipline, you can still throw shapes at home in a carefree, loose-limbed way conducive to getting a sweat on. And that’s why you’re here, right?
If you want to dance with a partner you could try ballroom, jive or salsa? Generally, dancing Ballroom and Latin dances has many mental and physical benefits. Aside from being enjoyable, it can be a perfect activity that promotes great posture, while also enhancing your body’s abdominal muscles.
Also, it can provide your whole body with an effective workout routine designed to improve endurance and core strength. Lastly, when you dance Ballroom and Latin, you can burn calories particularly easily, as these are high-octane disciplines, which is crucial in keeping yourself fit while having fun.
On the other hand, if you would rather dance on your own how about tap, hula, or hip hop? There are so many videos online to enable you to practice from the comfort of your own home, away from prying eyes. Apps like Just Dance Now are a great way to make dancing into a game, to really inject some fun into proceedings.
Take An Active Holiday
For your next holiday, why not plan an active break, combining the stress-relieving sense of being on vacation with a focus on exercise? You could book a walking holiday, trekking or skiing, for example, allowing those holiday beers at the end of a long day to be entirely guilt-free!
Since an active holiday requires physical preparation, there’s the added bonus of extra motivation before your trip, to train for it. If you’ve planned to hike up a mountain on holiday then it’s a good idea to get in shape first and having something to look forward to will help push you along.
Gadgets
Sometimes all you need to do to breathe new life into your workout routine is to invest in a device which makes working out easier and more fun. Perhaps the most simple is also the most effective here; Fitbit is guaranteed to give you that little extra motivation you need to change your routine, encouraging you to get off the bus a few stops early, to use the stairs instead of the lift, and take yourself out for an evening walk if you haven’t yet achieved the number of steps you’re targeting.
Or, why not look into the popular app Fiit, which is kind of like the Netflix of home workouts, and makes exercising in your living room as fun and motivating as is humanely (or technologically) possible.
Whatever fitness gadgets you choose, make sure you prioritise ones specifically designed to make your body workout routine more exciting. But aside from fun, these modern innovations offer many benefits, which can help you stay fit. For example, they can help you keep track of your progress and ensure they’re aligned with your fitness goals. They can also provide you with an overview of all the physical activities you’ve performed. That way, you can better understand how your body works as well as determine the things that should be improved to ensure better wellness.
Boot Camps
Boot camp might not sound fun initially. In fact, it might sound like most people’s idea of hell, but its efficiency can’t be denied.
In fact, fun workouts exist even in the most trying of settings, and those who run fitness boot camps aren’t there to humiliate you. Rather, such sessions can be incredibly motivating and before long, that sense of challenge and goal-oriented exercise can be fun in itself.
For those who identify as being the masochistic, glutton-for-punishment type, you might find particular ‘fun’ in Xtreme Bootcamps, which really do push you to your limits. Whilst undeniably tough, the feeling of satisfaction afterwards is pretty unparalleled.
However, it’s essential to know that not all types of fitness boot camps are suitable for every person. Thus, if you want to get the most out of fun while keeping yourself fit, you should conduct thorough research about your prospects to ensure they have the ability to provide what you need.
A New Hobby
If you’re not having fun while getting fit, then it’s time to try something new. You might want to think about getting into a new sport that you can follow online, preferably one with a competitive edge and involving teamwork for that all-important, hugely motivating accountability factor.
Try and find more information on your chosen sport and immerse yourself in the culture behind it as an additional contributor to your improved motivation. Search for Jan Molby’s stats on Wikipedia, do a deep dive into Roger Federer’s career, or even cultivate a new interest in Lacrosse.
Then, find other willing participants in your local area and combine this new, potentially esoteric hobby with working out. Taking pleasure in keeping fit is bound to follow.
The Bottom Line
If you’re not enjoying exercise, it’s not that you’re not cut out for keeping fit. More likely, you simply haven’t yet found the most appropriate regime, discipline or style for you. Approach keeping fit with a broad, inquisitive mind and eventually, you’ll find a routine which you can’t help but come back to, time and time again.
Winter is coming. Actually, some good news; the shortest day of the year is a mere two weeks away, and after that, the good, sunnier times can’t be far off.
