There’s never a good time to talk to a cold caller, is there? Somehow they either manage to ring halfway through EastEnders, when we’re just about to sit down for a meal, or about to walk out of the door.
We get that these guys are just trying to make a living, and they’re only doing their job. If we’re the ones irritated by an unwanted call, just imagine how the cold callers feel, facing rejection after rejection during an eight hour shift. However, we still hate getting cold calls. According to research presented by The Times, Britain is the worst country in Europe for dealing with nuisance cold-callers. Brits were victim to 2.2 billion phone calls last year which calculate to around 4,200 phone calls and messages every minute — with many having the intent to scam people.
With 57% of Brits saying that the most annoying thing about owning a phone is the nuisance calls, we’ve teamed up with True Solicitors LLP, a company that can spot mis-sold timeshare occurrences from cold-callers in a heartbeat. This article will help you prepare for the next time a cold-caller rings —and make sure that they never dial again. So here are 5 IDEAL ways to deal with cold callers.
WASTE THEIR TIME
There’s nothing that salespeople hate more than a potential customer (you) wasting their precious time. They call to get you instantly on board with some product or service that they’re selling, but telling them you’re not interested at the start of the call won’t achieve anything. They will first mention the product that they are selling and you must act interested at the start, they’ll start their sales patter and after they’ve put the effort into doing that — just admit that you’re not really interested and admit that you were just wasting their time. Remember that they have targets — they’ll not want to ring your number again!
RECORD THE CALL
We’ve prepared you a script that will hopefully deter any unsolicited calls coming into your home. Say something along the lines of: “Hello, just to let you know that I will be recording this phone call as you’re not complying with the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations of 2003. This legislation has been put in place to help restrict marketing methods through cold-calling, unsolicited texts, emails, and faxes”. The good thing about this trick is that they’ve probably ended the call after the first sentence. Don’t be afraid to try this one!
TELL THEM YOU’RE BANKRUPT
Cold-callers want one thing and one thing only — your money. Tell them that you’re an undischarged bankrupt and they will put the phone done quicker than you could imagine. By saying this, you’re telling them that you are unable to obtain credit beyond a certain limit without informing the creditor of your status. Of course, this does not exist in your case — but they don’t know that.
TELL THEM YOU’RE A CRIMINAL
This one could work in a variety of different scenarios, if you’re becoming the victim of an obvious timeshare scam where the operator says that you have won a free holiday — tell them that you’ve been issued a travel injunction and have had your passport revoked by the county court or, tell them that you’re in custody and are awaiting your trial and plan to plead guilty.
SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE (OR GIBBERISH)
As they’re targeting your home in Britain, they’re likely expecting you to speak English. Don’t conform to what they want! If you can speak another language, try doing that, and as they won’t be able to understand what you’re saying, they will hang up. If you don’t know another language, make it up and this will leave them even more confused than what they originally were.
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Lightly grease a 23cm tart tin.
2. Blitz the biscuits in a food processor to a fine crumb, add the melted butter and vanilla, and pulse again to combine.
3. Transfer to the prepared tin and press into the sides and base with the back of spoon until evenly distributed. Place in the oven to bake for 10 minutes.
4. Strain the passion fruit juice into a large bowl (about 100ml), add the lemon juice, egg yolks and condensed milk, and whisk to combine before pouring into the biscuit base. Level with the back of a spoon and slide into the oven to bake for 15 minutes until just set but with a slight wobble.
5. Remove from the oven and leave to cool before popping in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.
6. Slice the strawberries and place on top of the set pie. Softly whip the cream, then pile on top of the strawberries, drizzle with a little extra passion fruit and serve.
Can anything beat fluffy meringue and warm berries topped with a dollop of thick cream? For us it’s the ultimate summertime dessert and this recipe for traybaked berry meringue is sure to please.
RECIPE INFO
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:60 minutes
Total time:1 hour 15 minutes
Serves: 6
INGREDIENTS
600g mixed berries, including blueberries, strawberries and raspberries
400g (approx 6) plums, halved, stoned and roughly chopped
75g light muscovado sugar
1 vanilla pod
4 Waitrose British Blacktail Medium Free Range Egg whites
200g caster sugar
2 tbsp cornflour
2 tsp white wine vinegar
METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 140°C, gas mark 1. Place the berries (strawberries halved if large), plums and muscovado sugar into a baking dish or tin measuring about 20x30cm. Split the vanilla pod in half and, using a small, sharp knife, scrape out the vanilla seeds and mix well with the fruits then add the scraped pod.
2. Place the egg whites in a clean bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Gradually add the caster sugar 1 tbsp at a time, whisking well after each addition, until the mixture is stiff and glossy. Add the cornflour and vinegar and whisk until just combined.
3. Drop large spoonfuls of the meringue mixture on top of the fruits until roughly covered, then bake for 1 hour, until the meringue is crunchy on the outside and marshmallowy on the inside, and the fruits are tender and have a lovely sauce. Serve warm or cold with thick cream or ice cream.
