#hard landscapers in Cheltenham | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

isabella-aldwyn · 4 years ago

Text

Isabella Aldwyn

Skeleton: The Hoyden Name: Isabella Rose Aldwyn Age: 24 Family Title: Viscounty Cheltenham About: See Below FC: Caitlin Stasey

O1 ━◞ ISABELLA

Being the eldest of the female Aldwyns was always a curse for Bella, specifically because of her personality. Headstrong, independent and stubborn, if you told her to go left, she would go right without a moment’s hesitation. And when she did so, she’d speak with such a sweet and charming tongue abreast mirthful giggles that you’d always sigh in defeat because you simply can’t turn down that look of sheer joy. Known among the household to be as unruly as a wild stallion yet to be broken in, many of the house staff and family members who must manage her affairs are often chasing after her, her body racing as quickly as her mind (and attention span). Upon hearing such comments, Bella wholeheartedly agrees that she proudly has the spirit of a stallion, wild-hearted, adventurous and happy to indulge in what freedom she can taste. She believes very strongly in making her own decisions and following her own path, an opposite sentiment to what she’s been taught all her life and she struggles constantly with the tension of what she selfishly wants and what’s expected of her.

Bella wears her heart on her sleeve, unashamedly expressing her highest highs and lowest lows. Neither does she shy away from confrontation. Especially when displeased or when facing conflict, she will say it as it is, no matter how hard she tries to keep her mouth shut. Her loose tongue has gotten her into deep trouble more than she’d like to admit.

While impulsive, Bella also lacks any sense of self-preservation. At her best, it means she will go above and beyond (perhaps even at her own expense) to those she loves and are loyal to. At her worst, Bella wouldn’t realize she’s in danger if she was looking at a wolf six feet away. (To be quite honest, she’d possibly try and attempt to tame it.) As such, her schemes and fun often get away from her and put her in arguably dire circumstances.

The world outside her tiny universe in the Aldwyn estate always drew bella to it like a moth to a flame. It took time and numerous failed attempts to learn how to sneak out of the house; from taking advantage of the servant exits, to bribing the footmen, to convincing her maid Nancy to accompany her. When she managed to escape from her governess, Bella would explore Cheltenham (or London depending on the season) and became acquainted with as many of the townspeople and the common folk as she could. At times, her brother, Harry, would sneak out from his studies to accompany her. Other times, she would visit her cousin, Simeon, and wrangle his arm to convince him to take her around.

O2 ━◞ FAMILY

Teresa di Santa Maria del Ponte, the fiery ninth daughter of a Marquis in one of the Papal states in Rome, had not intended to marry an English man. But when Philip Aldwyn visited Italia for business and he met the saucy girl, it is as they say -- it was history. Teresa, who hailed from a large family, only wished to instill the same warmth in her own family. Teresa was fortunate enough to survive childbirth of nine children -- two sons, Edmund and Henry (”Harry”) and then seven daughters. (See more about Bella’s siblings here.)

As Teresa hoped, the Aldwyn siblings were as close as can be. Even as a wee child, Bella liked to follow her brothers, especially Edmund and all his schoolboy friends. But it was Harry who she was closest to. Proximate in age, they grew up as best friends. Harry would let her get away with the most, defend her against Edmund and their parents, and even assist her little acts of rebellion. Of all their family members, Bella believes that Harry is the only one to truly understand her desire to make her own choices and have her own thoughts.

In the same vein, Bella dotes on her younger sisters, often pushing her sisters towards following their passions and to ignore the pending doom of being married off. Her mother and governess, all too aware of bella’s tendency to spoil and lead her sisters astray, are particularly firm in their discipline with the younger Aldwyns.

The Aldwyns had intended to debut Isabella when she turned 20, but after having her heart broken by her first love, she begged her parents to delay her entrance. This was followed by both her Father’s passing, and then Edmund’s passing only years after, which delayed her debut further. Now considered rather late for her first Season, Bella is debuting with her two younger sisters simultaneously. She is more than aware that her Mama is anxious for her eldest daughter to make the first match and set the precedent for her six (6) other daughters. In light of the recent deaths, and the taking up of the mantle by Harry, who had never prepared for the role as Viscount, a secure marriage would assure their old name continued to thrive, despite the recent tragedies.

However, Bella still struggles with Edmund’s sudden and mysterious death. Paired with the loss of her closest brother who must throw himself headfirst in being the Lord Cheltenham, Bella has been left stranded and alone in direction. What Bella is unawares of a dark shifting behind the scenes that may had led to Edmund’s death.

The Aldwyn name is one of old money and old title, passed down from generations. Despite only being a viscounty, their family is known for their wealth and fortune. Bella had never given thought to how the Aldwyns made their means. What she does not know is the unseemly business that her Father, Edmund, and cousin ran -- that the Aldwyn fortune is dirty and has been for generations, their family having multiple hands in the shadowy sides of England and beyond. From the talk of the town, she had heard rumours milling about pertaining to the secrecy behind their mass fortune and snippets of her father’s reputation -- ones that slandered him, claiming that anyone who spoke dirty of their family would be ridden of. Such rumours were always quashed as fast as they appeared. Neverthless, Bella finds it hard to believe her sweet father and her doting brother who were widely respected in the Ton would be anything but honourable.

O3 ━◞ LIKES, QUIRKS, AND TIDBITS

Growing up in Cheltenham, a region famed for its horse breeding and informal horse racing (soon to be formal in 1815 actually!), meant Bella was no stranger to horse riding. She had been riding with her Brothers since she was old enough to walk and handle a horse. Her favourite past-time is exploring the town and surrounding landscapes with Harry and her horse, Athena. Since childhood, bella always sought to be outdoors, preferring to run around on the grounds or to swim in nearby waterholes. Unfortunately, the older she became, the less she was permitted to do so.

Archery being one of the more active upper class activities that she is ‘permitted’ to engage in passionately, Bella is an excellent archer, and enjoys showing off her bowmanship at any garden or picnic event. Though she would not claim to be as polished in her pall-mall skills, she is irrationally competitive with the game. If she were to identify a reason, she would blame how often she and her siblings played in their childhood.

Having seen the way her parents looked at each other, Bella believes in marrying for love. That being said, the Season is not the most fitting of circumstances, and Bella finds herself more irritated than not after being constantly compared and sold around like cattle. The thought has crossed her mind to not marry as the biggest act of rebellion but finds herself waning in resolve at the thought of how it would affect her siblings. And she also has not put the possibility to rest that she possibly could be as fortunate as her parents and not only fall in love, but have the cards fall into perfect position.

Tidbit 1: Her birthday is February 18.

Tidbit 2: If she is to be courted, the way to her heart is dancing. Bella has every quadrille, every waltz memorized, enough so she can dance the steps in her sleep.

Tidbit 3: Though she lacks the attention span to make the most of her studies, bella does happen to have excellent visual memory, allowing her to play the lyre or the pianoforte from memory in short bouts. (Excellent party trick!) She does rather enjoy music, especially that of the lyre where she is not forced to sit.

Tidbit 4: She has a scar around her neck from an unfortunate horse-riding incident from when she was 12. Consequently, she is never without a large necklace. It is what she is most self-conscious of.

O4 ━◞ SECRETS

One of her dearest friends who she had met from town is one of the girls at her cousin’s whorehouse. There have been rumours that she frequents the place, more than any proper lady should, but not enough to have ever made trouble.

Something happened that scared her and that she’s buried deep in her memory; something that her Father covered up for her before he died. Will expand on this as roleplay goes. Dun dun dun.

#introduction #tw. death #tw. murder

8 notes · View notes

lustandlordsrp · 4 years ago

Photo

The Hoyden | Isabella

Twenty-Four | The Honble. Isabella Aldwyn Viscounty Cheltenham

Formally or Informally Announced: Miss Aldwyn

Addressed on Formal or Informal Social Correspondence: The Honble. Isabella Aldwyn

Formal Correspondence Salutation: "Madam,”

Informal Correspondence Salutation: “Dear Miss Aldwyn,”

Addressed in Speech: Miss Aldwyn

Referred to in Speech: Miss Aldwyn

Social Correspondence Signature: Isabella Aldwyn

Biography

O1 ━◞ ISABELLA

O2 ━◞ FAMILY

Teresa di Santa Maria del Ponte, the fiery ninth daughter of a Marquis in one of the Papal states in Rome, had not intended to marry an English man. But when Philip Aldwyn visited Italia for business and he met the saucy girl, it is as they say – it was history. Teresa, who hailed from a large family, only wished to instill the same warmth in her own family. Teresa was fortunate enough to survive childbirth of nine children – two sons, Edmund and Henry (”Harry”) and then seven daughters. (See more about Bella’s siblings here.)