Still, if you’re looking forward to a winter wedding in the coming weeks, this will be of little consolation. Yep, choosing an outfit for a wedding is hard enough, but with the added obstacle of blustery weather, icy temperatures and even the possibility of snow, it can become a nightmare scenario.
We’re not putting it mildly (mmm, ‘mild’) when we say that finding the perfect winter wedding outfit is no mean feat. You have to take into account the weather, the type of wedding you’re attending and of course the small matter of your own style. We’re here to help with all of that; our 5 IDEAL tips on what to wear to a winter wedding.
Is There A Dress Code?
Before you plan your outfit, you’ll need to check the formality of the event and see if there’s a specified, strict dress code. Is there a mention of cocktail attire or black tie on the wedding invitation? Have they specified a colour scheme? Is the dress code unwritten but obvious?
Weddings are usually formal affairs, but if they aren’t, the invitation will specify what sort of attire is expected (business casual, hippy chic, or everyone-in-shorts, for example). Always follow the instructions on the invitation and don’t bend the rules too much with your outfit. As the experts at The Wedding Shop caution, if your invitation indicates specific instructions regarding attire, it is disrespectful to show up well beyond the dress code.
If a dress code hasn’t been specified, then the invitation gives away a lot of information. It’s not a rule cast in stone that the invitation card should match the wedding colours of the bridal party, but it often does. The last thing you want to do is look like the bridal party when you’re just a humble wedding guest, as this is considered, if not a fashion faux pas per se, a little bit awkward, at the least.
Of course, rather than looking for clues in the invitation or trying to interpret a rather vague invitation instruction, it might just be worth asking the bride or groom!
Most winter weddings are indoors, so you probably don’t need your thermals. That said, it’s a good idea to choose thicker fabrics like velvet and satin, warm and luxe, as they’ll keep you from feeling any chill throughout the ceremony, reception and any travel in between.
A winter wedding is the perfect time for lots of texture and luxurious fabrics. High necklines, longer hems and billowing sleeves can add a sensible sense of occasion to a wedding outfit. A winter wedding is also the ideal opportunity to wear a gorgeous floor length gown, especially if it’s a more formal affair.
For something more casual, a shift or wrap dress with long sleeves offers a smart, yet formal option. Elegant wedding suits or a jumpsuit with long sleeves can look sophisticated and will keep you warm.
Dark Tones, Metallics & Chic Patterns
Deep tones like black, purple and navy are great for a winter wedding. Berry hues of burgundy and jewel tones of emerald green and ruby red can also add a festive touch to your outfit, while earthier shades like green and burnt orange are equally appropriate seasonally. Don’t dismiss florals; they aren’t the sole reserve of summer weddings. Indeed, a floral pattern against a dark backdrop can look particularly striking.
Coveted Cover Ups
In winter a coat or cover up is essential, however the trouble is looking chic in something that keeps you warm. Luckily we have the answer – luxury layering. A feather or faux fur shrug can keep you feeling cosy yet looking stylish indoors. Wrapping yourself in a stylish winter shawl made from velvet also offers that extra layer of warmth indoors. A sleeveless cape made of wool or a satin coat is ideal for the outdoors.
Subtle Sequins
More a general rule on what to wear to a wedding rather than a seasonally-specific statement, but you might want to avoid wearing a dress entirely made from sequins.
Sequins are often a part of luxurious and elegant dresses; a marker of a sense of glam and occasion. However, unless the dress code is about all things glittery and sparkling, and sequins have been explicitly encouraged, when it comes to weddings you should stay away from a dress entirely made of sequins.
A dress that is entirely made of shiny sequins is not so photo-friendly and also has that dreaded sense (intentionally or otherwise) of trying to take a little too much of the attention. It will reflect the light physically and may steal the limelight metaphorically. Subtle and sophistication are the watchwords here.
And with that, we’re sure you’ll look strike the right balance between glamorous and elegant!
Northern England has become a hotspot for homebuyers and, in this article, we’re going to be shining a spotlight on York and why it’s a great place to buy a house.
As costs continue to rise, more and more people are looking to move away from expensive parts of the country, with prices becoming prohibitive in popular southern cities like Bath, Brighton and Bristol. Accordingly, something of an exodus is occurring, with many young families moving further north in search of more reasonably priced properties and, often, a more laid back pace to life.