This wonderfully moist cake with sweet, spicy and bitter flavours is IDEAL for afternoon tea in the summer months.
RECIPE INFO
Vegetarian
Gluten Free
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:50-60 minutes
Total time:65-75 minutes
Makes: 1 x 23cm cake
INGREDIENTS
1 large orange
100g soft apricots
250g butter, softened
250g caster sugar, plus 2 tbsp for the strawberries
4 medium Free Range Eggs
150g polenta
2 tsp baking powder (use a gluten-free variety to make this cake suitable for coeliacs)
200g pistachio kernels, finely ground in a blender
400g fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
METHOD
1. Place the whole orange and apricots in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and simmer very gently for 1 hour until very soft, then drain. Cut the orange in half and remove any pips, then blitz in a blender with the apricots. Leave to cool.
2. Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Butter and base line a 23cm deep, loose-bottomed cake tin with baking parchment. Cream the butter with 250g of the sugar until pale and light then beat in
the eggs one at a time. Fold in the polenta, baking powder and ground pistachio kernels, then the puréed orange and apricot mixture to give a soft batter.
3. Spoon into the prepared cake tin and level the surface. Bake for 50–60 minutes until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake emerges clean. Cool in the tin on a wire rack.
4. Place the strawberries in a bowl and scatter with 2 tbsp sugar and the black pepper. Leave to stand to allow the juices to run. Spoon onto the cake, and serve in slices with spoonfuls of crème fraîche.
The summer arctic roll; an oxymoron if ever there was, but one that makes perfect sense. This sponge and ice cream pudding is IDEAL for any summer garden party.
METHOD
Preparation time:20 minutes + freezing
Cooking time:35 minutes + freezing
Serves: 4 – 6
INGREDIENTS
3 large Waitrose British Blacktail Free Range Eggs
100g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
75g plain flour
¼ tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp strawberry jam
500ml tub vanilla ice cream, softened
300g fresh strawberries, hulled, to serve
METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC, gas mark 6. Line a 24cm x 32cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment. Place the eggs and sugar in a bowl, and whisk well with a hand-held electric whisk for at least 3 minutes until you have a very pale and thickened mixture that leaves a trail when the whisk is lifted out of the mixture.
2. Carefully fold the flour, baking powder and vanilla extract into the egg mixture until well combined. Gently pour the mixture into the Swiss roll tin, and bake for 15 minutes until golden and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes until you can handle it. Carefully take the sponge out of the tin on its paper and turn over and remove the parchment. Place on a clean piece of parchment, dusted with caster sugar, and roll up while still warm. Leave to cool rolled up.
3. When totally cooled carefully unroll and spread the whole of the surface with the strawberry jam. Spoon the softened ice cream down the long centre of the sponge, then fold over the sponge and secure with the parchment, twisting in the ends of the paper like a Christmas cracker. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up the ice cream.
4. Serve cut into slices with extra strawberries on the side
Phu Quoc; only a decade ago largely untouched by the broader strokes of tourism. But now, an island with something for everyone and anyone. And with the huge amount of options now on available, especially under the resort and spa banner, it can be hard to differentiate. The paradox of choice, it seems, can grip you and not let go. Famiana offers comfort and luxury while being reasonable and accessible; a great compromise for the budget traveller not wishing to break the bank, or for the head of a family needing pocket money for souvenirs, day trips and toys on the beach.
IDEA
A popular choice for holidaying Vietnamese, Famiana offers comfortable surrounds, a gorgeous spa and great sport and recreation options. Combined with access to a gorgeous stretch of private beach and delicious food in its onsite restaurant, there really isn’t much more one could ask for.
LOCATION
Famiana is on the long, focal point road of the island, Tran Hung Dao. A short taxi ride will take you to a host of restaurants and bars if you do feel like stepping out, although it’s entirely possible to eat well within the resort. The hotel is divided into three sections; beach, spa and green villa, each with their own personality. The resort’s beach is reputedly the best on the island’s west coast to catch the sunset. With Pho Quoc’s sunny disposition offering a healthy dose of vitamin C, expect good moods to match.
DECOR & AMBIANCE
The décor is clean, comfortable and straightforward – all you could ask for when nestled on such a lovely beach. The hotel makes great use of greenery – with trees and grass giving the stage over to nature to do her thing. We adore the wicker hanging chairs dotted around the resort, ideal for sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the natural surrounds. Of intrigue and enhancing the natural essence of Famiana is a large greenhouse slap bang in the middle of the resort, growing greens and vegetables for the onsite restaurant. This place is kid friendly, a big plus, with fun and frolics to be found for the little ones at every turn.