The Aldwyn name is one of old money and old title, passed down from generations. Despite only being a viscounty, their family is known for their wealth and fortune. Bella had never given thought to how the Aldwyns made their means. What she does not know is the unseemly business that her Father, Edmund, and cousin ran – that the Aldwyn fortune is dirty and has been for generations, their family having multiple hands in the shadowy sides of England and beyond. From the talk of the town, she had heard rumours milling about pertaining to the secrecy behind their mass fortune and snippets of her father’s reputation – ones that slandered him, claiming that anyone who spoke dirty of their family would be ridden of. Such rumours were always quashed as fast as they appeared. Neverthless, Bella finds it hard to believe her sweet father and her doting brother who were widely respected in the Ton would be anything but honourable.

O3 ━◞ LIKES, QUIRKS, AND TIDBITS

Tidbit 1: Her birthday is February 18.

Tidbit 2: If she is to be courted, the way to her heart is dancing. Bella has every quadrille, every waltz memorized, enough so she can dance the steps in her sleep.

Tidbit 4: She has a scar around her neck from an unfortunate horse-riding incident from when she was 12. Consequently, she is never without a large necklace. It is what she is most self-conscious of.

O4 ━◞ SECRETS

Something happened that scared her and that she’s buried deep in her memory; something that her Father covered up for her before he died. Will expand on this as roleplay goes. Dun dun dun.

#ll.bio #ll.taken #ll.thehoyden

3 notes · View notes

skgway · 4 years ago

Text

1832 Nov., Tues. 13

9 10/..

11 35/..

Fine morning strong white frost – Fahrenheit 47º at 9 20/.. a.m. – Breakfast with my father and Marian at 9 1/4 in 3/4 hour – Then 1/4 hour with my aunt – Then Hinscliffe came about the coal at the top of the hill – 2 acres

Had heard Rawsons men in the upper or hard bed above them, so that they have been stealing my hard bed. Rawson’s water head hold points in a direction to Coley chapel – If not now they can soon get 100 yards breadth below the present waterhead driven by Oates and Green and Company –

Hinscliffe came to bid me the price given under the old lease £205 per acre. Said this would not do, for I had [given] the other applicants the 1st time of seeing them the price between the 2 leases (£205 and £230 per acre) i.e. £217.[pounds] 10. [shillings] 0. [pence] an acre and I did not intend to take less – H– [Hinscliffe] said that was an advance and he could not bit it without consulting his partners – I said I told him at once that I thought the other applicants could afford to give as much as H– [Hinscliffe] and company could, and that they seemed as if they did not intend to be outbid –

I added that £217.[pounds] 10. [shillings] 0. [pence] was the price I 1st mentioned to them but that the other day, I had said as they did not agree at first, they would now find me rather worse to agree with and I had not pledged myself to take even £217.[pounds] 10. [shillings] 0. [pence] per acre – Had had the coal (Lower bed) valued at £300 per acre –

Shewed H– [Hinscliffe] my calculation – (vide top of page 227) – He said they paid their banksmen 1/6 score (corves) and that I had made no allowance for "straight work" (i.e. water heads and vents cutting, – Driving and preying away which he seemed to think would add to the expense 1 /. [shilling] a score –

‘Well!’ said I, ‘you see from my present calculation (page 277) the coal at 7 /. [shillings] clear per score = £423. [pounds] 10. [shillings] 0. [pence] per acre but 4840/4 yards or 1 acre = 1210 the no. [number] of scores per acre – Now 1210 sixpences additional for the banksman and 1210 shillings for straight work = £90. [pounds] 15. [shillings] 0. [pence] and £423. [pounds] 10. [shillings] 0. [pence] - £90. [pounds] 15. [shillings] 0. [pence] = £332. [pounds] 15. [shillings] 0. [pence]’ and if H– [Hinscliffe] would, as he said, be content with £50 per acre profit then 332. [pounds] 15. [shillings] 0. [pence] - £50. [pounds] 0. [shillings] 0. [pence] = £282. [pounds] 15. [shillings] 0. [pence] the price I ought to have per acre according to his own shewing –

H– [Hinscliffe] owned that the Lower or soft bed in the upper bend was 18 inches thick, tho’ he said at first (but came round afterwards) that 5 corves per square yard was rather too much to reckon – He said too that there would be good 1/2 a corve a yard more § out of the soft bed in the low ground – The bed was prouder – I need not be afraid of more water coming this way – When Rawsons have got more coal 5 or 6 years hence, their coming down so much lower will send the water the other way –

Speaking of Lightcliffe coal, a good deal yet to get in those 2 fields near Lidgate – and the flashes belonging to Miss W– [Walker] bought of Dr. Alexander – Thinks the stone that comes out today at Knoll top is the 3 score yards quarry i.e. 60 yards above our hard or upper bed –

Just as I had written the above, at 1, came note from Miss W– [Walker] and Loudon’s encyclopedia of gardening and 2 volumes of Plutarch’s Lives with the parcel from Mr. Ainsley. She says,

‘I scarcely believed the parcel would come, but here it is and you will perceive carriage paid. You will do for me about this as you think best in returning it. I am better this morning thanks to you, my love, for it. My heart cannot give utterance to what it would say to you on this subject, but if I do recover my health I shall ascribe the blessing under the mercy of providence to you. Faithfully and affectionately yours AW [Ann Walker] –

What a difference between this note and the last! Went down to my aunt for a few minutes to shew the fine fine Miss W– [Walker] had sent her and off to Lidgate at 2 – Having first written the following to shew to Miss W[alker]

Lightcliffe Tues[day] 13, November eighteen hundred and 32

Sir, I am requested by Miss Walker to return the parcel unopened as it must have been sent off before your receipt of my letter of yesterday. I am Sir etc. etc. etc. A Lister (my usual signature) –

At Lidgate at 2 25/.. – Found them at dinner – Tête-à-tête with Miss W– [Walker] in the dining room from 2 3/4 for an hour – Then an hour with her and Miss Harriet Parkhill in the sitting room and home in 1/2 hour at 5 20/.. – Miss W[alker] looking good spirits and better. Sat on my knee. Kissed her every now and then but nothing more.

She said she could not express how grateful to me she felt. Shewed her what I had written to him, which she approved. She could not have believed he would have behaved so. Again said she used to feel affection for him but it seemed gone now. I cheered her up. Said she would be better and more able to judge by and by, and then she should try again.

I wonder what will be her feeling towards me six months hence? Will she let me leave her behind me? Yes, my own mind is quite reconciled to this. I seemed to have ceased to think of, or wish for her, as the future companion of my life. But we now get on better together than we have ever done before.