Buying a new home can get complicated fast depending on your selling and buying plan, but central York solicitors will attest that York is becoming increasingly attractive to those looking to relocate, and it’s easy to see why.
In this article, we’ll be sharing 8 reasons that York is a great place to buy a house right now.
Where is York?
A walled city in the northeast of England, York is the historical capital of Yorkshire and home to the famous York Minster – a magnificent seventh century cathedral. The cathedral is said to have taken a staggering 250 years to build, and that’s just one of the many historical features of the city.
A quaint and picturesque place, York is bordered by the Pennines, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Wold. People of note from York include the late actor, Frankie Howerd and Dame Judi Dench, and owing to the close-knit nature of the city, you might even bump into a famous face or two when strolling its cobblestone streets!
This small but perfectly formed city has a lot going for it and, in this section, we’ll take a look at some of the great reasons for buying a house in York.
House Prices
Property prices are incredibly reasonable in York, despite costs rising nationwide. In fact, the average house price in York, based on a semi-detached property, is just £275,000 compared to £303,930 in Manchester and £443,000 in the cheaper parts of London.
Rich Historical Culture
As well as the world-famous York Minster, York is crammed with places of cultural interest including Clifford’s Tower, the York Castle Museum and endless examples of stunning architecture.
York has some great primary and secondary schools and, in fact, 61 of these schools boast an Ofsted rating of ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’, with 17 falling in the former camp. Additionally, York is also home to the University of York which is regarded as a world class seat of learning.
A Diverse Range of Shopping Options
Shoppers in York enjoy an eclectic mix of shopping opportunities. From the unique and quirky boutiques of the Shambles to more mainstream shopping centers such as the Coppergate Shopping Centre and the Vangarde Shopping Park.
York’s most famous street is the Shambles, an extremely narrow lane which was originally home to butcher’s shops; so narrow, in fact, that the tops of the buildings on each side almost touch. The street, which today is home to such a mix of shops, is responsible for the use of the word ‘shambles’, referring to something which is chaotic or a mess.
York boasts a comprehensive bus service which makes it easy to get around this beautiful city. As well as being reliable, a number of different ticket options are available, including York Day Saver tickets, to help your budget go further.
In addition to transport within the city, York also has great transport links to the rest of Yorkshire and beyond, with regular train services which will get you into London in less than three hours.
As well as having great transport links, York’s bijou size means that you can usually get around on foot if you prefer.
A Thriving Social Scene
York enjoys a thriving social scene with something for everybody. From traditional tea shops to luxury restaurants like Michelin-starred Roots, there’s no shortage of great places to eat here. Similarly, pub goers are spoilt for choice in York with over 450 to choose from, many of which are famed for their selection of intriguing locally-brewed real ales. Brave boozers might head to The Golden Fleece which, dating back to 1503, claims to be the most haunted pub in York.
For culture vultures, this unique city also has plenty to offer including the York Theatre Royal, the Grand Opera House and the York Barbican. On any given night, social butterflies in York can find live music, comedy, theatre and so much more.
Nature At Its Finest
Nature lovers will be in their element in York as the city is home to a number of stunning parks and gardens including Rowntree Park, Breezy Knees Gardens and Museum Gardens.
The region also boasts some wonderful places of historic interest including Brimham Rocks, Askham Bog and Mother Shipton’s Cave. For the little ones, the Web Adventure Park provides hours of fun.
Employment Opportunities
York enjoys an exceptionally low unemployment rate and jobs are not usually hard to find. Major employers include Norwich Union Life, York Hospitals NHS Trust, Network Rail and City of York Council. Additionally, as York is popular with tourists, there are plenty of service industry jobs to be had all year round.
The Possibilities Are Endless In York…
The UK offers a wide and diverse range of options when it comes to choosing somewhere to live. Whether you’re a nature lover or a city slicker, York offers the best of both worlds. Surrounded by stunning countryside and wide-open spaces, York is also a modern and cosmopolitan city within easy reach of other major cities such as Leeds, Bradford and Hull.
Ideal for couples, families and students, affordable housing and a low cost of living along with stunning scenery and a dynamic social scene are just some of the reasons why York is a great place to buy a house.
*Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained property professional. Be sure to consult a property professional if you’re seeking advice on buying a house in York. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.*
When we think about desirable places to live in South London, our thoughts tend to turn to Battersea, Clapham and Wandsworth. But, with improved transport links and greater urbanisation, more and more parts of South London are attracting new home buyers, property investors and developers.
From Blackheath to Greenwich, below we’ll give you a run-down of the top five up-and-coming neighbourhoods in South London. Let’s dive in…
Blackheath
Blackheath solicitors will attest that this increasingly trendy area is well-deserving of a place on our list. Bordering Greenwich and Lewisham, Blackheath is dominated by its 275-acre and manages to achieve the perfect balance between a country village and a cosmopolitan town. Transport into central London and beyond is easy via tube, rail and bus.
At weekends, residents can enjoy walks on the sprawling heath followed by lunch at a number of upscale restaurants including The Ivy Cafe, and, just a short stroll away, the critically acclaimed Sparrow. Blackheath also has an incredibly popular farmers market at weekends as well as a number of entertainment venues including Blackheath Halls.
Best known perhaps as being the setting of the iconic TV show ‘Only Fools And Horses (or, more recently, the birthplace of Giggs), Peckham is one of London’s liveliest neighbourhoods, boasting trendy trattorias, inclusive community groups, and so much more. In 2020, it was named as one of the best places to live in London by The Sunday Times. Whether that’s a blessing or a curse, is up to you…
A considerable amount of development and funding in recent years has turned Peckham into a well-connected and sought-after place to live. As well as some great family homes, Peckham is also a foodie’s paradise with a number of taprooms and restaurants including the popular Levan, a modern European eatery and its brilliant New York deli-style sister cafe next door, Larry’s.
One of the best things about Peckham is Peckham Rye Park and Peckham Rye Common. Covering approximately 113 acres land and featuring ornamental gardens, flowing streams, woodland and a lake, it’s the ideal spot for a picnic and a stroll come summer.
Peckham is served by Overground and National Rail services from Peckham Rye station and family homes cost around £630,084.
Unless you were born and raised in South London, there’s a good chance that you’ve never even heard of Anerley, but this is an area which should most definitely be on your radar. Located in the borough of Bromley and nestled between Charing Cross and Upper Norwood, Anerley is a leafy area filled with desirable residences, independent bakers and pubs.
For kids, the concrete dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park never fail to delight and, for the adults, the park itself is a pretty haven offering a respite from busy city life.
Commuting into central London is super simple and takes less than half an hour via Overground and Southern Train services. The average house price in this little-known area is £594,389.
Greenwich
While Greenwich has always been popular with tourists, a lack of transport has, in the past, put people off from moving to the area. In recent years, improved transport links, including river buses have made Greenwich more accessible – which is great news for home buyers. This iconic part of South London is jam-packed with history, open spaces and some of London’s coolest riverside bars and restaurants.
For families, Greenwich has some great schools and academies, and house prices herestand at around £666,429 – although riverside properties will cost considerably more. Greenwich offers plenty to do at weekends including the famous Royal Observatory, lots of wide open spaces and a number of museums as well as the legendary Cutty Sark which is open to the public.
For those with a tighter budget, Penge is a great choice. Nestled between Crystal Palace and Beckenham, house prices in Penge stand at around £445,136 making it more affordable than other areas of South London.
Often overlooked, Penge has a lot to offer including a great sense of community, solid transport links into east and central London and a buzzing social scene including cafes, breweries, shops and a mix of quaint and trendy restaurants.
The Bottom Line
If you’re thinking of making the move to South London, there are plenty of options available and, with prices in some areas a fair bit lower than you might expect. If you’re new to South London, it’s a good idea to start by making a shortlist of your desired areas and then, join a few local social media groups to get a feel for the community.
*Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained property professional. Be sure to consult a property professional if you’re seeking advice on buying a house in York. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.*
For many of us, using tampons or pads is a monthly part of our lives. We buy them, use them and throw them away without much thought. But did you know that the average person who menstruates will use up to 11,000 tampons in their lifetime? And that most tampons are made with plastics and other synthetic materials that can take years to decompose?
With an increasing awareness of the harmful environmental effects of period products and the plastic content of tampons and pads, many people are looking for sustainable alternatives that are potentially better for their health and the planet.