ROOMS
Accommodation is split into the beach zone and green villa zone – pretty self explanatory- but just incase you didn’t get it, some have beach views while others are set back within the lush tropical garden. Beds are huge and luscious, and together with the black out drapes, a good night’s sleep is guaranteed. Another big plus point for the hotel is the bath; a large, spacious and relaxing affair (if you haven’t had your fill of water in the form of the pool and of course, the sea). Placed next to a large window, you’re able to look over the resort (without being seen) and really kick back.
FOOD & DRINK
The buffet breakfast choices are plentiful. A rotating cast of light, refreshing Vietnamese noodle soups is the highlight – different each morning and downright delicious. If you happen to be staying when bún riêu (a crab and tomato soup) is on offer, you’d be crazy to pass up on it. All this is served set in the garden area, close to the pool and overlooking the sea; a pleasant start to any day.
Drinking cocktails at a bar by the beach, under the shaded palm trees is a perquisite of any tropical holiday, and you can do this at the hotel’s Cheers Bar. What’s more, La Viet Cafe is the ideal place to enjoy Vietnam’s much lauded caphe nau da (iced coffee with condensed milk) while both Faminana restaurant and the Garden restaurant offer pan Asian fare. Here fresh fish, especially squid, is utilised well for lunch and dinner.
FACILITIES
The reasons so many people come to Phu Quoc is to relax and unwind, therefore it’s obligatory to treat yourself to a session at the hotel’s Sandles Spa. Indeed there’s nothing like having some much needed relaxation time on a tropical beach, only to be followed by more relaxing and indulgence in the spa. The usual hot stone, Swedish and Thai massages are on available, as well as a variety of treatment therapies including aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. It’s also equipped with a sauna, spa tub and a steam room. All you need, then.
The swimming pool is expansive and properly deep – something you don’t always find in hotel pools here – with a small area for children to splash. The resort also offers water floaties and rideable toys for kids to play with. Just be careful; the amount of fun they can have here makes leaving very difficult indeed.
Giving individuality to the resort are options for tennis and archery – something we haven’t seen elsewhere on the island and really fun. Oh ,and the hotel offers free transfer from the airport – just let them know in advance if you need a ride.
WHY GO
For the comfort and luxury provided, Famiana is a budget friendly option with everything you could need from a beach and spa resort; a real gem.
Nothing tastes of summer like freshly picked British strawberries and if you’re looking for a new way to add strawberries to your summertime menu, this strawberry, toasted pecan and gorgonzola salad is IDEAL.
1. Warm a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the pecans and cook, turning them frequently, for 3–5 minutes until lightly toasted.
2. Mix the olive oil, red wine vinegar, basil and shallot together in the base of a large salad bowl. Season to taste, bearing in mind that the cheese you are adding is quite salty.
3. Place the strawberries into the bowl together with the rocket salad, warm pecans and Gorgonzola. Toss well and serve immediately with crusty bread.
You may have seen that last week the Telegraph reported that reduced price strawberries have been flooding supermarket aisles across the country because the spring weather has led to a ‘giant crop’ of bigger, juicier and sweeter strawberries than usual. We have the perfect solution for using up those excess strawberries – make this sensationally sweet strawberry, elderflower and mint pavlova.
RECIPE INFO
Vegetarian
Gluten Free
Preparation time:20 minutes, plus macerating and cooling
Cooking time:1 hour
Total time:1 hour 20 minutes, plus macerating and cooling
Serves: 8
INGREDIENTS
4 Free Range Egg whites
1 lime, juice
200g caster sugar
400g pack British Strawberries, halved
5 tbsp Bottlegreen Elderflower Cordial
Small handful mint leaves, shredded, plus a few leaves to decorate
150ml double cream
150g Greek yogurt
METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 150˚C, gas mark 2. Draw a 20cm circle on parchment; place upside-down on a baking tray. Using electric beaters, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt and a few drops of lime juice. Start slowly then turn up the speed and beat to firm-ish peaks.
2. Beat in the sugar in 3 additions, combining completely between each, to a stiff and glossy meringue. Pile onto the parchment inside the 20cm circle and use the back of the spoon to make a dip in the middle. Put in the oven, lower the heat to 120˚C, gas mark ½, and bake for 1 hour. Once baked, turn the oven off, prop the door open and cool completely (around 2 hours).
3. Meanwhile, mix together the strawberries, 2 tbsp cordial and the remaining lime juice. Macerate for 30 minutes, then stir through the shredded mint. Using a balloon whisk, whip the cream to soft peaks. In a separate bowl, mix the yogurt with the remaining 3 tbsp elderflower cordial. Fold the yogurt into the cream, then pile onto the cooled meringue. Top with the strawberry mixture, spooning over any extra juices, and decorate with a few whole mint leaves.
COOKS TIP
Using half cream and half yogurt in the filling makes this summery dessert a little lighter.
Who doesn’t love a Victoria sponge cake? Best enjoyed with a cup of tea, it’s a baking classic and a tasty tea-time treat. The original late 19th century recipe by Mrs Beeton has survived two World Wars and now stands as an art form in-itself; the Women’s Institute offers rosettes to whose sponges that pass their high-standards of baking.
