#a privately owned country house orig

[lifestyleofluxe]

[verbalists]

Discover Berlin and make the most of your summer with a German study program by the lake!

The Verbalists Language Network is famous for its young learner programs, which are designed and coordinated with the world’s best language schools in such a way as to extend language learning beyond a classroom setting.

The Berlin Water Sports program is action packed, providing students with an opportunity to practice German during a great variety of the outdoor and indoor activities – sailing, canoeing, surfing, barbequing, biking, climbing walls, playing sports… That’s not all! In the camp, our students will meet German teenagers who often participate in the activities, so there will also be lots of opportunities to speak German in informal settings with natives of the same age group. And Berlin is not far away, so every week there are 2 excursions to Berlin.

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Educator

The program is organized by our long term partner, GLS (German Language School), who was awarded by Study Travel Magazine five times the “best German language school in Germany” award. Established in 1983, GLS is one of the largest language schools in Europe. It has its own 16.000 sqm campus with two hotels, located in the very center of Berlin. More than 5000 students from up to 60 countries attend GLS courses every year.

Camp location and facilities

The Berlin Water Sports summer German language camp is located in the village of Blössin, about 30km from Berlin, and right on the edge of one of the beautiful lakes that surround Berlin – Lake Wolzig. Please see the camp location here.

The camp is very safe, with classrooms, accommodation, restaurant, playgrounds and private beach all in one place. The water sports center has a campus with several little houses on it, where students live. The 10 classrooms are in a central building, and there is a cafeteria. The center has fantastic water sports facilities – with lots of canoes, sailing boats and surfing equipment. Additional facilities: indoor gym, fitness studio, basketball court, beach volleyball field, soccer field…

Program

German course: 20 lessons, each 45 minutes long per week. The courses are provided on site by qualified and experienced German language teachers. Lessons are interactive, with all four levels offered – beginners, elementary, intermediate, advanced. There are maximum 12 student per class.

Activities, excursions & sports: Every week there are activities and excursions outside of the camp. It is during this time that students get to visit Berlin or other famous places in the region, like Potsdam.

2 activities daily in international groups: sailing, surfing, canoeing, badminton, volleyball, climbing

1 full-day and 1 half-day excursion to Berlin per week

The activities change every week. If it is raining there will be different other indoor activities.

There is a 24-hour student supervision. Members of GLS staff and tutors live on campus and are available all the time.

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Sample week at the Berlin Water Sports camp

Day Morning Afternoon Evening Sunday arrival until 5 pm, introduction and language test, welcome evening Monday 4 German lessons canoeing or badminton barbecue Tuesday 4 German lessons volleyball or inlining breakdance Wednesday 4 German lessons excursion to Berlin camp fire Thursday 4 German lessons surfing or football Film Friday 4 German lessons sailing disco Saturday full-day excursion to Potsdam and Sanssouci Castle party Sunday departure or swimming badminton

Accommodation

Students are accommodated in 2-3 bedded rooms, with own shower/WC. Program is delivered on a full board basis (the restaurant is on the campus).

Date and prices

28 JUN – 09 AUG 2020 Arrival / departure: on Sundays

1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks add. week € 1,130 € 1,980 € 2,910 € 930

Included in the price:

20 lessons/week

12 per class

4 levels: beginners, elementary, intermediate, advanced

2 activities/day on campus or nearby, i.e. surfing, canoeing, swimming

2 excursions/week to the city center of Berlin

on campus accommodation: 2-3 bedded rooms, own shower/WC

full board

transport costs and entry fees for GLS activities

transfer from Berlin airports and stations on Sundays 8 am-10 pm

Insurance (medical, luggage, liability)

24 hour tutoring by GLS staff on campus

Not included:

extra transfer out of schedule: EUR120 one way

extra day: EUR100

In addition to airport transfers, the Verbalists Language Network offers an Unaccompanied Minor service for children under the age of 18, where a member of GLS/school staff will meet your child at the airport on arrival and wait at the airport until your child’s departing flight leaves the ground. If you would like us to provide this service for your child, please notify us. If your child is under the age of 15, it may be a mandatory requirement for you to register your child as an Unaccompanied Minor. It is your responsibility to check this with the airline and pay any relevant costs to the airline as well as the 100 EUR Unaccompanied Minor fee to GLS/school.

Application process

Please note that filling out the PRODIREKT Application Form and Terms & Conditions does not secure a place on the program, nor does it mean you are under obligation that your child attends the course you are inquiring about. It is simply the first step in the application process, so that we can give you precise program details and check program/accommodation availability. A contract is signed directly with the school, and a place is confirmed after a deposit or the whole course fee is settled. Please fill out and sign:

Application Form (download here) and

Terms and Conditions (download here), and send back to info@verbalistseducation.com

The Verbalists Language Network is part of the PRODIREKT Education Group, which is a certified representative and partner of prestigious schools and colleges in world renowned university centers. When you enroll for foreign language study abroad with the Verbalists you are not only getting the expert advice, guidance and dependability of an accredited organization and a world’s leading language network, but you also enjoy special privileges, such as:

scholarships offered only to PRODIREKT/Verbalists students and our International Ambassadors;

special discounts – you often pay less than what a school charges for the same program;

enrollment advantages – faster processing, lower deposits, no charge when you change your booking;

priority of campus and home stay accommodation;

less strict cancellation policy;

free visa application assistance;

travel and airport transfer arrangements;

in case of group young learner programs, guidance and care of our staff and group leaders during the duration of a program.

PRODIREKT and its Verbalists Language Network are accredited by the leading language travel and higher education associations – English UK, Alphe UK, FEDELE Spain, FELTOM Malta, ICEF Germany, and many more. You will find more information about our international accreditation here.

Only 80 students from up to 40 countries get to enjoy the action packed German learning at this popular camp. As the main partner of GLS School, the Verbalists Language Network has a certain number of beds reserved only for its students, nevertheless, we strongly recommend an early enrollment to reserve your place on time. To make a booking inquiry or for more information, please use the following web form:

[contact-form] German language summer camp, Berlin Water Sports Discover Berlin and make the most of your summer with a German study program by the lake!

[cutsliceddiced]

New top story from Time: Here’s What It’s Like in the Bahamas After It Was Devastated by Hurricane Dorian

Bahamians are scrambling to respond to a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane that the nation’s Prime Minister has described as a “historic tragedy” since the slow-moving storm made landfall Sunday. Hurricane Dorian has claimed at least 20 lives and destroyed many buildings, especially on the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco.

Governments and nonprofits from are offering money, workers and other aid to help with the rescue and recovery effort. According to the Red Cross, about 45% of the homes on Grand Bahama and Abaco — about 13,000 houses — are believed to be severely damaged or destroyed as a result of the storm, and some 62,000 people will need clean drinking water, the Associated Press reports. U.N. officials said that more than 60,000 people will need food assistance.

At the same time, Bahamians have carried out their own efforts to account for loved ones, posting frantic photos and notes on Facebook and WhatsApp begging for word about missing friends and family members.

Here’s what to know about the devastation the Bahamas is facing now that Dorian has roared through.

What is the hurricane’s death toll?

Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty ImagesResidents pass damage caused by Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 5, 2019, in Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas.

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said at a press conference Wednesday that at least 20 people have been confirmed dead after the storm — and warned that the number of dead may rise. He declined to give specific details about the deceased.

“So many families have been impacted by the devastation, including those trapped during the storm,” Minnis said Wednesday. “Just about every Bahamian throughout the country has been worried about loved ones on Grand Bahama and Abaco.”

How bad is the destruction?

Miami Herald—TNS via Getty ImagesAliana Alexis of Haiti stands on the concrete slab of what is left of her home after destruction from Hurricane Dorian in an area called “The Mudd” at Marsh Harbour in Great Abaco Island, Bahamas on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019.

Much of the severe damage appears to be concentrated on the Abaco islands, a chain of islands in the northern Bahamas known as a boating destination. The Prime Minister said Tuesday that parts of Abaco are 60% destroyed.

Local communities within the Abaco islands have reported significant damage. A community known as The Mudd, which was built over time by Haitian immigrants, was “razed” by the storm, according to the AP. Most of the houses in Marsh Harbour, one of the largest towns in Abaco, were destroyed by the storm, the Miami Herald has reported.

Minnis said that most homes on Grand Bahama seem to have sustained “minor damage,” and he said he’s personally seen damage to homes, infrastructure and other buildings.

The Bahamas’ southern islands, including its capital, Nassau, were not affected by the storm.

The Category 5 hurricane was both powerful and slow-moving. When it made landfall, Hurricane Dorian had sustained winds of up to 185 mph. Moving as slowly as 1 or 2 mph, the hurricane arrived in the Bahamas on Sunday and did not have the all-clear until Wednesday morning.

What are the relief efforts?

Other countries, private companies and nonprofits have mobilized to support the relief effort in the Bahamas, although the nation has faced challenges as it’s worked to prepare airports and a harbor damaged by the storm into a position to receive much-needed support.

Ravelle Dean, a volunteer with the Bahamas’ National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) who is designated to speak on behalf of the agency, tells TIME that two of Abaco’s three airports are now open to private planes. The Sandy Point Airport was unaffected by the storm, and Marsh Harbour was reopened on Thursday morning. Treasure Cay Airport is open only to rescue and recovery helicopters.

However, aircraft need to receive permits from NEMA to enter the airports, and the agency has been “inundated” with calls, Dean says.

“There’s definite frustration on some people’s ends,” she adds. “We’re trying to go as fast as we can.”

The U.S. Coast Guard has sent crews to help with the relief response; as of Thursday morning, the Coast Guard said it had rescued 135 people and six pets in the Bahamas since the beginning of the storm. The Coast Guard also provided a helicopter for Prime Minister Minnis to survey the aftermath of the storm.

At the direction of @POTUS and at the request of the Prime Minister, @DHSgov is working with the Government of the Bahamas & is grateful to the @USCG and @CBP for their efforts to aid ongoing recovery efforts and those severely injured on the island following Hurricane #Dorian. pic.twitter.com/lqIk5tKGgc

— Acting Sec. Kevin McAleenan (@DHSMcAleenan) September 5, 2019

The United Nations has pledged $1 million in aid, and the U.N. World Food Program has bought eight tons of ready-to-eat meals that it is working to bring to the Bahamas. Canada has also pledged $500,000 to the relief effort, according to Minnis.

Carnival Cruise Line has partnered with Tropical Shipping and NEMA to bring food and supplies donated in Florida to the Bahamas. The Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation and Carnival pledged $2 million to recovery and relief effort; Disney Cruise Line also pledged $1 million to relief efforts, Minnis said.

