Tales from here and there about this and that.

Big Garden Birdwatch 2010

2010-01-27T22:50:00.000Z

Its Big Garden Birdwatch time again. The world's biggest wildlife survey gets underway again this weekend, 30 to 31 January, 2010.

Almost everyone in the UK with an interest in birds, will be participating by spending just one hour over this weekend, counting the birds in their garden or local park. The Big Garden Birdwatch provides easy to use identification charts and counting sheets on their website and if you are not already registered with them, simply visit their site and sign up for free.

The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world's biggest bird survey and it is great fun. By taking part you help the RSPB learn more about UK garden birds and how they are faring across the country.

Address to a Haggis

2010-01-21T01:32:00.000Z

Burns Night, Monday January 25 is just a few days away and once again people around the world will be celebrating Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns and piping in the Haggis to receive the time honoured address:

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin'-race.
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's my arm.

Followed by much feasting, dancing, whisky and Burns poetry.

Here is a comprehensive listing of Burns Night celebrations around the world.

St. Patrick's 2010

2010-01-14T00:32:00.000Z

This year St. Patrick's Festival runs from 13th March to 17th March, with the Festival Parade held on Wednesday March 17th 2010 at 12 noon (subject to licensing.) The parade takes about 90 mins to complete the parade route.

St.Patrick's Day is one of those very special days around the world, but nowhere in the world is it more special than in Ireland, where it all started. As always, Dublin, will again be high on party fever as Ireland's greatest annual celebration takes over for the spectacular five day festival.

Join in the best party in Dublin; jump to this link if you want to keep up to date with what's happening in Dublin.

Budapest Video Tour

2010-01-09T00:41:00.001Z

We have stayed a while at Budapest, before pushing on along the Danube and what better way to convey to you the majesty of this great twin city with the River Danube flowing through its heart, than this travel video with Hungarian music, brought to you by the new Budapest Pocket Guide.

Red Sea Diving Video

2010-01-03T23:55:00.000Z

Following my post about Diving Holidays in Egypt, I thought that you might enjoy this video of a Red Sea Diving Safari at the Marsa Shagra house reef, July 2005 produced by Wethorse Productions in the Netherlands.

Diving Holidays Egypt

2010-01-02T00:14:00.001Z

Egypt has emerged as one of the most popular holiday resorts for 2010 and tourists searching for an adventure holiday are finding that a crescent shaped bay, with rugged mountains, 237 miles south of Suez fulfils there wildest dreams and more. The resort is called Hurghadha and it has become established as an international centre for aquatic sports, offering windsurfing, sailing, deepsea fishing, swimming, snorkelling and diving in the Red Sea. The unique underwater envioronment, offshore from Hurghadha, are some of the finest in the world. Its warm waters support many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs which you can watch through glass bottom boats.

The glass bottom boats allow non-divers to sail over vivid coral reefs and see the beautiful fish and other fascinating marine life that inhabits them while remaining safe and dry. On your trip to Hurghada, independant travellers can book a glass bottomed boat experience that includes being picked up in an air-conditioned vehicle from their hotel in Hurghada and taken to the marina from where they board a glass-bottom boat. Cruise on the Red Sea and enjoy a view of the underwater world, before being dropped back to their hotel in Hurghada. Duration is about 2hrs and cost incl. of all charges per person from £31.45

For more information and to book the Hurghada glass-bottom boat experience, jump to Red Sea glass-bottom boat ride.

Swimmers can take advantage of a trip from Hurghada to Mahmya Island, which is one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the Red sea. Participants are picked up in an air-conditioned vehicle from their hotel in Hurghada, accompanied by an English-speaking guide and taken to the marina at the Sheraton hotel, where they board a motorboat that takes them on the 45 minute cruise to Mahmya Island. Once on Mahmya Island you can choose to swim, snorkel or just relax on the beach. The itinary allows about 1hr of snorkelling and also includes lunch which is served on the island. After the trip, participants are driven back to their hotel in Hurghada. Duration is about 8hrs and currently has a sale price, incl. of all charges per person from £56.60

For more information and to book the Snorkelling trip to Mahmya Island from Hughada, jump to Snorkelling at Mahmya Island from Hughada.

