Bikes for Kids
There is a growing trend for children to have miniature bikes for trail or motocross courses. For those parent, mainly dads, who are motorbike enthusiasts this can be an excellent way for children and adults to share a fun hobby.
There are obviously, some costs involved. These may not be as expensive as could be expected. A starter bike can be bought for as little as £150. The kit, leathers and helmet can be quite expensive as children, as everyone is aware, keep growing. Ensure that any bike insurance required is in place before taking the bike out for the first time. Another thing which must be remembered is that these bikes aren’t legally allowed on the public road, but can only be ridden within private grounds.
The most popular way of transporting these small bikes to an event is by trailer attached to a car. Even a small family car will be able to tow a trailer as these bikes aren’t particularly heavy. Some events take place over the course of a weekend. There are different events which are for several age groups. At some venues, adults can also enter their bikes. Obviously ensure that the correct bike insurance is up to date. The same families attend lots of events throughout the year and they can turn out to be social weekends for the whole family.
As they occur over many weekends, some families buy a caravan or motor-home in order to provide accommodation without needing to stay in hotels. Taking such a step may be initially expensive, but can be spread over a few years. The benefits of being able to stay on site and eat and sleep at convenient times for everyone in the family can outweigh the financial implications. For younger children in the family their normal routine can continue as if they were at home.
For children and parents going to these events one of the main pleasures is in tinkering around with these small bikes and in ensuring all maintenance is up to scratch. There often appears to be more oil on faces and hands than required on the motorbikes. Around all the bikes gather the parents discussing the merits of this or that, and tweaking the various parts.
Whatever anyone thinks about the merits of children having these bikes, there is no doubt that the families derive considerable pleasure from these events. It can bring friends together, and can also instil the spirit of competition in children from an early age. This can only be a good thing as the kids learn that they can’t always be the best in everything – however, the more they try, then they will improve as time passes and they become more used to their machines.
Volunteering Opportunities Overseas
Stuck what to do in your GAP year? Volunteer opportunities are quickly gaining in popularity and are available worldwide. However, becoming an Africa volunteer opens you up to one of the most diverse continents on the planet with numerous opportunities in a variety of settings.
So why Africa? For many an Africa volunteer will be focussed on wildlife. After all, the African continent contains a multitude of national parks protecting wildlife including endangered species. The famous Antelope Park is one such opportunity where volunteers work to reintroduce lions into the wild.
Situated just a few miles from the town of Gweru in Zimbabwe Antelope Park is renowned worldwide for its conservation efforts. The Antelope Park boasts a world exclusive, enabling visitors to walk with lions. The 1 ½ hour lion walk features lion cubs from 6 to 18 months of age. If you are lucky enough to get a volunteer post at Antelope Park it is also a perfect base to visit Victoria Falls a few hours’ drive to the west.
Obviously lions are not the only endangered species on the African peninsula. There are Africa volunteer opportunities for a full range of animals including wild dogs, rhino and elephants. The list of opportunities across different countries is endless and Africa remains the number one destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
A great deal of Africa's tourist trade is based on its wildlife and the revenue it generates greatly assists in protecting millions of animals throughout the continent. However, Africa is much more than just a volunteer post for wildlife. Despite natural riches and beautiful landscapes many areas of Africa are amongst the poorest in the world. Numerous humanitarian crises have blighted the continent in recent history and a number of aid and development organisations welcome Africa volunteers.
There is continued need for all forms of humanitarian aid but what better contribution than to contribute your actual time. There are volunteer posts for medical assistance, teaching and development organisations aiming for sustainable development for some of the world’s poorest countries. Just a stones throw away from 5* resorts in destinations such as Zanzibar local children live uneducated and in poverty. Similarly South Africa with a facade of endless gold beaches and national parks hides a world of poverty where even the capital Cape Town has children living in glorified cardboard boxes. To be an Africa volunteer you do not need qualifications or a specific skill set. All you need is an enthusiasm to make a difference.
