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sebbybooks · 4 years ago

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Never Mine

Sebastian Stan x Fanfiction

Part One

"With my dog as my witness, to whoever was riding my ass if they didn't back off my bumper I was going to stop in the middle of the road and rip their windshield wipers completely off!"

That type of anger coiled around me like a snake, because there was nothing that bugged me more than someone driving bumper to bumper. The long and exasperated breath I just released helped ease the tension out of my body temporarily. Just in time for reason to settle in. Though in reality it wasn't like I was actually going to jump out of my car and confront this road demon. Who clearly needed to take a course on etiquettes of the road. What I did know was that whoever was behind the wheel of the car had headlights that were so blinding I am sure extraterrestrials in space could spot them.

Trying to find the calm in the situation I focused on the road ahead of me. What little road I could see for that matter. Which wasn't exactly much. I had checked the forecast earlier in the day with the report of it showing that there was to be only clear and blue skies. By the amount of downpour before me you would think there was a tear in the sky if that was how rain fell. I just needed to hang tight for a few more miles until I reached my exit to stop for the night.

I had been driving for nine consecutive hours and it wasn't until the third hour I realized I was not cut out for long distance driving. The plane ticket I turned down from my father was starting to look like a missed opportunity. I opted out for Cooper's sake. I just rescued the little guy a few short weeks ago and I didn't have the heart to leave him alone so soon.

Despite having only six more hours of this painful drive I needed out of my car. A hot shower and a bed was calling my name like a siren's call was to a dazed sailor at sea. I was fervidly drawn to it. Granted, I wasn't exactly going the speed limit in my own defense. Simply because I chose to be a cautious driver not a careless one unlike the dip shit behind me. Cooper and I were going to get to Sonoma, California in one piece if I had anything to do with it! I had no intention to speed in the rain even if it annoyed the person behind me. After all I was driving down a one lane road there was literally nothing else I could do but drive forward.

Taking a glance up at my trusty Garmin my gps projected that at this rate I wouldn't make it to my hotel for another hour and a half. Ahead of me the sky was starting to look like a terrifying shade of gray and to top it off the dismal weather was becoming more and more hard to drive in. I could barely see the paint on the pavement. My defrosters seemed to have given up on me as I began to notice that my rearview mirror fogged up as though it was twilight hour.

I needed to pull over to try to wait out the heavy rainfall. The only problem was that I did not know where I was nor could I see where the road even had an end. The cheap gas station coffee was starting to wear off and the pep talks could no longer motivate me. The words of encouragement quickly transitioned into self deprecating quips of "I can not fucking do this!"

I was too far from home to turn back now and hearing a lecture from my dad despite being well beyond the ages of even receiving one, certainly would not stop him from scolding at my absence. I am more than certain that fiancée number three would not mind if I missed their prenuptial celebration. Especially if arriving on time meant I would be showing up dismembered. It was official I was going to die in this storm.

All of sudden like I called upon a bad omen my tiny Kia Forte jerked forward. I thought I accidentally stomped on the gas pedal too hard without realizing it. When it happened again I knew exactly what it was. Clearly the driver had mistaken this for a game of bumper cars. I laid the palm of my hand on the center of my steering wheel and relentlessly pressed my horn. Not sure what that was going to necessarily ward off , but I had to try something in the efforts that they would leave me alone.

Cooper's head shot up from his bed in the backseat. He looked just as displeased and annoyed as I felt. Why wouldn't they slow down? Is the question I could not figure out. I don't know if it was all the Stephen King that I read, but my paranoia was increasing as I started to settle on the possibility that they were now following me.

Maybe I was tired?

Maybe my imagination truly was getting the best of me?

Or maybe whoever that person was also suddenly decided to take the same random exit as I was taking.

I didn't think. I veered my car off to the right and got on the first breakaway from this seemingly endless road. I had no idea where I was headed at this point and neither did my Garmin. It made multiple attempts to reroute itself, but even that could not locate where I was. I took an unexpected detour by driving off into the middle of nowhere with a now stalker in my midsts.

Adrenaline now filling up my bloodstream. I gave my steering wheel the death grip and drove as fast as the tire tracks of my car would guide me. On a midsize billboard to my left I saw a logo for a gas station and a non franchised bed & breakfast saying it was right up the road. I was taking a chance by trusting that the establishment was clean and safe. I just needed to go where a crowd of people would be. The battery on my phone was likely dead and yes this was now becoming the opening sequence for a King novel. I'd laugh if my heart wasn't fluttering as fast a hummingbird's wing.

I managed to make out lights ahead as I neared the petrol station first. However, it just about looked abandoned. The dim white lights flickered around the desolate parking lot. I saw only two freight trucks parked side by side and I immediately thought

. . .hell no.

I kept driving forward in the hopes that the bed and breakfast sign wasn't last updated in the early nineties. I nearly combusted from relief when I finally saw it. Several cars and mini vans lined up with people inside of them probably doing the same thing that I was. I didn't plan on staying the night I just planned on staying long enough to hide out from the rain and from the trouble that still followed my trails.

Luckily there were free parking spaces close to the entrance. It was still hard to make out what the place truly looked like. From my view in the car the rain made it look like it was a melting oil painting. In a swift motion I put my car in park, turned my ignition off, reached in the back to grab Cooper and grabbed ahold of my purse in the other arm. I bolted out of my car for the door.

It felt as though I was running through a hurricane. I was completely drenched. I could barely keep my eyes from closing as I ran up the slippery steps in my worn Toms praying that I wouldn't eat concrete. There was an awning over the door that offered relief from the storm's cruel embrace . Looking down at the fuzzy brown welcome mat I noticed a quote was scribbled out on it.

"some beautiful paths

can't be discovered without getting lost."

As I reached for the doorknob I couldn't help but notice the intricate design. I'm aware of how wrong the timing was to fawn over something so utterly mundane. I just could not conceal the fact that I was a sucker for antiques roadshow and architectural designing. Growing up with a dad that built and reconstructed vintage furniture one might pick up on the interest. It was a white privacy doorknob with hand painted roses, with a Victorian long plated silver keyhole. The sound of distant car door slamming snapped me out of my daze. I turned my head in the direction of the sound low and behold it was that same car. Crazy thing is I didn't see anyone by it.

Instinct guided me forward considering my brain was scrambling with worry. I ushered myself inside and it was as though I fell into a pink wonderland. From the pink carpet to the multicolored pink pinstripe wallpaper. Hot pink roses seemed to have been the main theme for the lobby. There were various black and silver picture frames with photos of pink roses hanging on every wall. On every surface my eyes could catch, red and pink plastic roses sat in circular olive green vases. It was certainly....something. I thought I was doing the most logical thing by coming inside, but it quickly dawned on me that I saw no one around.

"Hello?" I cautiously called out.

I paced myself as I walked up to the front desk, simultaneously looking around for any potential red flags. My right arm was going numb, my little guy was tiny but felt like I was lugging around a sack of potatoes. I wandered away from the desk to poke my head around the place. There was a entry way that led to a dinning area with a handful of seats adorned with of course pink table settings. I was standing next to a spiral staircase to what I assumed led to the rooms. There was only one door that held a sign for a bathroom. Perhaps there was a power outlet I could use long enough to charge my phone to call my dad.

The same door I walked in swung open and droplets of rain was blown in by the wind. A shiver rolled down my spine, sending a myriad of sparks that shot through my body. Turning around a strange sensation filled the pits of my stomach. It felt like butterflies and moths had taken up space there. Excitement and fear. I just stood completely mute like I had never seen a man before. Well to my defense I hadn't seen ones that look like him in my town. Without even seeing my reflection I had an inkling as to the state of my appearance. I was utterly perplexed by how he pulled off the kissed by an ocean look. To embarrass myself further of course my dog chose that moment to shake water off of his fur on to me.