So how do you make the perfect Victoria Sponge? We asked Betty Blythe’s own Founder, the UK’s no.1 expert on Street Parties and author of Style Me Vintage Tea Parties, Lulu Gwynne, how to whip up the perfect rosette-earning Victoria sponge cake that could put Paul Hollywood to shame. Here’s her 5 tips for making the IDEAL Victoria Sponge cake.
PREPARATION IS KEY
Before you begin mixing, weigh out your ingredients so that when you come to start cooking, you’ll be able to work quickly. Every baker’s worst nightmare when it comes to cooking Victoria Sponge is leaving the cake mixture too long, losing its air! Prep will help prevent you from over-mixing the cake, too. My Aunt Blom’s secret tip? Use self-raising flour with a teaspoon of baking powder for an extra-high and light sponge.
KEEP THE INGREDIENTS THE SAME TEMPERATURE
Like Goldilocks, your ingredients should be just right. Slightly warm eggs
don’t hold the same volume of air as chilled eggs, so keeping your ingredients at room temperature is a major save. But butter or baking spread should be slightly warmer than everything else to keep it soft but still holding together. Too cold and it won’t blend with the sugar and eggs, too warm and it’ll be oily.
ALWAYS SIFT THE FLOUR
Always. Sift. The. Flour – sifting adds air and makes your Victoria sponge even lighter and fluffier. If you use the freshest eggs you can find, the whites will whip up into a frenzy of air. When you whisk the whites with the sugar, whisk until it’s white; that’s a tell-tell sigh that the mix is plump with air.
PREHEAT THE OVEN
if you don’t preheat the oven beforehand, you might not get the best results from your sponge. While baking, preheat the oven to a toasty 180C/350F. Line the cake tin bottom with greaseproof or parchment paper for best results.
GO GOLD
Pale golden brown is a winner. Indeed, the best way to know when the Victoria sponge is ready is that it goes a pale golden- brown colour. When you put your finger in the middle and press gently, it should feel firm. Using a knife, slide around the edge of the tin to release the cake. After taking it out of the oven, place the cake on a wire rack to cool but never put the cake in a tin warm as it might go mouldy! You’ll be the Mary Berry of your friends with this intel.
Queuing is what us Brits do best, and what’s more British an event than Wimbledon to form a line for? To increase your chances of getting your hands on the much sought after court tickets and to minimise the pain of a drawn out morning wait, you’d be at an advantage (pun intended) if you camp.
Almost 7,000 tennis fans made #TheQueue for opening day last year (and yes, even the tents are pitched in an orderly line), so it’s advisable to get there early to ensure a place at the front.
To ensure Wimbledon queuers get the best from #TheQueue experience this year, here’s 12 IDEAL tips for queing at Wimbledon this year, courtesy of our friends at premium mattress brand TEMPUR.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT STATION
The Queue entrance is a five minute walk down Wimbledon Park Road from Southfields tube station; don’t go to Wimbledon or Wimbledon Park if you want to avoid a longer journey laden with camping gear. You can view the Wimbledon Queue map here.
GET THERE EARLY
Early birds will arrive up to 40 hours before the first matches. For Centre Court or Court 1 you need to ideally be among the first 1,000 to guarantee your ticket. Last year there were 400 people already queuing by 8am on the Sunday.
WAIT FOR THE QUEUE CARD AND KEEP IT SAFE
You may have to wait some time in the queue before you receive the queue card, however, don’t be tempted to leave until you have it safely stashed away. It is the only thing that registers your place in the line and entitles you to get your tickets. Once you have been issued a queue card, it’ll allow you to pop away from camp to stretch your legs, buyfood, nip to the pub, or visit fellow queuers.
BRING THE RIGHT SIZED TENT
Whilst it’s a great experience to be a part of, it’s not a party, so don’t bring a family sized tent or you won’t be able to pitch it… Tent size is restricted to two person tents only.
PREPARE FOR ALL WEATHERS
It’s July but it is England. Pack sun protection, sunglasses and shorts, but also waterproofs, and don’t forget fleeces, socks and blankets to make sure you get through the chilly night comfortably.
OTHER PACKING ESSENTIALS
Torch (for night time toilet visits), small bag of toiletries and hand towel, wellies if it’s due to rain, compact picnic blanket, pack of cards, wireless phone charger.
ALCOHOL
Cans of G&T, Pimms or Prosecco are a packing essential, but this is Wimbledon and it’s civilised so don’t overdo it, as 1), drunk and disorderly behaviour is not tolerated and 2), you’re only allowed one bottle of wine or two 500 ml cans per person once you get into the grounds.
MEALS IN #THEQUEUE
Once you have your queue card, you can mosey off to get food, but temporary absences from your place in The Queue are restricted to 30 minutes, so it’s advisable to bring a picnic. You can also order a delivery, but make sure it arrives at the at the Wimbledon Park Road gate by 10pm. And don’t forget to pack supplies for breakfast!