Made up the parcel for Mr. A[insworth]. Dinner at 6 10/.. wrote about 1 page of inquiries to Mr. L. Maclean about the basket of Willow cuttings sent off from Coll house by the maid of Morveu Steamer to Glasgow on Monday the 29th ultimo Miss L– [Lister] would be very much obliged to him to say if he had received the basket and by what coach he had forwarded them here (giving my address) mentioned the Glasgow London mail via Leeds as the best –

At 7 sent off by John my letter to "Mr. T. Maclean, 23 Argyle Street Glasgow. North Britain postage paid" and my note on letter to the "Reverend Thomas Ainsworth" enclosed in a parcel directed to the "Reverend Thomas Ainsworth, at Miss Bentley’s, 1 crescent, Salford, Manchester per mail Tuesday 13 November 1832" The parcel contained the drawing room scrapbook and the narrative sent to Miss W[alker] but unopened –

Above 1/2 hour in the other room and returned to the Drawing room at 8 1/4 – In the few minutes of being alone with Miss Parkhill she asked again if I had not heard of Miss Walker’s engagement. ‘No, the report had not reached me.’ Asked the gentleman's name. Well, if was a Mr. Fraser he died at Cheltenham. Must be true. She had heard it at Wakefield, and it came from his mother –

Poor Miss W[alker]. Her secrets are not well kept. But I wonder at Mrs. Fraser –

1/2 corve per square yard = 2 corves per score and there being 1210 scores in an acre ∴

2420 corves at 7 1/2 d [pence] = £75. [pounds] 12. [shillings] 6 [pence] throw off 1/2 this for expense then 75. [pounds] 12. [shillings] 6 [pence] = 37. [pounds 16. [shillings] 3 [pence]

∴ the coal in the low land is worth more by £37. [pounds 16. [shillings] 3 [pence] per acre than the same coal (Lower or soft bed) in the upper land – My uncle was aware of this greater value of the coal in the low land from his selling all pulled at Trough of Bolland slip-in pit at

£230 per acre and all pulled at the Willy hill pit at £205 per acre

Rawson sells upper bed at 7 d [pence] a corve and Lower bed at 8 d [pence] a corve –

1 6d [pence] a corve = 10 /. [shillings] a score

2 7d [pence]_______= 11/8. _______ [11 shillings/8 pence a score]

3 7 1/2d [pence]____= 12/6. _______[12 shillings/6 pence a score]

4 8d [pence]______= 13/4_______ [13 shillings/4 pence a score] throw off 1/2 for exp[ense] th[e]n one ac[re] or 1210 scores

1 at 5 /. [shillings] = £302. [pounds] 10. [shillings] 0 [pence]

2 – 5 /. [shillings] = £342. [pounds] 18. [shillings] 4 [pence]

3 – 6/3. [shillings/pence] = £378. [pounds] 2. [shillings] 6 [pence]

4 – 6/8. [shillings/pence] = £403. [pounds] 6. [shillings] 8 [pence]

∴ tak[in]g the coal at 7 1/2 a corve £378. [pounds] 2. [shillings] 6 [pence] – £250 = 128. [pounds] 2. [shillings] 6 [pence] profit to the purchaser at 8 [a corve] £403. [pounds] 6. [shillings] 8 [pence] – £250 = 153. [pounds] 6. [shillings] 8 [pence] [profit to the purchaser]

Had just calculated and written the above at 10 40/.. when after reading the Courier 10 minutes went to my room – Fine frost day – But very thick and hazy – Fahrenheit 45 1/º at 11 p.m. the Duchesse de Berri taken at last – Taken at Nantes –

[in margin] § vide page 289

[in margin] vide page 288

[in margin] page 298

An Encyclopaedia of Gardening, comprehending the theory and practice of horticulture, floriculture, arboriculture and landscape gardening including ... a general history of gardening in all countries, etc by John Claudius Loudon

Plutarch's Lives,: Translated from the Original Greek, with Notes Critical and Historical, and a New Life of Plutarch

#anne lister #ann walker #shibden hall 1832 #mr. ainsworth #anne lister code breaker

7 notes · View notes

mobianflame · 5 years ago

Text

Twin siblings, 32, 'found dead in joint suicide' were My Large Fat Gypsy Wedding ceremony stars - Mirror Online

Our company will utilize your e-mail handle simply for sending you e-newsletters. Desire find ourPrivacy Notificationfor information of your information security liberties

Thanks for subscribingOur company have a lot more newslettersSeries meSee our personal privacy notification

Paired bros found dead with each other in a suspected dual suicide have been named as superstars of My Major Fat Gypsy Wedding Celebration.

The physical bodies of the 32-year-old siblings, named locally as Bill as well as Joe Smith, a dad-of-two, were found in forest in a segregated country street in Sevenoaks, Kent, merely times after Christmas.

Heartbroken household, pals and members of the UK's journeying area have commemorated the siblings, along with one composing on Facebook: "The love they ate one yet another. They couldt online along with out each other." [sic]

An additional created: "They both took their own lifestyles. Hard times is swarming one of our folki."

A third included: "Born together and left behind the earth with each other.

Have you been actually influenced through the accident? Email [email protected].

"Male anxiety actually is actually as solid as some other and also it needs to be made as informed as any kind of other and they must seem like they can talk up like any kind of other individual the monsters gained these lovely life's." [sic]

Describing the tributes, member of the family Phoebe Charleen Smith informed Looking glass Online: "My cousins were loved all over the planet, as you can easily find."

Billy's partner, Kristina Davey, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, wrote on social networks: "Hardest day of my life. SLIT my ideal Bill, you were thus natural so lovely.

"You produced me the happiest woman - performed every little thing for me, revealed me like I never had. You always view things like this yet you merely never think it'll occur to you.

"I can not feel I must kind this with each other battling to speak don't bother placed a sentence with each other. I am actually gon na make you therefore glad my Costs, my life, my angel."

Good friend Jane Chippendale claimed Expense and also Joe, the father of a young son as well as little girl, functioned for their uncle's landscape design company and also had actually lately stayed at her house in Tunbridge Wells for almost pair of months after earlier staying in Weald.

She final observed all of them a month back when they left, telling her they were mosting likely to reside at an aunt's property, quickly after they returned coming from a trip to Thailand.

Mrs Chippendale pointed out by means of tears: "I'm still in surprise. It doesn't create feeling. Their garments are putting up in my restroom.

"They felt like boys when they were right here.

"They were so identical.

It was challenging to tell all of them apart." They inquired if they can come sphere at Christmas, yet I hadn't listened to anything coming from all of them."

The Johnson siblings wound up remaining at her home considering that a regional B&B was actually full.

She said to Looking glass Online: I have a cancer medical diagnosis. They delivered me an information saying 'keep good, you're heading to outlast each one of this'.

"The kids installed a fencing for me at the spine. They offered me cards for my special day.

"Our company obtained close thus rapidly. They were actually therefore sweet.

Top headlines stories coming from Mirror Online

"I may still see them grinning in front of me."

She pointed out there were actually no signs that just about anything such as this would occur.

Paddy Doherty, the Famous personality Big Bro winner and My Huge Fat Gypsy Wedding event star, inquired his enthusiasts to wish the Smith twins' loved ones, including their moms and dads and grandma.

He claimed in a Facebook video recording: "Pair of excellent appearing kids, God bless themselves.

"That's an awful disaster. Hope for the young boys' family members.

"I'm incredibly, incredibly unhappy for your problems.

"May The lord commiserate as well as The lord care for all of them."

At a wedding ceremony pair of weeks ago the siblings videotaped an online video as they performed and danced to Mariah Carey's All I Really wanted for Xmas Is You.

A Facebook consumer composed: "No one has TOMORROW this was actually videod lower than 2 full weeks ago there they had plenty of life as well as currently there gone. TOMORROW isn't promised for none people remainder in tranquility lads." [sic]

Both included in the 3rd set of My Major Fat Gypsy Wedding ceremony, which described them as Romani gypsies, when they were 24 as well as operating as garden enthusiasts.

An incident observed all of them throughout a shift in Kent, in the house where they covered the traveller way of living as well as marriage, and during a holiday in Tenerife prior to they were actually expected to settle and also begin loved ones.

The identical twins' physical bodies were actually discovered close to a ranch on the outskirts of Sevenoaks at approximately 11.30 get on Sunday.

It is mentioned that their family had recently expressed problem for their welfare.

Kent Police claimed the deaths are not presently being dealt with as suspicious and a coroner will certainly calculate the cause.

Post-mortems result from happen as well as an inquest is actually likely to be composed the brand new year.

Friends and family said to of their heartbreak in tributes published on Facebook.

One created: "Rest in calmness expense as well as joe this globes therefore heartless as well as in some cases the demons in your head receive the much better the lord labels you an angel way to very soon.

"Twin siblings discovered together god make this area a less complicated lifestyle for the broken hearted #suicideawareneness #malementalhealthisreal." [sic]

A spokeswoman said to Looking glass Online: "Kent Authorities was called at 11.34 get on Sunday after the body systems of pair of males were discovered in Dibden Lane, Sevenoaks.

"Queries into the situations encompassing the deaths are ongoing yet they are actually certainly not currently being treated as apprehensive.

"The near relative of each guys realize as well as being always kept improved."