"Really Coop?" I tried to hide my disgust, but he got it around the corner of my mouth! The good looking stranger offered a half smile that probably pitied my overall state.

"Is the black Kia parked out yours?" Even his voiced oozed sex appeal. He angled his frame so he could face me. There was about an arm length of distance between us. His eyes practically bore into my face I suppose waiting for me to say something. Must have been the buzzcut, the facial scuff, or the fact that some creep was still parked outside waiting to do who knows what. But my thoughts were not where they should have been.

I blinked and straightened up my posture. "Yeah why?" I finally answered.

It was a causal question, yet it felt completely random like there was something else to it.Neither of us spoke for a few seconds.The silence was so thick it would take a hacksaw to cut through.

"Well I'll be damned! I didn't think I would get to see you until after you got back from your trip in California." A woman most likely in her late sixties came rushing down the stairs for him. She draped her arms around his body clearly taking him by surprise. Her cotton candy colored pink bouffant made up for most of her height. Sebastian returned her embrace. Although it looked extremely awkward considering he stared at me the whole time and I stood there watching.

"Moe's old truck didn't give you too much trouble did it?" She asked.

"No it still got some life left in it." Sebastian's jaw went slack and he looked from her to me once more. Only this time he was looking at me with a cold glare. Realization suddenly crashed into me like a wild horse.

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ao3feed-danganronpa · 3 years ago

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Camp Camp: The Danganronpa AU

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/slm5GFu

by Demima286

If you are looking for a danganronpa- like story but set in the Camp Camp universe (yep, that means no Junko) then this is the story for you.

->As of 22/4 I haven't finished writing the prologue, but based on my current rythym it should be done by the end of May, though I make no promises (sorry folks, exams are coming up. I am open to questions though :D

Words: 239, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Camp Camp (Web Series), Dangan Ronpa - All Media Types

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death

Categories: Gen

Characters: Max (Camp Camp), Science Camp Neil (Camp Camp), Space Kid | Neil Armstrong Jr., Nikki (Camp Camp), Nerris (Camp Camp), Preston Goodplay, Harrison (Camp Camp), Ered Miller, Nurf Nurfington, Dolph Houston, Sasha (Camp Camp), Erin (Camp Camp), Flower Scouts (Camp Camp), Edward Pikeman, Billy "Snake" Nikssilp, Stephen van Petrol, Tabii (Camp Camp), Wood Scouts (Camp Camp)

Additional Tags: Angst, Other Additional Tags to Be Added

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/slm5GFu

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #dangan ronpa #danganronpa #dr

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hatescout · 4 years ago

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WHERE TO FIND TURTLE! (as of 8/27/2020)

HATESCOUT: Edward pikeman from c/amp camp! High activity, recently went under a soft reboot. My most “consistent” blog if I’m honest

GLORYFORCED: Stephen Van Petrol from c/amp camp. Medium activity, my newest blog.

SIDEXEYED: Erin from c/amp camp! soft indefinite hiatus, low activity. I plan to come back to erin eventually i swear.

CANDYVIPER: Billy niksslip from c/amp camp (wow how varianted) side blog to both @Hatescout and @gloryforced , low activity,

GWENDROPS: Gwen from c/amp camp. hiatus. low activity. Her blog remains up as an archive, if i ever decided to revisit her again!

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Inactive blogs:

SCOUTXSPLIT: Au based ws and fs multi. remains up as an archive, permanent hiatus.

SPITEXWIRED: headcanon based neil from c/amp camp. Archived. (my first ever “proper” muse in the cc rpc)

THEULTRALORD: Joke dual muse for xemug and the octopus from c/amp camp. deactivated. dead muses.

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Coming soon:

TRAITORSHONOR: possibly moving snake to his own blog, if my muse ever comes back for him.

?????????: oh, you know...

#(ooc) 🧭 out of badges 🧭#long post #if any of you were curious!#and looking back. wow i only have one type of muse i play huh #it's ' obscure/underrated canon characters ' apparently #timestamp

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odinson2477 · 5 years ago

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Chapters: 18/18 Fandom: Camp Camp (Web Series), Destiny (Video Games), Assassins Creed Odyssey Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Relationships: Daniel/chrysis Characters: Max (Camp Camp), David (Camp Camp), Nurf Nurfington, Gwen (Camp Camp), Nerris (Camp Camp), Harrison (Camp Camp), Space Kid (Camp Camp), Quartermaster (Camp Camp), The Drifter (Destiny), Chrysis (Assassin’s Creed), Daniel (Camp Camp), Neil (Camp Camp), Nikki (Camp Camp), Zavala (Destiny), Cayde-6 (Destiny), Preston Goodplay, Cameron Campbell (Camp Camp), Edward Pikeman, Billy “Snake” Nikssilp, Stephen van Petrol, Sasha (Camp Camp), Erid, Mr. Honeynuts (Camp Camp), Ana Bray, Ikora Rey, Jasper (Camp Camp), Saint-14 (Destiny), Osiris (Destiny) Additional Tags: my own characters - Freeform, Swearing, Polytheism, The greek gods exist in this, Everyone is a guardian so don’t worry, Don’t Like Don’t Read, dadvid, Past Child Abuse, Adult/kid shippers stay away or I’ll beat you Series: Part 1 of Camp camp The Fallen Son au Summary:

There was one boy that could instill fear into anyone he met, there was no one who he could not break, he was known as a godslayer, the boy who ruled the cult of kosmos, the one who wouldn’t trust even the gods themselves, he had a hundred titles no one else can recall, except for one last one that everyone knew…The Fallen Son

(Takes place after red war, curse of osiris and warmind)

#camp camp #destiny 2 #assassins creed odyssey #fanfic #this is my first one #fluff #angst #my ocs

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camp-campus-universe · 6 years ago

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Camp Campus AU: Part 2

Finally! It’s here, after like a week! This took longer than I thought it would, these characters are really hard to draw but I think I’m pretty satisfied with what I have right now. Since I finished this, that also means I dedicate more time to asks, specifically those that requests drawings! That also means I can focus on drawing comics and stuff revolving around their relationships, which I’m excited. I’m really excited to continue with this project and see it grow, and I’m so glad you’re all here to see it with me! You have no idea how grateful I am for all of the love that you’ve all sent so far! Thank you so much. Anyway, without further ado, here we go!

Maxwell/Max : Like many of his peers, Max hasn’t changed much since his time at Camp Campbell. Max is still as vulgar as ever and maintains his pessimistic outlook on life. However, many people think its all just an act now to keep up his reputation. Since Camp Campbell, Max’s life has honestly taken a turn for the better. He has a healthier home life, loyal companions, and Mr. Honeynuts. He is generally happier than he was 7 years prior. The only inner conflict Max truly struggles with now are his budding feelings for his best friend and whether or not he wants to jeopardize their friendship. Also Max is often teased for his “baby” hands, they’re really really small.

Cornelius/Neil : Intelligent, cocky, and overly sarcastic, Neil plays the role of the parent when it comes to handling Nikki and Max. Unlike his friends, Neil was the only one who matured both physically and mentally and feels as if its his job to make sure Nikki and Max don’t wind up killing someone else or themselves. As mentioned before, Neil and Nikki remained close even after each summer brought an end to their Camp Campbell experience. The reason being his dad and Nikki’s mom eloping and combining the families. While Nikki is eager to invite Neil into her life as the older brother she never had, Neil harbors a sort of resentment towards his dad as a result of his parents’ divorce. Although he is glad to spend time with Nikki as well, Neil is still consciously struggling with his parents’ divorce and can’t help but to think that Candy is a homewrecker, even though he had admitted before that his parents’ relationship was awful. Outside of his home life, Neil can be a bit stuck-up and act like a know-it-all at times. He still harbors a deep loathing for Harrison, now mostly because Harrison claims to be a flat-earther. He’s also still incredibly annoyed by Space Kid, although he has no reason to be. Neil also runs a tutoring business at school in order to make a profit, but unfortunately for him (Or maybe fortunately) Tabii’s his only reoccurring customer. Neil is also Erin’s vice president in the Student Council and they seem to make a great team. He also has custom-made glasses because his nose is so fucking big.

