Monmouth

In keeping with the 'staycation' idea that is becoming increasingly popular in these frugal times, I have rarely ventured far from my own corner of the world in recent times.

Our latest family trip was to Monmouth a border town between England and Wales - one of those like Chepstow that has been Welsh and English at various times, it is currently Welsh (and as far as I know intends to stay that way!). We were lucky with the weather, and Monmouth has some lovely outdoor spaces. From the river to the parks, the church and a good selection of shops..

Monmouth is small, but can take it's fair share of visitors with ample car-parking, and plenty of choice places to grab a bite to eat. Once you have ambled around the town, and sampled some of the delights, you could treat yourself to the 'pretty way' home as we did, and take in the beautiful countryside which surrounds this historic town.
[Pictured: the historic Monnow Tower Bridge, and the High Street]

2012 in the UK

Despite European monetary difficulties, there is  generally positive mood throughout the UK at the moment - this picture shows bunting in the street a week after the special Bank Holiday to commemorate 60 years of Queen Elizabeth's reign.
This year not only celebrates UK monarchy, but also the coming of the Summer Olympics. The UK is arguably fortunate to be cushioned a little from the Euro crisis by being outside the Euro currency, but the consequences of the Euro-crisis will not entirely pass us by.
The interesting fact about this positive photo is that it was not taken in what might be regarded as royalist heartland of the home counties of England, but in the Welsh Capital Cardiff (Caerdydd in the native tongue). The truth is that the celebrations have reverberated around the commonwealth and touched the rest of the world too. Now is a good time to visit the UK, London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast and see what this kingdom has to offer.

Jimmy Spices

If I may be allowed to extend travel to include eating experiences (I may because it is my blog..!), I wanted to just report what a great night was had by friends and Family at Jimmy Spices in Sutton Coldfield a few weeks back.
On offer was a £15 all you can eat buffet of Chinese, Indian and Italian food - This alone sounds like pure heaven for a foodie, but you wonder if the Chinese and Indian in particular will be authentic (At least that was what I was thinking), by which I mean would the Chinese be as good as if it were in a Chinese restaurant? etc..
I am very keen on all these cooking styles, so was a little sceptical.
On arrival, I was staggered by the floor-space of the upstairs rooms of this restaurant - it was huge.. tables wre in rows seating between about 20 to 30 per table - which was ideal for large family parties. If you weren't with a party, maybe you would meet some new people - but I wasn't intending to write a review so I didn't pay a lot of attention to the seating arrangements. After sitting and chatting for a while, I went to check out the food. Each style of cooking had it's own open kitchen section in the centre of the room where specialist chefs were openly preparing and cooking food, one for Indian food, one for Chinese and one for Italian. I began with Chinese - it was really superb, some of the best Chinese cooking I have ever tasted. Just to check that this wasn't a fluke, I then moved on to Indian, and yes, this was as good as the Chinese - really expertly done. Sadly I didn't have chance to try the Italian as I was persuaded by my daughter to get some ice-cream after which I did not really feel like eating more savoury dishes. (Still a bit gutted that I didn't have a go at the Italian - although most people seemed to be going for pizzas which quite frankly are NOT my idea of fine dining... I would hope that there were also pasta dishes, maybe some seafood?? I'll have to wait 'til next time to find out - I would certainly without a doubt visit again, it's a great place to take a crowd because there truly is something for everyone.
You don't have to travel to The Midlands to get the same experience however, as well as restaurants in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham and Stratford on Avon, they also have places in Staines, Epsom and Bath.

Calgary Apartments

There are a wide variety of Calgary Apartments for Rent either on long or short-term lease, ranging from city apartments to sprawling country residences. Deep in the East of Canada lies Calgary, home of the 1988 Winter Olympics, one of the earliest homes of the 'Mounties' (Fort Calgary) and home to various museums and other attractions.

Canada is especially appealing to British travellers because of the fact that we have a common language and heritage. It is the kind of destination that a Brit is likely to adopt as a second (or even first) home.