Samaritans (116 123) works a 24-hour company on call everyday of the year. If you prefer to document exactly how you're experiencing, or even if you are actually stressed over being heard on the phone, you may email Samaritans at [email protected].

Childline (0800 1111) manages a helpline for youngsters and young folks in the UK. Phone calls are free of charge and the amount will not present up on your phone bill.

This content was originally published here.

1 note · View note

handyskipbins · 4 years ago

Text

What You Need to Know about Bin Hire Cheltenham Services

Proper waste disposal is not usually in every household's list of priority chores. This means that no one does not exert much effort in putting all waste together and manually disposing it out of the homes. Nobody wants to worry about getting rid of trash, but it's definitely a regular concern. The obvious solution to do is to contact bin hire service providers in order to do the task properly.

When it comes to Bin Hire Cheltenham, what are the factors you need to consider in choosing the company to take care of waste removal for you?

·Right expertise - You want a bin hire company that is run and staffed by waste management specialists. They have the knowledge, training, and tools for taking on the task of responsible waste removal.

·Vast experience - The best company to hire is one that has been helping businesses and residents with their waste disposal for many decades now. It can literally claim having delivered bins in the hundred thousand since launching its business.

·Good reputation - It has established itself as a trustworthy business that is known to be reliable, fast, responsible, and affordable. It concentrates on providing prompt and consistent service, delivering and collecting bins within a three-hour frame so that customers aren't left twiddling their thumbs while they wait. It always works hard to ensure an outstanding experience for its customers.

·Sense of conscience - It takes the trouble to recycle more than half of the waste it collects in its fully licensed recycling depot to help in minimizing the amount of waste that ends up in the landfills.

·Success - This gives you the confidence that it is exceptional at what it does. With satisfied customers and steady growth, it has expanded operations to provide a more comprehensive range of services in a wider area of coverage. It is qualified to remove all types of waste, including those from garages, deceased estates, demolition sites, construction sites, factories, landscaping jobs and general rubbish.

·Different payment methods - Just in case you don't have any cash on hand, it's more convenient to do business with a company that will accept cheque and credit cards as well.

Take note of all the above factors as you can use these in finding the right company. It's important that your choice of bin hire boast all these to ensure that you have a thoroughly satisfying and regret-free customer experience. Waste management is something that the government takes seriously, so make sure that you pick the right people for the job.

Handy Skip Bins & Rubbish Removal is the cost-effective alternative and flexible skip hire which is taking the rest of the world by storm. Beside, skip bin hire they offer wide range of services like Green Waste Bin Hire Melbourne, House Cheapest Skip Hire Waverley, and etc. all around Melbourne which aims to provide you with a solution for your waste collection needs.

#Skip Hire Melbourne #Skip Hire Dandenong #Skip Bin Melbourne #Bin Hire Cheltenham #Bin Hire Keysborough #House Cheapest Skip Hire Waverley #Green Waste Bin Hire Melbourne #Skip Hire Berwick

0 notes

beerandpresentdanger · 8 years ago

Text

DEYAs of Thunder

Hype. It’s a dangerous word in the beer world. It has connotations. It contains multitudes. Flash without bang. Style with substance. A fur coat and a distinct lack of knickers. Unless of course, you’re told in excited tones to believe the hype, in which case all bets are off and you’re off to the races.

You have to be careful dropping the H-bomb, because it immediately puts people on the defensive. Brewers don’t want to be labelled as hyped, since it paints them as a cool brand peddling hip drinks that might not actually live up to their buzz. Meanwhile, drinkers don’t want to be told they’re sipping a much-hyped beer - a sign that they’re following the herd and chasing labels, when of course they’re much more discerning than that and choose beers based on what they like, actually.

But sometimes, hype seems to be the only word you can use. Some breweries seem to appear, out of nowhere, fully formed and functioning, while everyone on Beer Twitter is suddenly posting arty pictures of stylish cans and #icemanpour Teku glasses filled with their hazy haul. I’ll go from never hearing of a brewery to suddenly seeing them as every second growler fill in every second bottle shop. How does it happen all at once? Can word of mouth really spread at the speed of sound? Or is it actually smart marketing, friends in high places, and effective distribution deals that are really powering these sudden success stories?

Plenty of great breweries have gone through this hype process before establishing themselves as household names (at least in the kind of households I get kicked out of at 2am). The Kernel, Magic Rock and Cloudwater have all pulsed their way through the hype machine in one form or another, but it’s never felt as accelerated or as refined as it is now.

The first time I really spotted it was with Lost & Grounded. Based down in Bristol, they only started brewing last summer, and yet all of a sudden it seemed like I couldn’t turn around without spotting their charming artwork, all pastoral landscapes and capering zoo animals. It was almost suspicious, how much everyone was suddenly talking about them, but the one thing that shut people up was tasting the beers - I remember their Keller Pils in particular stopped me in my tracks in a way that lagers rarely do, flavourful and satisfying. They know what they’re doing.

The buzz soon shifted, though not far as the crow flies, down to Falmouth, where Verdant was suddenly the darling of the scene. Hoppy, hazy, fruit-focussed beers are the order of the day here, so it’s no surprise people go crazy for it, but it was a surprise to see how fast they became established, with rows of the colourful cans popping up in every bottle shop I visit, muscling in on the shelf space of Beavertown, Fourpure, and all those of other comparative veterans. They even jumped straight in on the DIPA bandwagon, and it was the fact they did it so effortlessly that really impressed - Pulp is packed with tropical fruits and a full, luscious body, with a considered dryness holding it together. I don’t know how many years in the wilderness they spent learning their art, but when they arrived, they arrived in style.

But even young guns age in their turn, to be replaced by even younger, even gunnier guns. And if there’s a hype crown to be handed out to the current darling of British brewing, then heavy lies the head of DEYA, a brewery based in Cheltenham that is already turning out some of the best hop-forward beers in the UK. As with their buzzy brethren, they seemed to come out of nowhere, and even as I was wondering who they were, shops were already setting two-can limits to keep stock on the shelves and satisfy the clued-up customers.

Thankfully, in this day and age, it’s difficult to stay entirely secretive, especially when you’re profiled on the pleasingly excellent Cheltenham CAMRA website. DEYA is the product of Cirencester’s Theo Freyne, who has an encouragingly eclectic background; it includes the almost obligatory blessing of a Heriot Watt degree (no self-respecting British brewer would be seen dead without one), but also, time served at breweries as disparate as Theakstons (as traditional as it gets) and at Five Points (exemplars of clean modernity). After gypsy brewing for a while, DEYA is now producing in its own facility, and its large format cans (always appreciated) have got everyone excited.

It’s not hard to realise why when you crack them open. I’ve managed to snag a few, despite the buyer limits and queues out the door, and they’ve hit the ground running. It seems like collaborations are the accepted way to a get a quick win, and DEYA have smartly been racking them up - Honey Bee Good, a “honey milkshake pale ale”, produced with Odyssey Brew Co, is more restrained than the name suggests, dialling down on the honey sweetness to let it provide a considered sugary warmth under the robust pale ale body. Similarly, High Planes Drifter, a DIPA brewed with, oh look, Verdant, is another great pairing, a strong IPA that eschews soft, uber-fruity pillowiness in favour of a quenching gin and tonic sharpness, buoyed by fresh honeydew melon.

DEYA’s flagship is Steady Rolling Man, a 5.2% pale ale that pours a healthful orange ochre, with a head that quickly dissipates. The nose is topically tropical, an en vogue melange of foreign fruits, with mango and passion fruit pushing to the fore. The taste doesn’t let it down, with more fruit, that mango again holding court, with a smattering of lime zest and some apricot creeping in. There’s perhaps a touch of under-carbonation that leaves it a bit duller than it could be, but it’s not quite the affected softness of some NE-aspirational beers. It shuts down with a touch of menthol, which is a little disconcerting, but helps to dial up the bitterness on this balanced beer. It’s a very good pale ale indeed.

Sometimes, it seems like all the buzz these new breweries get is deserved. But don’t believe the hype. Go and drink it for yourself.

#beer #craft beer #IPA #pale ale #DEYA #Verdant #Lost & Grounded #hype #beer blog #blogging #writing #review #Cheltenham #drink #tasting

6 notes · View notes

gracespilkerr · 5 years ago

Text

How To Become A Firefighter In Maryland

If you’re wondering how to become a firefighter in Maryland, you can’t assume that every department is the same – or every day on the job for that matter.