Preston Goodplay : Preston is the stereotypical school thespian. Like at Camp Campbell, he’s outrageous and posses a larger than life attitude. He’s both over-dramatic and overemotional, but refuses to take any form of criticism. Preston is often cast as a main role in any school production and even takes it upon himself to critique his underclassmen in the drama department. Despite coming off as a total wacko, Preston is very talented and each performance that he gives is full of energy. Preston is very particular about his passion and is quick to anger if things don’t go his way. Preston acknowledges his relationship with his of his Camp Campbell peers, but doesn’t really willingly share his interest with any of them because of his fear that they might fuck it all up. However, he and Nikki do bond over some musicals that they both enjoy, although Nikki is usually more interested in the violent parts than the actual plot.

Rudolph “Dolph” Houston : Dolph is the youngest of the cast and the only underclassmen in their friend group. Dolph continues to remain in high spirits and prefers to think positively than reflect upon the negative when faced with difficult situations. After High school, Dolph plans on attending a local Art College in order to truly embrace his career as a professional artist. Growing older, Dolph, like any other boy, went through puberty and grew facial hair. However, he ended up accidentally shaving it in an incident at Camp Campbell one summer and it never grew up correctly after that. Although an innocent mistake, the uncanny resemblance to Hitler disgusts Neil and causes him to keep his distance. Ironically being the youngest of the group, Dolph is a good friend with sole senior Ered. Dolph, like Nikki, has a great admiration for Ered and respects for activism. Using his artistic talent, Dolph often agrees to make protest signs for Ered or even help her vandalize the town to get a message across. Overall, Dolph is the same sweet boy he was years ago.

Neil Armstrong Jr./Space Kid : Space Kid is just as optimistic and upbeat as he was before. However, he’s also gotten a lot smarter. Inspired by his great grandfather, Neil Armstrong, Space Kid decided to take up an internship at NASA and since then has put a lot of focus on his grades. Much to Neil’s annoyance, Space Kid’s GPA is practically the same as his, which is impressive. Although, the constant work has taken a toll on him and has made him absolutely exhausted. His exhaustion explains why he comes to school dressed comfortably in pajama pants (NASA merch of course TM) everyday. But regardless of overworking himself, Space Kid still tries his best to put on a happy face for his colleagues, even if they don’t appreciate it.

Harrison : Exerting the same confidence and pride as before while still upholding his magical title, Harrison is the school’s sole illusionist. Although now his tricks aren’t seen as that impressive anymore among his peers, Harrison often attends parties and other small events and shows off his miraculous talent. He hopes that one day he’ll be discovered and whisked away to a life of fame and fortune. Harrison is kind to practically everyone he meets, but his rivalries with Neil and Nerris remain very alive. As a way to annoy Neil, Harrison often lies and says that he’s a Flat-Earther with no intention of listening to Neil’s explanation as to why the Earth is round. Harrison also rivals Nerris not only in magical skills, but also in opinions. As a die hard Harry Potter fan, Nerris had solely read the books and reluctantly turned to the films but found them to be distasteful. However, Harrison had never read the books and enjoyed the effects that the movies had, claiming that they’re superior. And by saying this, the two renew their fierce opposition to each other, but no one can stay mad at each other forever. Having a mostly positive attitude, many might not believe that Harrison actually has a secret, one that lies beneath his iconic white gloves. But it’s too soon to know for sure what it is yet.

Gaylord “Nurf” Nurfington : Nurf ended up growing into a model citizen. After many anger management classes and corrective punishment, Nurf has finally turned his life around in the right direction. He and his mom currently live together and support each other, trying to rewrite their bad decisions from the past. Nurf often participates in volunteer work as well as lead a therapy group. He has also experiemnted more with his own identity and is comfortable admitting that he is in fact Bisexual. Nurf is also Quarterback for the school’s team and is known as one of their best players, alongside Nikki. Even though he is on his way to becoming an ideal person, Nurf still displays some aggressive tendencies and is very overprotective of his friends from Camp Campbell.

The Wood Scouts (Billy “Snake” Nikssilp/Edward Pikeman/Jermy Fartz/Stephen van Petrol) : The Wood Scouts don’t play a particularly large role in this AU, but they still exist in this universe. Edward’s leader status has deteriorated in the group and has become co-dependent on Jermy and his newfound popularity. Jermy had gotten a major glow-up over the last Summer and is now considered to be the hottest guy attending the school. Because of his popularity, Edward now clings to Jermy in a one-sided friendship and uses his popularity as a way to elevate his own confidence (he wants clouts lmao).Snake and Petrol have both noticed this behavior from Edward and are disgusted by his attachment to Jermy. Edward often neglects his friendship with the two and refuses to associate with them. Snake still has a small crush on Tabii, but understands that she is completely invested in Neil and wants what’s best for her. Petrol plans to enroll in the military after graduation. He also struggles to find shirts that fit him.

David & Gwen : Here they are! In all of their glory! Unfortunately this time around, David and Gwen don’t play as large of a role in the campers’ lives, but are still actively present in this AU. Summers back, David had fully encouraged Gwen to leave Camp Campbell in search for other job opportunities in the hopes of making her a happier person. With some persuading, she eventually left and the two had little contact with each other since. Since then, David has been running the camp by himself. Now David is the proud father of one. And that one is Max. David had officially adopted Max a few summers ago to help him out of his bad family situation and now lives his life as a proud suburban dad. David then started to rely on Max to help him co-counsel the Camp during the summer, because he though it’d be a great father/son bonding experience and the rest is history. When he’s not a happy-go-lucky camp counselor during the summer, David spends the rest of his time as a Dental Assistant because he loves nothing more than to see people smile. Gwen, however, didn’t find the happiness she thought she would after leaving Camp Campbell. Searching for jobs endlessly, Gwen eventually was hired as a high school guidance counselor but was fired months after because of a incident where she made a student cry hysterically. Gwen was then stripped of her title and sentenced to a secretary position. Although thankful she still has a job, Gwen is as miserable as ever and has to deal with the kids she once knew from Camp Campbell. Most of her time is spent with Max, purely because he’s given a detention every other day, and she couldn’t hate her life more. Hopefully one day Gwen will find the fortune she deserves.

