My adventures

Check in to see what I have been up to recently.

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A disappointing trip to Corfu with Jet2

The Flight Fiasco

We were all set for our much-awaited getaway, booked through Hays Travel and operated by Jet2. Excitement filled the air as we boarded the plane, but it wasn’t long before things took a turn. A group of passengers had clearly started their holiday festivities early, and their intoxication made the journey rather uncomfortable. I was hoping the cabin crew might step in and calm things down, but unfortunately, their efforts didn’t quite hit the mark.

The Rocky Start

After landing, we hopped into our personal transfer to the hotel. It should have been a relaxing drive, but when our driver decided to chat on his mobile phone while navigating the roads, relaxation was the last thing on our minds. Safety first, right? Apparently not in this case.

The Room That Wasn't

We finally arrived at our hotel, looking forward to settling into the room we had seen in the glossy brochure. But alas, the room we walked into was not the spacious haven we were promised. Instead, it was smaller, missing a few expected amenities, and a bit of a letdown overall.

The Wasp Woes

Just when we thought things might improve, we encountered another unexpected problem: wasps. Lots of them. The buzzing was a constant companion, and my poor wife even got stung. It was the kind of adventure we hadn’t signed up for, and despite mentioning it to the hotel staff, nothing was done to address the issue.

The Food Fumbles and Cleanliness Concerns

As vegetarians, we usually enjoy exploring the local cuisine, but the options here were disappointingly limited, especially during snack times. The all-inclusive package, which we had high hopes for, failed to provide any protein replacements or veggie burgers, or anything resembling a thoughtful vegetarian main meal. It was a bit of a letdown, to say the least. And the bathroom? Well, let’s just say it hadn’t seen a cleaning cloth in a while before we arrived, which wasn’t exactly the welcome we were hoping for.

**The Frustrating Follow-Up**

Throughout the trip, I tried to raise these issues with the staff, hoping for some resolution. Once we were back in the UK, I reached out again, but my concerns were either brushed off or met with silence. It’s frustrating to feel like your voice isn’t being heard, especially when you’ve been looking forward to a holiday.

Final Thoughts

I've asked for a formal apology and a partial refund, hoping that our feedback might lead to better experiences for future travellers. Here’s a couple of pics that show the internet v reality for Mareblue Beach Resort here in Corfu.

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I’ve never talked publicly about my daughters autism, mainly because I didn’t consider it to be a big deal.

However, as my eldest daughter prepares to get married, it has become increasingly stressful. Specifically because she my youngest is being asked to wear a dress.

Patience, compassion and understanding are what’s required in most daily activities even walking the dog is a delicate exercise.

However, sunshine, the dog and the outside all seem to help calm any situation. Like any of us exercise and fresh air provide the best kind of therapy.

So for everyone out there, enjoy and love those amazing people in your family and general life. Let’s never forget to celebrate how special they are.

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You might be forgiven thinking this is on the French coast or even the Caribbean but look closer, that background looks very British right? Yep, that’s because this incredible view is right here in the UK. It’s #plymouth in fact, one of the most gloriously hidden gems of these islands. Let’s take a closer look.

Both images above are from the historic Hoe.

The Hoe has the famous red and white lighthouse

Credit - https://images.app.goo.gl/BjyT5vJMj96BUCzNA

Just along the coast about five minutes of walking is the Barbican including mayflower steps, pubs, restaurants and of course national marine aquarium.

Google Image Result for https://eu-assets.simpleview-europe.com/plymouth2016/imageresizer/?image=%2Fdmsimgs%2Fsmeatontower3_606363908.PNG&ac

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Title: Exploring Saltram: A Delightful British Gem

Introduction:

Welcome to my blog, where I'll be sharing my recent adventure to the delightful Saltram estate in Devon, England. Join me as I take you on a virtual tour through this enchanting destination, filled with history, nature, and mouth-watering treats.

Captivating History:

Step back in time as you explore Saltram's Georgian mansion. The place oozes opulence with its fancy artwork and elegant furnishings. It's a feast for the eyes and a glimpse into the past.

Gardens of Serenity:

Get lost in the stunning gardens at Saltram. Picture-perfect flower beds, neat hedges, and peaceful ponds make for a serene escape. The scents of blooming flowers are simply divine, and the whole place is a nature lover's dream.

A Walk in Nature:

Beyond the mansion and gardens, Saltram offers picturesque woodland walks. Roam through ancient woods, following the gentle flow of the River Plym. The rustling leaves and bird songs create a soothing atmosphere that's perfect for a peaceful stroll.

Culinary Delights:

Indulge your taste buds at Saltram's charming tearoom. Treat yourself to a classic cream tea, complete with freshly baked scones, clotted cream, and homemade jam. The tearoom also serves up mouth-watering cakes and sandwiches made with local ingredients.

Unforgettable Memories:

Saltram left an indelible mark on my heart. Its blend of history, natural beauty, and delicious food creates an unforgettable experience. I cherish the memories I made during my visit and can't wait to go back.

Conclusion:

Make sure to add Saltram to your travel bucket list. This delightful British gem is a perfect blend of history, nature, and culinary delights. Whether you're captivated by the mansion, enchanted by the gardens, or tempted by the tearoom treats, Saltram promises an unforgettable adventure.