Maryland is an interesting state with lots of different vocations, attractions and needs. Life as a firefighter in Maryland is diverse with lots of interesting calls to handle.

The best firefighters here are the ones that will put themselves through the all the right training to best serve their community. So, how can you become one of these dedicated Maryland firefighters?

How to Become a Firefighter in Maryland

18 years old or older

A valid state driver’s license and residency

High school diploma or GED

Commitment to continue your education

Good character is essential

There aren’t too many major hurdles facing firefighters that want to get onto a Maryland department at entry levels. If you have the right education, character and proof of your age and residency, you are then on the first step towards your new career.

In this guide, I want to tell you a little more about some of the different roles in Maryland and the training that you will need to succeed. I will also talk about some of the different departments and their expectations.

Firefighting in Maryland

One of the interesting things about Maryland is that there are 5 very distinct geographical areas in the state with clear boundaries and features.

Those that live and work in the Western area around the Appalachian Mountains will have different challenges to deal with as a firefighter than those in the Capital region or the Eastern Shore. I want to take a moment to discuss these three and what you can expect as a firefighter there.

The Western Region:

The Western area by the mountains is much more rural and sparsely populated. Here local fire-departments and volunteer services need to use their skills to reach those in need and manage the landscape.

This could mean providing medical aid for hikers and campers in the wilderness, dealing with forest fires or simply helping with domestic fires and outreach programs in smaller communities. Specialist wildland fire training and rope rescue courses may help.

The Capital Region:

The Capital area is much more densely populated as the majority of the state population resides around Baltimore and Washington DC. This brings different risks with fires in larger buildings with large groups of people in need of help.

Firefighters need to be skilled in extraction strategies, dealing with structural issues and handling different materials. The major road networks also bring the risk of major traffic accidents and other calls for EMT services.

I will talk more about Baltimore and its department below. Advanced courses in hazardous materials and structural issues are a must.

The Eastern Shore:

Then there is the Eastern Shore with a vast coastline along the Chesapeake estuary. This brings different challenges with coastal communities that may be at risk from the weather, high tides and other maritime issues.

Firefighters here should be prepared to handle fires situated on boats and in ports, providing flood relief, dealing with hazardous spills and providing water rescue. The water around Maryland may be its biggest asset.

There is a lot of money in the fishing industry, the port and in tourism on the shores. Ocean City is a popular destination, as a smaller coastal town.

Therefore, fire crews in these areas also need to prepare for an influx of visitors that may not be so savvy about water safety.

Volunteer Firefighting in Maryland

Becoming a volunteer firefighter is a great way to get your foot in the door in Maryland. Local fire departments in smaller communities will always be grateful for help to handle calls and community services.

Your experience here and the on-the-job training will give you a good idea of what it takes to be a career firefighter. You can then train to get your Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications to hopefully get a paying role somewhere else.

The expectations in the Maryland volunteer departments are all about your character as a service member. They talk about the need to be a team player that will commit to the work and provide a competent service on every call.

They also would rather see people with compassion, integrity and honesty than those with lots of qualifications but no community spirit. They know that the skills and knowledge can be taught – and they do so free of charge to get everyone on the same page.

They use training guides in collaboration with the University of Maryland for the best education possible. You can find out more here.

Fire Academies in Maryland

There are two routes that you can take when training to become a firefighter in Maryland. The first is to take the academic route. Some colleges and universities in the state offer Fire Science courses that provide college credits in key subjects.

A one-year certificate is often enough on its own to get you into your Firefighter I exam. A longer associate degree opens the doors to even more opportunities. The alternative is to go to an official fire academy as a recruit through a fire department.

Baltimore: Baltimore City Community College and The Community College of Baltimore County

College Park: College Of Engineering University Of Maryland Department Of Fire Protection and Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute

Cheltenham: Prince George’s County Training Academy

Salisbury: Salisbury Fire Department Training Division

Frederick: Frederick County Fire/Rescue

Emmitsburg: National Fire Academy

La Plata: College of Southern Maryland

Hagerstown: Kaplan University-Hagerstown Campus and Hagerstown City FD Training Division

Columbia: Howard County Department Of Fire/Rescue Services Training Division

Rockville: Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy

Towson: Baltimore County Fire-Rescue Academy

Montgomery College has long been a popular choice for an academic approach to education. They have a Fire Science program that teaches the basics of fire management, behavior, prevention and suppression in a classroom setting.

Once completed, the credits can then transfer to another degree course, if desired, at the University of Maryland.

A full degree course can help those with aspirations for leadership roles and more specialized positions in departments. More information is available here.

The Maryland Fire Service Institute:

We also can’t overlook the impact of this institute of fire service training. The center has trained firefighters in the state for more than 80 years and now has more than 400 instructors.

It is all about providing firefighters with the expert knowledge needed to handle the situations they are sure to face. That is why the catalog of courses here is so varied. You can find out more about the opportunities here by clicking this link.

Major Fire Departments in Maryland

The following is a list of major fire departments in Maryland. While it isn’t comprehensive it’s a great place to start if you’re interested in learning more about how to become a firefighter in Maryland.

How to Become a Baltimore, MD Firefighter

18 years old or older

A valid state driver’s license and residency

High school diploma or GED

Commitment to continue your education

Good character is essential

Obviously, we need to talk about Baltimore as it is the largest city in this state and the site of the most calls. There are around 635,000 residents in Baltimore over a total of 81 square miles.

In one year, the department can handle approximately 270,000 emergencies. This is significant compared to other places in the state. There is always the risk of a house fire, medical emergency, vehicle incident or other disasters here.

Firefighters need to be vigilant and keep up with their ongoing training in more specialized areas. That is why it is so helpful that in addition to their 38 stations, Baltimore is also home to The Frank J. Trenner Fire Training Academy and a Public Safety Academy. Find out more here.

How to Become an Ocean City, MD Firefighter

18 years old or older

A valid state driver’s license and residency

High school diploma or GED

Commitment to continue your education

Good character is essential

Another department of interest in this coastal state is Ocean City. It may be smaller than Baltimore, but it still has a lot of responsibilities. They are a combination department with around 200 volunteers and 100 career personnel.

They only respond to around 6,000 calls each year and while this seems really small, we have to factor in the seasonal nature of the department. They can get very quiet in winter and very busy in summer. That is because the jurisdiction covers around 10.5 miles of beach in West Ocean City.

So, trainees here need to be prepared for this shift in their workload and the challenges of water rescue, increased medical emergencies and more. You can learn more here.

Job Prospects for Firefighters in Maryland

Maryland firefighters can make a pretty good living because the average wage here is higher than that of neighboring states.

The mean annual salary for firefighters in Maryland is $61,780.

This is above average for the country and higher than neighboring states. Pennsylvania firefighters made around $56,090 on average while West Virginian firefighters made $36,820.

If you’ve been wondering how to become a firefighter in Maryland, just know it is not for the faint-hearted. It is easy to paint a gentle picture of small coastal towns with friendly little volunteer fire departments.

However, those small departments see their fair share of tragedies through many different calls. They all help new volunteers learn lots of skills to become a career firefighter in bigger towns.

If you train hard and show the right attitude, you can look forward to a long and varied career in the Maryland fire service.

The post How To Become A Firefighter In Maryland appeared first on FirefighterNOW.

from FirefighterNOW https://firefighternow.com/how-to-become-a-firefighter-in-maryland/

From https://catherinelee4.blogspot.com/2019/10/how-to-become-firefighter-in-maryland.html

source https://catherinelee4.wordpress.com/2019/10/27/how-to-become-a-firefighter-in-maryland/

via Blogger http://pppearlyn.blogspot.com/2019/10/how-to-become-firefighter-in-maryland.html

0 notes

cynthiabryanuk · 7 years ago

Text

15 Best Family Holiday Destinations In The UK

Instead of searching endlessly in Google to find the best family holiday destinations in the UK, stop right here. We—or rather, the millions of travellers who make up our community—have already done the hard work for you!