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jeremystrele · 3 years ago

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Dulux Reveals The Colours Of 2022

Interiors

by Amelia Barnes

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Restore palette. Walls & ceiling paint colour: Dulux Winter Terrace. From left: Humphrey Cloud Occasional Chair, Globe West; Piazza Modica, Halcyon Lake; Drum Ottoman, Grazia and Co; Dórica Floor Lamp by Jordi Miralbell and Mariona Rabentós, Ajar, Morocco Sofa, Globe West; (On sofa) Velvet ribbon stitch cushion, Zuster, Boucle Cushion, Trit; Sophora Cushion, Penney and Bennett; Slab Coffee Table, Trit; Travertine Tray, Fenton and Fenton; Dual Vase by Kristina Dam, In Good Company; (On wall) Plaster Wall Sculptures, Kelly Larkin. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Restore palette. Wall paint colour: Dulux Rice Crop. Joinery paint colour: Dulux Finnegan. From left: The Myron table by John Bastiras, In Good Company; (on table) Shinki Sculpture by Makiko Ryujin, Craft Vic; Constructed Mug by Stephen Bailey, Kaolin; Esse Chair by Pianca, Collective; (on joinery) Oval Scallop Vase by Bzippy, Jardan, Mantiquiera by Tacchini in black, Stylecraft; Black Tall Vase, Modern Times; (on shelf) Mantiquiera by Tacchini in natural, Stylecraft; “Shadows Danced” Original Artwork by Irene Grishin-Selzer, Modern Times; Handbuilt Loop 2 in pebble, Deborah Sweeney. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Restore palette. Paint colours: Dulux Opononi Double and Black Caviar. From left: Baxter Calix Side Table, Space Furniture; Helga in Stoneware by Katarina Wells, Modern Times; Big Roky Leaning Mirror, En Gold; Juelp Lounge by Tacchini, Stylecraft; Bowie Round Cushion, Jardan; Ceto Floor Lamp, Ross Gardam; Morroccan Casablanca rug, Halcyon Lake; Marais Burnt Teak Table, Coco Republic; (on coffee table) Turned Timber Bowl by Makiko Ryujin, Craft Vic; Small Warm Grey Textured Bowl by Stephen Bailey, Kaolin; Wavy Travertine Tray, En Gold; Slow Sand Sculpture by Karlien Van Rooyen & Jarrah Pitcher Sculpture, Modern Times; “Night 1”. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Restore palette. Paint colours: Dulux Opononi Double and Black Caviar. From left: Baxter Calix Side Table, Space Furniture; Helga in Stoneware by Katarina Wells, Modern Times; Big Roky Leaning Mirror, En Gold; Juelp Lounge by Tacchini, Stylecraft; Bowie Round Cushion, Jardan; Ceto Floor Lamp, Ross Gardam; Morroccan Casablanca rug, Halcyon Lake; Marais Burnt Teak Table, Coco Republic; (on coffee table) Turned Timber Bowl by Makiko Ryujin, Craft Vic; Small Warm Grey Textured Bowl by Stephen Bailey, Kaolin; Wavy Travertine Tray, En Gold; Slow Sand Sculpture by Karlien Van Rooyen & Jarrah Pitcher Sculpture, Modern Times; “Night 1” Original Artwork by Phoebe Halpin, Studio Gallery; Fluffy Lounge Chair by Eikund, Stylecraft; Baxter Greta Special Edition Printed Armchair by Draga & Aurel, Space Furniture. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Restore palette. Wall Front paint colour: Dulux Tranquil Retreat. Wall back paint colour: Dulux Ferry. From left: Linen Bedding set in Forest & sheet in Charcoal, Cultiver; Ceremony Small Cushion, Penney & Bennett; Bespoke lamp 35, Deborah Sweeney; Offset Side Table by Resident in black, District; Bedhead, Homeowners. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Restore palette. Paint colours: Dulux Stowe White and New Penny. From left: “Blushing Movements” Original Artwork by Felicity Lea; Daisy Chair Smokey, En Gold; Waka round dining table, Tide Design; Large Stone Platter by Dinosaur Designs, Jardan; Vessels in Duramax Natural Flora; (On wall) Selene Wall Light in Ash, Marz Design; (At back) Humphrey Cloud Occasional Chair, Globe West. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

The Dulux Colour Forecast is back for 2022 with three inspiring palettes set to dominate our homes in the years to come.

Underpinning the forecast this year is inevitably the ongoing pandemic. As we gradually emerge from another difficult year, we look to find a more positive meaning in all we have endured.

‘Living through a pandemic has made us feel even more connected to our homes,’ says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour and communication manager. ‘When it comes to future trends, comfort is key. We want our living spaces to calm and nurture us, so we can process everything we’ve experienced over the last year, and at the same time, help us rediscover our zest for life looking forward.’

Dulux’s research of the current landscape has resulted in the following exciting palettes, ranging from warm tones, to deep decadent hues, and joyful nature-inspired pastels.

Restore

Having spent so much time on our devices over the past 18 months, many are yearning for tactile experiences and a connection with loved ones. Time spent in nature is also a key desire, inspiring an uptake in natural fibres and materials such as raw timber, unstructured linen and textured stone.

The Restore palette consists of gentle, earth-based neutrals alongside more rugged, natural tones; buttercream, pumice, deep blue, clay, rich forest green, moss and charcoal-purple. These colours recede and do not demand attention, instead soothing our senses and providing a reassuring backdrop to readjust to constant change.

‘This palette is inspired by our innate need for authentic connection and experience,” says Andrea. ‘Interiors have become our cocoon and a place where we can practice wellness and self-care rituals. We’re choosing less, however, focusing on more quality items that last and provide comfort above all else.’

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Flourish palette. Wall front paint colour: Dulux Clay Pipe Half, Wall back paint colour: Dulux Discretion. Trims & ceiling paint colour: White Dune Quarter. From Left: “Divine Melon” Original Artwork by Nicole Nelius and “Wild Flower” Original Artwork by Llewellyn Skye, Fenton and Fenton; Florence Console, Trit House; Assorted books, Stylist; Black Goblet vessel, Lightly for Bunnings; Avalon Ceramic Vase in maroon by Grey Natale, Zuster; Diiva Dining Chair, Grazia and Co; Rosetta Oval Table, En Gold; Flow Scalloped Black Mirrored Tray, Zuster; Large Arc Vase in wild berry, Deborah Sweeney; Vase in Duramax Discretion; Custom Vase, Formantics; Rug & Pendant, Homeowners. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Flourish palette. Wall paint colour: Dulux Basic Coral. Trims paint colour: Dulux White Dune Quarter. From left: Side Table in Duramax Discretion; Stardust Lamp, Figgoscope; Essence Burner Brass, Lightly; White raku & gold link vessel, Jardan; Poppy Bedhead in Ellison Garnet Velvet, Heatherly; Haze in Rosette Quilt and Cushion, Linen House; Dune Blanket, Makers’ Mrkt; Brick Velvet Cushion, Bonnie and Neil; Lobster Roll Bolster, Kip and Co. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Flourish palette. Cabinet paint colour” Dulux Dark Door. Wall paint colour: Dulux Deep Leather. Above fireplace paint colour; Dulux Bongo Drum. From left: Baxter Gemma Chair by Draga and Aurel, Space Furniture; Dining Table, Homeowner; “In Dreams” Original Photograph by Lilli Waters, Modern Times; Vase in Dulux Benang & Gold Vintage Gold Effect, Stylist; Balance 03 object, Lightly; (On mantel) Water Tower VII by Kenny Yong-Soo Son, Modern Times; Balance 01 incense holder, Lightly; Mirror, Homeowner. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Flourish palette. Walls & trim paint colour: Dulux Dark Door. Ceiling paint colour: Dulux Benang. Inside arch detail paint colour: Dulux Red Terra. From left: Puffalo Sofa, Didier; Red Cushion, Domo; Soda Side Table, James Richardson Furniture; Book, Stylist; Cakebread pile high club cushion, Fenton and Fenton; Black and White Cushion, Didier; “Vase #1” Original Artwork by Jai Vasicek, Fenton and Fenton; Chromatic Petrol Rug, Halcyon Lake; Black puddle Coffee Table by Massproductions, District; (On coffee table) Pi-dou vases by Tacchini, Stylecraft; Carter Acrylic Bowl by Greg Natale, Zuster; 15:3 Large Table Lamp by Nicole Lawrence, Modern Times; Soda Side Table, James Richardson Furniture; SKLO Crescent Vessel 1 – Plum-Copper & Ruby, Jardan; Up Series Armchair by B&B Italia, Space Furniture. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Flourish palette. Walls & trim paint colour: Dulux Kenepuru. Chimney breast paint colour: Dulux Gold Vintage Gold Effect. Ceiling paint colour: White Dune Quarter. From left: Sino Marble Side Table, Trit House; Archer Metal Table Lamp, Coco Republic; Blue Glass vase, Stylist; Bonnie Settee by Ligne Roset, Domo; Velvet Cushion in Oxford, Fenton and Fenton; Muse Rug, Tsar; Wild Agate Quartz Coffee Table, Fenton and Fenton; Assorted Books, Stylist; Greg Natale Candle & Gold Vessel, Zuster; Oh My Mini Sculpture in Blue, Makers’ Mrkt; (On mantel) Glass Vase, Stylist; Small and Tall candle holder by Studio AC-S, Modern Times; “Kimono” Limited Edition Print by Jai Vasicek, Fenton and Fenton. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Flourish

Breaking away from the past brings with a sense of liberation, awakening a desire to live more boldly, travel further, and experience everything life has to offer. The vibrant Flourish palette speaks to sentiment, influenced by a newfound sense of adventure and passion for life.