Working in Canada is a real prospect for UK residents that want to spread their wings a bit, and whilst Canada is certainly 'across the pond', the culture shock is not so great as may be presented by many European cultures, and having the language and similar standards of education helps.

In fact there are many students who start their Canadian adventure with a study scheme that sees them exchange places with a Canadian university student.

Calgary itself in within easy reach of some northerly American cities such Seattle and Washington, and therefore offers experiences uniquely Canadian alongside the possibilities of the chance to experience some American culture at the same time.

Travel History

My own travel plans have been on hold for some time since family is our priority at the moment. Hence more recent posts are concerned with 'local' traveling rather than that of a more exotic type. Not that I have ever been anywhere very exotic, but my travel destinations include:

Austria, Germany, France, Greece, Malta, US, Canada, Eire and a few places in between. I have not been on a plane for a good many years (apart from a 'domestic' flight to Edinburgh), and to my shame, I do not even own a valid passport at the moment, my old one lapsed and I didn't want to waste money getting it renewed when I know I would not need it for a while. Our recent travel includes sights around the UK, mainly Wales and specifically West Wales. I guess that narrows the wide niche of 'travel' for this blog down to one that concentrates mainly on the places within easy reach of my home - which is probably no bad thing.

Recently I have been posting information and opinion on places such as The Wild Welsh Zoo and St Davids in West Wales. Our very next vacation is planned in a similar region, so expect more of the same.

Cars Sales Milan

Travelling around the world (as I would very much LIKE to do a lot more of...) brings you into contact with great characters, and as a traveller, it is businessmen/women of one type of another that you are coming into contact with. Whether it be your hotelier, a shopkeeper or maybe a car mechanic. Often you will find (especially in Southern Europe) a proliferation of small and medium-sized family businesses. Whilst many people you will come into contact with during your travels will have some grasp of the English language, it is likely that a good proportion will have little or no English at all.
In general terms, having a fundamental grasp of the local language is more important in say France or Italy, than it would be in Germany or Switzerland.
In Milan for instance you may see the sign: vendita auto usate (used cars for sale), or you may see auto usate milano (Milan used cars). Local knowledge will probably guide you towards 'GarageDelParco' as the best place in Milan for personal service when it comes to purchasing vehicles. If you are planning a long visit to Milan, purchasing a used vehicle could prove less costly than a long term hire, especially as GarageDelParco will also compro auto usate (buy used cars) from you after you have finished with them, and refurbish them before selling them on again.

Having a skilled workforce allows them to be able to buy cars and get them into pristine condition before selling them again. Being a family-run business means that they take special pride in their work and reputation as a solid and trustworthy company. A quick look at the history of this company tells you that it has been operating since it was opened in the 1960's by the father of the current manager, and the daughter is also still involved in running the financial side of the company.

The company seeks to maintain the old values of customer care within the physical confines of thoroughly modernised premises.

Dan Yr Ogof

We took a trip to Dan Yr Ogof caves recently, having lived relatively close to the attraction for many years, but never having visited it myself. The drive to the site itself is quite enjoyable if you have decent weather, the attraction is located in beautiful countryside and a little of the 'beaten track'.

The caves were originally discovered in the early 20th century when some locals stumbled upon them by accident. Since that time they have been developed as a tourist attraction, but it is the caves themselves that remain the star of the 'show'.

Over the years, other attractions and exhibitions have been added to the site such that they now boast '10 attractions on one ticket' - but at best this is a bit of an overstatement of the facts - three of the 10 attractions are the three sets of caves, and I wouldn't consider much of the rest of the exhibits as 'stand-alone' attractions.

On the way out, there is a shire horse farm yard with some play areas and a variety of animals such as goats and alpacas etc.. of all the additional features, this was probably the only one that merited any more than a few minutes time to explore. The entrance to the site was quite expensive costing around £30 for two adults and a child, and if you had intended to make a day of it (as I originally intended) you may be struggling for something to do especially if the weather decides to get particularly 'Welsh'...