House Building – A Guide
The wealth of television programmes in recent years that depict couples and families endeavouring to build their own home has led to a surge in the number of people designing their own property and taking up the challenge of making their vision become a reality. For many people, tProperties for sale in Francehe idea of creating their own unique building is an attractive option and seeing the build progress can be an exciting time.
Although it can be a tantalising prospect, it should be noted that this process is not for everybody and with the number of properties for sale in France, for example, many people are still going down the traditional route of purchasing a ready built abode.
Where to start
Once you have made the decision to go ahead with the process, the first thing to do is consider the type of property you would like to construct. Think about if you would like the overall look of the home to be eclectic, traditional or modern, or made using methods handed down through the generations. If you are finding the array of choices is too much for you then it may be advisable to consider checking out the existing property market in your area or one of the many properties for sale in France. This could be viewed a simpler option due to the length of time it can take for construction of properties and the costs involved that can potentially escalate far beyond your early predictions. It will be necessary to make sure that you have considered all of the fundamentals related to the area you may move to and ensure there are sufficient shops and services within easy reach of you if you do not wish to be isolated.
Legal ramifications
House building can not only be costly but can also be fraught with stress and lots of legal considerations. You will need to ensure that you have the proper permits in place to allow the construction of the house you are building. You will need to collect quotes from potential builder and consider which one will be able to deliver the standard you require in a timely fashion. These factors can convince some people that their best option is indeed to research properties for sale in France, if that is indeed the area they are interested in residing in.
Make sure you fully research all the options available to you so you can ensure the decision you make is based on your long term plans for the future as this will help cut down on possible house moves in the future and all the costs that come attached to those.
Beautiful Norfolk
The county of Norfolk is ideally suited to any kind of tourist thanks to its brilliant mix of peace, beauty and serenity, combined with its modern and vibrant culture. There is no end of activities, places to visit and nightlife to be enjoyed by all walks of life. With the county’s three major built up areas, Norwich, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth, Norfolk has become of the UK’s prime holiday hotspots.
Where to stay
Tourists planning to holiday in Norfolk shouldn’t be worried about finding somewhere to stay; no matter what your preference, there is a bed suited to it. There are hundreds of hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels and holiday parks in Norfolk; you can even choose to stay on a boat if that is what takes your fancy!
The county has countless places that have earned “welcome” awards and can cater to all kinds of interests and needs including: Cyclists, walkers and families, pets can also enjoy the holiday with you with some accommodation providing amenities for dogs and cats.
Entertainment
Entertainment is something that is found easily, whether it is in a holiday park in Norfolk or nightclubs in Norwich there are plenty of attractions and things to do.
Attractions are excellent for all the family with kids able to enjoy award winning zoos, dinosaur adventure world and the pleasure beach as-well as railways and museums. Adults needn’t feel left out with all that is offer for the kids as Norfolk has some excellent shopping venues, castles and cathedrals. The Queens residence of Sandringham is a popular tourist attraction for fans of royalty and for those adults who fancy themselves as big kids there are aerial assault courses, hot air balloons and a seven acre maze.
Norfolk Broads
The Norfolk broads offer a tremendous place to explore the picturesque villages of Norfolk whilst journeying across beautiful lakes and rivers. The broads are globally renowned for the wildlife and environment that it offers to visitors. There is 125 miles of navigable waterways that you can choose to explore how you wish in a luxury boat that can provide accommodation for the whole family.
Norwich
Norwich is the culture hub of Norfolk and is one of the most vibrant cities in the UK. Norwich is bubbling with nightlife, shoppers and heritage and hosts some of the country’s leading arts organisations from the Norwich Theatre Royal to the Norwich Arts Centre.
Great Yarmouth
Seaside’s do not come much popular than Great Yarmouth and after 300 years of visitors it is still providing fun for all of the family. Everything you could want from a seaside resort is in Yarmouth with roller-coaters, arcades and summer shows a plenty.