THE RULES
There are rules to abide by, including no BBQs, no loud music, no smoking or vaping and no anti-social or drunken behaviour. This is a very British queue after all… See here for the Wimbledon Queue full Code of Conduct.
TAKE CASH
Cards are not accepted for the queue-on-the-day tickets.
BANNED ITEMS
Beware of banned items once in the grounds. Leave the selfie sticks, Tees brandishing political slogans, flasks and big camera lenses behind. You can find a full list of prohibited items here.
PREPARE FOR AN EARLY START
Get an early night (stewards will be ushering you to bed around 10pm). Make sure you have all you need to get a good night’s rest – ear plugs, travel pillow, warm bedding – and prepare for an early start. Many are packing up their tents from as early as 5am and if the noise doesn’t wake you, you’ll be woken by the stewards at around 6am.
It’s National Kissing Day (22nd June) – a day that celebrates and encourages the nation to share a kiss. However, although we all like a good smooch, many are unaware of all the psychological benefits kissing has. Indeed, from our mental well-being to healthier, happier and longer lasting relationships there are so many reasons to lock lips more often. With this in mind we asked We-Vibe’s Relationship Expert Dr Becky Spelman, to share 5 IDEAL psychological benefits of kissing with us.
MAKES US FEEL GOOD – SCIENTIFICALLY
Kissing prompts our bodies to secrete oxytocin, the feel-good hormone that prompts a sense of well-being and fosters feelings of love and affection, and dopamine, which helps us to feel a sense of bonding with someone else. When we kiss someone we love, it enhances our feelings for them and we feel more relaxed in their company.
LOWERS STRESS LEVELS
Kissing also lowers the rate of cortisol in our system. As high levels of cortisol are associated with stress, that’s good news for our mental health.
IT’S GOOD FOR OUR MENTAL HEALTH
Speaking of mental health, research into the role of a healthy microbiome (the bacteria that naturally live in our body) increasingly shows that having a good variety of healthy bacteria in our system is not just good for our physical health, but also our mental health, and especially good at helping to avoid depression. When we engage in deep kissing with someone, we swap more than just saliva; there’s also an exchange of the bacteria that live naturally within us, helping us both to maintain a varied microbiome. This also helps to boost our immune system and can assist in keeping depression at bay! In fact, some scientists think thatkissing might even have evolved as a way of swapping our “good” germs.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT OF ATTRACTIVENESS
When we kiss and are kissed, we are reminded that we are attractive—and feeling attractive is good for our self-esteem, which in turn fosters positive mental health. By giving and receiving a kiss, we are telling ourselves that we know we deserve love and affection and boosting our sense that we are entitled to be happy. Research suggests that couples who kiss often are healthier, happier, and more likely to stay together.
Of course, there are some things we can do to help us get kissed more often; when you quit smoking, for example, your breath will smell better, and kissing will taste better, so you’ll get to do it a lot more.
IT REMINDS US THAT WE’RE CARED FOR AND LOVED
Kissing that is accompanied by sexual desire fosters the secretion of hormones associated with sex, raises our heart rate, and attunes us to small changes in our partner’s reaction. Kissing is normally part of a healthy and loving sex life and kissing in this context reminds both parties that they are cared for as well as desired.
Heading off on your first active holiday can be slightly daunting. What if I can’t do it when I get there? What if the weather turns bad? What if I get lost and don’t speak the language? Well, it is pretty easy to put ‘what if?’ to the back of your mind, get prepared in advance and squeeze every jot of joy out of your active holiday. To help you get prepared and banish any pre-holiday worries, Fraser McRae, Destination Specialist at walking and cycling holiday provider Macs Adventure, shares his 5 IDEAL tips for preparing for your first active break.
KNOW THE TRIP IS THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOUR
Active travel is by far the best way to see the world, to get you completely immersed in any particular area, but before you go, you have to ensure that the specific trip is the right one for you, your skills and your level of fitness.
Deciding that you want to go on a walking holiday and that you love France does not mean that you should go and walk the Tour du Mont Blanc. For a first timer, this might just break you, so it is essential that you take in exactly what is expected of you on a daily basis and decide if your body can cope with that.
Don’t be over-cautious though! An active holiday should challenge you, and you will definitely feel the benefit of pushing your body a little harder, just don’t overdo it!
GET FIT FOR IT
This ties nicely into number one. Even if you have chosen the perfect trip for you, it is imperative that you get yourself in decent shape for it. There is nothing worse than being halfway through a day’s cycle and feeling that your quadriceps are going to explode and that you can’t go on.