Encompassed in this rich, sensual palette are hues that instil a feeling of warmth and intimacy including petrol blue, desert red and dusty rose alongside warm neutrals and a pop of vintage gold. Interiors are layered, expressive and unapologetically individual, encompassing decadent fabrics such as velvet, silk and natural leather.

‘It’s a look for those who want to rewrite design rules,’ says Andrea. ‘As we move towards more freedoms, these colours enrich our feelings of empowerment and spark our imagination. With this comes unrestricted expression, inclusivity and a celebration of the diversity in our community.’

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Wonder palette. Wall paint colour: Dulux Edvard. Trims & ceiling paint colour: Dulux Vivid White™. From Left: Pot in Vivid White ™ & Sassy, Stylist; Mani 7 Rug, Halcyon Lake; Felix Sofa, Arthur G; Cushion Kelly Wearstler District col Apricot, Arthur G; Green Checked Cushion, Jolie Laide; Zulta cushion with green dots, Fenton and Fenton; Small Checkers Cushion in Wheat, Bonnie and Neil; 9602 Floor Lamp by Gubi, In Good Company; (On shelf top) Blue Abomination vase, Markers’ Mrkt; Bubbles Opaque pink Limited Edition vase, Jolie Laide; “Aeonium In A Posy With Kangaroo Paw and Paper Daisy” Original artwork by Dominka Keller, Forman Art and Framing; Sunrise Lamp, Makers’ Mrkt; (On bottom) Assorted Books & Yellow Medium Rock bowl by Dinosaur Designs, Jardan; Coffee table, Stylist; (On coffee table) Assorted Books, Stylist; Pink and Orange Tiki Cup by Ryan L Foote, Craft Vic; (On wall) ” Lemons On A Pink Table” Original Artwork by Helen Mccullagh, Forman Art and Framing, “Green & Purple Freedom” Original Artwork by Brigita La, Modern Times; Basket in fireplace in Dulux Duramax pax; Jay Chair in Kelly Wearstler District col Apricot & Kvadrat Phlox Cushion, Arthur G; Terracotta Side Table, Bonnie and Neil; Side table in Dulux Duramax Plunder; Vessel in Duramax Pax; Fleece Vase, Jolie Laide. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Wonder palette. Wall paint colour: Dulux Sandpaper. Ceiling and trim paint colour: Dulux Vivid White™. From left: “White Waratah” Original Artwork by Cat Maddy, Forman Art and Framing; Bat Chair Conic Base by Gubi, In Good Company; Electric Rug in Sorbet; Jenny Jones Rugs; Table, stylist; Shell Vase, In Good Company; Landscape Sculpture, Deborah Sweeney; Random Pendant, Lights Lights Lights; Glassware, Stylist. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Wonder palette. Wall paint colour: Dulux Pinkham. Stripes paint colour: Dulux Equatorial Forest. Trim and ceiling paint colour: Dulux Vivid White™. From Left: Anges Lavender Cushion, Jolie Laide; Sequence Round Dining Table in Pale Eucalypt, Coco Flip; Foli Stool, Lauren Lea Haynes; Vanilla Vase, En Gold; Mino Vase Orange by Abs Objects, Makers’ Mrkt; Double Lumera by Kerryn Levy, Modern Times; Yellow carafe & Smooth Cup, Monmouth Glass Studio; “Afternoon sun on the wildflowers” Original Artwork by Mandy Francis, Studio Gallery; Cushions, stylist. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Dulux Colour Forecast 2022 – Wonder palette. Paint colour: Dulux Pax. From left: Camaleonda Sofa by B&B Italia, Space Furniture; 156 multi rug, Hali; Porter Side Table, Grazia and Co; Time Warp Bowl in green, Makers’ Mrkt; Daylight Lamp, Dean Norton; Porter Side Table, Grazia and Co; Celtic Vessel by Alice Gavalet, Jardan; Desert Pea Chair, Lauren Lea Haynes; Anna Spiro Cushion in Tattie Tartan, Fenton and Fenton; “Empty Wishes” Original Artwork By Gabrielle Jones, Studio Gallery; Smooth shelf in Dulux Duralloy Wedgewood, Nicole Lawerence; (On shelf top) W&S chubby vase soft yellow, Makers’ Mrkt; (On shelf middle) Pink Moment by Ebony Russell, Modern Times; Books, Stylist; Kandle in Pink, Makers’ Mrkt; (On shelf bottom) Vessel by Tessy King,Craft Vic. Photography – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech

Wonder

Wonder is a palette of unbridled joy featuring light pastels and playful, summery hues such as cornflower blue, lilac, lemon, green quartz and rose gold. Together, these shades evoke a cheerful and optimistic feel with a strikingly clear message: better days lie ahead.

Surprising combinations highlight the whimsical nature of this look; think quaint florals with eclectic colours, or checks paired with sleek, contemporary furniture.

For bedrooms, Andrea recommends a deep and decadent tone from the Flourish palette, such as Dulux Deep Leather or Dark Door. For the workspace, look to the fresh and energising tones such as Dulux Harmonious or Celery Green, or update your front door with Dulux Edvard, Pink Papaya and Oboe D’Amore.

‘Adding one or more colours from the Forecast palettes – whether it’s with paint or accessories – is a great way to bring your home up to date, as well as creating that positive change in your surroundings so many of us crave right now,’ says Andrea. ‘Once you live with colour and experience the connection and emotion it creates, you’ll never return to a blank canvas.’

See all shades in Dulux’s 2022 Colour Forecast here.

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normalforglastonbury · 6 years ago

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A Tranquil Oasis in the Heart of the Somerset Countryside.

James and Tara White got in touch to ask me to write about Old Oaks Touring and Glamping Park. I was curious, although the Park is at the foot of the Tor and less than 2.5 miles from Glastonbury Town centre, I had never visited.

While Old Oaks wasn’t quite what I expected, having only experienced ‘glamping’ in a festival context and is certainly not what I’d think of as ‘Normal for Glastonbury’, I was to discover that those things are precisely what recommends it to thousands of visitors, who enjoy its tranquil surroundings and luxurious accommodation. Plus, it’s one of the most eco-friendly businesses in town, driven by James’s obvious passion for biodiversity, wildlife and the natural environment.

I asked James and Tara what they wanted from a post about Old Oaks, they knew that I don’t write straightforward advertorials for the blog, but I am interested in sharing pieces about people’s relationship with Glastonbury Town. It quickly became apparent that their main aim is to forge closer ties with businesses and creative people in Glastonbury. James said “We’ve got customers here, we want to maximise the benefit for the whole local economy”

A Short History of Old Oaks Touring Park

One of the Cedar Lodges at Old Oaks

James’s family have been in the area for “7 or 8 generations”. His grandad bought the 90 acre farm in 1918, and his mum and dad started the park in 1981, with pitches for just 5 vans. In 1987 they were granted a license for 40 pitches. It was a family park for 15 years, but children were often left unsupervised by their parents and would investigate the working farm, putting themselves in danger of falling in the slurry pit, or worse!