Rab Clothing Is the Only Choice for Serious Mountaineers and Climbers
Mountaineering and climbing is growing in popularity in the UK, with 86,000 people participating in the sport at least once a week. When planning a mountaineering trip or holiday, either in this country or abroad, suitable clothing comes top of the list of requirements. Any serious climber is looking for clothing which will keep them warm and dry, which will allow their body to breathe and draw moisture away from the skin, and which will withstand the worst of the weather that the elements can throw at them. There are many outdoor clothing brands on the market, but most are pitched at the leisure market and the garments are just not sturdy enough to perform in extreme cold. All components used in the manufacture of the clothing are high quality and chosen to exceed current European standards.
The Rab clothing brand was founded by Sheffield based mountaineer Rab Carrington in the 1970s. He started off by making high performance sleeping bags, and soon diversified into outdoor clothing such as jackets, trousers and gloves. The company was the first manufacturer in the world to use Pertex, a special type of fabric which is durable, breathable and resistant to strong winds. This fabric is especially suitable for use in mountain clothing as it is so lightweight and allows moisture to pass through it. They manufacture their clothing from their factory in Derbyshire, and distribute throughout the world.
The range of clothing produced now by the company is impressive, and includes everything from lightweight European goose down jackets and trousers for use at home or on higher mountains such as the Alps to shell jackets for summer use and Polartec fleece clothing for layering and increasing warmth. Rab clothing jackets and trousers are available in a large range of colours including zingy lime green and electric blue, as well as more muted tones of black or dark green.
For serious climbers planning a proper expedition to very high altitudes or extreme climates, Rab clothing is the best choice. The expedition range of clothing comprises salopettes, jackets, trousers, gloves and slippers, all made to withstand the toughest conditions and keep you warm and comfortable. All of these garments are extremely high quality and have been tested on mountains of up to 7,000 metres high in the Himalayas of Nepal, as well as on expeditions to the Poles.
Apart from jackets, Rab clothing also still produce a range of sleeping and bivvy bags which range from the lightweight to the professional and small single skin 2 man tents designed to be used while camping out on the mountains.
Norfolk Holidays: Self Catering Delights for Land Lubbers!
Holidays in norfolk have so much more to offer than ‘just’ Norfolk Broads, so if you’re after a week or two in Norfolk but want to keep your feet firmly on the ground, there are plenty of other self-catering options around the county:
Caravans, Camping and Parks:
There are facilities which offer all of the above options in one: renting accommodation in cabins, lodges or static caravans is possible, but bringing your own accommodation and staying on the park means that you can still make use of on-site facilities such as amusements, laundry services, bars, fast food and restaurant outlets and even swimming pools and live entertainment.
There are a range of caravan and camping parks across the county, which offer varying levels of amenities on a ‘no frills’ basis- ideal if your idea of getting away from it all is to just get away from it all! However, most are well placed in relation to local attractions, so if you are on a walking holiday, it’s not far to go to find a well-deserved drink, or if you have trailed your caravan across the country to get to Norfolk, you don’t have to spend the rest of your holiday bundling the kids back in the car to be able to get anywhere.
On-line searches and consultation with the Norfolk Tourist Board (very helpful people) will reveal such a wealth of such parks and camps that you should be able to find just the place to suit your diary and your pocket!
Self catering accommodation:
These are my favourite Norfolk holidays. Seriously, we have found some truly fantastic self-catering cottages in the area, most of which are children friendly and some that are even dog-friendly! Additionally, the search is not just restricted to cottages or run-of-the-mill houses- we’ve stayed in an apartment in a converted Old Rectory and have spent a very pleasant weekend in the isolated and, it has to be said, surprisingly romantic, luxury of a converted cow-shed – we got the dairy end!
On-line searches are truly your friend in finding such gems and for checking availability (especially at the last minute)! However, brochures such as the Landmark Trust (an accommodation hiring branch of the National Trust) offer the chance to stay in really breathtaking historical buildings that have been lovingly restored and offered for holiday rental to the public. The fantastic Appleton Water Tower at Sandringham and Manor Farm near Diss are two such Norfolk properties, so if you really want something special, it’s well worth getting the brochure!
So there you go, plenty of options for your Norfolk holidays, without having to set foot on a barge unless you really want to! Happy holidays!