Working on your general fitness is important, but building up your training to mimic what you can expect on your holiday is a great way to ensure you can focus more on enjoying your trip and less on ‘I need a seat, I am done in!’ If you are taking a walking holiday with average distances of 15 miles per day, make sure you can walk a couple of 15-mile days in a row before you head out.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT KIT
The thought that you are going to go on a pilgrimage across Spain instantly makes you think of sunshine. Add to this the fact that your trip is active; you might think, shorts, t-shirt, walking sandals; sorted. I have been there, only to be at the top of a mountain, in two feet of snow, freezing cold.
Getting the right information about where you are going, and a good packing list is essential. This also helps with not overpacking, which is the other end of the scale. Figuring out exactly what you need and packing only that makes your active holiday that more comfortable and enjoyable.There are always things that don’t immediately spring to mind when heading to a particular location, like taking sunscreen to Scotland, but it does occasionally get blisteringly hot, and you don’t want to be caught out and ruin the rest of your week.
GET TO KNOW THE AREA
While it is always lovely to get a surprise, it is a great idea to do some research before heading on your active holiday. Knowing the area and knowing at least a bit about what to expect is a fundamental way to stay safe and be able to overcome any incidents you may have on the trip.
If you don’t want to see what it looks like, then guidebooks are the way to go. They will tell you all about the area in rich detail, without showing you exactly what you are letting yourself in for. The next level up is blogs and online guides. These give a great personal side to the area you are going to travel in and let you see a bit more, get to understand the region. Then, for the full experience, YouTube is the place to go. There are thousands of YouTube videos for every subject, so you will be able to see people participating in the exact holiday that you are going to take, watch their trials and celebrate their victories.
THROW YOURSELF IN
Travelling is different things to different people, but by far the most enriching travelling experiences come from when you simply immerse yourself, get into the local customs and culture and experience it all. When you are walking or cycling in a particular part of the world, you come into far more frequent contact with the locals, asking them for directions, where the nearest bar is, where is best to eat.
Taste all you can (active holidays mean you have an excuse to eat a lot!), try those local wines, speak your 15 words of Spanish as often as you can and feel the warmth in the replies you will get for trying. Holidays come too few and far between, so explore any opportunities that present themselves while you are away and you will return home having had a hugely fulfilling experience.
Guernsey is certainly a unique proposition. It has its own stamps, blue painted post boxes, uses pound notes – yep, notes – and gets approximately 2,000 more hours of sunshine each year than mainland UK. Yep, 2000. Although inherently British, it’s safe to say that this self-governing British crown dependency has a character and atmosphere distinctly its own. And we love it.
So if experiencing a warmer, more idyllic version of the United Kingdom with a continental flair (it’s actually closer to Brittany than Britain) sounds up your street, then it’s as easy as packing up your car for a Guernsey holiday, driving aboard Condor Ferry and setting sail for the island. And when you get there, make sure to follow our 10 IDEAL things to do Guernsey.
SAND, SEA AND SURF
Whether you’re there to sunbathe (in those 2000 extra hours of the stuff) or to surf, the idyllic beaches of Guernsey are a real treat. One of the best for catching some waves is Vazon Bay, Guernsey’s largest beach, which lies on the West Coast of the Island and is also reputed to be one of the cleanest beaches in ‘Britain’. This long stretch of coast is a magnet for the island’s surf enthusiasts; sign up to Guernsey Surf School for some group or private lessons and excellent insider knowledge.
Of course, where there’s water, there’s sports, and it’s not only about the surfing. Indeed, kite surfing, paddleboarding, wind surfing, snorkeling, fishing and kayaking are also big business on the island. And when you’re done with all the physical stuff, what better way to watch the sun go down on an active day than with a beach BBQ, which you can have anywhere on the beach (excluding the Richmond end of Vazon).
Psst, hey you, possible water sports lover! For a really unique experience, check out the kayaking options from Shell Beach to Puffin Bay. Here you can get up close and personal with these incredible birds; a real taste of Guernsey’s nature.
SWIM AT THE VENUS POOL
Reachable only at low tide, via the seabed on a cobbled causeway, Lihou is a small island situated just off the west coast of Guernsey. Sounds dreamy right? Here you can take a plunge in the clear blue waters of Venus Pool; a sheltered, natural rock pool that is so deep, you can dive straight into it. If you dare.
SPEND THE DAY AT ST PETER PORT
With cute cobbled streets and a gorgeous seafront marina, this tiny, charming capital acts as the beating heart and lively hub of Guernsey. It has a French bistro/cafe atmosphere and is a lovely place to spend the afternoon and evening, imbibing, eating and people watching. A tradition in St Peter Port is afternoon tea at the historic Old Government House hotel tea, if the Anglophile in you has had enough of all the great French caffs.
And if you need to walk off all that food, Candie Gardens is the perfect spot for strolling around and enjoying the lush green scenery. For a pre-dinner aperitif, The Boat House is perched right on the edge of the harbour with a sweeping view of the sea. It’s the ideal place to enjoy Gurnsey’s cool continental vibe.
