Archive for September 2011
Alternative Holiday Ideas – Fun and Unusual Vacations on a Budget in the UK
It’s that time of year again. The daffodils are out and the clocks have gone forward meaning that it is officially Spring time! This means it’s almost time to start clearing out the garage, get the rust off the BBQ in anticipation of the great British summer and think about booking a holiday.
Many of us are opting to have a more thrifty holiday at home in the UK rather than add to our carbon footprint, but still want to find a fun and unusual holiday to give us a real break from the day-to-day. From alternative camping trips to a stay at a rural farm experiencing the natural rhythms of the countryside without any distractions of modern life, here are our top picks to check out for some holiday inspiration before making any final decisions.
There are plenty of fun eco and alternative holidays to be had that don’t have to bust the budget Go WWOOFing – WWOOF UK is a membership charity focusing on teaching people about organic growing and low-impact lifestyles through hands-on experience in the UK. WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Farms, gardens and small holdings offer a hosted working holiday for volunteers and in return for offering a pair of helping hands you get your board and food as well as a great opportunity to learn some new skills, get your hands dirty and get back to nature. In return for a small membership fee you get a list of vetted hosts and then it’s about finding a suitable one and approaching them to make your own arrangements. There are over 400 hosts in the UK (and plenty more worldwide too). Check out the international WWOOF site to find how you can have a new and uniquely fulfilling experience.
Feather Down Farm Days – in some of the most beautiful rural locations across Britain, there are currently 24 farms listed offering stunning rural retreats where you can stay in a canvas tent complete with canopy bed, cooking stove, master bedroom, bunk bedroom and flushing toilet. Highlights at these rural retreats include hire of wood-fire traditional ovens, smoke barrel hire complete with fire wood and recipes, and rental of a private chicken coop. This is an ideal retreat for the whole family and you can even book breakfast hampers and food supplies in advance to make the transition from the bustle of your daily life to the relaxed slower pace of the countryside hassle free. Children can get to know the animals as some of the locations are on working farms and many farms offer bike hire and farm shops for a carefree stay. The Feather Down Farm season runs from Easter to October so click here for more information.
For a unique stay in a vintage airstream trailer on the Isle of Wight check out Vintage Vacations. Each airstream trailer is equipped with cooking facilities and mod cons such as hairdryer, CD/ radio and air con but furnished in a delightfully kitsch retro style including provision of vintage games such as Tiddlywinks. For the ultimate in shabby chic style check out The Mission (a restored Sunday School meeting place tin tabernacle dating from 1895), The Sailmakers (retro decor terraced house in Cowes old town), The Shack (cute vintage beach shack) and The Bungalow (1960s holiday chalet near the seaside). Vintage Vacations also have an etsy shop for great vintage accessories. Click here for more information.
How to Safely Tow a Travel Trailer
An easy and convenient way to bring all that you need for your camping trip or vacation is towing a camper. Campers are not only a simple way to have a home away from home, but also a way to avoid paying for a motel room. However before you travel it is necessary to make certain your airstream is prepared for towing. You need to thoroughly inspect your camper before you take it on a road trip. It is necessary to cover everything to be certain that it is safe for you and everybody else on the road.
You should always see how the inside of a camper looks to be certain that there aren’t any unsecured items that can fall down when it is moving. If you haven’t used it in a while you might want to give it a good clean. Unsecured objects may break or create damage such as a broken window or anything else that may cause problems while you drive down the highway as it occurs. If you can’t remove loose items, then secure them some way.
To hitch up a camper by yourself, it can be difficult. If you can get someone to help you it may prove to be worth your while. You may need someone to stand behind your camper to help you back it into a tight spot. Getting overly near or far away is very simple. A camper can weigh a lot and you can lift it onto the hitch without needing extra help. Remember that a camper can only be attached to a vehicle that can handle its weight and size. If don’t obey these restrictions you may be going over the limit and this could be harmful.
So that the signal lights alert traffic around you as you drive,there are electrical components that go with your camper. It is extremely important that each one of these lights are functioning appropriately before you go somewhere. Make sure that you check and recheck each of them, if you do not and they do not work you could cause a serious accident. If there is a problem with something, do not consider going out until you repair it. The safety chains, similarly, must be sturdy and secure. Take a stroll around your camper and automobile and make sure that everything is the way it should be.
You should never tow more weight than your vehicle can safely handle. Campers, like other vehicles, have maximum weight restrictions that need to be followed. The top priority being safety, cutting corners can result in greater risk of hazards. To avoid the police pulling you over and asking tons of questions make sure your camper is registered and up to date on all the legal requirements. You could face a stiff fine and impoundment of your camper if you neglect its safety regulations. Keep a clean record and be sure your family remains safe. Safely towing your camper requires you to be attentive to details. Pay attention to the basic necessities so that you can start and enjoy the time you are away.
Airstream Accessories
No matter what your interests are, there are thousands off accessories out there for you to personalize your Airstream. Most accessories will immediately come to mind the minute you step into your RV. However, the more you use it, the more accessories that will come to mind that you will want to invest in.
It all depends how often you will be using your Airstream and for what purposes. For those of you that use your Airstream on a daily basis, I am sure you want it outfitted with all the amenities you would find in a house. Starting with kitchens, small of course, the ability to store and be able to cook your own food will definitely be cost effective and make you feel more at home rather than at a hotel. Although most of these appliances found in these kitchenettes are smaller versions of your standard sizes, they work perfectly fine.
However, the more room you have to work with the bigger your appliances can be, on the other hand in an Airstream sometimes smaller is better, it leaves more room for your enjoyment. So when you start thinking of accessorizing your Airstream, think first of how much space you have to play with. Because space is something we all want in our Airstreams, clever systems have been created. In almost every RV today, all dinning areas turn into sleeping quarters, this is in addition to the normal size bedroom.
However, we do have the option of opting for a smaller RV, one that dinning table is the only bedroom, but remember you will spend half your time transforming instead of enjoying. Besides the transformable dinning tables, there is something out there that comes with every RV today as well, a television. Sure your on the road, and have plenty to do, however when night time does fall and your winding down, you might need a little mind stimulation. With your television you have several options: you can accessorize your Airstream by adding a satellite dish, DVD player, or maybe a game system, your choices are plenty.
One of my favorite accessories out there for Airstreams are the awnings. They can be used for several situations. From helping to keep the Airstream cooler to a front porch. Say its a nice cool night out, why not set up a dinning table outside under your awning and enjoy nature even more. If you’re someone who likes entertaining, then let’s add a little flair to your Airstream. Along with the awnings come outside lights. You can decorate your Airstream anyway you want, from party lights to seasonal decorations, it’s your home, do as you please. During the joyous holidays, just like there are boat parades, there are RV parades. Enthusiasts put up all sorts of decorations and parade right along the roads.
Just like everything else, how far you want to accessorize is totally up to you. Whether you want to do it according to your vacation theme, a special celebration, or whatever your reason may be, go ahead do it and enjoy it.