In view of this, and the lack of specific activities for children locally, it was decided to make the park a quiet, adults only site. At the same time, campervans and caravans were beginning to replace tents in popularity, so the grass camping pitches, which rapidly became muddy due to the heavy clay soil and frequent rain, were replaced with areas of hardstanding surrounded by generous swathes of lawn.

The Park covers 15 acres and has 100 pitches including 6 camping pods, 4 cedar lodges and 2 shepherd’s huts, with splendid views towards Wells Cathedral and the Mendip Hills. Nowadays, it is managed by James and Tara, although James’s Dad still helps out. James’s Mum and Dad still live next door and his brother Dan runs the farm, which supplies ethically reared beef and lamb to the likes of Stephens Butchers and the park’s own shop.

Years ago I’d heard grumbles from hippies in home-built campers that they’d had a less than friendly welcome from the owner (James’s Dad), so I was interested to discover how James, coming from such a long established local family, feels about the changes in the town.

He tells me that he and his brothers have grown up in (for want of a better word) ‘multicultural’ Glastonbury and he’s seen how many of the more ‘alternative’ in-comers have become part of the local economy. He praises Glastonbury’s wide choice of music, with gigs every night, the different coloured shops and the vibrancy of the town. He feels we don’t make enough of being a year-round destination, despite the fact that many people now take their holidays in every season, particularly loves the Frost Fair and thinks the Carnival should have activities going on all weekend, though he’s embarrassed by the town’s lacklustre Christmas decorations. He tells me their daughter loves Glastonbury and feels really lucky to have been bought up here.

I wonder what it was like for James growing up on a campsite, Tara tells me that when he was a young teenager, and the park still hosted families, he would inevitably check out the girl visitors of a similar age to him, but he’d also check their booking to see if they were staying around for long enough “to make it worth putting in the groundwork”. I can’t help thinking that this sort of forward planning put him in good stead to run a large and successful business. Nowadays James comes across as a very respectable, hardworking chap, but Tara also revealed that he was well known in his twenties, before he started working for the family business, for occasionally “getting naked in the Rifleman’s Arms”.

James and Tara outside one of the Cedar Lodges

In her twenties, Tara would visit her sister who’d already moved to Glastonbury. on most weekends, drinking in the Rifleman’s Arms and finding Glastonbury a refreshing change from ‘Conservative, straight, boring Sussex’, Eventually she realised she was spending most of her earnings as a PA on petrol to travel to and from the town, so decided to move here. She married James 13 years ago, but initially worked outside the family business, including a stint as a waitress in Nick Cottle’s ‘Monarch’ cafe, and then as a PA for Mendip District Council. She hadn’t wanted to get involved in the Park, but got pulled in after realising that PA work was ‘mind-numbingly boring’. She now loves her job, except for the endless paperwork, and shows clear delight in finding ways to offer guests unexpected special touches to make their stay more enjoyable.

James is the Head Gardener on site (as well as all his other jobs) and he proudly pointed out the razor-sharp neatness of the many hedges. I couldn’t help but ask if he was a Virgo, to which he replied: “It’s all a load of nonsense!”. He then had to admit that he is a Virgo and that I was the second person within a week to correctly guess his sun sign. Other people might attribute the success of the park to its being crossed by ley lines, but James leaves me in no doubt that, in his opinion, “there’s no such thing as leylines!” and besides, the park is clearly a product of many long hours of hard graft. Later, when I suggest that I am obviously more ‘cosmic’ than him he surprises me by revealing an interest in Chinese Medicine, because “it actually works!”

A Passion for Biodiversity

James and Tara take me for a walk around the site, the camping areas are in beautifully manicured gardens. I’m not keen on tamed nature as a rule, but there’s a great variety of shrubs, trees and flowers, and there’s a cider apple orchard at the centre of the park, it’s all rather lovely. James points out the plants that have been put in to benefit bees and birds as much as human visitors. Next, we walk through a field which James, true to his commitment to biodiversity and wildlife, is determined to turn into a wildflower meadow. He sowed it last year but wasn’t satisfied with the result, so he’ll be trying different plant varieties this time. Far be it for me to suggest that only a Virgo would demand perfection of a meadow.

Fisher-woman at Old Oaks Pond

There’s a lovely woodland walk through mature trees to the fishing pond, where several people sit quietly and happily casting their lines for tench, carp, roach and chub. Massed lily pads form circles in the centre of the pond, I imagine James wading in and nudging them into these perfect curves, Tara tells me they occurred naturally, but then mentions that James ‘tidies things up a bit’. Emerging from the calm stillness of the pond we come to the large chicken enclosure which provides the Park’s shop with fresh eggs, alongside the old apple orchard, kept to provide a home to wildlife.

Inevitably the subject of the planned bypass to the North of the Tor comes up. James told me he’s not concerned about the bypass affecting business, but he’s been walking the fields that the bypass would cross for his whole life and he’s horrified at the idea of this massive block of beautiful, unspoilt land being destroyed. He says “It will be a fox, badger, deer massacre!” He isn’t too worried, however, as the bypass has been talked about for his whole life, and nothing has happened yet.

You definitely can’t describe James as laid back, he’s clearly got tons of drive and energy and likes to see things done as well as possible. As he says “I don’t do mediocrity”. He’s particularly damning of the flower displays on Glastonbury’s roundabouts, with their single-use tulip bulbs and unimaginative bedding plants that are of no use to butterflies or bees, he has considered sponsoring a roundabout, as long as he gets to design the display with his choice of sustainable and bee friendly plants.

Keen to power the park with as much renewable energy as possible, James designed the beautiful and huge new shower block, with underfloor heating powered by renewable heat pump technology and a massive bank of solar water heaters on the roof. It may be super Green, but it’s also hotel quality. Unlike most campsites I’ve come across you’ll neither get splinters from bare wood or be looking at a whitewashed breezeblock wall while you wash, this place, like the rest of the park, is seriously plush. There are LED light mirror surrounds, hairdryers and high stools, I feel like I’ve wandered into an expensive hair stylist’s studio.

Sustainably powered shower block

Plush showers

Hotel quality facilities

A very hi-tech addition to the park is an emptying and cleaning station for chemical toilets, it’s the size and shape of a vending machine, but definitely doesn’t dispense chocolate bars. Campers drop their toilet cassette into a hatch and it is returned emptied, clean and topped up with eco-friendly toilet fluids. Unlike old-fashioned camping toilet chemicals, the waste can be processed on site, rather than having to be transported to the chemical waste treatment plant in Avonmouth. Their site sewage is processed through their on-site treatment system, before further treatment in the natural Victorian style reed bed system. The next plan is for a compost loo by the fishing lake.

Engaging with the Community and Local Businesses

A walk around the pond

Tara and James’s passion for sustainability doesn’t end with the Green initiatives in the park itself, they want to contribute to the financial sustainability of the town too. It grieves the couple that campsites are often seen as the ‘poor man’s B&B’ as they are supplying a 5-star service and know their visitors make a very significant contribution to the local economy. The average age of their customers is 55, they are towing £25k caravans, or paying equivalent rates to those charged by hotels to stay in the park’s glamping cabins and shepherd’s huts. These are not people packing their own sandwiches and looking for a cheap holiday. The glamping options are proving popular with younger couples looking for something luxurious but a bit different – proving the Old Oaks isn’t just for old folks.