The good news is there are many eco-friendly, sustainable and effective tampon alternatives on the market today. So, we’ve put together this guide to five of the best sustainable tampon alternatives that could be better for you and the planet.
Sea Sponge Tampons
Sea sponges are one of the most popular sustainable tampon alternatives on the market today. They are made from natural sea sponges and free from all harmful chemicals in conventional tampons.
Sea sponges have several benefits over conventional tampons, including being more absorbent, longer lasting, and less likely to cause irritation. They are also reusable and can be washed and used again for a limited amount of time.
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are another popular alternative to conventional tampons. They are made from medical-grade silicone and collect menstrual blood rather than absorb it as tampons do.
Menstrual cups can be used for up to 12 hours at a time and are reusable, making them a great sustainable option. They are also safe for people with latex allergies.
Cloth Pads
Cloth pads are another eco-friendly alternative to disposable pads. They are made from natural materials like cotton or bamboo and can be reused repeatedly. Cloth pads can be washed in your regular laundry cycle, making them convenient and easy to care for.
Although they may take some getting used to, cloth pads offer a much more environmentally-friendly way to manage your period. Plus, they’re a lot more affordable in the long run.
Period Pants
Period pants are a newer alternative to traditional period products that are quickly gaining popularity. Period underwear is designed to look like regular underwear but with built-in absorbency features, making it ideal for managing menstrual flow.
Many brands of period underwear offer different levels of absorbency, so you can choose the right pair for your needs. Period underwear is also reusable, making it a great sustainable option for managing your period.
However, they can be more expensive than disposable pads, so they may not be ideal for everyone.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Many eco-friendly and sustainable tampon alternatives are on the market today, and this list doesn’t cover them all. Most options are just as effective as conventional tampons and can save you money in the long run.
But with so many options available, finding a sustainable tampon alternative that works for you can be tricky. It appears as though convenience, hygiene, and comfort are the primary reasons people might avoid using sustainable period products. If you’re concerned about any of those areas, allow us to explore further:
Convenience — Most tampon alternatives are now available in ordinary shops and pharmacies, so they’re convenient to buy. The vast majority are also available online, so you can get them delivered directly to you without any fuss. Plus, as many are reusable, you don’t need to buy them monthly.
Hygiene — Feeling fresh helps us feel confident, and many worry about the hygienic element of tampon alternatives — especially reusable ones. The good news is most alternatives can be just as hygienic as tampons and disposable pads.
Comfort — We use period products for a significant portion of our life — around roughly six and a half years. So understandably, we want our period products to be comfortable. Sustainable alternatives to tampons and pads are arguably as comfortable — if not more so — than traditional period products. Most of them are made with natural, friendlier materials designed for comfort.
Switching to a sustainable tampon alternative is a great way to help reduce plastic pollution and your carbon footprint.
The popular sport is an entertainment across the globe, but is incredibly prominent within the UK with the royal family even setting time aside to watch horse racing events. Originally most prevalent amongst the British aristocracy, horse racing now attracts ordinary people, especially with its betting aspect.
So what can you expect from horse racing in 2023?
For Those Who Have Been Living Under A Rock, What Is Horse Racing?
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that is considered an ancient sport, dating back to Ancient Greece and other civilisations around that time in the form of chariot racing. Horse racing involves jockeys riding racehorses sprinting across a course, and/or even jumping hurdles, as they compete to the finish line.
Horse racing is a performance sport, testing both the agility of the racehorses and the jockey’s own skill. Whilst regulations may vary in different countries, many horse races restrict the breeds allowed to compete.
In the UK, and other countries, you may find the term ‘derby’ used synonymously with horse races. The prize money for the winner is dependent on the event itself as each event usually has its own distinct prizes.
Horse racing’s most popular feature, however, is its gambling. Viewers can bet on the horse that they think will win, with individual horses having their own betting odds, represented as a fraction and expressing the profit over the stake. For example, you could bet on a horse with 4/1 odds meaning that for every £1 you stake, you’ll be getting £4x the profit.