AFP Photo / UK MOD / CROWN COPYRIGHT 2019Members of the Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) team from The Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay deliver aid to the Islanders of Great Abaco in The Bahamas on September 4, 2019.

What can you do to help?

NEMA has set up the Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund, and posted instructions on Twitter for how to donate.

⚠️ #HurricaneDorian Information for #Bahamas ⚠️ https://t.co/uDUWAeCNmS

— NewsNetNews (@NewsNetNews) September 5, 2019

A number of other organizations are also collecting donations for the Bahamas, including the American Red Cross, Americares and World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, who has been on the ground in the Bahamas and shared images of devastation.

This is what it’s like on the ground in Marsh Harbor on Abaco… captured by our @WCKitchen assessment drone. #ChefsForBahamas pic.twitter.com/aYuqFueNho

— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) September 5, 2019

via https://cutslicedanddiced.wordpress.com/2018/01/24/how-to-prevent-food-from-going-to-waste

[myriamfoster-blog1]

Tired of the same-old tours? There’s so much more to South Africa than just the Garden Route and Kruger National Park… the country all the way at the very bottom of the African continent is also known for its beautiful beaches, diverse and vibrant cultures, majestic mountains, world-class cuisine and wine, desolate deserts, rolling fields, sub-tropical coastlines, trendy cities and so much more. There is something to suit every taste, interest and travel style, and with our specialist guides and FIT tours, you are bound to discover something new! Here’s a list of some of our top highlights to get you started.

World Class Wines in the Winelands

When people think of sun-dappled vineyards, a crisp sauvignon blanc or a moody merlot they’re not usually thinking of Africa but they really should be as more and more South Africa is being recognised for its world-class wine. The region known as the Winelands stretches from Cape Town’s suburbs to charming, historic and picturesque towns further out such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Oenophiles should absolutely take a day or two to taste the varietals on offer.

2. Dramatic Peaks of the Drakensberg

With high pointy peaks resembling the back of a gigantic dragon it’s no wonder where this breathtaking mountain range got its Europeanized name, Drakensberg is Dutch for “Mountain of Dragons” and the Afrikaans settlers of Dutch descent would have marveled at these majestic peaks just as travellers do now. The Zulu name uKhahlamba “barrier of spears” is just as apt a description for the largest mountain range in South Africa that spans from Lesotho to KwaZulu Natal. Discover ancient San Rock Art, exhilarating hiking trails and stunning vistas such as the Ampitheatre or Cathedral Peak.  

3. Wildflowers on the West Coast

South Africa’s West Coast stretches from Cape Town all the way up to Namibia’s border, and the road that travels along it is known as the Cape Namibia Route. After leaving Cape Town’s surrounds, towns become few and far between and are mostly rural fishing villages and farming towns. Many of these towns are worth visiting, particularly Paternoster with it’s whitewashed cottages and fantastic restaurants. It’s a beautiful landscape to take in but becomes even more breathtaking after the winter rains when thousands of wildflowers bloom and transform the fields into a patchwork quilt of vibrant colour. These fields of flowers stretch for miles up the coast and are absolutely not to be missed if you find yourself in South Africa between June and September.   

4. Marvelous Markets

Markets are having a bit of a moment in South Africa. Every weekend and even in the week there is a multitudinous variety to choose from with the most located in Cape Town, Johannesburg taking 2nd place and then various small towns along the Garden Route or other popular tourist routes. The original Neighbourgoods Market found in the Woodstock neighbourhood of Cape Town is the one that started it all, and grew in such popularity that there is a sister version in Johannesburg’s trendy Braamfontein area. Cape Town now also has the Bay Harbour Market, the Oranjezicht Farmer’s Market, Mojo Market and many more each offering their own unique flavour but all focusing on fresh artisanal food and beautiful jewellery, clothes and curios. In Johannesburg there is the Linden Market, The Market on Main in Maboneng, and 1Fox Market Shed. Along the Garden Route the Wild Oats Market in Sedgefield is the place to be on a Saturday morning and in Hermanus be sure to visit the Hermanuspietersfontein Food & Wine Market.   

5. Eerie Art in the Middle of Nowhere

The Karoo is a semi-arid area characterised by vast open spaces and quirky small towns straddling most of South Africa’s inner country. Some of these towns are more charming than others but the landscape itself is awe-inspiring with an impressive stillness and one of the most amazing night skies completely splattered with stars. You’ll find some impressive game farms in the Karoo and anyone doing a comprehensive tour of South Africa will certainly pass through it due to its vast size. Near the town of Graaff-Reinet, a historical and charming destination of its own you will find an even smaller quirkier town called Nieu-Bethesda, home of the Owl House. A museum that used to be the childhood home of a troubled artist who transformed the entire space into an art piece made of cement, glass bottles and crushed glass. It’s eerie and fascinating and descriptions barely do it justice, it needs to be experienced in person.      

6. Up and Coming Urban Hotspots

Cape Town and Johannesburg are South Africa’s two biggest cities and they couldn’t be more different. Cape Town, of course, has the beaches and the mountains and is known for an incredibly laid back attitude, while Johannesburg is known as the City of Gold, it’s an African business epicentre and people hustle harder. Both cities have their unique attraction but a recent trend has been formerly gritty neighbourhoods turning into funky urban centres with cool cafes, thought-provoking street art and a palpable vibe of creativity and innovation. In Joburg, the hippest neighbourhoods are Braamfontein, Melville, and Maboneng. In Cape Town, it’s Woodstock, the Bo Kaap and Sea Point’s Main Road. Take a morning or afternoon to wander through these areas snapping pictures for Instagram, trying excellent coffee and sampling artisanal food.   

7. The Best and Most Beautiful Beaches

Did you know South Africa has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world? Cape Town, Durban, the Garden Route, the Wild Coast, the West Coast are all along the country’s expansive coastline and offer a uniquely memorable beach experience. In Cape Town Clifton and Camps Bay are the most popular (and consistently voted the most beautiful in the world) but why not try out Llandudno, Muizenberg, Boulder’s or Blauuwberg for something a bit different. Travelling up the West Coast you will find rugged and seemingly isolated beaches that stretch for miles although the water is quite cold for swimming. Warmer water can be found in Durban, the Wild Coast and the Garden Route. Durban’s waters are the warmest and a trip to the area can easily be combined with a safari further inland. The Garden Route is home to an array of beach towns all characterised by lush greenery right up to beautiful sandy beaches. Don’t forget your swimming costume!   

African penguin along the shoreline of Boulder’s Beach near Cape Town South Africa.

8. The Tip of Africa

There are 2 contenders for the Southernmost point of Africa and while Cape Agulhas is officially the tip of Africa, Cape Point certainly feels like the end of known world with its historic lighthouse located high up on a jutting peak – which is why for years it claimed to be the furthest South you can go in Africa. Both are worth a visit, as the Cape Point Nature Reserve is an amazing area to explore with fields of fynbos, buck and baboons, and various beaches that are visited by whales. If you want that iconic shot next to the sign that says Southernmost Point of Africa then plan a detour on your way to the Garden Route, the Overberg area is well worth a visit, especially De Hoop Nature Reserve.   

Cape Point

9. The Best Indian Food this Side of the Equator

Do spicy curries, warm buttery flaky rotis, and fresh sambals make your mouth water? Then you are in for a treat… South Africa has the largest Indian community outside of India and this means an abundance of quality Indian cuisine from affordable canteen style restaurants to stylish upmarket places all excellent to satisfy that craving. Durban has the largest Indian community and some parts of the city can be referred to as Little India especially the Victoria Street Market. Of course, South Africa has added its own unique twist with the addition of Bunny Chow, which does not actually involve rabbits in any form, but is actually a hollowed-out half loaf of bread filled with a deliciously saucy meat or vegetable curry.       

10. A street with 2 Nobel Peace Prize Winners

In South Africa there’s an interesting street that is the only one in the world that has been home to 2 Nobel Peace Prize winners. Both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have lived on Vilakazi Street in Soweto, Johannesburg and Desmond Tutu still has a house there. Soweto is an important historical area as it where the 1976 Soweto Uprisings took place which attracted the world’s attention the horrors of the Apartheid government. So besides laying claim to this incredibly unique distinction, it’s well worth a visit to learn more about the country’s history.

To experience these special highlights that you may not have heard of, talk to one of our specialist consultants about tailor-making a custom tour for you that will include the ones you are most interested in. But if you prefer a more well-rounded tour, here are our top 4 Private Guided Trips for your convenience: World in One Country, Wonders of the Garden Route, .

The post A List of Alternative South African Highlights appeared first on Jenman African Safaris.

[2traveldads-blog]

Most random place I’ve visited in a long while:  Mobile, Alabama.  When I first found out that I got to go I was neutral in my excitement.  And then I started researching; and then I got there; and then I fell in love.  Mobile, Alabama’s theme for the city is “Born to Celebrate” and really, that’s the vibe everywhere and I love it.

Being the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the South and founded by one of the brothers who also founded New Orleans, it’s already in position to be cool.  You don’t hear a lot about Mobile as a destination or a party city, but it is.  It’s not a party city like Las Vegas or the Daytona Beach of the 90s, but it’s a place full of fun and pride.  And it’s delightfully gay which added to how welcome I felt and how much I loved Mobile, Alabama.  Anyways, here’s the scoop on Mobile and why I can’t wait to return with my whole family.

Locale of Mobile, Alabama

Mobile is at the very south of the Great State of Alabama on the Gulf of Mexico.  It’s located where five different rivers meet.  It’s surrounded by lush live oak forests and meandering waterways.  It’s a short drive to the beaches of the Gulf.  It’s a pocket of awesome in a place thought of as the Deep South.

Mobile has its own airport (MOB) and has two major interstates feeding into it.  You can arrive in Mobile, Alabama via cruise ship or private charter.  Basically, what’s stopping you from getting there and having an incredible time?

History of Mobile

It’s in Alabama.  That’s enough to make somebody who hasn’t been think about all they’ve heard, read or seen on TV about Alabama.  Just stop right there:  Mobile is completely different in nearly every way.  Yes, of course there are people who are stuck in the 1860s or the 1950s, but they’re not as common as you’d think.  Here are some interesting tidbits shared with me by Mobilians during my visit (but might not have factual backing):

Mobile was the first city in the south to elect an African-American mayor with a white majority vote.  

Mobile was the only major city in the South that didn’t have a civil rights march due to several very active public groups that worked to change local laws, including desegregating schools, prior to government mandate. They’ve had protests, but weren’t at the forefront of marches in the 60s.

Mobile has Gay Pride celebrations with lots of community involvement in addition to being involved in Mardi Gras activities.  