The Red Sea at Hurghada really is a diver's paradise, with clear visibility and warm water throughout the year. Divers can enjoy a wonderful diving trip. They are picked up in the morning from their hotel in Hurghada and accompanied by an English-speaking guide and driven in an air-conditioned vehicle to the Red Sea coast. They then board a boat and sail to a superb diving spot, in the company of an English speaking , expert diving instructor, who organises two dives. There is time between dives to relax on board the boat and enjoy a delicious lunch which is served on board. After the trip, participants are driven back to their hotel in Hurghada. Duration is again about 8hrs and the cost of this trip is, incl. of all charges per person from £56.60

For more information and to book the Red Sea Diving Trip from Hurghada, jump to Red Sea Diving Trip - Tour from Hurghada.

There are more diving trips and many other things to do in Hurghada, so use this search facility for Hurghada tours, activities and sightseeing, to organize a truly memorable diving holiday in Egypt.

It is important to note that details and prices can change, so it is important that before anyone makes a booking for anything, they must check all details and prices with the supplier.

Summer Holidays 2010

2009-12-30T20:33:00.001Z

Co-operative Travel in the Uk, has some spectacular offers for Summer Holidays 2010, because they know everyone loves a great deal!

As seen on UK TV, they are offering as much as a massive 20% off some Summer 2010 bookings when you book between 29th December 2009 and 31st March 2010 for summer holiday departures; that is departures between 1st May 2010 and 31st October 2010. But there's more - yes, I know it's a cliché but I couldn't resist it because customers making summer holiday bookings can also take advantage of other great deals being run by The Co-operative Travel:

2 weeks for the price of 1
Low deposits
Free child places
Save up to £200 for a family of 4

Get great offers for interesting summer holidays in Turkey, Spain, Greece and the Greek Islands, Potugal, Egypt, Cyprus and the Canaries. And that's just a few of the popular destinations that you can choose from. Don't miss out on the very best early booking saving.

Use this link to jump to The Co-operative Travel and ensure that you get the very best service and available offers; they will know that we sent you.

Check out details with the Co-operative Travel before making a booking but remember that popular summer holidays and the best deals are already being booked up, so use the link above to reserve your special holiday for 2010 now.

DVD Bargains

2009-12-27T22:37:00.000Z

BBC Shop is running a massive January sale, with up to 70%. There are great deals throughout the store, even including recent hits such as Ray Mears: Northern Wilderness DVD.

In the Northern Wilderness TV series, Ray Mears journeys on foot, by canoe and by snowshoe through mountains, forests, tundra and ice; Canada's vast Boreal Forest, tundra and Rocky Mountains really are a land where roads are scarce.

The BBC series is rich in bushcraft, as Ray explores and explains the unique survival techniques of the Native Canadians and the Inuit,

Buy Ray Mears: Northern Wilderness DVD.

Ski Holidays France

2009-12-18T17:41:00.000Z

France is still the most popular choice for Brits wanting a quick ski holiday, whether last minute or a planned getaway, the reason for the popularity is simple, France claims to have the largest number of skiable slopes in the world and some of the best can be reached in just a few hours from the UK.

Although the Pyrenees on the French - Spanish border offers some superb slopes and great resorts, the best-known French ski resorts are to be found in the Alpine region and being closest to the UK, this is exactly where most of the skiers head.

There are about 40 ski resorts within just an hour's drive of France's Chambery airport, which is called the gateway to the Alps. The resorts include the popular destinations of Courcheval and Meribel and those prepared to drive for a further two hours are spoilt for choice, with a further 74 ski resorts to choose from, not least of which is the deservedly popular Chamonix.

Of course, you could take the ski train. Board at London's Waterloo International (or at Ashford International in Kent) to enjoy a non-stop journey, all the way to the foot of the slopes in the French Alps. Or alternatively, take advantage of an overnight coach service for your travelling to give you more time on the slopes.