That said, the caves themselves are a spectacular natural phenomenon, well worth a visit, and a great place to get some stunning photographs. There is a commentary throughout the caves that has to be quite loud to rise above the noise of rushing water, for me it was a bit too loud, and I would have preferred to have placards to read or something along those lines. I came away with the feeling that if you were to overhaul the site today, you would probably do it very differently and probably focus on different aspects of the cave such as the environmental/geographical aspects. To sum up then, visit the caves - they are a sight worth seeing, but don't expect to find endless entertainment with the boast of 10 attractions - finish up with a visit to the shire horses/farm - somehow you will have seen seven of the ten attractions already...

Renting in Morocco

For those people looking a little further afield, and interested in a different cultural experience, Morocco is becoming a hot-spot especially with celebrities. Apparently quite a few A-listers have been ploughing their hard-earned cash into bricks and mortar in Marrakesh amongst other places.

I have always preferred the idea of experiencing foreign cultures from within the community rather than from the outside and holiday apartments are a great way to steep oneself in the local culture more than if one is staying in a hotel environment. Whether you are considering bargaining with traders for exotic goods in the busy markets of the towns and cities, or sunning yourself in one of the rentals on Morocco's coast, a variety of properties are available all through the year.

Morocco offers a variety of activities, the architecture and scenery naturally lends itself to traditional sight-seeing and photography. Shopping is a popular activity, but don't expect high street shopping here, vast, varied markets offer handcrafted delights from carpets to food or trinkets.

Souks (traditional markets) are open Mon-Sun 0900-1300 and 1530-1900.

Morocco has beaches on the Atlantic and on the Mediterranean, the ones on the Med offering warmer water, more intimate beaches and a proliferation of small fishing villages to add colour. The Atlantic beaches are more suited to water sports enthusiasts such as surfing, kite-boarding or jet-skiing.

For UK visitors, Morroco is on a very similar timeline, so jet-lag should never be a problem either travelling to or from Morroco.

Euro-tunnel Deal

Travel to continental Europe via Eurotunnel for half price on Tues 22, Wed 23 & Thur 24 Feb. Standard vehicles (Cars, small vans or motorcycles) and up to 9 people can travel for just £22.

Call 0844 335 1649, as the offer's not available online or at check-in. You have to leave after 6am and return before midnight that same day. Tickets are non-amendable and non-refundable. Book a minimum of 1 day before travel).

For more details on the above offers, visit the special Eurotunnel page - Information provided by the lovely people at MoneySavingExpert.com.

West Wales - Manor House Park

Since Manor House Park was taken over by TV personality Anna Ryder-Richardson, we have been keen to pay a visit and see what all the fuss is about. Our trip to Broad Haven this year allowed us to finally visit the park, and we were not disappointed.

The zoo has several areas where you are permitted to join the animals within enclosures, to feed, photograph and get close to animals in a unique way - not all animals are this approachable, but the ethos of the place is certainly different to the traditional zoo. When we visited, this project was still in it's development phase (latter stages), but what had been done, had been done thoughtfully and to a high standard. The playgrounds and picnic areas were very well done and provide welcome space for kids to run off the inevitable build-up of energy that accompanies every family 'adventure'.

The food was excellent, probably a higher standard than you would expect at a zoo, but that was one of the themes running through the place - standards were high, this is not a Changing Rooms production by any means.

Nearby attractions include:

• Heatherton Adventure Park (literally just 'over the road')
• Dinosaur World (a few miles down the road)

There is definitely enough going on in this locality to keep you amused all day - top tip: if you like your food, eat at Manor Park NOT at Dinosaur World!!

West Wales - St Davids

During our stay in West Wales this year, we opted to visit St Davids on what turned out to be a rather wet afternoon. However, St Davids with it's impressive cathedral and charming setting is worth a visit in any weather. Good food can be had locally, and there is a small but decent collection of shops if you are that way inclined...

The cathedral itself is a wonder which is worth the journey on it's own. It boasts a refectory, gift shop and small museum but it was the ancient decor that had me grabbing my camera. I was especially struck by the superb floor tiles, most have which have been restored, although some around the altar appear to be in their original state.