There are typically two types of horse racing that you can commonly find on television or elsewhere, which are:
Flat racing – a track absent of hurdles or fences so the horses only race either a straight or oval shaped course
In the UK, you can expect to see the Grand National (National Hunt), the Royal Ascot (flat racing), the Epsom Derby (flat racing), and the Cheltenham Gold Cup (National Hunt) as some of the most prestigious horse racing competitions in British culture.
You are definitely not going to want to miss out on these ones.
Horse Racing In 2022 So Far
We are not quite in 2023 yet, and 2022 had a few horse racing highlights that we are compelled to share.
Grand National 2022 (early April) – won by Irish horse Noble Yeats with jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and trainer Emmet Mullins. This was Waley-Cohen’s last ride and successfully ended on a high note.
Epsom Derby 2022 (early June) – crowned a new champion, British horse Desert Crown who currently holds a 3-0-0 record. He was ridden by jockey Richard Kingscote and trained by Sir Michael Stoute. This was the first Derby win for Kingscote and sixth for Stoute.
Royal Ascot 2022 (mid June) – the Gold Cup winner was a favourite and another Irish horse Kyprios, with jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aiden O’Brien.
Summer Festival 2022 (early July) – France takes home the Coral-Eclipse with horse Vadeni, jockey Christophe Soumillon and trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. Vadeni was previously a winner of the Prix du Jockey Club, so it was not exactly that surprising that this favourite won.
King George Weekend 2022 (late July) – the winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes proved to be Pyledriver, ridden by jockey P J McDonald and trained by William Muir and Chris Gassick.
QIPCO British Champions 2022 (mid October) – the Champion Stakes was won by again an Irish-bred horse, Bay Bridge, with jockey Richard Kingscote and Sir Michael Stoute as trainer. You may have noticed that these two won the Derby back in June. 2021’s Derby winner, Adayar placed second.
IDEAL for your next city break to the Portguese capital.
Lisbon is a city break destination pulsing with confidence. Tourism here is very much on the up, with the Portuguese capital welcoming 4.5 million visitors each year; a number which is only predicted to rise. It’s easy to see why; a laid back yet exciting disposition, superb cuisine, cobbled streets and attractive architecture all make for one of the finest European getaways around.
If simply strolling doesn’t have your sightseeing fully covered and you’re in need of a little more guidance when penning your itinerary, then here’s a start; our 7 of the best things to do in Lisbon, Portugal, IDEAL for your next city break in the Portuguese capital.
Feast On Seafood
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Lisbon is one of the best places in the world for shellfish and you’d be a fool to leave the city without sampling as much of it as possible. The best of it is served at informal, boisterous and completely unpretentious restaurants known as Cervejarias (places where beer is dispensed) serving platters of mainly grilled shellfish in a convivial atmosphere. Wash your meal down with that requisite beer or better still, a glass of Vinho Verde, a dry green wine from Portugal which goes exceptionally well with seafood.
The best place in town to eat seafood is undoubtedly Cervejaria Ramiro; a Lisbon institution and one which has lost none of its charm as its popularity has grown. For us, the absolute standout is the scarlet prawn; the size of your forearm and boasting enough of those all important head juices to fill a teacup. The clams here are excellent, too. But enough of the eulogising, we’re getting hungry. Head on over to our roundup of best places to eat seafood in Lisbon here, to find out more.
Take The Tram 28 & A River Cruise
The Lisbon streets are certainly iconic; narrow, winding, slippery as hell and steeper still. One of the best ways to get around, then, is on a tram. The Tram 28 represents Lisbon’s best sightseeing tour and favourite mode of transport, all rolled into one. A 24 hour ticket for around €6 (cheaper to buy in advance at Metro stations, rather than onboard, incidentally) will allow you access to all public transport in the city, and is the best option for a hop-on, hop-off kinda day riding the 28. Lovely stuff, and a great way to see the capital city’s sights.
Alternatively (or additionally!), to see the city at its most sparkling, you could take a Lisbon river cruise along the famous Tagus, which is another wonderful way to take in the various sights of the city from a unique vantage point.
Starting in Lisbon’s Praça do Comércio, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares (more of that in a minute), the cruise passes under Lisbon’s Ponte suspension bridge, which is the 46th longest of its kind in the world, measuring over 17km in length, before cruising by the architectural wonder of the city’s Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology.