For more information and to book Ski Holidays in France junp to:
Cheap France Ski Holidays

or jump to:
Overnight Coach Service including Ski Weekends in France

Both our recommended suppliers are established holiday providers with excellent reputations. They are also ABTA and ATOL bonded, so customers can be assured that their travel arrangements and holiday money is protected and secure. However, note that ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents and ATOL, the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing schemes are both UK operated organizations and as such, scheme benefits usually only cover UK customers. As always, you must check and confirm all details with supliers before making any payments.

The picture of Morzine was photographed by Steven Griffin.

Sydney New Year Fireworks

2009-12-11T20:13:00.000Z

I was working on What's happening in Sydney, when I was reminded of the awesome New Year Fireworks spectacular that has become such a feature of the Sydney New Year.

Here is a great HD video posted by Sebastian (supARGH), which he introduces with the words "This is what 5 million dollars buys you in pyrotechnics!":

supARGH acknowledged this clip as Copyright Ten Network Australia, 2009. www.ten.com.au

Year of the Tiger

2009-12-03T11:50:00.001Z

The Chinese New Year will soon be upon us. In 2010 it falls on Sunday 14 February (St Valentine's Day) and is the Chinese Year of the Tiger.

A colourful, cultural celebration, Chinese New Year is nowdays celebrated around the world with a festival that traditionally lasts 15 days. In London, celebrations have become a major highlight of the event calendar, thanks particularly to the efforts of the London Chinatown Chinese Association. London celebrations for the Chinese New Year, take place place in Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and, of course, Chinatown.

Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

2009-11-27T14:21:00.001Z

Just a few weeks to the Hogmanay festivities. The Edinburgh celebrations are opened each year with a Torchlight Procession on 29th December, it starts around 6pm at Parliament Square by St Giles Cathedral and a viking warship is dragged along as the procession winds its way down the Mound to Calton Hill.

Of course, the parade is accompanied by pipes and drums and culminate in a burning of the boat, with a magnificent firework display. EdinburghGuide.com bring us this video clip of the event.

Keep up to date with what's happening in Edinburgh.

Budapest Christmas Fair

2009-11-22T20:40:00.000Z

The next stop on our occasional series of posts, documenting a tour along the river Danube, from its source to the Black sea, is Budapest and one of the most popular winter events is the Budapest Christmas Fair.

More than 600 thousand visitors enjoy the traditional nature of the Christmas Fair, with its Hungarian customs, traditional food and drink, folk arts and crafts and bands playing traditional and folk music. Fresh bread baked in traditional clay ovens, fills the air and of course, it is joined by the aroma of mulled wine, which is served in a special Christmas Fair Mug, that has a fresh design every year.

A huge Christmas tree takes pride of place in Vörösmarty square and the windows of the Gerbeaud house are used to a spectacular Advent calendar; each day, from 1 to 24 December, at exactly 5 o’clock in the afternoon a window of the calendar is opened to reveal a stunning contemporary painting . Each opening is accompanied by wonderful lighting effects, beautiful chime music and festive pieces played on wind-instruments.

Then just when it looks as if the festive Christmas holiday is drawing to a close, the city errupts with the great Szilveszter (New Years Eve) party. It is even possible to celebrate New Year's Eve on the Danube. Can you think of anything more romantic?

Cardiff Flower Show

2009-11-21T00:14:00.000Z

Thanks to Hoggywart for capturing this video of the RHS Spring Flower Show at Bute Park, Cardiff back in 2007. The show enjoyed glorious spring sunshine and there were lots of excellent floral displays to inspire gardeners; it is a good excuse for a spring break to Wales.

Xmas gifts for Birders

2009-11-19T18:13:00.001Z

If you want to send someone a Xmas gift which helps birds and the environment and lasts for a whole year, then RSPB membership is the perfect gift. The RSPB is the British Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment.

Buy membership online by 14 December and the RSPB say that they will be able to send the welcome pack in time for Christmas.

RSPB adult membership gives free entry to over 100 RSPB nature reserves around the UK, the acclaimed BIRDS magazine, four times a year and a choice of a great free gift. Membership comes with a welcome pack explaining how to make the most of RSPB membership, including getting the most from RSPB affiliations, such as RSPB Energy and RSPB Leisure.

Children are not forgotten and family membership incorporating children or junior membership, includes a host of benefits plus loads of goodies, that are especialy chosen to suit their age.