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I recently pulled a muscle in my back doing weight training, entirely my own fault. However, it did make me realise how important sports and training is to my mental health not just my physical health.

Sports injuries are not just physical setbacks; they can also have a profound impact on an individual's mental health, regardless of their level of physical fitness. While athletes and active individuals often prioritise their physical well-being, the mental toll of sporting injuries, particularly those affecting the back, should not be underestimated.

For physically active individuals, participating in sports and maintaining a high level of fitness can contribute significantly to their sense of identity and self-worth. When a back injury occurs, the inability to engage in physical activities and maintain one's previous level of fitness can lead to feelings of loss and a diminished sense of self. This loss of identity can trigger frustration, sadness, and even depression. I certainly missed it!

Physical activity and exercise are known to be effective stress relievers and mood boosters. When an injury prevents someone from engaging in their regular exercise routine, they may lose their primary coping mechanism for managing stress and maintaining good mental health. This loss can lead to increased vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

In summary, I won't be in a rush to get injured again and will refocus my efforts on warm up and a renewed effort at good form. Here's to getting fit again!

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Ginger Shot recipe!

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Start of a new year and I am yet again doing a Dry January. It’s probably a good thing that I am trying to be healthy at the moment as you certainly would not want to get ill right now. It appears that the issue is not necessarily cash/funding of course that would help but it is more about social funding and the ability to get people out of hospital and home or into social care. This problem seems to come about through lack of staff exacerbated by staffing and migration restrictions post brexit.

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My daily commute takes me right through the city centre. Whilst yes there a plenty of close passes the atmosphere of an early morning commute more than make up for it. The other cyclists, runners, early morning joggers, the mist and the lights on the water give me an amazing start to my day!

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By the end of 2022 the world’s population will exceed 8 billion. This is not the big story though, take a look behind the data and you will see that the birth rate is now less than half of what it was in 60’s. Turns out we have stopped having babies, this is incredibly dangerous and is not sustainable even in the mid term. Well who is going to pay taxes in the future if we are all old people?

Five key findings from the 2022 UN Population Prospects

Explore the key highlights from the UN’s latest release of its world population estimates.

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An affirmation of being welsh, yes I am welsh, I have spent the vast majority of my life in England first in the military and then living as a civilian here in Plymouth. There is however a never ending pull back to the valleys of my childhood back to where I spent my formative years. It’s the place that taught me to stand up to bullies, the place that taught me how important community was during the miners strike and more importantly the place that taught me to be humble always. I come from a small town in the valleys called Tredegar and before that a place called Llanhilleth, both outside the big city vibe of Cardiff or Newport.

So yes I am welsh, and I do feel distinctly different but being welsh means you love the people around you wherever you are.

As the words to the famous welsh song go Calon Lan - I don’t ask for a luxurious life, the worlds gold or it’s fine pearls, I ask for a happy heart.

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Growth - Will someone please think of growth.

Where is the growth going to come from over the next few years. Notwithstanding the Autumn Statement yesterday, lots of sensible stuff but really don’t see opportunities for growth or really any kind of substantial support for small businesses. We are only seeing small businesses fail, so let’s take a look at the stats.

These stats are direct from Gov.UK

Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2021: statistical release (HTML)

Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2021: statistical release (HTML)

The number of private sector businesses in the UK at the start of 2021 was

5.6 million

5.5 million businesses were small (0 to 49 employees)

35,600 businesses were medium-sized (50 to 249 employees)

Compared with 2020, the private sector business population has decreased by 6.5% (389,600 businesses).

Can this solely be the pandemic or is there something else going on?

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Iceland part 2

On the Tuesday of our holiday we took a coach tour (buses are soooo hot and stuffy). It was called the Golden circle and involved a national park, tectonic plates and even a geyser!

The last day of our holiday was really special and took us to the south coast. Here we saw volcanoes, black sand beaches and epic waterfalls.

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Iceland part 1

I have just come back from Iceland, thought it might be useful and interesting to share my thoughts. First off Iceland is expensive, there are way cheaper places to visit. For example a burger and chips in a restaurant will probably set you back £25 at least while a beer is around £8-£10.

Here I am at the airport about 45 mins from Reykjavík itself. We started the holiday by wandering around the city. It’s lovely, a mix of Nordic and uniquely Icelandic architecture. On our arrival we immediately went on a northern lights tour, nope no success. You need activity and a clear sky. Here is a good website that might help. Aurora-alerts.uk we also went to the Penis museum, yep that’s correct. A fantastic collection of penises from around the animal and human world.

On the next day we visited the Blue Lagoon. A naturally heated spa with special waters for skin etc. it’s pretty special and worth a visit.

Following day we took a walk around 3 miles to the lighthouse and scooted back well worth the walk and lots fresh air.

Scooters are dotted everywhere in Reykjavik & are a great way to get around.

The following day we took a tour to go whale watching. This was a fantastic experience we even got to see a humpback whale!

On the way back we took a wander around the viking museum, a nice little place with waxworks and history of Iceland.