Family-Friendly Breaks Your Kids Will Love

Our very clever and tech-savvy analysts at Holiday Lettings created an algorithm analysing ratings and reviews for every single UK property on our site. The aim? To identify which destinations around the UK have the best-reviewed family-friendly rentals—according to our travellers who have stayed in them.

The result is the following list of 15 top UK destinations for families. Enjoy… and happy holiday planning!

#15 Blackpool, Lancashire

“Stayed here as a group of 4 adults and 4 children. The house is beautiful, very clean, high standard, fully equipped with everything we could have possibly needed, well worth the money and would recommend this over a hotel/B&B any day.” — Holiday Lettings Reviewer

For decades, Blackpool’s been the capital of good old-fashioned entertainment. As its iconic tower approaches its 125th birthday, this town shows no signs of slowing down! What makes it one of the best family-friendly holiday destinations? Mainly, it’s the wealth of attractions and activities on offer to please all ages.

Penny Farm is perfect for toddlers and younger children to meet beautiful horses up close, while the excitement of Blackpool Pleasure Beach and thrill of The Big One rollercoaster will get even the surliest of teenagers to crack a smile. From magic shows to Strictly’s glittering Tower Ballroom, you’re guaranteed a fun-filled family stay in Blackpool.

See all holiday homes in Blackpool!

#14 St Andrews, Fife

A university town might not be the most obvious place to go on holiday with the family, but there’s something special about St Andrews. Kids can let their imaginations run wild as they explore the ruins of St Andrews Castle. They’ll also love exploring (not to mention tiring themselves out!) the wide, sandy beaches of West Sands or Kingsbarns. Animal lovers will want to visit the St Andrews Aquarium and Scottish Deer Centre, and if there are any keen golfers in the family, this town will suit them down to a tee.

See all holiday homes in St Andrews!

#13 Cromer, Norfolk

This Norfolk coastal town is a firm favourite with families looking for traditional fun beside the sea. The surrounding area is packed with attractions to delight adventurers young and old, from riding the North Norfolk steam railway to having tree-top fun at the Pensthorpe Natural Park. But the real heart of this destinations lies, of course, at the seaside. Don’t forget to sample some of the famous Cromer Crab and walk along the atmospheric Victorian pier while you’re there!

See all holiday homes in Cromer!

#12 Camber, East Sussex

With sand dunes stretching for miles along the picturesque East Sussex coast, Camber is one of the best family holiday destinations for relaxation. Kite-surfing is a must for sporty young things, while simply strolling along the beach is perfect for those who prefer a steadier pace.

This is “1066 country”, with plenty to fascinate history buffs (or any little ones just learning all about the Battle of Hastings!) including three castles. But, its attractions aren’t just historic: you can plan a submarine safari at the Blue Reef Aquarium or ride the UK’s steepest funicular railway!

See all holiday homes in Camber!

#11 Belfast, Northern Ireland

“We stayed on midterm break with our 4 kids. Suited us perfectly, very comfortable and relaxing in the evening after busy days at Titanic museum and W5. We couldn’t fault the place at all. Great location and very safe. Kids are planning their next visit!” — Holiday Lettings Reviewer

Welcome to Belfast–birthplace of the ill-fated Titanic and Northern Ireland’s capital. Belfast’s weather is predictably unpredictable, but it’s so packed with indoor and outdoor attractions that everyone will be happy in this vibrant city, come rain or shine, no matter the season. If you enjoy being outdoors, take a trip to Glenariff Forest Park. Here, you’ll get lost (metaphorically, of course) in a mosaic of lush green landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and steep-sided gorges.

See all holiday homes in Belfast!

#10 Filey, Yorkshire

This coastal town, with its rich fishing heritage and traditional seaside flavour, is not often absent from lists of recommended destinations to stay. You’ll find the locals friendly, the fish and chips unrivalled (which is a bold claim!) and the general pace of life just that little bit gentler.

There’s plenty here for families to enjoy together. If the weather is fine, you’ll probably find yourself on Filey beach or meeting the residents at the Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park. If the forecast is ropey, nearby Scarborough has a host of indoor activities from its Sea Life Sanctuary to the Terror Tower (best for tricky-to-impress teens).

See all holiday homes in Filey!

#9 Cheltenham, Cotswolds

Cheltenham (or Cheltenham Spa, to give it its full title) is a refined Regency-era town crammed with elegant boutiques and tea shops. But it’s not all grown-up glamour: this “cultural centre for the Cotswolds” also makes for a great UK family break. Kids will love the Funky Warehouse; a ginormous indoor activity centre with trampolining, parkour, and more. Nestled in the Gloucestershire countryside, Cheltenham is not too far from the Cotswold Farm Park. Pay a visit and you’ll no doubt have one of your best family holidays yet!

See all holiday homes in Cheltenham!

#8 Holsworthy, Devon

It’s perhaps no surprise to see a beautiful market town in Devon on our list of the UK’s best family-friendly holiday destinations. Holsworthy is tucked away between Exmoor and Dartmoor, surrounded by stunning West Country landscapes just begging to be explored! Cycling, walking, pony-trekking… all these activities (and more!) are available for the outdoorsy family.

As well as a warm and welcoming community atmosphere, the town itself has a rich agricultural heritage celebrated with a weekly Farmers Market. It’s the perfect place to pick up some fresh local produce and cook up a storm back in your holiday home’s kitchen.

See all holiday homes in Holsworthy!

#7 Bournemouth, Dorset

Seven miles of sandy beach bless Bournemouth’s shores, which is one of the (many!) reasons why it’s such a popular choice for UK family holidays. Watersports are a prominent feature along the seafront, with everything from surfing novices to professional kite-surfers whizzing (or wobbling…) through the water.

Bournemouth is also home to a fascinating oceanarium, where kids can get hands-on with the marine life through interactive activities. And don’t forget the thrill of Bournemouth Pier’s zip-line. But if that all sounds too exciting, retreat to the comfort of your rental for rest and relaxation.

See all holiday homes in Bournemouth!

#6 Shanklin, Isle of Wight

On the Isle of Wight’s pretty Sandown Bay, you’ll find Shanklin; a popular resort for family breaks with its own theatre and fun-packed esplanade. While you’re there, don’t miss Shanklin Chine—a 10,000-year-old, 32-metre-deep gorge cut into the soft cliffside by water—and one of the first tourist attractions on the island. Explore its winding woodland paths, pass by waterfalls and picture smugglers hiding their contraband here centuries ago.

See all holiday homes in Shanklin!

#5 Skegness, Lincolnshire

“We stayed here as an extended family of 15… We had a great week. The house is amazing and the garden just perfect for the children.” — Holiday Lettings Reviewer

Stalwart of the traditional British seaside holiday, “Skeggy” is packed to the rafters with fun family attractions, hence its status in our top five best family holiday destinations in the UK. Favourites include Fantasy Island (with its live shows and rollercoasters) and the resort’s Blue Flag beach (with its golden sands and ice cream vans.)

See all holiday homes in Skegness!

#4 Poole, Dorset

Not only is this corner of the Dorset coast home to Europe’s largest natural harbour, it boasts five beautiful sheltered beaches, including the famous Sandbanks. Patrolled all year round, it’s one of the safest places to go swimming with the kids. If you’re looking for a fun day out and love nature, Brownsea Island is a must! Pack up a picnic and explore the island’s trails, spotting red squirrels as you go.

For indoor fun, grab your swimming gear and head to Splashdown Waterpark, where you’ll find flumes and waterslides to delight kids for hours on end.

See all holiday homes in Poole!

#3 Buxton, Derbyshire

This pretty spa town sits in the spectacular surroundings of the Peak District, the UK’s very first National Park. Finding kid-friendly activities isn’t difficult: start at Poole’s Cavern, an exciting subterranean adventure exploring caves. Then, for any high flyers in your family group, try out the nearby Go Ape. The adventure park offers tree-top walks, ziplines, and more high-octane activities to keep everyone happy (and tire them out…)

See all holiday homes in Buxton!

#2 Matlock, Derbyshire

Located on the River Derwent, the former spa town of Matlock is one of the best places to go on holiday as a family in the UK. The delightful Dovedale Valley is nearby and makes a perfect picnic spot. For a slightly more cultured expedition, why not try the elegant Chatsworth House? The gardens include a tricky (but very entertaining) hedge maze, where you can start at opposite ends and see who reaches the middle first!