It’s the most progressive city I’ve been to south of the Mason-Dixon line.  Love it!

And Mobile, Alabama is an old city; it’s older than New Orleans.  Founded in 1702 Mobile has that same French influence you’ll see in NOLA, but it’s had it for longer.  And here’s a fun fact:  at one point Alabama was actually its own country (for a few days), and if you know where to look you can see references to it throughout Mobile.  And then there’s Mardi Gras… We’ll save that for last.

Top 5 things to do in Mobile, Alabama

Every city you’ll ever visit has a few super awesome things that will keep visitors coming back or talking about for a long time.  Mobile is for sure one of those places, but we’ll keep it short and sweet… like a beignet.

Exploring Mobile’s neighborhoods

Seattle, San Francisco, Portland… all three are great cities made of beautiful and fascinating neighborhoods.  And so is Mobile!!

Downtown Mobile

Downtown Mobile, Alabama is really nice.  The buildings aren’t too tall and there are countless sandwich and coffee shops giving it a quiet, small city feeling.   And downtown is right next to Dauphin Street, which is the main drag and is highly entertaining.  The people of Mobile have been exceptionally active in restoring their city since the 1960s so the whole area west of the financial district is charming, historic and full of fun.  At night, it’s lit up with twinkling lights, neon, marquees, glowing bar lights…. Strolling through downtown Mobile at night is a must.

Oakleigh Garden and DeTonti Square Historic Districts

Being such an old city, Mobile has some incredible residential neighborhoods including seven historic districts.  Just north of the downtown area is the DeTonti Square Historic District.  Some of the homes here are so old and ornate that they’ve each been under renovation for… well, forever.  Walking through the neighborhood you’ll find a combination of Gulf Cottages, Federal style and shotgun houses.  Each of the homes as it’s renovated is held to strict standard for color and outdoor features to keep the district as historically accurate as possible.  A homeowner can pop into the paint store in Mobile, say where they live, and leave with a color palate for the exterior of their house that is historically accurate and perfect.

Tip:  as you’re exploring the neighborhoods of Mobile, Alabama look at the historic markers and coats of arms on the restored houses.  You’ll learn all kinds of fun facts about the city and be able to impress all your friends when you bring them back!

Another beautiful neighborhood to wander through is the Oakleigh Garden Historic District.  Here, in addition to the beautiful and interesting homes, you’ll find some of the most impressive live oaks I’ve seen anywhere in the South.  And wandering the streets below the oaks and past the shotgun houses you’ll eventually get to the Church Street Graveyard.  It’s right by the old library so you can’t miss it.  This beautiful old cemetery has some of the oldest graves in Mobile, Alabama, including that of Joe Cain, the re-founder of Mardi Gras.

Photo tip:  photographing the live oak neighborhoods and cemeteries is best in the LATE afternoon.  The filtered light makes for interesting shots with much softer shadows.

The last neighborhood that I wanted to mention is the Church Street East Historic District.  This is actually where I stayed, at the Malaga Inn, and I loved it.  In the morning I could walk past wrought iron railings and find Mardi Gras beads in the bushes.  At night, there were gas lamps.  A few blocks away was Fort Conde and the Plaza for Mardi Gras events.  The historic charm is there along with bustling activity.  If you’re not staying in this neighborhood, as least pay it a visit.

Eat all of the deliciousness

Where to begin?!  Let’s just say that between blue crab legs and beignet sandwiches I was never hungry or bored with food. Here’s just a taste of what I found and no doubt anybody else could discover even more yum.  Here are three tasty beyond tasty ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Wintzell’s Oyster House – anything with the tiny crab legs or the shrimp in ANY of their sauces and styles.  And their Oysters Monterey were my favorite.

Panini Pete’s – so the beignets are amazing and much more dense and, dare I say it, more delicious than other’s I’ve add throughout the South.  And they’ll make you a bacon and egg sandwich on a beignet!

Noble South – this is where I learned the Southern cooking isn’t all butter and butter.  Even though there were some beautiful meat dishes being served, my vegetarian collection of courses was an unforgettable surprise.  Especially the squash blossoms.  Perfect.

I had all kinds of other great food, but these three hot spots rang the bell for me.  Each was delicious and totally unique to dining I’d find anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.

Gab with EVERY local Mobilian you meet

OMG, you don’t even have to try to do this.  I met so many great people just walking around Mobile.  Some of my favorite characters included I got to talk to were actually the many different servers in the restaurants I ate at.  Ms Pinky at Wintzell’s Oyster House had a new phrase for how delicious each dish was.  The gentleman at the Mardi Gras museum had amazing stories about festivities through the years and strength and presence of the LGBT population of Mobile, Alabama.  One of the four different servers I had when dining alone at a sidewalk cafe didn’t want to talk about Mobile, but about my kids and all the weird things about being a parent.  

And then Spring, our breakfast server one day.  She was a delight.  We chatted about food and Mobile and Mardi Gras, and then art.  She’s an artist whose medium is beads.  How perfect for being a Mobilian from the birthplace of Mardi Gras.  

Tip:  take a look at Mardi Gras bead art. It has got to be my new favorite medium and motif.  So intricate and takes much more patience than I’ll ever have.

Someday when I’m bored and just want to gab, I’m going to book a plane ticket to Mobile and just go cafe hopping inviting random people to sit with me and drink iced tea.  Or sweet tea.

…and sometimes the locals will dress up with you…

Airboating in the Mobile Delta

We got to take the kids on a airboat ride through the mangroves of the Everglades and it was awesome!  Here is Mobile I had another opportunity to do an airboat ride and it was just as fun but totally different.

We headed just out of town to the Spanish Fort area where we met Captain Geoff.  In addition to being an airboat captain, he’s also a naturalist, so boom, sold. We had three really unique ecotours in Florida and doing the airboat with Captain Geoff was equally thoughtful and educational.  Between the care he showed in his boating and the knowledge he imparted with great intent, Airboat Express is definitely in the top ecotours I’ve been a part of (including some amazing ones in Montana and Alaska).

The highlight of the Mobile Delta airboat tour was definitely the wildlife.  There were all kinds of fascinating birds and really unique vegetation, but this was the first ecotour I’d done that took us past alligator dens and nurseries.  We saw some enormous gators, yes, but getting to see baby alligators swimming or crawling all over each other was a real treat.

Tip:  if you have kids with you for an airboat tour, be sure they have sunglasses.  This helps keep the wind out of their eyes and they’ll have a much more enjoyable experience.

MARDI GRAS EVERYTHING

As I’ve mentioned several times Mobile, Alabama is the birthplace of Mardi Gras.  The city really is born to celebrate like their motto says.  So, for starters, the Mardi Gras museum is pretty darn cool and interesting. And weird.  If you happened into it without any preface you might think you stumbled into the Inauguration Gown gallery at the Smithsonian…but full of drag costumes.  I’ve never seen such lavish regalia.  So much embroidery and beadwork.

And then there are the strands of beads.  Everywhere.  On my first night in Mobile I went for a walk and my eyes kept darting around to find beads in the trees and on lamp posts left over from the recent Mardi Gras celebrations.  I went on a tour driving around the many historic neighborhoods and sights and was given my own strand of Mardi Gras beads. They’re now sparkling somewhere in Mobile, reminding somebody else that there’s another celebration around the corner.

When you spend your time talking with the locals and gabbing it up with your server you’ll see that everything is related to Mardi Gras.  

“What have you got going on this weekend?” “Oh, I have a meeting with my mystic society.”  

“Oh, when did you do X, Y and Z?” “Well, it was just after Mardi Gras and…”

“Any big plans coming up?”  “I know that there’s a ball I am attending at Thanksgiving… It’s the start of Mardi Gras.”

Seriously, you can’t escape it and that’s just fine.  Seeing how excited and how dedicated each person is to EVERYTHING Mardi Gras is bizarre and inspiring.  It is a complete sense of community. Hopefully we’ll get to experience Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama in the next few years. It’ll be amazing.

So I know Mobile might not have been on your radar before today, but doesn’t it sound fantastic and aren’t you ready to plan a trip? I can’t wait to return with my family and have an awesome time making Mardi Gras memories and more.

Want to pin it for your own travel planning to Mobile or the South in general? Go for it!!!

Mobile, Alabama: top 5 ways to celebrate a surprising gem of a city Most random place I’ve visited in a long while:  Mobile, Alabama.  When I first found out that I got to go I was neutral in my excitement.  

[itmocca]

Gardeners World episode 17 2002

Gardeners World episode 17 2002: Alan Titchmarsh and Gardeners World team visit The Abbey House Gardens in in Malmesbury. #garden #gardening #gardenersworld

Gardeners World episode 17 2002: Alan Titchmarsh and Gardeners World team visit The Abbey House Gardens in in Malmesbury. Abbey House Gardens is a country house gardenin Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England, covering 5 acres (2.0 ha). Privately owned, the gardens – but not the house itself – are open to the public seven days a week from late March until late October. It is one of the main tourist…

[emmaeatsandexplores]

Stone Town is the Capital City  of Zanzibar and when planning our recent trip there, we knew we wanted to spend some time exploring and soaking up this amazing place.  We manage dto pack in quite a lot during our overnight stay so I hope our experiences help you to decide what to do in Stone Town when you visit.

Top Tips for Stone Town

Being a Muslim country, the dress is very modest from the locals and if you want to enter any religious sites then you need to cover up.  However the town itself is very used to tourists so when walking around, shorts and a T-Shirt are perfectly acceptable.   Conservative dress and behaviour (refraining from too much alcohol) are appreciated. Alcohol is not part of the Muslim culture so many of the local cafes and restaurants do not serve it.  However, there are plenty of restaurants and bars where alcohol is available and many of the more expensive hotels offer it aswell.

We felt very safe in Stone Town, the locals are friendly and will approach you to buy things from them but if you are polite and tell them you’re not interested then they will respect that.

Everywhere in Stone Town accepts US dollars or Tanzanian shillings but most places actually prefer you to pay in dollars.  Take cash as many places other than the larger hotels and restaurants do not have card machines.

Where to stay in Stone Town, Zanzibar

We had booked ourselves into the Tembo House Hotel in the centre of town for a couple of reasons.  It was an old-style building, right on the beach with its own pool as well.  (We weren’t sure how hot and sticky it would be in Zanzibar when we booked so we thought the pool would be a necessity.  Turns out we didn’t even use it!) It just seemed a little more authentic than some of the other places we had looked at.

We were upgraded to the most amazing room, the Tembo Suite.  It had a beautiful Swahili four-poster bed and the bathroom was a traditional hammam.  And the best bit – we had the most amazing sea and beach views from our own private balcony!