They want to partner with as many local businesses as they can, they have lots of ideas for services that would be of benefit to their visitors. They’d love to work with someone offering bike hire and bike tours of the local area for instance. Tara runs a ‘Glastonbury Tours’ side business providing their campers with minibus transport to local events like the Glastonbury and Bridgwater Carnivals. the Extravaganza and Glastonbury Festival, as well as coaches for locals to events such as Pilton Party and West Fest. This creates a great opportunity for others to offer talks and walks to the campsite guests – like birdwatching on the Nature Reserves of the Avalon Marshes.

The Old Oaks Camping Shop

They often work with Mary from the Abbey Tea Rooms who makes the cakes they sell in their shop. On carnival night they book 3 coaches who ferry campers to and from the town (saving 100 cars from having to drive into and park in the town). Campers go to the Abbey Tea Rooms for a buffet and can stay and watch the carnival from there too.

Another of their initiatives is the ‘Good Food Club’ offering special deals at recommended local eateries to their campers. Also, rather than having their own restaurant on site they chose to partner up with local takeaways who deliver to the site, while I’m there a wood-fired pizza oven is being set up in the courtyard. Their modern and well-stocked shop sells essential supplies, camping goods and a wide variety of local produce – Orchard Pig ciders, Rose Farm preserves, meat from Steve the Butcher on the marketplace and beef, lamb and eggs from the family farm, White’s of Wick, you can’t get more local than that!.

Supporting Local Artists and Craftspeople

Anthony Rogers Sculpture

Local carpenter John Tucker made their first wooden glamping pods, with all the materials being locally sourced. When they found out an old oak tree on the drive was diseased and would have to be cut down they called in Anthony Rogers from Frome to carve it into a beautiful organic, spiralling form.

The first thing you see when you enter the park’s shop is a photograph of the Tor taken by Kev Pearson on two walls and Phil Holly’s locally made stained glass is for sale here too – check out his website Lost in Glass. The shop will soon be stocking Tara’s sister Donna’s beautiful ceramics.

Elsewhere on site, faced with what was a hideous concrete block wall, they commissioned local artist Jon Minshull to paint a huge mural of a Somerset landscape, featuring the Tor and an abundance of local wildlife. I’m blown away by it, it’s spectacular.

Jon also painted the mural on the wall of the Glastonbury Experience Courtyard alleyway, it features Tara’s sister’s naked bottom, painted slightly larger than life.

A Tranquil Retreat in Nature

Walking to the Tor from the Old Oaks

So who stays at the Old Oaks Touring Park? It’s popular with visitors who appreciate quiet, it’s part of ‘Tranquil Parks’, there are no big events, no screaming children and no big groups (as “even the Goddesses make loads of noise”). They don’t offer one night stays before or after Glastonbury festival, as before the event festival goers are hyped up and overexcited, while afterwards they are really just looking for somewhere to wash off the mud. As they explain “it’s not snobbery, it’s just business” they are giving their guests what they want – luxury facilities, glamping and peace and quiet in nature. They must be doing a lot right as they are the overall winners of the AA Campsite of the Year for England 2018 award.

Interior of an Old Oaks Shepherd’s Hut

The facilities are a far cry from my experience of campsites. The glamping options – shepherd’s huts, lodges and cabins, are quirky but luxurious, two even offer a tastefully screened wood-fired outdoor hot tub. The cedar lodges are beautiful and offer wonderful views, plus all that cedarwood smells amazing. For those whose accommodation doesn’t include fitted bathrooms, the park’s original shower block has been refurbished to create individual shower and changing rooms, so you won’t have an audience when you are hoiking your knickers up.

Unusually everything really is as immaculate as the photos in the brochure. I can’t imagine the amount of work that it takes to keep everything so spotlessly clean, tidy and well maintained, an army of elves with invisible brooms is the only logical explanation. Or it could be down to the hard work of the 6 wardens who work in pairs, the 3 cleaners and the apprentice gardener, altogether a staff of ten, plus James and Tara.

Doggie Shower

Tara tells me that the park is very popular with people who want to take their canine friends on holiday. It’s very dog-friendly, with a dog walking area and a fully featured, split level, dog shower, with doggie shampoo. Tara tells me they are getting a dog hairdryer next, I assumed she was joking, but then I saw all the other facilities and decided she probably wasn’t. I imagine a walk through affair, like the final stage of a drive-thru car wash, from which the pampered pooches will emerge with magnificent bouffants.

With the Somerset Levels on the doorstep, it’s an ideal spot for cycle touring. I’d cycled to the Park myself from Benedict Street. I’m not fit enough to tackle the most direct, but very hilly, route up Wellhouse and Stone Down Lanes, so I chose the cycle path along the bypass to West Mendip Hospital and then Brindham Lane and Wick Lane to the Old Oaks. I was surprised at how quick and easy this (virtually) flat route was. For walkers, there are the 15 acres of the park itself, the Tor and many walks into Glastonbury Town and across the Levels.

James and Tara doing the sort of camping they enjoy – at a festival

James and Tara tell me that they are the kind of people who would get into trouble if they were guests in their own park – they like camping with big groups of mates, drinking, partying and festivals. When they go to Glastonbury festival they take their caravan to stay with friends in a backstage camping area. But Tara says “It makes for an easier life when the customers aren’t running around drunk”

I ask them if they have any ‘Normal for Glastonbury’ stories where the peace and quiet were disrupted. James describes an incident with a young guy, probably on magic mushrooms, who alarmed the other campers by running around naked shouting “I am God” and “I’ve seen the light!”. A few years ago another young man, just wearing pants, emerged onto the park scratched and bleeding, having forced his way through the thorny hedgerow, he explained he was “following the leyline”. James remarks wryly “that’s worse than following a sat nav”.

James and his family clearly derive some dry amusement at the antics of some visitors. He tells me they once had a customer who checked out early “because the energy of the earth on the site was too strong”, Another wanted him to wash the pitch as “the previous campers had left negative energy”. James’s dad’s most oft-repeated comment on Glastonbury’s High Street is “We’ve got one butcher, one baker and ever so many candlestick makers”

Tara tells me they want to do something different, exceed expectations, make people go ‘Wow!’. She says “We’re constantly being complimented on our park, how can that not be a nice thing, knowing we’ve provided people with a really memorable holiday?”

If you provide a local service that might be of interest to the users of the park then do get in touch with Tara at [email protected], she’d love to hear from you.

If you are visiting the town and want a truly tranquil experience in nature then I’m sure you will be well looked after, if you are attending a retreat in the town Old Oaks Touring Park would be ideal. Those of us that live here might want to recommend the park to their visiting relatives who love nature but not mud, especially those who’d like to visit Glastonbury but might find some of the quirkier aspects of staying in the town a little alarming!

This post was kindly commissioned and sponsored by James and Tara White of Old Oaks Touring and Glamping Park, but the opinions are all mine! Would you like to commission me to write an article about what you do, for Normal For Glastonbury? You’d be reaching thousands of readers who love the Town. Please click here for more information. Would you like to write a piece for Normal For Glastonbury about your experience of the town? Please get in touch.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this blog please subscribe by email, ‘like’ the Normal for Glastonbury facebook page and contribute your own stories and comments, and share my blog and facebook posts (this is really important – it’s how I reach more readers!). See my ’Hire Me’ page if you’d like to pay me to help you with your own projects, you can also check out how to support this blog,

All photographs copyright Old Oaks Touring Park. Text copyright Vicki Steward.

Old Oaks Touring and Glamping Park A Tranquil Oasis in the Heart of the Somerset Countryside. James and Tara White got in touch to ask me to write about

#Accommodation #Biodiversity #Business #Camping #Campsites #Commissioned Post #Cycling #Eco-Friendly #Environment #Glastonbury #Glastonbury Business #Glastonbury Carnival #Glastonbury Town #Landscapes #Somerset #Somerset Levels #Tourism

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the-breakfast-chub · 4 years ago

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How ‘green’ are electric cars?