The museum (known as MAAT) ”proposes a new relationship between the river and the visitor through a building whose simultaneous power and sensitivity explores the convergence of contemporary art, architecture, and technology”, according the Arch Daily.
After that, you’ll pass Belem Lighthouse and Tower, and the statue of Christ, modelled on Rio’s famous icon, before returning to central Lisbon. What an adventure!
Visit The Time Out Market
But Portuguese cuisine doesn’t stop at seafood. Oh no, there’s a great variety of delicious sandwiches, snacks, sweet treats and more on offer in Lisbon. From unfussy to fine dining, it’s all here, and the best places to taste some of the city’s most famous dishes, all under one roof, is at the Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira). Here, some of Lisbon’s most celebrated chefs have set up stall to sling their signature dishes, with some fully fledged restaurants established on the market’s peripheries.
Don’t leave before you’ve sampled Portugal’s two world beating sandwiches, the Bifana Prego; essentially, a grilled pork or beef roll, but so much more than that. Balcao da Esquina does a fine version. Another Portuguese classic, cod a la bras, also has a home here, as do superb salt cod croquettes at the market’s Croqueteria. Still hungry? Then Manteigaria, one of Lisbon’s renowned custard tart factories, has a stall in the Mercado da Ribeira. And if you’ve still got room after that, then follow your nose.
Get Plaza’d
Lisbon is spoilt for vast, ornate squares, but the best of all has to be Praca do Comercio, which sits right on the banks for the Tagus River with splendid views to match. The 36’000 m² square is lined with gorgeous arcades and places for a bite and a beer, with the distinctive pastel yellow facades making for an agreeable selfie opportunity or two.
On a summer’s day, the cafes just off the square, right on the water’s edge, make for a superb spot to wile away an afternoon getting a tan and getting tanked, too. Exit through the Rua Augusta Triumphal Arch afters, with a spring in your step and into a night out on the tiles…
Enjoy The 24/7 Nightlife Of Pink Street
Lisbon has an open minded, boisterous nightlife which goes down, up and around for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you’re a party animal or prefer something more sedate, there’s something for you here.
Most visitors head first to the lively, perennially popular Pink Street (just round the corner from the Time Out Market) which has several restaurants, bars and clubs. Make Sol E Pesca your first port of call, for a few snacks of conserva – tinned sardines, horse mackerel or octopus (to name but a few) on bread – paired with a beer and a spot of people watching.
Pensao Amor is perhaps even more beloved, full of both locals and visitors alike, with its colourful decor and reliably noisy atmosphere. If you want to don your dancing shoes after that, then Europa is guaranteed to get you sweaty.
If you’re up for something a little different, Lisbon also boasts one of the world’s best casinos, just a half hour bus ride on the 728 away from Pink Street in the city’s glamorous theatre district. Opened in 2006, it’s the 9th largest casino in the world and the continent’s biggest.
Torre De Belem & Custard Tarts
The famous Portuguese custard tart – puff pastry, egg, milk and sugar, with a touch of cinnamon spice – is perhaps the country’s most well known culinary export. But forget those claggy ones you’ve had off some subpar place on the British high street. The real deal is a different beast entirely.
It’s worth making the journey to Belem, a 45 minute tram trip from downtown Lisbon, to sample the goods served at Pastéis De Belém; they began making the tart in 1837 according to a secret, ancient recipe from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, and lay claim (‘arguably’…don’t @us) to being the first commercial operation to do so.
But custard tarts aren’t the only reason to visit Belem; it’s simply a gorgeous, laid back escape from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon proper. The historic Torre De Belem sits right on the water, at the entrance to the city, and is a stunning structure. Expect lengthy queues accordingly.
Scale Sao Jorge Castle
Vital for your packing list; bring shoes equipped for scaling the famous Lisbon hills. Particularly worth the ascent is the Sao Jorge Castle, which sits proudly at the summit of the Sao Jorge hill, Lisbon’s highest. Though the climb is steep and winding, the stunning views at the summit are reward enough.
Visible below is Baixa – downtown – and even across the Tagus River to Almada and beyond. Because of the castle’s age (it was built in the 11th century), many of the castle’s chambers, chapels and the rest no longer remain, but the walls and towers are still in good nick and the summit is beautifully shaded; perfect on a balmy Lisbon day.