Other places that come highly recommended to stay at while in Zanzibar are:

Park Hyatt Zanzibar – All the opulence you would expect from a Hyatt Hotel but in the most stunning location, right on the beach.  A 5-star resort that is truly one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.  It has an infinity pool and the most stunning veranda that you can have breakfast and dinner on.  If we’d had more time I would have loved to have eaten dinner in the restaurant here one evening.

Doubletree by Hilton –  This hotel boasts amazing sea views from its rooftop restaurant but is not actually on the beach.  Very well equipped and a bit more in the centre of town rather than on the beachfront.

If you want somewhere right in the centre of town you can stay at the Zanzibar Coffee House.  One of the most famous places in Zanzibar to get a traditional coffee, it also has rooms to rent out.  The rooms are very traditional but still very high quality and you’ll get a more authentic feel than if you stay in one of the larger hotel chain brands.  Plus the coffee is really good!

There are also plenty of hostels and guest houses if you’re looking for something cheaper or a bit different.  Find them all here!

Top tip: When searching for places to stay try searching Zanzibar City instead of Stone Town.  I realised this too late but most of the hotels describe themselves as being in Zanzibar City rather than Stone Town so you’ll have a lot more options to choose from!

Where to eat and drink in Stone Town

Stone Town has a variety of amazing restaurants and bars, some more touristy and opulent than others and some where you can eat with the locals.  Here are some of the places we tried.  Unfortunately, only being there for a day we didn’t get to experience enough of the restaurants but let me know in the comments if you have ones you would recommend.

For coffee and cake, the only place to go is the Zanzibar Coffee House.  They serve the best coffee around and there’s a whole menu of different coffees and different styles to choose from.  I had the iced americano and it was the perfect drink to cool you down in the hot sun.  The cakes and local sweets all looked pretty good too!

For cocktails, you must visit the amazing Sunset Bar at the Africa House.  We arrived at 6pm to make sure we were there to see the sunset.  It was such a stunning location, right on the beach and everyone was out taking a sunset walk along the sand or playing in the water.  It truly was the most relaxing moment sitting there, sipping on my Pimms watching the incredible sunset.  They usually have a DJ playing chilled music and you can eat there too if you want.  You cant book though so get there in plenty of time if you want a table for the sunset!

For dinner, we picked the 6 Degrees South Grill & Wine Bar.  We’d stumbled upon this place earlier in the day and it had amazing views out to the sea from the ground floor.  We then found out it had a top floor restaurant so we booked, mainly for the rooftop views it promised. However, to be honest, by the time we ate it was dark anyway but we also booked as it offered traditional Zanzibarian food.  The service was slow but the food was delicious.  They served proper Zanzibar curries, coconut-crusted lobster and spicy chicken all washed down with some delicious South African wine!

The Emerson Tea House always comes up as the number one place to have dinner when in Stone Town.  We tried to book months in advance but they still had no reservation for the night that we were there so get in there early if you want to visit.  You can see why! They serve lunch and dinner on the most beautiful terrace with views over the whole of Stone Town to the sea.  The meal is a 3-course set menu of traditional Zanzibar foods but get there early to have a cocktail and watch the sunset.

if you are looking for a more authentic experience then you could try the Forodhani Night Market.  Set in the Forodhani Gardens, during the day the area is a peaceful park.  The vendors start setting up in the afternoon and from about 6 pm onwards they are ready to serve you (and the locals) traditional delicacies.  Take your pick from fresh seafood, skewers, curries and of course the infamous Zanzibar pizza!  Make sure you look at how the food is being prepared though as some of the cooks don’t have the highest health and hygiene standards!

Top tip: Alcohol is not permitted anywhere in the park – so don’t bring a beer or accept one from one of the locals who will try and sell you one for $10!!  You’ll get in trouble!

What to do in Stone Town

A Stone Town Tour

Once we’d checked in we were met at the front desk by our guide for the next few hours.  When we researched what to do in Stone Town, a tour of the town by an experienced guide always came up as the number one thing to do.  We booked ours through ZanziTaxi and our guide met us at our hotel.  You can read all about our Historial Walking Tour of Stone town here.  It’s definitely worth doing and it gave us such an insight into the history and way of life in Zanzibar.  It also helped us to get to know the town so we felt more comfortable walking around it on our own for the rest of the trip!  It’s a complete maze!

Take a sunset walk along the seafront

We were so shocked to see the beach and seafront completely packed late in the evening.  Away from the midday heat, this is when the locals come. out to take a stroll or even a dip in the ocean.  The whole place is a bustling sea of people and a hive of activity.  Local kids play ball or work on their acrobatic skills, families go for walks and everyone is out enjoying the amazing atmosphere.

Explore the alleyways and stop by Jaw’s Corner

Jaw’s Corner was one of the stops on our Historical Tour of Stone Town.  It’s a small square which really gives you a glimpse into everyday life in Stone Town.  The men gather here to play cards or Bao (A Zanzibarian board game) or just to sip coffee.

Shop for souvenirs and spices

You cant move more than a few inches in Stone Town without a vendor trying to sell you something.  It can get a bit annoying but if you’re firm and polite with your refusal then they tend to leave you alone.  Small shops line all the alleyways selling tourist treasures, from paintings to traditional clothing to sculptures and jewellery.  You can also head to the Darajani market to hone your haggling skills.  Here you can barter for spices amongst the locals or just take in the sights and sounds of this incredibly vibrant market.

Day Trips from Stone Town

Snorkel at Chumbe Island

Chumbe Island is a 45 minute boat trip off the coast of Stone Town and is an incredible place.  It is a protected eco-resort that works so hard to sustain the reefs surrounding it and the plant life within it.  

Booking is essential as only a maximum of 14 visitors are allowed on the island at any one time.  If you do the day trip, you’ll experience a walk through the dense forest on the island with a guide pointing out all of the flora and fauna.  You then get an incredible lunch full of traditional foods and flavours cooked by the island chef followed by a 1 hour snorkelling trip and a bit of time to relax afterwards.

The reef sanctuary at Chumbe Island is the best coral reef in the whole of Zanzibar so it is perfect for snorkelling.  It houses over 200 species of both coral and fish, and if you’re lucky you might even see a black-tipped reef shark!  You can also stay overnight on Chumbe Island, which is what we did – but that amazing experience deserves a blog post all of its own! Do it – you won’t regret it!

Chumbe Island Beach

Our Chumbe Island Hut

Trip to Prison Island

Prison Island is about a 30-minute boat ride from the coast of Stone Town.  Most tours leave at around 9am and the trip lasts about half the day.  Once there, you can explore the island where you can visit the giant tortoises (gifted by the Seychelles) and even feed them!  The island used to house rebellious slaves from the main island but subsequently became a quarantine for yellow fever patients.

You can snorkel the surrounding reefs before heading back to Stone Town for the afternoon.

Visit a Spice Plantation

Zanzibar isn’t called the Spice Island for no reason.  Whilst there you can take a trip to a spice plantation, and see how the spices (one of Zanzibar’s most famous exports) are grown.  If you want to see what the spices look like in their raw form before they’re cooked and dried then this trip is a must.  See cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon etc growing in its natural habitat.  You can see all the local fruits and vegetables too.  A must-see for any aspiring chefs or foodies.

Visit Jozani National Park to see the Colobus Monkeys

About 45 minutes outside of Stone Town is the protected Jozani National Park.  You can head into the tropical jungle and see the red colobus monkeys, indigenous to Zanzibar and not found anywhere else in the world.  The monkeys are quite used to humans and you can get pretty close to them (we were actually lucky enough to see one in our hotel!).   There are plenty of opportunities to take photos too and you get to explore the jungle and mangroves for a while as well.

Safari Blue

A day out on a traditional Zanzibar fishing boat called a dhow.  This trip includes two snorkel stops, an amazing seafood lunch on your own private beach, a trip to a deserted sandbank (your own private island), a chance to see the hugest Baobab trees you will ever see and time to relax and explore the surroundings as well.  We were even lucky enough to spot some dolphins on the return journey!  One of the best day trips we did during our time in Zanzibar.

A Traditional Safari Blue Dhow

Enjoying the Sailing Life

Pin what to do in Stone Town,  Zanzibar for later

              What to do in Stone Town, Zanzibar Stone Town is the Capital City  of Zanzibar and when planning our recent trip there, we knew we wanted to spend some time exploring and soaking up this amazing place. 

[grabtee]

Jesus Cross Merry Christmas Sweatshirt

New Post has been published on https://lazadashirt.com/trending/jesus-cross-merry-christmas-sweatshirt/

Jesus Cross Merry Christmas Sweatshirt

As soon as the house became democrat he was going to be impeached one way or the other. They are not going to chance another election or losing the Jesus Cross Merry Christmas Sweatshirt and not having this happen. I think a lot of people that are advising the on a lot of things are telling him wrong stuff and when I do those surveys I tell him what I think he is doing wrong. He probably doesn’t even read it, but, but some of the people don’t know their butt from a hole in the ground and he believes it’s the gospel, and we go there that’s another chapter. He needs to look at the whole picture of everything going on in this country about everything. Seeing as half his campaign is locked.

Shirt

Jesus Cross Merry Christmas Sweatshirt, T-Shirt, Hoodie, Long-Sleeved

T-Shirt

His old personal lawyer locked up. Giuliani is the Jesus Cross Merry Christmas Sweatshirt guy. If you don’t see his criminal activity then you’re either lying to yourself or delusional. Always thought the was his own worse enemy. He thinks he can run the country like his business that was privately owned no board of directors to answer to or shareholders to please. Our government structure is not a dictatorship or kingship. There was a reason our founding fathers created branches of government. The dem had better leave alone or they will never hold an elected office again. Love that they took the time to learn to sign to him.

Women’s T-Shirt

Jesus Cross Merry Christmas Sweatshirt, T-Shirt, Hoodie, Long-Sleeved

Long-Sleeved

Wish more kids people realize the greatest gifts are not the Jesus Cross Merry Christmas Sweatshirt expensive, it’s caring and loving enough to use your time and talent to do something because then they have a piece of you always. That was beautiful it shows us that man deserves the love and blessings and respect that he is getting blessings to him. Humanity is pure gold most times. We just concentrate on the bad things way too much in life. Some people you can look at and tell that are a good person and he’s one of those IMO. Heart-wrenching story. This made my heart cry happy tears. Amazing this is the way this turned into.