The majesty of the flooring is matched by the work in the ceilings and in the general quality of the original furnishing which for me, was nothing short of breathtaking.

The stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings give way to a small exhibition room, which in reality is too small to be called a museum, but a museum that is limited to one small room is probably as much museum as I want to see in a day to be fair... there are a number of artefacts here relating to the history of the building. from chalices and carvings to ancient artefacts discovered during renovations and rebuilding. I'm not a big fan of museums, but this had enough to raise interest without tedium setting in.

All in all, on a wet day, there is not enough to keep the family amused All day, but well worth stopping for a good few hours - drive right through St Davids for the pay and display car park.

West Wales - Broad Haven

We have been lucky enough to be offered a caravan holiday in Broad Haven just west of Haverford West on the Welsh coast. Although the weather was not anything too special, the scenery was stunning and the site was well-appointed as was the brand new static caravan that we borrowed. This area is popular with surfers, and if you look closely you may even see kite-surfers in the photo above.

Broad Haven itself is a typical holiday village with a spar, chip shops and pub and little else. Hidden away around the corner is another pub, a school and a small church. Broad Haven is a great outpost for exploring this coast, and within easy reach of the bustling town of Haverfordwest (which has a large Tesco, and a fine swimming pool).

The large caravan park is popular and has a good number of mobile homes scattered around, the playground has a zip wire (the kids will love it) and for a price, you can use the site Wi-Fi...

RyanAir £5 flights

Bringing you the latest from MoneySavingExpert...
Once again, a short-term offer for cheap flights booked before midnight tomorrow (27th May), as ever, be aware that extras charged for baggage etc. may ramp up the price...
Flights must be booked at least 14 days in advance, and travel is any day in June 2010 - limited airports within Europe...
Click the MoneySavingExpert link above to be taken direct to their 'cheap flights' article - full guide to how to make the most of this deal can be found there...

Read the full Ryanair cheap flights promotion details

Air Travel is suffering

Not only will we have more British Airways strikes to look forward to after yesterday's court ruling, but disruptions are still being caused by volcanic ash at some UK airports - currently limited to Scottish airports. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has stated that his airline will not consider abiding by EU rules on compensation and has stated that only the cost of the ticket will be refunded even where travelers have been forced to rent additional accommodation abroad.
Two out of the three high court judges yesterday voted to overturn the injunction imposed on the proposed 'Unite' strike planned to disrupt in particular World Cup travelers in a few weeks time. The injunction was imposed on Monday when BA argued that ballot results had not been adequately communicated to union members. BA intend to introduce contingency plans designed to circumvent union action.

BA strike

The economic climate was always going to have an effect on the travel business and the current dispute between UNITE and BA seems to be an outworking of the recession. BA are (arguably) forced to make cuts - this will impact on air-crew at some point, but the air-crew are digging their heels in. In an effort to give a fair view, nobody likes their contract to be changed significantly, but on the other hand, management is tasked with finding a way to make some real savings in order to sustain a profitable company for the future.
Strikes are due to continue at the week-end, hopefully a timely and mutually beneficial compromise can be reached.

Combining travel and surgery

Traveling abroad to have cosmetic surgery is not a new idea, but generally this has been understood to mean having procedures carries out in sometimes less-than hygienic conditions in Eastern European countries.
Imagine then, if you will, a very different idea: visiting your dentist in Cancun! Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry has opened a practice with the highest clinical standards in the world famous Mexican resort of Cancun with the sole intention of treating clients from the UK, USA and Canada. The aim is to be able to combine the holiday of a lifetime with the idea of taking advantage of high quality cosmetic dentistry at a fraction of the normal costs.
The owner is Dr. German Arzate who promises to be able to give you a completely new smile in just a week. During that week, you will be in the most beautiful surroundings available anywhere, and be able to lounge on the beaches, go diving or visit some unique Mexican archaeological attractions. You will also be in a clinical environment that is completely geared towards English-speaking patients - imagine bringing the perfect smile home as a permanent reminder of your holiday...