See all holiday homes in Matlock!

AND THE BEST FAMILY HOLIDAY DESTINATION IN THE UK IS…

#1 Truro, Cornwall

“This was a true find! It felt very luxurious and yet homely. I think part of that was because there seemed to have been so much attention to detail by the owners. With a 3 year old, it was fantastic to have the washer.” — Holiday Lettings Reviewer

As Cornwall’s only city, Truro is a bustling hub of urban activity surrounded by spectacular rural landscapes. Its soaring cathedral spires dominate the skyline for miles around. Explore the quaint streets and you’ll discover all manner of shops and weekly food markets. Book a holiday home in Truro, and you’ll be perfectly positioned to enjoy so many of Cornwall’s family-friendly attractions, from watersports at Loe Beach to riding Newquay’s Lappa Valley Steam Railway.

See all holiday homes in Truro!

The post 15 Best Family Holiday Destinations In The UK appeared first on Holiday Lettings Blog.

from News And Tips For Traveling https://blog.holidaylettings.co.uk/best-family-holiday-destinations-uk/

0 notes

mumsles-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Fancy a walk?

Saturday July 1st and I’m at the start line of my next walking challenge, 100km or 63 miles of the Cotswold way, Bath to Cheltenham in a day! I’ll admit that even though this is my 4th of these challenges I was feeling particularly nervous this time. This was the first time that the organisers had put on this challenge and in true Masterchef jargon it was billed as their ‘Toughest challenge yet’. Easy to dismiss it as hype but having read comments from walkers who had already hiked part of it and then looking at the elevation map it looked like it might live up to its billing. There were lots of hills and very few flat bits so I was apprehensive about what lay in store over the next 24 hours or so. I train pretty hard and although the experience of having 3 previous walks under my belt means that I am pretty sure I’m able to complete it I had no doubts it would be tough. I live at the foot of the Surrey Hills and I’m lucky that I can get a fair bit of hill walking in right out of my house but it also means I know that a few hours of going up and down steep ascents can sap your strength and turn your legs to jelly let alone spending a whole day doing it. Consequently I was late to the start, due to leave at 8am I was delayed by nerves. Without being graphic it was playing havoc with my stomach! Although I was registered and ready about 10 mins before my start time I felt I needed to try and relax a bit more so asked to be changed to the next starting slot. They agreed and so I waited for the 8.30 group to be called. I now feel that fate was kind to me because while I was waiting and chatting to the guys on the Macmillan stand I met Simone who was also taking part. This was her first challenge and we started chatting and went to the start line together. We decided to head off together and see how we got on and if our pace matched. We had a brief chat about our motivation for taking part and I felt bad that Simone got upset as her husband has cancer and her reasons are very current and at the forefront for them both. So two strangers shared a brief hug and then after encouragement from both our husbands we headed off into the Cotswold countryside. The day was cloudy but warm and I was relieved that the temperatures had dropped somewhat as we had been experiencing hot days of around 28c in the previous couple of weeks. I have done a 26 mile walk in that heat before and it really slows you up so the much cooler 20 – 22c was welcome. In the first 4 miles we had already climbed up to 800ft which was just a taster of what was to come. The views however were absolutely stunning and there were times when we could see the river Severn in the distance and across to Wales. Interestingly even when you are really tired and have clambered up yet another steep ascent you can still appreciate the view from the top…just before you head back down, get to the bottom and go straight back up again! It was in fact not until we got to around 28 miles that we actually had a mile or so of flatter ground when we were heading to the mid-way rest point. At the top of a couple of the hills there were churches, perched high above their parishes, and I couldn’t help imagining how in days gone by when cars were not commonplace the congregation would have walked up the hill in a steady procession for family services and for the inevitable christenings, weddings and funerals. What a beautiful final resting place though and I feel it must have alleviated the sadness a little to visit lost loved ones in such lovely surroundings. Certainly there was a noticeable but pleasant quietness and we all seemed quite deep in thought as we took a brief rest up there. One of the few level stretches took us through deer parks and past the boundaries of some pretty impressive walled gardens and landscaped grounds. All we could see of the mansion that stood in these grounds was a glimpse of roofs and chimneys but it was obviously huge. As we left through one of the many gateways to Dodington Park we Googled the name and we discovered it belonged to James Dyson…there’s a lot of money in vacuum cleaners and hairdryers it would seem! Soon we would be climbing again and up to the first of a couple of monuments then down and on to the halfway point and that welcome hot meal and the knowledge that this would be a slightly longer rest to eat and drink and check feet etc. before the night-time section. Sadly this was where Simone and I parted company as she was heading off to her tent for the night before she started the second half early the next morning. I think that although she said she was looking forward to the rest, there was a little bit of her that thought it might be better to continue and just get it over with! Certainly I would never do this 2 day option, not because of any arrogant reasons but mainly because I have heard other people say that they do not sleep well and then the psychological part of getting up the next day to do it all again is tough, especially knowing that other people who’ve carried on walking through the night will be nearing the finish line when you’ve only just started on your way. Anyway, I didn’t mention any of this as it wouldn’t have helped so we ate our meal together, our own little last supper, and then Simone came with me when I went outside to wait for the next group to set off and we had a longer hug this time having become friends on the way. Although it was still light at this point it would become dark before we got to the next rest stop so you the organisers do not let you leave alone or in less than 3 people. I had already decided I would join a group and then look around at people’s number bibs which also show their start times and I would find someone who had a similar or later time to me so that I knew their pace would be a match. Luckily I saw a couple of ladies with 9am start times and as I walked up to them they were saying that they were doing much the same and looking for one or two people with similar times. I spoke to them and we agreed we would set off with the group then find our own pace. It was fortunate to find then as the rest of the group were fairly slow and we soon headed off together. Loz and Debbie were probably half my age and PE teachers which daunted me a little and I’ll admit I did think at one point that I might be struggling to keep up. However, they were first timers and admitted later that they had headed off a bit too quickly initially and Debbie had some pretty serious blisters erupting. She was giving it her best shot though and although you could see she was in pain she was desperate to try and keep up the pace. Immediately after the bliss of the halfway stop we were heading uphill on one of the toughest and longest uphill stretches of the whole walk. It seemed to go and on. Sometimes it’s better when you are walking straight and you can see the enormity of what’s ahead but when you are on a winding path your mind keeps telling you that round the next corner it will be level and then there is a deflating moment when you reach that corner and ahead is yet more climbing. I think this was around two miles of uphill slog but it felt more like five by the time we got to the top. The next sector was some steep climbs and descents and where I learnt a new way to go downhill which is easier on the knees and joints. Loz demonstrated by basically turning at right angles to the slope and stepping or skipping sideways. She showed me slowly and then went hurtling down the hill at full speed. Debbie and I followed at a far more sedate speed behind her. I had visions of tripping and tumbling head over heels all the way to the bottom. I was pretty pleased with myself though when I managed to get up a couple of the hills before Loz, not bad going for someone twice her age. By this time poor Debbie was really suffering and as well as her feet, which we stopped to help patch up a few times, she also felt sick and unwell which was partly dehydration. I was surprised that they had not refilled their water bottles at the fifth stop but I know you tend to slow up on drinking at night when it’s cooler, not a good idea though. It became fairly obvious she was going to have to stop as she was in a lot of stomach pain. At the next stop she decided she would have to stay there and rehydrate herself and get her feet checked but she was keen for Loz to continue and finish. So we joined up with another couple and carried on through the night. This last quarter was really hard going. We had made the ascent up yet another very long winding hill and knew that a lot of the walk was now on the ridge of the hills. However there were still a lot of very steep gradients, shorter yes but lots of them like a rollercoaster! Although it was too dark to see what was ahead you could generally tell from the voices drifting back to you saying things like “they’re having a fucking laugh aren’t they, not again!” , which sort of gives it away. We also found ourselves on a mud path which looked and felt initially like it was hard packed mud and pretty dry. Halfway down a slope we discovered it was actually very boggy in places but it was almost impossible to see where in the limited vision you have from a head torch. Several times I thought I was about to lose my boot as I trod in a squelchy spot. Around this time I could feel the balls of my feet starting to feel sore and soon I knew that I had the dreaded blisters, they can be so debilitating for something relatively small. I decided against removing my boots to look at them, my feet were taped up and I was more concerned about causing more damage. Also I felt if I saw how bad they were it would make it mentally tougher so I popped a couple of Nurofen and carried on. I’m pretty sure they were a consequence of the steep downhill slopes especially those with loose stones which are always bad news! As always the walking in the dark is tiring mentally and really tests you. Loz was now feeling despondent, partly because Debbie had to drop out and partly because she realised they had pushed themselves a bit too hard in the very early stages and she was tiring fast. Pacing yourself is hard and the inclination is always to start off faster but its best to try and keep a constant pace as much as possible then if you have anything left you can speed up at the end. It’s definitely worked for me on the last couple of walks! At the last stop with only 6km to go and back into daylight at last, Loz heard that Debbie was feeling better and was going to try and get a bit further which boosted her a little. After a couple of kilometres we walked with a small group who were varying paces. Loz decided she would stick with the slightly slower paced ones and myself and a couple of others headed off a bit faster and even managed to jog now and then. Gradually we split up and I found myself heading alone along the final bit of tarmac (flat!!!) where I did my now signature run across the finish line to be met with a hug from hubby Mark and my training buddy Brodie, who was barking furiously at the applause. Photos, a medal and the welcome glass of bubbly and then a sit down to remove the boots and finally let those blisters have some air, they weren’t pretty! It’s amazing how your body reacts once you’ve finished. At each of the rest stops you can sit and have a drink and something to eat, change socks, use facilities, then up you get and off you go. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to get back into stride but otherwise all is fine. You get to the finish and sit down though and when you go to get up and leave… nothing works, it’s as though you’ve been sat on by an elephant! Joints seize up, feet ache and you generally just feel like you want to be carried to the car and that’s definitely not going to happen with a big girl like me! Then I spot Loz coming across the field and hobble over to congratulate her only to be told that Debbie is now well and truly back on track and should finish in the next hour…what a girl, good on her. Somehow, I plod a few yards to the car and plonk myself down inelegantly knowing it will be a huge effort to get out again later but I’ve done it…100km in 23 hours and 36 minutes, fab, I’m absolutely exhausted but elated. After a shower, breakfast and a couple of hours sleep we headed back to the finish to wait for Simone to cross the line. She had no idea I would be there but I really wanted to see her finish and congratulate her and also thank her in person as she had spent part of her overnight rest logging on and donating to me, so lovely of her. A quick introduction of her dogs and ours and we said our goodbyes and headed back to our B&B for a well-earned rest. So why do I do it again and again, that’s what I get asked a lot. It’s exactly what it says on the tin…a challenge. It hurts some of the time but a lot of the time it doesn’t and adrenaline is an amazing drug to get you through the pain. I get a real high from completing it and it gives me a focus each year to make me get out and walk that extra few miles and work out a bit harder and that’s good for me. I’ve met a lot of amazing people from the organisers to supporters to fellow walkers. It sounds clichéd but they truly restore your faith in humanity. Everyone is so supportive and they all look out for each other. If you see someone sat at the side of the path you immediately ask if they are ok and if they need anything. People will stop to help patch up feet, share water if you’ve run low, offer energy bars or sweets if you’re in need of a boost and words of encouragement if you are struggling. I’ve never heard a negative comment, I’ve heard a fair bit of swearing…especially when there was yet another bloody hill to go up, but genuinely it’s a positive vibe all round. Many of them are walking because they or someone close to them has been through something awful and that empathy is evident. Even at the B&B we stayed at there was some lovely moments. A couple who had chatted with Mark gave him a donation for me and the owners kindly let me have breakfast a bit later than usual. We had a lovely room with an ensuite shower which was absolutely ok but they offered me the use of a bath in another empty room so I could have a proper soak and the lady also gave me a big white fluffy bathrobe of hers and some of her own luxury bath foam, so kind and thoughtful. My first walk was with my lovely friend Katie and we laughed and cried our way from London to Brighton. I’ll never forget how emotional that one was, the pain of losing my mum and best mate was very much to the forefront and then one sister in law passed away just before and another shortly afterwards. Despite being adamant that I would never do another one I signed up for The Isle of Wight and took part with a friend Rob and my stepdaughter Eloise. Sadly Rob didn’t complete the challenge but Eloise battled through some fairly awful blisters and although we didn’t finish together she did an amazing job to run across the line a short while after me. Both my last 2 walks on my own I’ve been lucky enough to team up with amazing ladies who I didn’t know beforehand. Lisa on Thames Path last year who was doing it for her brother and Simone walking for her husband and just as importantly they were doing it for themselves too. To give them a sense of being able to do something at a horrendously difficult time, I understand that. I do it for mum and Pat and my family, all women, who are no longer with us because of the bloody awful disease that is cancer. Five women who should have had longer with us and who should not have had to deal with the horrors of cancer but who did so bravely and with strength, stubbornness and humour. I walk because I can and because I want to remember all these ladies and everyone else that has a rough deal in life, they are all my inspiration and motivation. I hope that the money raised will ease some of the pain for others unfortunate enough to have to deal with illness and offer support to their families and friends. To date myself, Katie, Eloise and Rob have raised a total of around £6,764 (including Gift Aid) for Macmillan and Médecins sans Frontières. All in all an Ultra Challenge walk is a good place to be and I’ll be there again this coming weekend. South Coast Way, Saturday August 26th 2017, 9am, Eastbourne, I’ll be on the start line once more………… wish me luck!