Christmas gifts for Gardeners

2009-11-19T09:21:00.000Z

Look no further if you want Christmas gift ideas for the garden-lovers in your life. The Royal Horticultural Society has a wide selection of books, plants, gardening tools and tickets to their shows but something really special is the RHS Gift Membership. It will give someone a whole year of garden visits and inspiration.

The lucky recipient of an RHS Gift Membership gets unlimited access to the RHS gardens with a family guest, The Garden monthly magazine, which is worth £51 a year, as well as the opportunity to explore more than 140 RHS Recommended Gardens across the UK. The gift even includes a selection of gardening goodies to unwrap so you can choose to give yourself a Christmas treat or the RHS will send it on your behalf with a personal message and really make someone's Christmas.

After Christmas, the RHS show season gets of to an early start with the charming Cardiff show. This show has a real spring festival feel, full of inspirational displays. It runs 16–18 April 2010, in Bute Park with the magnificent backdrop of Cardiff Castle. And remember, RHS members get to enjoy Members’ Days and buy discounted tickets for RHS shows.

Latest Events

2009-11-15T22:49:00.000Z

Here are a useful set of Squidoo pages, providing up to date and current information about what to see and do in cities and other great tourist places around the world.

Each page is devoted to a specific city or region and provides the latest news about art, music, theatre, sports and cultural events, together with useful background notes about places of interest.

Visit the What's Happening index to find out about latest events in destinations you intend to visit.

Viareggio Carnival

2009-11-07T21:17:00.000Z

Second only to the famous Venice Carnival, the magic of the Viareggio Carnival in Tuscany, attracts more than a million spectators every year. Visitors come from around the world to marvel at the great parades, where giant floats featuring extraordinary sculptures in papier-maché, some of which weigh 40 tons, depict popular celebrities and public figures.

The parades take place in a 2 km circuit around the seaside avenues of Viareggio and includes masked folk musicians and performers. There are five parades, taking place throughout the month of February, during which time there is also a big entertainment programme. One of Italy's favourite sporting events takes place as part of the Viareggio Carnival entertainment programme, a youth football tournament known as the Torneo di Viareggio (Coppa Carnevale).

Here is a wonderful video from roleck0666 which captures the spirit and fun of Carnevale di Viareggio.

This year, the Activity Holidays Guide is delighted to be offering the opportunity to sail the warm waters of the Tuscan coastline on-board your own private luxury yacht. Go to our Sail In Italy page for more information or to make a booking inquiry.

Parades for Viareggio Carnival 2010 take place 31 January, 7,14,16 and 21 February 2010.

Culture Musical Club

2009-11-05T23:57:00.000Z

Here is (rbrimel) Ruth's Culture Musical Club video that I spoke about yesterday. Culture Musical Club, not the Culture Club, with Boy George, that many of you will expect but great performers that typify the spirit of WOMAD and I am sure that they would win his musical approval.

WOMAD Gran Canaria

2009-11-04T22:36:00.000Z

Next week, WOMAD returns to Parque de Santa Catalina in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, for another weekend of music, arts and dance from around the world and the really good news is that the festival is free. You have just enough time to arrange a short break, so you can enjoy some great performances plus the usual workshops and global market.

While browsing some video clips to give you a feel for WOMAD Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, I came across this great solo performance by drum maestro, Billy Cobham at the 2007 Womad festival. The performance was captured by Ruth (rbrimel) and tomorrow, I will try to upload another of her videos from the festival, featuring the exuberant Culture Musical Club.

Christmas Gifts for Horses

2009-11-02T22:36:00.000Z

Countrywide Farmers are offering a unique range of Christmas gifts for horses and their owners, encouraging the rural community to beat the Christmas rush and buy Christmas gifts from the comfort of their own homes. They have gifts for equestrian and pet lovers alike, plus a range of books, toys, calendars, diaries, kitchenware and much more, that have all been chosen to have a special appeal for anyone living and working in the country.

So if you love horses and country life take a look at the Countrywide Farmers's site and really enjoy Christmas shopping.

