Monthly Archives: January 2010

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart Visit the Isle of Wight

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The two stars of the financially successful ‘Twilight’ series of films have joined many other people in spending the period in which people celebrate the beginning of a new year on an Isle of Wight holiday. It’s been widely rumoured that the pair are a couple, a clause that is only possible due to the multiple definitions that words can possess in English.

Leaving ambiguity aside for a brief few words, it’s unsurprising that Robert Pattinson would bring a friend, or “friend”, to somewhere in Britain, especially the Isle of Wight. Its relaxed, calm, laid-back attitude generally means that celebrities remain aren’t hassled by, among others, screaming teenage fans or the swarming members of the celebrity press. Plenty of other celebrities have found that they can escape from the crush of attention that success brings by staying on the island, and the particular area that they visited, Ventnor, is home to a few others of their kind.

The fact they have chosen to holiday there, and especially at a time as auspicious as New Year’s Eve, will certainly do something to the profile of Isle of Wight breaks in the eyes of consumers, though apparently they were seen overindulging on the night itself, something that many visitors may not want to do if they wish to truly enjoy their stay.

The Isle of Wight Sandman Snowman Spectacular

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This January the Isle of Wight is hosting their annual Sandman Snowman spectacular, giving local children and visitors staying in a Isle of Wight Hotel alike an opportunity to build their very own Snowman made of sand. The event, which is organised by the Isle of Wight environmental charity, Island 2000, is one that has been generated so that children aren’t deprived of one of life’s simple pleasures – building snowmen. But with recent weather conditions being as they are, most will have had the opportunity to build their very own snowman in the artic weather conditions that have hit the UK this week.

From Snowmen to igloos, Snow arches to snow benches I think this week has been a chance for people of all ages to have fun in the snow, something many of the younger generation have never experienced. But with the temperatures set to resume to normality in the coming weeks the 24th January could be the perfect opportunity for people to get back into the throes of creativity and make some interesting snowmen and other shapes on Small Hope Beach in Shanklin, Isle of Wight. The event commences at 10.30am on the 24th and is just one of the many attractions visitors to the Island will experience this year whilst they stay in Sandown Hotels and other hotels on the Island.

Around 60 people joined in over a few hours last year, there were carrots and coal and enough hot chocolate to go around. All the necessary ingredients were in place for an excellent day and there were wonderful creations sprouting from the sand. Donations were made to Gift to Nature, a charity which supports the ongoing conservation work across the island and this years fourth Sandman Snowman Spectacular is set to be another great day. This time, there may even be a chance that the snowmen are actually made out of snow.

Torquay’s Living Coast

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I’ve been visiting Torquay for as long as I can remember. My family come from Devon and my Nana has resided there since before I was born. Amongst spending time at her home we’ve been here there and everywhere and enjoy nothing better than a good walk along Meadfoot
beach where you get to blow the cobwebs away come rain or shine.

The latest expedition whilst visiting was a trip to Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and conservation charity, located on Beacon Quay right on Torquay’s harbour side. It can’t be missed for its rather large net above the Town Dock on the outer harbour. It really has become a successful attraction for the area with holiday makers staying in Torquay Caravan Park and other holiday accommodation making sure they make Living Coasts one of the first days out in their itinerary, and it is easy to see why. This innovative coastal zoo and discovery centre allows you to take a journey around the coasts of the world and see some amazing animals and plants in specially designed naturalistic habitats. You’ll get to see Penguin Beach, Auk Cliff, Waders Estuary, Fur Seal Cove, Sea Ducks and Mangroves, as well as more educational information like coasts at risk.

My favourite area was penguin beach, designed to look like coastal habitats near Cape Town where the African penguins live in large colonies, these penguins wander around freely and mingle in with the visitors. The Juvenille Macaroni penguins, with their golden yellow crests which looks like hair were my absolute favourite and really were making people laugh.

I am fortunate to visit Torquay and all it has to offer as and when I feel, but I never take it for granted and it is not hard to see why people visit from far and wide to stay in a Holiday Park Devon and decide to come back year on year.

The Plight of Scotland’s Squirrels

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Red Squirrel gathering nutsForestry Commission Scotland, the Scottish equivalent of Forestry Commission England or Forestry Commission Wales, recently announced plans to establish eighteen red squirrel strongholds throughout the country. These areas are designed to back up the work that FCS have been doing to control grey squirrel populations, as they say it’s all very well and good stopping greys from spreading, but you have to protect the reds at the same time.

And that is what this new initiative will do. Each of the eighteen areas will be at least two thousand hectares in size, and the trees there will be managed so that the cone bearing conifers that red squirrels prefer are far more abundant than the large seeded broadleaves that grey squirrels feed on. The general position of the strongholds has already been decided, and four of them being in Argyll should be good news for Argyll cottages. All that is left to do is work out where exactly the boundaries of each area will be, as well as how the management of the areas will be carried out.

The grey squirrels have already driven reds out of England and Wales, and Scotland is eager to maintain its biodiversity. This new effort is a big part of that, and as the red squirrel is one of the animals that acts as a representative of conservation in Scotland and Scotland in general, protecting it is important for both the environment and for Scottish tourism. Hopefully, this move will see populations increase, but you can still book one of the holiday cottages in Scotland right now and see them in the flesh.

Wildlife Spotting in Pembrokeshire

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puffins

The coast of Pembrokeshire is home to some fascinating creatures, and staying in one of the Pembrokeshire cottages that are available all year round is a great way to see them.

Taking a boat ride, or even just walking along the coast, can net you views of puffins, gulls, hen harriers, kestrels, buzzards, snipes, Barn, Little and Short-eared owls, thrushes, Redpoll, Buntings and loads more. What birds you’ll see depends on the time of year, as many will follow their migratory route, but things like the owls, kestrels and buzzards are year-round favourites.

It’s even possible to see all these during just a short cottage break in Wales by taking a trip on a boat to one of the islands along the coast. Skomer island in particular can offer glimpses of a huge variety of birds, and even a breeding colony of seals!

So, if you’re a fan of seeing nature in its natural place, Pembrokeshire could well be the place for you.

It’s Fun To Go To The NMMC

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When you’re in Cornwall, why don’t you pay a trip to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. You’ll learn a lot about boats, we’re sure.

But exactly what about boats will you learn on your North Cornwall holiday? Well, currently the museum has wine tastings, Sunday lunches, Santa’s grotto, and a workshop on kites, calendars and kaleidoscopes. None of that has anything to do with boats! This Maritime Museum is certainly not living up to its name!

Luckily, there is a talk about wrecks and rescues that have occurred on the rocks off the Lizard peninsula. There are a lot! It’s a pretty dangerous place to go if you’re a boat!

Before Christmas, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall also offered Christmas lunches, but now that Christmas is gone they’re not doing that. Perhaps you could go if you decide to rent one of the cottages in Cornwall next year? That sounds like it’d be pretty cool. Learn about boats and then have a Christmas lunch? Sign me up. You wouldn’t have to press gang me into that (that’s maritime humour).