[aroundtheworldin18years]

What on earth is ‘Geocaching’?  Funnily enough I was asking that very same question just a few short weeks ago.  Now, I’m dragging the ladies the length and breadth of Ireland and beyond looking for spiders, tupperware, canisters, frogs, fish and other weird and wonderful geocache containers.  Please allow me to explain, enlighten and invite you to the ‘exciting’ world of Combining Geocaching with Travel!

Captain Cod Fish (GC7WFH8) find #91 in Tempo

WHAT IS GEOCACHING?

Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity enjoyed by millions of people across the globe.  Participants, or Geocachers as they (we) are known; use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device (typically a smart-phone) to hide and seek containers.  These containers are called ‘geocaches’ or ‘caches’.  The geocaches are placed at locations marked by GPS coordinates all over the world.  The aim is to locate and log (using the geocaching app) as many geocaches as you can.  No prizes, just the warm satisfaction of finding a hidden geocache.  Although, some geocache containers have little ‘swaps’ where you TS (take something) and LS (leave something).  Basically it’s a modern day treasure hunt on a global scale!

GC27864 – Find #22 at Drumskinny Stone Circle

HOW DID WE GET INTO GEOCACHING?

Our first geocache find was born out of intrigue (or ‘cash’ greed) rather than actual participation!  On a recent trip to Croatia we stumbled across an intriguing road sign as we travelled around the rocky island of Krk.  Curious, we stopped in a lay-by and crossed the road to read the sign.  A lady was stood beside the sign with a mobile phone in her hand looking a tad perplexed!  Mummy, being curious, got chatting to Sarah and found out she was searching for ‘cache’.  Of course, Mummy thought it was ‘cash’ and was soon assisting to locate the hoard!  After a while, the ladies returned empty-handed to the lay-by where I was chatting to Christoph, Sarah’s husband.  Their children, Noah and Eliah, sat in the rear of their car watching ipads.  Unfortunately they didn’t share their parents excitement in hunting for geocaches!

Geocache GC57PPX in Croatia – Crossing 45

FINDING OUR FIRST GEOCACHE IN CROATIA

The family were from Germany and holidaying in Croatia, where they were also hunting for geocaches.  After chatting for a while, Lily-Belle decided she wanted to try and find the geocache.  So, back over the road and the hunt began.  After climbing a small wall, and searching for a few minutes; Lily-Belle let out a shriek and presented Sarah with a small camouflaged container!  Now, geocache etiquette means I’m not allowed to tell you where the geocache was located but…I can say it was well camouflaged in its location.  Etiquette also means that once you write your details (name, time and date of find) on the cache log, you must return it to its original location!  Which we did!  Our first geocache find – Crossing 45 (GC57PPX)!  Lily-Belle was very excited…and I was hooked, I wanted to find another!  Mummy wanted to find a sunset!  Matilda slept!

Find #1 in Croatia with Erzcazhe

SUNSET IN CROATIA

After taking a photo and swapping info with Sara and Christoph, Erzcache (their Geocache username) drove away and we discreetly changed into evening clothes at the side of the road.  All dressed, we set off for Punat to watch the sunset over the mountains.  Our timings were slightly out, and I had to stop at the side of the road to film the sunset with a small port in the foreground.  As I enjoyed the sunset (time-lapse video), my mind wandered into the world of Geocaching.  I also wondered if we were close to any other hidden geocache containers.  Maybe there’d be one or two caches in Punat?

Sunset over Punat, Croatia

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PURSUING GEOCACHING IN PUNAT

Punat is a beautiful small seaside town located on the southern coast of the island of Krk.  Full of charm and typically Croatian with small narrow streets and arched doorways that lead to colourful houses and taverns.  The sun had set and our evening meal was a little later than normal, we were all ravenous with rumbling tummy’s!  During our meal we discussed geocaching and whether or not it’d be of interest to pursue this as a hobby.  The vote, three for and one against….yaaaaaay, let the hunt begin.  Regretfully we didn’t search for any more geocache containers whilst in Croatia.  We just wanted to relax, swim in the warm clear waters off the Croatian coast, and enjoy our time as a family.  A time we thoroughly enjoyed, even though I almost fell off a cliff, but hey-ho, that’s a story for another day!

Peaceful and secluded Stara Baška beach in Krk, Croatia

GEOCACHING ON HOME TURF

Upon our return to Ireland we were greeted by horizontal rain, hard to believe it’s the height of summer.  Less than 24 hours earlier we had been enjoying temperatures of 32°C in Croatia.  A three hour drive before we arrived home in the small hours, unloaded the car into the dining room and went to bed.  The postman gave us an early morning alarm call delivering a parcel.  All I could think about was geocaching!  App opened I located a cache just 3 miles from the house and it didn’t take us long to get in the car in search of our second geocache.  After 90 minutes of searching we gave up (found at a later date) and moved on to another, this time a successful find disguised as a plastic spider.  Geocaching is SERIOUSLY addictive… I needed more!

Horsey Horsey (GC839VW) find #8 in Dromore, County Tyrone.

ANTARCTICA ANYONE?

At the time of writing this post, we have 101 successful finds to our name….but it won’t be long until we find more!  We may even book a Geocaching Holiday (yes, they exist) to satisfy my ‘cache craving’!  I say ‘my craving’ because the ladies don’t quite share my newfound enthusiasm for Geocaching!  Do you like treasure hunts?  If you do, then the geocaching is pretty much the world’s largest treasure hunt!  There are all sorts of caches hidden in random places on every continent and across 191 countries!  In all honesty; I’m surprised that no one has fathomed out how to get a cache on to the moon!  Now that would be some FTF (first to find), I might have to give NASA a call!  And I am led to believe there’s a cache in the frozen wilderness of Antarctica that has never been located…I wonder why?

Anything Goes (GC7P48R) find #52 at Necarne Estate in Fermanagh

There’s Ben (GC1PZP5) find #70 on the Red Trail at Florence Court, Fermanagh.

Fun in Fermanagh (GCNX4K) find #18 at Castle Archdale near Lisnarick

COMBINING GEOCACHING WITH TRAVEL

Geocaching is the perfect way to explore the great outdoors and see the world.  Since beginning our quest to locate caches, we’ve seen local areas and landmarks that we never knew existed, and some are right on our own doorstep.  The great thing about geocaching is that all you need is a basic membership (available from Geocaching), a smartphone with app installed and a sense of adventure.

Geocaching was born in 2000 and here are a few stats to lure you in:

There are more than 3 million active geocaches worldwide,

Want to find them all?  It would take 822 years if you found 10 caches per day,

Geocaches are hidden on every continent and across 191 different countries,

As of 2019, there are more than 361,000 geocache owners all over the world,

Geocaching.com is translated into 24 languages,

Android and iOS apps are translated into 20 languages.

For further information please visit Geocaching.

If you would like to:

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              Information, currency and prices are correct at the time of publishing. Views, opinions and experiences are that of The Callaghan Posse and are correct at the time of publication. Photos, unless credited, are taken by The Callaghan Posse for use and distribution by Around The World In 18 Years. Images and content may not be used or copied (private or commercial) without obtaining prior permission. Main image view from Cuilcacgh Boardwalk in Fermanagh.

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COMBINING GEOCACHING WITH TRAVEL What on earth is 'Geocaching'?  Funnily enough I was asking that very same question just a few short weeks ago. 

[barefootblogger-france]

When my Brit friends from Uzès invited me to tag along with them to “live like a King” at the weekend home of the Duke of Windsor and Wallace Simpson outside Paris, I was thrilled. No one really knows how much I love and follow the British Royals. It’s a great addition to my French travels, too.

Queen Elizabeth Doll

I vividly remember the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth. A Queen Elizabeth doll was my prized possession.

I’m so firmly attached to the Royal Family that I went to the wedding of Will and Kate. Yes, I was one of the hundreds of thousands of spectators at Will and Kate’s wedding that glorious April day.

London 2011

Marriage of Will and Kate London 2011

In fact, it was while I was on the same side of the ocean for the wedding that a friend invited me to visit in France. We spent a Saturday Market Day in Uzes. The rest is history.

Saturday Market in Uzes

Live Like a King

Nothing could have prepared me for the fact that I would spend four days and nights in the same house as the former King of England and the famous American divorcee, Wallace Simpson. Who knew I’d be stomping the same garden paths and walking the same village streets?

Duke of Windsor and Wallace Simpson

For any who are too young, or aren’t familiar with the story of King Edward and Wallace Simpson, it’s probably the most romantic love story in modern history (Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton next?) Edward was King of England after the death of his father; he was having an affair with Wallace Simpson — an American divorcee; he abdicated the throne to marry Wallace Simpson; and they “exiled” to France. If you’d like to see a new recreation of the events, you must watch the TV series “The Crown.”

Wedding Day of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor

Getting there

The stay at the Duke and Wallace Simpson’s country home was planned for the week following my return to France from the States. (Hopefully, you traveled with me through CDG airport; Cook’n with Class;  and Montmartre.)

After a few days in Paris, I  left for Gif-Sur-Yvette by train from Gard du Nord in Paris to meet my friends who were driving up from Uzes.

  Yes, I had a ton of luggage with me from the States to haul onto the train. Luckily a lovely young man who was catching the same train gave me a hand.

Paris Gard du Nord

When I arrived at the train station in Gif-Sur-Yvette, I was “gathered” by my friends and delivered to Le Moulin de la Tuilerie, only a few miles away.

What a wonderful sight!

Le Moulin de la Tuilerie

Here’s a slideshow of the home, cottages, and grounds. 

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A brief history of Le Mouline de la Tuilerie

Le Moulin de la Tuilerie was the weekend home of the Duke and Duchess and the only property the couple owned together. Their formal residence in France was in Paris, 4 Route du Champ d’Entrainement in the Bois de Bologna. The history of Le Moulin dates back to the 1500s when a working mill was on the site. The current main house was built in 1734 — as indicated by the date carved over the transom of the front door. At that time, the house and grounds were known as “Moulin Aubert.” When Edward and the Duchess took possession of Moulin Aubert in 1952, the Duchess renamed the estate after the adjacent village — ” Moulin Tuilierie.”

Le Moulin de la Tuilerie was owned and occupied by the Windsors until the Duke’s death in 1972. In 2009 it became a Landmark Trust property.

An inside look

After purchasing Le Moulin, the Windsors spent two years redecorating the interior and guest houses. With the help of renowned designer Stéphane Boudin, the home was tastefully filled with bright colors and furnishings the couple had amassed during their lives separately and together. Today, only a few of the same decorations remain.

Photos from thepeakofchic.blogspot.com

During our stay at Le Moulin, the four couples — and me — occupied the five bedrooms in the main house. My room was quickly decided because it was the only single. For the other four bedrooms, my friends drew straws. Two couples joined me in the “servants quarters.” The remaining two were given the room of the Duchess and the room of the Duke. As you can see, there was nothing opulent about the living quarters of Le Moulin. Just utilitarian and comfortably dressed in a 1950’s way.