With the ban of new petrol and diesel cars in place in the UK by 2030, sales of electric cars are expected to surge. Plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles accounted for more than 1 in 10 vehicle registrations in 2020, up from 1 in 30 in 2019, according to data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The International Energy Agency predicts that by 2030, 125 million electric vehicles will be owned around the world and the UK government aims for almost every car and van on the road to be zero emission by 2050.

But just how green are they?

Electric cars are undoubtedly cleaner than fossil fuel run cars. Although more energy is required to make electric vehicles than petrol, you still save more energy in the long run. The deficit is paid off quickly and even, when with no alternative, the electricity used to charge the vehicles is driven by fossil fuels, they are still greener.

However, it is important to address the huge implications for our natural resources not only to produce green technologies like electric cars, but to keep them charged.

Challenges

For every car on our roads to be zero emission by 2050, just under double the current total annual world cobalt production, 75% of the world’s lithium production and at least 50% of the world’s copper production would be required.

Currently, electric cars rely on lithium and cobalt batteries to run, which, whilst undoubtedly better for the environment than carbon, aren’t entirely clean.

Cobalt mining

Cobalt is a key ingredient in the lithium-ion batteries that power electric cars, because it enables the energy density required in batteries intended to last for hundreds of miles per charge.

However, the mining of cobalt is fraught with political issues. 60% of cobalt comes from the Dominican Republic of Congo where children as young as 7 years old are mining it. The mining process also causes terrible pollution in local rivers.

Lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars and other consumer electronics account for about half of all cobalt demand, and the demand for these batteries is projected to more than quadruple over the next decade.

Lithium mining

Lithium is currently produced far from the UK — In 2019, Australia was responsible for more than half of global lithium supply, with the bulk of the rest supplied by Chile, China and Argentina. Lithium deposits are also located near some of the most sensitive ecosystems in the world – The Amur River, on the border of Russia and China, the Andes Mountains (Chile) and the Salt Flats in Bolivia. Deforestation, water shortages and toxic leaks are unfortunately a devastating consequence of lithium mining. Lithium extraction in salt flats in Bolivia uses millions of litres of water. The Sales de Jujuy plant produced 14,000 tonnes of lithium in 2018, using up to 420 million litres of water – the equivalent of 168 olympic sized pools.

Prof. Richard Herrington, Head of Earth Sciences Department, Natural History Museum said: “Society needs to understand that there is a raw material cost of going green and that both new research and investment is urgently needed for us to evaluate new ways to source these. This may include potentially considering sources much closer to where the metals are to be used.”

Recycling

Research in Australia found that only 2% of the country’s 3,300 tonnes of lithium-ion waste was recycled. Because lithium cathodes degrade over time, they can’t simply be placed into new batteries. “That’s the problem with recycling any form of battery that has electrochemistry – you don’t know what point it is at in its life,” says Stephen Voller, CEO and founder of ZapGo. “That’s why recycling most mobile phones is not cost effective. You get this sort of soup.”

At present, there are low volumes of electric-vehicle batteries that require recycling. As these volumes increase dramatically, there are questions concerning the economies (and diseconomies) of scale in relation to recycling operations.

Charging inefficiency

One of the biggest challenges, not just for the UK, but around the world is the installation of charging points. We need more, faster, more reliable charge points for people to be persuaded to take the plunge and purchase electric. Cars also need to be charged at smart times of day to avoid unnecessary costs for energy networks (and ultimately the consumers who pay for them).

Solutions

Sourcing locally

Luckily, lithium is relatively abundant, and could in theory be generated from seawater across the globe in the future.

In Britain, there are exciting developments in the lithium industry. Researchers working on ways to source lithium, a critical component of the batteries used in electric vehicles, have produced a chemical known as lithium carbonate from rocks found in Cornwall and Scotland.

Cornwall has a world-class mineral quality, which has stood idle for decades. The battery revolution provides the opportunity to explore raw materials which are vital to modern technologies such as electric cars. Cornish Lithium believes that the extraction of lithium has the potential to rejuvenate the economy of Cornwall and to provide much needed high value employment.

While the UK may not be a global player, to be able to produce what it needs would place it at a serious advantage over non-lithium- producing countries. It’s an exciting step forward which sets Britain on a good course to create its own EV supply chain in the next five years, which is especially important since the UK left the European Union.

Under the terms of the new free trade agreement with the EU, for goods sold in the EU to qualify as tariff free they must have components produced under localised sourcing. UK-based car makers need to have developed their own local battery supply chain by 2026 in order to avoid these charges.

Alternative resources

As mentioned above, resources like Cobalt aren’t infinite, and the environmental issues associated are prominent. We ideally need to shift to batteries that use less cobalt, or none at all. Elon Musk’s car firm Tesla will make electric vehicle batteries with cobalt-free cathodes, it announced during its Battery Day event in Autumn last year, but there is no set timeline on this yet.

For short-range cars made and sold in China, Reuters says Tesla will instead use lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, which are much cheaper and don’t have the same environmental problems as those needing cobalt. The disadvantage is that these batteries tend to have a lower energy density, reducing how far a car can drive without needing to charge.

Lithium-iron-phosphate batteries are already widely used by other Chinese firms, including BYD, the world’s biggest electric car manufacturer. If other electric car manufacturers follow internationally, we may be able to reduce our dependency on a dwindling mineral resource.

Recycling research

At the University of Birmingham, research funded by the government’s £246m Faraday Challenge for battery research is trying to find new ways of recycling lithium-ion. Researchers, led by the Birmingham Energy Institute are using robotics technology developed for nuclear power plants to find ways to safely remove and dismantle potentially explosive lithium-ion cells from electric vehicles.

A number of improvements could make the recycling processes economically more efficient, such as better sorting technologies, a method for separating electrode materials, greater process flexibility, design for recycling, and greater manufacturer standardization of batteries.

Battery swap shops

China, with electric vehicle sales of more than one million a year, is demonstrating how the charging issues can be addressed with battery ‘swap shops’ in which owners can drive into forecourts and swap batteries quickly. NIO, the Shanghai-based car manufacturer, claims a three-minute swap time at these stations.

This also addresses the high cost of EVs currently. By using the swap concept, the battery could be rented, with part of the swap cost being a fee for rental. This could reduce the purchase cost and incentivise more people to purchase electric. The swap batteries could also be charged using surplus renewable electricity, which is a real plus for the environment.

Electric alternatives

It’s the electric vehicles that have taken off in the world of green automotives. However, there is another player in the field – hydrogen. Hydrogen cars are powered by a chemical reaction. Hydrogen enters the fuel cell from a tank and mixes with oxygen to create H2O, which generates electricity that is used to power the motors that drive the wheels.

Hydrogen tanks are refuelled in a process that’s pretty much the same as with a petrol or diesel car. You could fill your car up just like fossil fuel, but instead of greenhouse gases being emitted, the exhaust would just be pure water vapour. Compared to waiting around for an EV’s battery to recharge, hydrogen appeared to be the much more convenient option.

The challenge is that hydrogen is very energy intensive to create as converting the electricity to hydrogen via electrolysis is only 75% efficient. Then the gas has to be compressed, chilled and transported, which loses another 10%. The fuel cell process of converting hydrogen back to electricity is only 60% efficient, after which you have the same 5% loss from driving the vehicle motor as for a BEV. The grand total is a 62% loss in energy – more than three times as much as an electric car.

Nevertheless, hydrogen still has niches where its main strengths – lightness and quick refuelling – give it a clear advantage. While you can fit your personal driving lifestyle around strategic battery charging stops, this is not ideal for commercial vehicles such as trains that need to run for very long periods and distances with only short waits to refuel. The weight of batteries for eight hours of continual usage would also be prohibitive for these vehicles. Therefore, hydrogen could be a viable option, despite the inefficiency.

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