New Technology

New technology is moving us away from traditional High Street shops and large retailers for goods which are becoming obsolete whilst they sit on the stock-room. Any product that has an element of computer memory like RAM, hard-drives and flash drives becomes out-dated within months.
There is no technology that moves quicker than PC/Phone and media devices, and the demand for iphone accessories and add-ons increasingly finds satisfaction via internet retailers in preference to the high street. Whether you are looking for an iphone case or an iphone dock, you will find a far larger range of choices available on the world wide web, than you will on the shelves of your local electronics retailer.

In the past people may have been wary about this new way of buying, but year on year it is proving more and more popular. The prices are keen and in most cases the service is excellent, yet there are some precautions we should take to ensure that our chosen trader is legitimate.

• You should always look for contact details such as an address or telephone number, check out the contact details to make sure that they are correct.
• Check to see if there is a VAT number and company registration.
• Look for a trading history and check out any testimonials that might be posted on the site.
• Be cautious of any offers that are ridiculously cheap unless there is a legitimate reason for the price reduction.

Over recent years, I have built up a select group of websites that I routinely check for bargains exclusively in the area of 'boys toys', computer storage and components.

Rail Fares set to rise

Southeastern train company customers will be charged extra to use the new 'Javelin' service. The Javelin is a new highspeed (140mph) train from Hitachi which is planned to run between London St Pancras and Ebbsfleet International, with a few services extending to Ashford International, Ramsgate via Canterbury West or Dover. From 13 December 2009 Southeastern plan to operate a regular high-speed domestic service into and out of London St Pancras. The services are marketed as Southeastern Highspeed and the trains will be named after British personalities associated with speed.

The second price rise will come in January and will be across the board under the regulated fares formula (allowing prices to rise a set amount above RPI), despite assurances by Government that rail prices would fall in 2010. Some existing services may also be cut to help fund the new investment.

Drink your way to Calais

P&O are currently offering a great day-trip offer if you are planning to stock your cellar with French wines, which includes a case of Californian wine into the bargain.

Thanks to the MoneySavingExpert for bringing this one to our attention...

For £24, you get a return Dover-Calais ticket for a car and up to 9 people (worth c.£35), and a free case of Ernest & Julio Gallo Winemaker's Seal Red or White wine (worth £25). The wine is redeemable on the outward leg of your journey only; you'll get a voucher for it along with your tickets.

Valid for travel between now and 1st December 2009 (though excludes travel on 23, 24, 31 October and 1 November), and can be booked until 12 Nov. To get the deal, go to P&O UK's website and enter 'freewineDT' in the box when booking to qualify.

This is an online offer only....and if you enjoy your wine and are looking to do a quick booze cruise before Christmas, this is a no-brainer...

What to do in London?

It's exciting to travel to a new City whether it be a day trip within your own country or a long overseas trip, but when you get, there you may well realise that you don't know the best places for a quick bite, or where to get the best entertainment, a quiet pint or a gourmet meal.

That's when a site like Qype comes in - an extensive insight into night-life, restaurants and watering holes with reviews completed by ordinary folk like you or me.
The information on their database is not limited to night-life, you can search for a hairdresser, travel information, libraries or any number of services that you might require when staying away from home.

By default, the site shows information for London in general, but simply by clicking on the link to 'change', you can select any UK city or even a specific area of London. Ideal if you are searching for restaurants london by name or by district. Qype extends globally, and you can select from a list of countries and then select an area within that country. In fact, you can use Qype to gather information about your home town too - I checked out information about local parks and leisure centres, and was surprised to find not only a full list of amenities, but personal reviews written for every search result that came up - even reviews of local parks...

Whatever you are looking for, Qype is essentially a directory, but importantly a directory with a difference. The Qype directory not only gives you bare essential information such as address and essential contact information – it gives you an independent review from the viewpoint of an ordinary customer or facility-user. Next time you are stuck for a venue, or a shop or just need to do a search for pubs london why not try Qype, not only will you find something in your chosen locality, you will learn something about it too.