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Bedroom of the Duke of Windsor

Bath adjacent to the room of the Duchess

The living room upstairs, on the other hand, was huge and inviting. During the time of the Windsors, the room was used primarily for entertaining. (See photos above) There are framed photographs that show the Duke and Duchess surrounded by elegantly-dressed and famous guests.

The kitchen area was added as the home morphed from a private residence to a Landmark Trust site.

Le Moulin de la Tuilerie

Live Like a King: Wallace Simpson Dinner Parties

Not to be outdone by royalty, my Brit friends and I put on our own “Royals Nights.”  Cocktails were served promptly at seven and dinner at eight. Two evenings we all dressed the part of Wallace Simpson and the Duke. Glam, eh?

Our cocktails, aperos, and meals were divine.

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All followed by fun and games… and just a bit of drama.

Note: Mas d’Augustine lovebirds, Jane and Gary Langston, made the best of their holiday away from the B&B.

Jane and Gary

Live Like a King: Out and about 

During the daytime, there was plenty of sightseeing to do.  Walking through the village of Gif-Sur-Yvette, for one.

Then a day in Paris that started with an hour-long train ride, a hop-on bus tour, and a fabulous lunch.

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The most magnificent of all — a day in Versailles!

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Then … it was time to say “goodbye”…

Yet another memory … 

  Where next? Stay tuned …

Live Like a King and Wallace Simpson When my Brit friends from Uzès invited me to tag along with them to "live like a King" at the weekend home of the Duke of Windsor and Wallace Simpson outside Paris, I was thrilled.

[mikemortgage]

Brandon Truaxe built, then nearly broke, Deciem. Can it go on without him?

Nicola Kilner, chief executive of the skin-care company Deciem, has a joke about last year. If you didn’t get fired in 2018, she says, “then you didn’t really live 2018 at Deciem.”

Kilner was fired twice, by Brandon Truaxe, the company’s founder and one of her closest friends. Last year, even as Deciem grew, Truaxe plunged the company into chaos. He was committed to hospitals four times in three countries. He died in January of this year, after a fall from a Toronto condominium.

His death left Kilner at the top of a company that is projected to sell US$300-million worth of products this year. She is working to stay faithful to Truaxe’s vision. She considers him a genius, but she also wants to integrate new values into the company’s culture, like kindness.

Because 2018, she said, “wasn’t a very kind year.”

Deciem founder Brandon Truaxe dead at 40

The inside story of how Deciem, the Abnormal Beauty Company, lived up to its name

Deciem founder ordered to stay away from Estee Lauder offices, workers after ’harassing and menacing’ communications

Kilner and Truaxe met in 2011, when she was working as a buyer at Boots, the British pharmacy chain. She was inspired by his energy and constant stream of ideas, and when he founded Deciem, in 2013, she was excited to be hired as the company’s brand director. They spent every working hour together.

Truaxe was passionate and funny, but also quick to anger. Kilner, who is preternaturally calm, would help soothe tensions in the aftermath of any given blowup. He recognized his own volatility, though, and the two grew to trust each other. She soon became Truaxe’s co-chief executive.

Deciem was conceived as a skin-care product incubator, a company that would house 10 different brands with different missions. Truaxe’s background was in computer science, and he approached moisturizers and toners as engineering problems.

Shamin Mohamed Jr., Deciem’s director of operations under Truaxe and his good friend, said that beauty was supposed to be just the beginning; Truaxe had intended to disrupt other sectors, including apparel, nutrition and technology.

“He’s more Silicon Valley than beauty,” said Nils Johnson, whose company Beautylish was one of the first retailers to stock Deciem products in the U.S. “He was kind of in a position where he didn’t care about status quo and he didn’t have respect for status quo.”

Deciem founder Brandon Truaxe is shown in this undated handout photo posted to Instagram.

Truaxe grew frustrated in an industry in which brand names determine prices and packaging is crowded with marketing gobbledygook. So he created The Ordinary, a line of a la carte ingredients that are usually prettied up or disguised and sold at a premium by other brands. Much of Deciem’s value derives from The Ordinary, which has become its most popular offering, leaping over brands like NIOD, Loopha and Ab Crew.

The Ordinary was released as a product line in September 2016, just a few months after the company started opening retail locations. It was Deciem’s 11th brand. None of its products cost more than US$15. Between August 2016 and August 2017, the company more than doubled its wholesale revenue, causing a stir in the industry and attracting Estée Lauder Cos. as a minority investor — even as Truaxe’s behaviour shifted from passionate to disturbing.

What Does a Visionary Look Like?

Truaxe’s behaviour began to change in the early days of 2018, after he said he had spent the end-of-year holidays in Mongolia. (Kilner came to believe that he was not in Mongolia but in Venice, Italy, and Amsterdam; Mohamed said that Truaxe had never planned to go to Mongolia.) In January, he announced on the company’s Instagram that he would be taking on all marketing — that there would be no more barrier between himself and Deciem’s followers. “From now on I am going to communicate personally with you,” he said.

It was difficult for his co-workers, including Kilner, to make judgments about his behaviour. When the founder announced that he would no longer be using his cellphone or email, they weren’t sure whether he was being unreasonable or a genius.

“Brandon was so infectious in whoever he spoke to,” Kilner said. “You were just in his magic charm. I remember having conversations with my husband around things he was saying. You challenge yourself thinking, ‘Am I the one not getting this?’ ”

Mohamed thought that Truaxe’s behaviour was less a sudden break than a continuation of familiar behaviour. “Brandon didn’t magically become crazy in eight months,” he said. “He’s always been like this. He’s always been this manic guy who ran this company.”

Kilner felt compelled to say something in February when, on Deciem’s Instagram account, Truaxe abruptly ended the company’s relationship with cosmetic doctor Tijion Esho. Esho was caught off-guard and upset, a preview of what the rest of the year would look like for those in the founder’s orbit.

“I started to ask him, ‘Are you OK? Are things OK?’ ” Kilner said. “The next day I was terminated.”

Truaxe delegated the firing to the company’s human resources director, Neha Gupta. Kilner’s husband, Sean Reddington, booked the couple on a flight to Barbados. The two had been married for several years but had put off having children. They decided that, free from an all-consuming workplace, it was time. In March, she became pregnant.

Progress within the company almost ground to a halt. In March, Truaxe fired Deciem’s U.S. team. In early April, after he published an Instagram post insulting Kilner, Reddington emailed him, disclosing that his wife was pregnant and that the stress was unwelcome. Truaxe responded warmly, congratulating the couple. He knew that Kilner had always wanted a baby and had told her he worried that Deciem would keep her from starting a family. Then he posted the news on the company’s Instagram account. Kilner was only about four weeks pregnant and had told very few people.

Kilner said that such behaviour marked a definitive break. “Before 2018, Brandon was the most respectful person in the world,” she said.

The Vanishing Line Between Public and Private

Deciem’s employees embraced the common startup practice of referring to co-workers as one’s family. Kilner, the company’s U.S. director, Dakota Isaacs, and others tend to speak in superlatives about their colleagues. (And Truaxe’s longtime partner, Riyadh Swedaan, worked at the company for years.)

But Truaxe’s actions further confounded the boundaries separating the workplace and the home. His Instagram posts and conduct within Deciem suggested that he was having trouble parsing which behaviour was appropriate for the public, what might belong at Deciem and what he might keep private.

Kilner did not deny a report in the Financial Post that he was ingesting psychedelic mushrooms in front of employees. She said he did not attempt to persuade team members to take drugs with him.

But he did recommend that they take mushrooms; he was convinced of their creative and spiritual benefits. This behaviour constituted another change. “Before 2018, he barely even drank alcohol,” Kilner said.

Mohamed said that he did not think that Truaxe had been mentally ill, but said he did think that he had been addicted to drugs: crystal meth and psilocybin.

In May, according to an interview with the Financial Post, Truaxe took crystal meth in Britain, which led to him being arrested and committed to a hospital. By June, he was calling Kilner and begging her to come back, partly, she said, because he was hoping to win back the support of Estée Lauder Cos., whom his behaviour had alienated.

At first, she was not sure whether she would return. But ultimately, she decided, “This wasn’t a job. This was family. You’re there for family.”

View this post on Instagram

Our co-worker is back—but never behind. We love you, @nicolalkilner. You’ll always be our only 🐌—and always stronger than any 🐅 can ever hope to be or become. 🧡💛🌕😜

A post shared by THE ABNORMAL BEAUTY COMPANY (@deciem) on Jul 3, 2018 at 7:04am PDT

Breaking Point

At first, Truaxe seemed improved upon Kilner’s return. He was in the Toronto office infrequently, which helped Kilner and the rest of the team to get things done.

But it became clear that he would not return to being the person he had been. At one point, in late summer, he and Kilner spent hours together in a New York restaurant talking about new products, one of the most normal exchanges she had with him in months. She texted her husband, telling him that she wanted to cry with happiness. Ten minutes later, Truaxe got up and said he had to leave the restaurant “because people were in there watching him.”

In August, Truaxe and Kilner cut off Deciem’s relationship with Beautylish. Johnson said that in the meeting, Truaxe seemed to be “having one of his episodic experiences” and that he talked at length about subjects that were unrelated to the business. (Johnson has not forgiven Kilner. He sees her as having enabled Truaxe’s darker tendencies; it was she who sent the email terminating the relationship.)

In an email sent Oct. 1, Truaxe addressed the distrust for him that had grown rampant at his company. He wrote, referring to himself by his own initials and in the third person, that “I recognize that many of you may have allowed doubt to cloud your judgment of B.T., despite much kindness, love, respect and generosity that our founder has shown us.”

People react as they look outside a Toronto Deciem store after all locations closed unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 9, 2018.

Eight days later, he announced on Instagram that the company would stop all operations and close down its own stores, provoking pandemonium within the company and a run on its merchandise from a consumer base worried that their preferred products would soon be unavailable. Three days later, Estée Lauder Cos. successfully sued to have Truaxe removed from Deciem. Kilner, then seven months pregnant, replaced him as chief executive.

“You’ve got 700 people who’ve got livelihoods, they’ve got families, they’ve got bills to pay,” she said. “So when it came up what needed to happen there was a part of me that thought ‘Maybe this is what he needs.’ ”

A New Deciem

Kilner believed that he would recover and return. She called him as the court case was proceeding to see if one more conversation could make a difference. But after that, she made a firm decision to focus on Deciem and on her soon-to-arrive baby.