EXPLORE THE ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
With its forts, castles, ruins and ancient tombs, Guernsey is the ideal place for the history buffs among us. The most famous site on the island is perhaps Dehus Dolmen, a prehistoric passage grave and one of Guernsey’s oldest attractions. Here’s you’ll find a remarkable carving of a cave man on one of the capstones. With a bearded face and holding what appears to be a strung bow, the carving is known as The Guardian of the Tomb, and is a majestic, humbling piece.
Guernsey is also home to many other archaeological sites of interest including what is thought to be the oldest man-made structure in Europe – Les Fouaillages, a neolithic burial site dating back some 8,000 years. Also worth a visit is the Albecq Medieval Settlement, Delancey Dolmen, which consists of the remains of a collapsed megalithic structure, and La Varde, one of the largest and most impressive surviving megalithic structures on the island.
TAKE ON GUERNSEY’S RUGGED TERRAIN
Guernsey is known for its picturesque, rugged coast, one which is punctuated by beautiful bays and secluded coves. Off the South Coast of Guernsey, the cliff path network, covered in cliff-top grassland and heathland, finishing at Pleinmont, is absolutely stunning.
Guernsey is also home to many quaint country lanes and boasts a network of safe, cyclist-friendly roads and paths. A popular route is from Portelet to Rousse along the island’s north west coast. Moreover, the island has a speed limit of only 35mph, making it the ideal place for safe, comfortable cycling. If all this slow paced stuff is a little to tame for you, you could always dive head first into some coasteering; a unique adventure sport involving scramble climbing, rock hopping, cliff jumping and adventure swimming, which is popular on the island.
BE HONEST AND HELP YOURSELF TO A HEDGE VEG
The Island’s long sunny days are ideal for growing fruit and veg and the local produce in Guernsey is absolutely phenomenal. A quirky, quaint and altogether charming practice on the islands are leaving hedge veg boxes.
Here locals leave their homegrown produce in boxes outside their homes, selling whatever seasonal produce has grown in their fertile gardens. Help yourself to the gorgeous produce and leave money on the honesty box.
CHECK OUT THE CHAPEL
Nestled in an off-the-beaten-track valley is The Little Chapel, said by some to be the smallest consecrated chapel in the world. While we’re no experts, we can say this; it’s simply lovely. This intricately decorated tiny place of worship is just 16ft long and 9ft wide; that’s small by anyone’s standards.
It was built by Brother Déodat, who started work in March 1914, wanting to mimic and create a miniature version of the famous grotto and basilica at Lourdes in France. The current chapel is the third one that he built as it has been demolished and rebuilt twice. Many pebbles, ceramics and shells decorate this much loved little church.
FEAST AT A FOOD FESTIVAL
In the summer months, the island hosts Seafront Sundays – in association with Taste Guernsey – every weekend at St Peter’s Port. The seafront gets pedestrianised and becomes a sea of market stalls selling all the fantastic produce that Guernsey has to offer. What’s more, alfresco dining spots pop up everywhere and there’s cookery demonstrations and free tastings of traditional dishes. A culinary lover’s delight, then.
Another fabulous foodie event is Tennerfest, held in the autumn. During this time, restaurants offer two and three course set menus for as little as £10 per head; the ideal way to eat your way around Guernsey’s fantastic restaurant scene without burning a hole in your wallet. And if you still need convincing, there’s also the Guernsey International Food Festival in September. Proof, it seems, that this is an island which really loves its tucker.
WITNESS THE TABLE DES PIONS
The Table des Pions, also known as the Fairy Ring, is a stone circle which some have dubbed ‘the ancient picnic table’. If you look at it, it’s easy to see why, and you could well imagine enjoying a fine, alfresco meal with your bum parked on one of the rocks. It’s said that if you walk around the stone circle at Pezeries Point three times and make a wish, it will come true. Just be careful what you wish for!
WATCH THE SUNRISE & SUNSET
Here at IDEAL we’re suckers for sunrises and sunsets; as far as we’re concerned, they’re natures best live show. For us, a holiday by the beach wouldn’t be complete without watching a spectacular sunrise over the sea, and Jebourg point is the place to do this.
Cobo Bay is a great spot to watch the sun go down, with locals and tourists alike flocking to the gorgeous bay to witness the spectacular sunset. Grab yourself a picnic or some delicious takeaway fish and chips from Cobo Fish Bar, sit on the seawall, and drink it all in. Lovely.
No doubt you’ll be itching to book your ticket to Guernsey after reading this roundup of things to do there.
In this crazy life, sometimes the only way of making it through the week is by letting routine take over – you know that sequence of actions you regularly follow to give the world structure and to simplify your hectic schedule. However, although switching on auto-pilot and doing your daily routines can make life easier, sometimes it’s important to mix things up, even if it’s working for you.