Wild Ghouls Video

2009-10-29T22:10:00.000Z

A pretty spectacular Halloween Parade held last year in Oklahoma City and brought to you in video by OKC resident, Dave (knowyourmo).

Fright Night

2009-10-28T18:07:00.003Z

Bring on the Ghouls
Scream and scare events have long played a part if the Halloween celebrations in the USA and Fright Nights have now spread to the UK, with a number of seriously frightening events being organised for this weekend.

HallowScream UK, features at Crealy Adventure Park, Exeter, Devon EX5 1DR. Opening Thursday, 29 October through Saturday, 31 October. There will be spine-chilling rides in the dark. The breath of death will brush against your skin as you drop into the unknown and vile creatures from hell will stagger into your path as you are entertained by live bands and DJs.

Scare Kingdom Scream Park, produced by AtmosFEAR! Scare Attractions is situated at Hawkshaw Farm Park, on the A59 between Preston and Blackburn, BB2 7JA; it is just minutes from the M6 junction 31 and sits in the shadow of the dark foreboding Pendle Hill, home of the Pendle witches. Some lovely walks in this area but not during Halloween! Scare Kingdom is open to those who dare visit this grizzly realm until 5 November, when the kingdom will be awakened from the dark by a spectacular firework display.

Children under 10 can enjoy a spellbinding Trick or Treat, cooked up by friendly witch sisters Toil and Trouble, 45 minutes of interactive theatrical experience. featuring songs and games designed to enthrall the young ones. Families and young adults looking for an adrenalin kick will find their blood runs cold as they experience Dead Alive: Legend of the Pumpkin Man, a fright fest set amid 8 acres of rotting mist covered cornfields, where lies the ghostly ruins of Strangleweed Hollow.

More witches gather at Burley in the New Forest, when the annual Halloween festival is celebrated on Saturday, 31 October.

SAW - The Ride comes alive and offfers the ultimate horror experience on the world's most terrifying rollercoaster at Thorpe Park, KT16 8PN, which has again been transformed into a world of twisted insanity, with Fright Nights running until 1 November.

If you know of a Fright Night event near you, click on the permanent link at the end of this post and let us all know about it by leaving a comment.

Skiing Holiday Deals

2009-10-26T22:35:00.001Z

We have found some of the best online ski holiday deals for UK snow lovers with Co-operative Travel. Your spoilt for choice with these ski and snowboarding holidays to the most popular ski resorts across Europe including France, Austria, Bulgaria and Andorra and further afield to the USA and Canada. What's more, the Co-operative Travel are the largest independent travel agent in the UK and since they are both ABTA and ATOL bonded, customers have a 100% financial guarantee.

Check out these seriously cheap European ski deals:

Toulouse, Pas de la Casa Crest Pas Apartments
10th Jan 2010, 7 nights Gatwick
Adult prices from £224pp
Turin, Sestriere Edelweiss Apartments
3rd Jan 2010, 7 nights Gatwick
Adult prices from £284pp
Innsbruck, Mayrhofen Hotel Alte Post
19th Dec 2009, 7 nights Gatwick
Adult prices from £369pp
Chambery, Val Thorens Les Olympiades
12th Dec 2009, 7 nights Gatwick
Adult prices from £434pp
Salzburg, Kitzbuhel Aurach Hotel
23rd Jan 2010, 7 nights Gatwick
Adult prices from £474pp

It doesn't matter if you’re new to the slopes or an experienced skier, your sure to find a great deal amongst this fantastic range of ski holidays, which feature offers from all the major ski tour operators including Neilson, Crystal, Inghams and Virgin. Whether staying in a chalet, hotel or in self-catering accommodation there is something for everyone; individuals, families and groups. Take a look, if you like what you see, you can book straight away.

European Wine Bloggers

2009-10-21T23:03:00.000+01:00

The 2009 European Wine Bloggers Conference is set to take place in Lisbon, Portugal, from October 30 – November 1, 2009. Bringing together bloggers of all backgrounds including: winemakers, wine writers, marketers, foodies, retailers and distributors from around the world.

Around 100 wine bloggers are expected to attend the EWBC 2009 and they will also be able to enjoy visits to several key wineries within easy reach of Lisbon.