She stopped talking to him as much. Conversations with him were trying. Truaxe seemed consumed by the idea that those around him had committed financial crimes, and had an obsessive interest in and affinity for President Donald Trump. His anger at being removed from Deciem also made him hard to talk to.

Mohamed thinks that Truaxe may have closed the stores to cause his own ouster. He does not blame Kilner for taking over, but does think that Truaxe should have been able to remain in contact with some of his co-workers. Cutting him off from the colleagues he saw as family was cruel, Mohamed thought, and he said he believed it led to the further deterioration of Truaxe’s condition.

As she entered the final month of her pregnancy, Kilner began to envision the company’s future. Deciem this year will open a new, 70,000-square-foot facility in Toronto, the first in years that will be able to house all its employees. The facility, in the Liberty Village neighbourhood (the location was chosen by Truaxe), will include an on-site laboratory, a factory and a store. They expect to introduce between 100 and 150 new products this year, and several new brands. Both Kilner and Mohamed plan to devote their organizations to furthering the study of mental health.

One of Deciem’s new brands will make skin-care products for babies, something Kilner said the company’s customers ask for all the time. She had a daughter at the end of December. She did not know the sex of the baby until the birth, but had already picked out a name for a girl, Mila, which she shared with Truaxe in July. He adored it, she said.

Kilner took no leave from work; she answered emails about Deciem from the hospital. She said she loves her job so much that managing the company does not feel like work to her. When Kilner was interviewed in early April, her infant daughter had taken more flights than she had lived weeks.

Kilner learned in January that Truaxe might be dead from reporters emailing one of Deciem’s publicists: one last awful piece of news that strangers had access to before Truaxe’s work family did.

She said she feels privileged to be able to work on building the company that he created. “The best thing that we can do to honour him is to make sure his vision lives for eternity,” Kilner said.

—

For general information on mental health and to locate treatment services in your area in the United States, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Referral Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). In Canada, visit the website of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

from Financial Post http://bit.ly/2GuiYuY via IFTTT Blogger Mortgage Tumblr Mortgage Evernote Mortgage Wordpress Mortgage href="https://www.diigo.com/user/gelsi11">Diigo Mortgage

[billionaireaddresses]

Named ‘All View’, a waterfront mansion in New Rochelle built for the Gilded Age fetched a record-breaking $16 million in an exchange earlier this month.

‘All View’ is a historic, 28 room estate home located on the Long Island Sound shore in the gated, Premium Point community of New Rochelle, in Westchester County, New York.

Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty announced the deal Nov. 27 for 116 Premium Point in New Rochelle, NY. The price, according to the announcement, marks a record for a property in the Mamaroneck School District.

The 3-acre property is at the end of a jut of land on the Long Island Sound near Echo Island. The home is known as All View for its vistas of the sound that extend to the New York City skyline.

The 23,000-square-foot estate was built in 1890, tied to recognizable names from the Gilded Age. The home was built for Charles Oliver Iselin, an American banker and yachtsman. Although real estate advertisements have listed the architect as Stanford White, the actual designer was Sidney Vanuxem Stratton, who maintained an office in the same building as White at McKim, Mead & White. Famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted originally designed the grounds.

Sales literature stated;

The kitchens boast high-end appliances: custom La Cornue and Viking ranges, two Gaggenau ovens, five refrigerators (three of which are Sub-Zero), three Miele dishwashers, and one Viking dishwasher. Historic extravagance melds seamlessly with modern aesthetic sensibilities – hand plastered vaulted ceilings, a diamond leaded gallery of windows, a gilded central staircase, two-story white marble columns, the finest materials including rare Onyx, and parquet floors finished in Oak, Grey French Wax and Ebony. The estate’s name comes from the breath-taking scenery that surrounds every inch of the property – panoramic views of Echo Bay and the Long Island Sound, stretching south to New York City and Connecticut in the north. Built in 1890, the original owner was Charles Oliver Iselin, an American banker and three-time America’s Cup winning yachtsman. Throughout the years the house has hosted numerous dignitaries and celebrities, and most recently endured a multi-year renovation through which it was lovingly and meticulously restored, bringing it back to its former glory, while advancing it technologically and sustainability into the 21st century, including a new 14-zone geothermal heat and air conditioning system. The end result is simply stunning! The grounds were originally conceived by the father of American landscape architecture and designer of Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted, which today include a private beach, boat dock, badminton/mini-tennis/basketball court and a newly refurbished, 30′ x 60′ dark grey mosaic glass swimming pool with LED lit fountain jets and a built-in hot tub. There are also stone paved viewing terraces, two mahogany decks, a custom designed fire pit dining table for 16 with built-in banquette, mature growth trees, two wisteria-covered pergolas, a koi pond and a rose arbor. With such history, grandeur and convenient proximity to New York City (approximately 30 minutes), while still maintaining a feeling of the utmost privacy, All View is truly one of the most unique properties in the country – a rare find that will not be on the market for long.

Click outside of any image for a slideshow of images or click on any image for a single full page view of the image. Hit F11 in slideshow for larger images.

Sponsored by:

Many wealthy people who give or donate money do so privately. You just have to know where to write. Our mailing lists give you those billionaires addresses.

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Aerial showing where the mansion is located in Long Island Sound.

A direct from above image of ‘All View’ mansion.

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 01

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 02

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 03

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 05

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 06

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 07

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Many wealthy people who give or donate money do so privately. You just have to know where to write. Our mailing lists give you those billionaires addresses.

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Many wealthy people who give or donate money do so privately. You just have to know where to write. Our mailing lists give you those billionaires addresses.

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Interior of ‘All View’ Mansion on Long Island Sound, New Rochelle in Westchester County, NY

Aerial View of the road leading to the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 04

The other side of the island mansion from the image above

Another Secluded mansion near the ‘All View’ Mansion

Another mansion that looks towards the ‘All View’ mansion on Long Island Sound

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County Sells For $16 Million

Aerial showing where the mansion is located in Long Island Sound.

A direct from above image of ‘All View’ mansion.

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 01

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 02

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 03

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 04

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 05

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 06

Aerial View of the Secluded Gilded Age Mansion ‘All View’ Overlooking Long Island Sound In Westchester County, NY 07

Secluded Gilded Age Mansion, ‘All View’ Sells On Long Island Sound For $16 Million – Westchester County, NY – (50 Images) Named 'All View', a waterfront mansion in New Rochelle built for the Gilded Age fetched a record-breaking $16 million in an exchange earlier this month.

[licencedtoretire]

Earlier this year I was approached by the media manager of Landmarks NZ who asked if I could visit some of the the properties in Northland that they are charged with promoting and write about them in my blog. This seemed like a good excuse to visit some places that we haven’t been to, so I agreed and earlier this year we made the journey north. In a sort of roundabout way it was going to be up the West Coast and down the East.

Such a familiar sign now around the country welcome to the Dargaville Park

First stop on the tour was going to be the NZMCA Park in Dargaville and although the local museum wasn’t on the list of places we had been asked to visit we felt that if we were doing a historic tour them we should start there. We walked from NZMCA Park up to the museum paying the small admission fee and started our tour of the place.

Sarah at the entrance to the Dargaville museum

If I had to rate this small town museum out of 10 I would give it an 11 it’s just packed with stuff at every turn and it would be easy to lose yourself here for hours looking and learning about the locals, their history and the strange thing they collect.

Kauri dieback

The following morning we headed up the coast making a quick stop at the Trounson Kauri Forest and were horrified by the devastation wrought by kauri dieback  disease. We wonder how long it will be before they close this forest as they have done with the Waitakere Ranges in Auckland.

From the Trounson Forest it was north to Rawene passing through the Waipoua Forest but not stopping as we visited this area in 2017. It’s another place where I am sure it won’t be long before they are forced to close the walking trails due to the dieback issue. It’s so sad to see these magnificent trees devastated by fungal infection.

Clendon House

The Rawene vehicle ferry

Rawene was our first official stop on the historic tour with our visit to Clendon House where we met Lindsay one of a team of dedicated people who both look after the building as well instructing visitors as to the history of the place. We spent 20 or so minutes listing to Lindsay as he explained the abridged version of the Clendon family in the area and then had a self guided tour through the house and gardens.

I don’t know if quaint is quite the right word but Rawene has it’s own special feel. A place with the right mix of modern and history all wrapped up in a small village with great fish and chips!

Made it!

With our visit to be to the Mangungu Mission in Horeke we chose to overnight at the amazing Wairere Boulders a valley that is strewn with boulders leftover from a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. Over all these years the boulders have been shaped to all sorts of strange formations and through it the people who who own the place have formed a number of trails for all levels of fitness.

Entry to the Boulders attraction gives you a free nights stay in their purpose built camping area that comes with clean toilets and some of the friendliest hosts that you could hope to meet. Do yourself a favour and spend a night here, it’s a special place.

Just 3kms down the road from the Boulders is the second oldest standing building in New Zealand and were the largest number of Maori Chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi at the Mangungu Mission house the first Wesleyan Mission station in New Zealand. It was here that we our host Ianthe treated us to some of the stories and history associated with this place.

The current Methodist chapel

It was fascinating to hear about the 70 chiefs that signed the treaty on that day with the bay below the house having around 400 Waka parked up on the beaches it really would have been an amazing sight. Just down from the Mission house is the small hamlet of Horeke site of the oldest pub  and Post Office in New Zealand as well as some other really interesting sights making the trip well and truly worthwhile.

Te Waimate Mission

Te Waimate Mission

The plan was to spend that night at the NZMCA Park in Kerikeri to visit our friend John who lives just down the road from the Park. With Te Waimate Mission on the way to Kerikeri it was the next logical stopping point on our tour.

It was here that we met Alex who besides managing the Mission House here also overseas the two other mission houses we have visited so a really busy man. Not to busy however to spend a good 15 or so minutes giving us a run down on the history of this place both as a church mission as well as a model farm and army base.

There is some really well preserved history at this place and with plenty of parking it’s an easy visit just of SH10.  Sadly not long after we visited here the oldest Oak tree in New Zealand which was growing on site passed away (blew over in a storm) thankfully there are cuttings that they will replant as a memorial.

The old school house

It’s not just the Mission House here at Te Waimate there is also a historic church and graveyard to wander around and although not open to the public the old Sunday School house is an interesting piece of history at the end of the driveway.

Staying at the NZMCA Park in Kerikeri gave us the chance to catch up with our friend John who lives just down the road and also a rare opportunity to wash the MH as we don’t have the facilities on the farm where it’s stored.