Why we hear you ask? Well for one changing your routine encourages your brain be creative and make new connections, exercising your brain. Moreover it can inject some much needed energy into your life. Indeed although routines can be helpful, they can make life monotonous and boring after a while. With this in mind, here are 4 IDEAL ways to break your routine and keep things fresh.
SWITCH UP THE SMALL THINGS
While you are not reinventing the wheel, switching up the small things and making a constant effort to add variety to your life will break up your routine no end. Why not eat breakfast outside or have breakfast in bed? Try to take a different route to work – a change of scenery is always welcome and this is a great way to meet new people, see new sights or get coffee from different shops. Also, think about adding a couple of interesting activities into your diary. You could book something to look forward to after work – a hair appointment, a massage or perhaps a theatre play? If you decide on the latter, you can find great theatre deals and maybe even consider surprising your whole family.
TAKE A RANDOM DAY OFF
Probably the most powerful way of turning off auto-pilot is by taking a whole day off. That’s right book a day off work simply for yourself and indulge in a little ‘me time’. If that’s not possible take advantage of your weekend and cancel all your obligations for that day and focus on activities that you enjoy doing. In other words, give yourself permission to do as little or as much as you like. Listen to music while gazing at the clouds, read a whole novel or go shopping. This is the self-care that you need in your life. Even if you can’t take a whole day off every week, you can still find some time for activities that help you unwind. Taking time to detach from the online world is a good idea, too.
LOOK AT THINGS FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
There is a lot of negativity in this world. It can either come from yourself or from people around you and it’s not a healthy way to live. Shut off negativity and try and focus on positive the aspects of your life for a few hours. Looking at things from a different perspective may even make your boring old routine seem fun and open up your eyes to an entire new world full of opportunities.
TAKE A BREAK FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Last but not least, it is important to state the obvious. Social media can be draining and time-consuming. We routinely check social media without even knowing it, whether that’s in the morning, when we get home from work or last thing at night. So instead of spending hours on end scrolling through endless posts that can eventually take a toll on your mind, you could use that time for something a bit more practical. You’ll find a lot of interesting activities that you can practice instead of comparing your life to others.
With strawberry season in sight, household fridges across the UK will soon be jam-packed full of Pavlovas, Eton messes and Strawberry shortcakes. Boasting an abundance of vitamins and antioxidants, strawberries are undeniably delicious, yet equally nutritious. The cherished red fruit has proven itself a key ingredient in several traditional British recipes over the years, yet few of us are aware of the humble strawberry’s versatility in the kitchen. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, the vibrant fruit can transform any meal from mundane to mouth-watering in minutes.
Here at IDEAL we’re fans of infusing our spirits with strawberries for summer, but for those wishing to branch out, Gary Durrant, Head Chef at Hunter 486, has shared his top tips on how to make the most of the sweet strawberry season and create unique strawberry-centric dishes at home. Here’s 5 IDEAL tips on squeezing the most out of strawberry season.
HOT AND COLD
Roasting strawberries can create tremendously tasty results, particularly when paired with a generous scoop of Cornish vanilla ice-cream. To make the most of the oven-baked fruit, ensure the stem is sliced off, cut into quarters and then whisk together with a dash of maple syrup. Presentation is important with this pretty summer dessert, so let the strawberry slices cool down slightly before scattering them neatly on top of the ice cream.
BEGIN AT BREAKFAST
For a decadent breakfast treat, combine sliced strawberries with rhubarb pieces and spread over two thick slices of toast. To ensure a thorough fusion of flavours, press the fruit gently into the bread then chill in the fridge overnight. Fry your bread slices the following morning in a frying pan with plenty of butter. Feel free to add dashes of cinnamon and brown sugar too. Serve with a generous helping of Greek yogurt. Or how about a strawberry smoothie? Preparation is key with this dish but it’s worth the fuss!
SCOOP IT OUT
Strawberry cheesecake is a well-loved classic and a popular party pudding for any occasion. Why not re-invent the traditional recipe and try a new dinner party dessert? Simply scoop out the centre of the strawberry and fill it with a cheesecake filling. The classic combination of cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract will hold perfectly inside the fruit when served fresh out of the fridge. For extra wow-factor, serve with a cinnamon glaze. Alternatively, if it’s a romantic snack you’re after then swap the glaze for a white chocolate dipping sauce.
FRUITY REFRESHMENT
As the weather warms up, homemade strawberry ice-lollies are a refreshing sunbathing snack. Simply combine crushed strawberries with a spoonful of sugar before mixing into a cold jug of lemonade. Pour the liquid into ice-lolly moulds and place a wooden stick in the centre. Alternatively, simply add strawberry slices to your ice cube tray and freeze overnight, a trick that will transform your summer beverage from simple to spectacular in a split second.
SEASONAL SUMMER SALAD
Contrary to popular belief, strawberries are not strictly reserved for the sweet-toothed. Inject a zing into your leafy summer salad by adding balsamic glazed strawberries into the mix. Gorgonzola cheese and pecan nuts both work particularly well with this dish.