This way

The fantastic visitor centre

Of course right after we washed it we discovered that there are 14 kms of metal road to the next destination on our tour. The Rangihoua Heritage Park site of the first Christian church service in New Zealand. It’s also home to this fantastic visitor centre and a really pleasant walk to to the beach were that service was held.

Like a lot of the places we visited this one was almost devoid of visitors and on such a fabulous day with a really pretty beach at the end of the walk it seemed such a shame. If you coming here during summer make sure you allow plenty of time to take advantage of the natural beauty and bring a picnic and togs.

We stopped that night at the Whangaruru Beachfront Camp directly across the water from my personal favourite camp Puriri Bay a DOC camp where the family have spent many happy holidays, but this was the first time on the other side of the water. What a fabulous place to stay right on the water with power at a very reasonable rate. Bookings are essential here over the summer months but come outside then and you just about have the place to yourself.

Final stop on our tour of sites promoted by Landmarks NZ was the Ruapekapeka Pa located about 6kms down a metal road just off SH10 south of Kawakawa. With us arriving to discover what is the largest and best preserved fortified Pa site in New Zealand completely deserted. What looks like holes made by a giant rabbit that has gone mad making burrows everywhere is actually an amazing set of fortifications that held the British army at bay for 10 days when the army had cannons and mortars and the Pa had nothing of the kind. It really is quite an incredible story.

So it’s at this point that I need to say thanks to Claudia and the team from Landmarks NZ who work tirelessly behind the scenes promoting these properties on behalf of Heritage NZ, DOC, Local councils and various private owners. Without this invite I might never have seen or been to any of these places and Sarah and I are both much richer for the experience each of these places has provided.

Each of the above short tales has a link to the blog that I wrote about each place and would seriously recommend that you take the time to visit some of these places or stay at the campgrounds that I have mentioned or follow our route and so the whole thing on your own safari round Northland.

To view the places we have visited click here to see them on Google maps. You can click the links to read the blog about that area. [cardoza_facebook_like_box] To view the Ratings we have done for other camps click here  [jetpack_subscription_form] 

A Tour Of Historic Northland Earlier this year I was approached by the media manager of Landmarks NZ who asked if I could visit some of the the properties in Northland that they are charged with promoting and write about them in my blog.

[cornishbirdblog]

Trewardreva fogou can be found in a quiet field just outside the village of Constantine. This hidden site is a long way from the Penwith where the majority of the known fogous can be found. Also known as the Piskey Hall this fogou is a little smaller than the ones at Boleigh or Halliggye, but equally beautifully constructed and mysterious.

When I visited recently I was surprised to see how much the brambles had sprung up around the entrance, hiding the first of the eight huge granite slabs that provide the roof of this covered passage. Getting inside was a little tricky but once through the entrance I found a passageway as impressive as its cousins further west, though a little more modest in dimensions.

The Main Entrance

While other fogous have passages that are 20m or more long this one is only 8.5m in length and it also has no visible side or creep passage. It is thought however that it may have extended further in the past.

It’s not clear where the origin of it’s Piskey Hall nickname is but we have all heard the tales of these mischievous little beasties causing trouble around and about the Cornish countryside. This 1911 account from Evans Wentz’s ‘Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries’ amused me, it is almost certainly about the Trewardreva fogou, which is close to the Bosahan quarry.

John Wilmet, 78 years old, began by telling me the following tale about an allee couvert: “William Murphy, who married my sister, once went to the pisky-house at Bosahan with a surveyor and the two of them heard such unearthly noises in it that they came running home in great excitement, saying they had heard the piskies.”

Standing alone in the quiet of the passage it is easy to imagine all kinds of strange goings on and heaven forbid you catch a cobweb in the face!

This fogou, like the others of its kind, was once part of an Iron Age settlement that has now been destroyed and because is isn’t as deep underground as some of the others it is still quite noticeable in the landscape as a hump of scrubby ground.

To reach the fogou you have to cross a privately owned field but the farmer said is happy for people to visit as long as they follow the rules of the countryside. The field is regularly used for grazing, so just be aware of this if you plan to visit.

You will find the fogou about half a mile north of the village of Constantine on the B3291 in the field directly opposite the drive to Trewardreva House, you will easily spot the grand granite gate posts.

Trewardreva Fogou – the Piskey Hall, Constantine. Trewardreva fogou can be found in a quiet field just outside the village of Constantine. This hidden site is a long way from the Penwith where the majority of the known fogous can be found.

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As soon as the Houston Astros Texas Map 2019 Shirt became democrat he was going to be impeached one way or the other. They are not going to chance another election or losing the house and not having this happen. I think a lot of people that are advising the on a lot of things are telling him wrong stuff and when I do those surveys I tell him what I think he is doing wrong.

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He probably doesn’t even read it, but, but some of people don’t know their butt from a whole in the ground and he he believe’s it’s the Houston Astros Texas Map 2019 Shirt, and we go there that’s another chapter. He needs to look at the whole picture of everything going on in this country about everything. Seeing as half his campaign is locked. His old personal lawyer locked up. Giuliani is the fall guy. If you don’t see his criminal activity then you’re either lying to yourself or delusional. Always thought the was his own worse enemy.

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He thinks he can run the Houston Astros Texas Map 2019 Shirt like his business that was privately owned no board of directors to answer to or shareholders to please. Our government structure is not a dictatorship or kingship. There was a reason our founding fathers created branches of government. The dem had better leave alone or they will never hold a elected office again.

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The Financial Reporting Council has the powers to ensure good corporate governance practices in organisations. Every Nigerian should be interested in what they do.

Not much is known about the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and what they do–especially among the burgeoning crop of smartphone wielding and social media savvy Nigerians.

In the piece that follows, financial analyst Chinedu Ekeke explains what the FRC is all about and why everyone should follow their activities with more than a passing interest.

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SMEs should learn about FRC codes

When will more Nigerians start paying attention to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the institution that regulates auditors, accountants and sets Nigeria’s Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes?

At the moment, only a few people bother with FRC’s guidelines: practicing accountants, auditors, and a handful of management and board members of formal and properly-structured businesses.

Yet more people should show interest, especially for a country in dire need of foreign investments. No investor takes a dime to a jurisdiction where utmost transparency and integrity in business is not promoted, where they are not sure that institutional regulations will guarantee safety to their dollars and returns on their investments.

Now, 96% of all businesses in Nigeria are Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), compared to 53% in the United States and 65% in Europe. Still, this huge number contributes only 1% to Nigeria’s GDP while the smaller numbers in United States contribute a staggering 50% to that country’s GDP.

We can argue that the United States is not at the same level of development with Nigeria, hence the huge gap in contribution of SMEs to GDP, yet when weighed against countries on the same level of development, Nigeria is still light years behind with respect to tapping into the huge benefits of SMEs.

A key challenge facing small businesses in Nigeria is poor credit environment; the inability to access funding. Yet one known aid to funding of small businesses is a country’s sound Corporate Governance Code. Investors consider matters of transparent reporting seriously when allocating investment funds, and Nigerian SMEs can attract these funds by first appreciating, and then applying the principles set out in the FRC’s Code.

Code of corporate governance

Consider this as Nigeria being in competition with other countries of the world for investment capital. And investors look carefully at laws and regulations that guarantee safety of investments before moving in their money. Even donors (for non-profit organisations) also want to be sure that there are institutional regulations that ensure transparency in the use of funds they give to non-profit organisations within a country.

This means that with sound Corporate Governance Code, and all other factors being equal, there’s a chance we will attract huge investment capital into our economy.

It is this understanding that the FRC assumes as it invites members of public to take a look at its draft of the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance 2018.

The Code is the product of a 15-member committee set up in January to review an initial one issued in October 2016, but which was suspended by the Federal Government just eleven days after. The plan now is to replace it with a new one.

Code of Corporate Governance is a set of rules that set standards of good practice in issues like composition of boards of organisations – both private and public, their remuneration, accountability, relation with shareholders, as well as overall governance of the firm.

The FRC is responsible for setting and promoting compliance with these standards for accounting, financial reporting and auditing in Nigeria. It has the powers to ensure good corporate governance practices in organisations.

This proposed new Code of Corporate Governance is resting on 28 principles and 230 practices. The principles are the ideals which corporate organisations should strive for in their governance journey. These principles are like the objectives to which organisations should aspire.

The practices are the ‘hows’ of implementing the principles. During implementation, the new code is designed to allow organisations focus more on its ‘spirit’, rather than its ‘letters’. The spirit is the intent – what FRC had in mind while a particular principle was being crafted.

This focus on intent, rather than the letters, is captured in the philosophy of this new code which the regulatory body described as ‘APPLY and EXPLAIN’. This philosophy was favoured because it is believed to be scalable. It assumes application and simply requires entities to explain how the principles were applied with regards to the business and the nature of its operations.

Scalability suggests that the ‘APPLY and EXPLAIN’ philosophy can be applied to meet the individual needs of the organisations while, at the core, the spirit behind the principles is borne in mind.

 It is in contrast with the former one whose philosophy was ‘COMPLY or ELSE’. Seen by many experts as rigid, the ‘COMPLY or ELSE’ philosophy is one-size-fits-all, and does not recognize the differences in business types and their operations. It gives no room for flexibility. It has also been jettisoned in other jurisdictions and replaced with the ‘Apply and Explain’ philosophy

Everyone should get involved

One fear comes to mind at this point: with this seemingly lax philosophy, will there ever be penalties for any breach? Of course, there will.  FRC, through the Securities and Exchange Commission, will monitor the adoption of this code and will impose appropriate sanctions to entities that deviate

It’s important to note that there are also sectoral regulators whose own governance codes are already in place and have been running for years in their sectors. For instance, the Central Bank of Nigeria has its code for banks and discount houses; the Nigerian Communications Commission has for the country’s Telecommunications sector while the Securities and Exchange Commission has for publicly quoted companies.

These sectoral regulators are also empowered to impose appropriate sanctions on companies that deviate from the code. For instance, if a bank deviates, the Central Bank will impose appropriate sanction on it based on the specific deviation.

FRC thinks it has done a good job with the new Corporate Governance Code, but still expects inputs from members of the public before releasing the final version. But the only members of the public who can make inputs are those who have shown interest in the draft copy currently in public domain. This is why more Nigerians need to follow the activities of the Financial Reporting Council.

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*Chinedu Ekeke, a writer, public affairs analyst and accountant, contributed this piece from Lagos, Nigeria. Kindly follow him on Twitter @Nedunaija

Go to Source Author: Jude Egbas Pulse Opinion: Why more Nigerians should pay attention to activities of the financial reporting council The Financial Reporting Council has the powers to ensure good corporate governance practices in organisations. Every Nigerian should be interested in what they do.