0 notes

photomaniacs · 8 years ago

Photo

Catching Up With Quintin Lake on His 10,000km Walk Around the UK Coast http://ift.tt/2ucTaMd

We first spoke with Quintin Lake back in 2015, when he had completed just 4% (361km) of his journey around the perimeter of Britain. He’s now covered 39% (3,928km), and we caught up with him to see how he’s been getting on.

Quintin Lake is a fine art and architectural photographer based out of Cheltenham, England. His ambitious project, titled The Perimeter, sees him walking 10,000km around the coast of Britain in sections over 5 years.

Lake started the journey on April 17, 2015 at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, and he is following the coast clockwise. He regularly updates his website with his progress, including the map of his travels included below.

In this catch up interview we focus on the challenges that Lake has experienced during his journey so far, and how his equipment has evolved over the past 2 years. We’ve also included a selection of his favorite images from around the country.

PetaPixel: What major challenges have you encountered along the way so far?

Quintin Lake: North Pembrokeshire in Wales has been the most challenging as I was in the heart of winter with gale force winds, driven hail and rain. It’s very steep up and down 100m cliffs throughout the whole day and a long way from any facilities; I wouldn’t see anyone on the path for days. The paths get reduced to muddy troughs, my trekking poles snapped sending me slipping down, and the relentless wet and cold made it hard to keep warm day after day. As the days were very short I needed to walk three hours in the dark by head torch to cover the distance, which makes route finding and balance difficult. The photography was really good though!

Recently I tore the Tibialis Anterior Tendon on the top of my foot from overuse, which entails 6 weeks of immobilization and then rehab before I can continue.

There are a lot of precipitous cliffs which require attention especially in gales and mist and you have to stay switched on not to get stranded in some coves when the tide rises – I’ve had a few close calls!

Day to day challenges are finding drinkable water, aggressive dogs and cattle, finding a flat secluded place to pitch my tent and detouring around infrastructure and firing ranges. I enjoy photographing infrastructure as it represents the contemporary landscape so I often have encounters with security guards.

Have you at any point felt like giving up?

For the first few months every night before I fell asleep I felt like I couldn’t do another day of this as everything ached so much. However, sleep is a miraculous thing and life always looked a little better the next day. Now, two and a half years since starting I know myself a little better so I lie to myself to keep myself going! “ok we stop tomorrow” “ok after this coffee” “ok after this headland”.

Have you stuck with the same gear the whole time, or did some of your equipment not meet expectations?

A lot of kit has worn out; I’m on my 5th pair of shoes now, the treads wear flat after about 1,000km which makes then pretty dangerous on muddy cliff paths. A trekking pole snapped when I slipped going down a steep path. Finding the right footwear took experimentation – I now use ultra marathon trail runners as they are designed for long days on both road and trail.

I moved from a 3/4 to a full length Thermarest Neoair sleeping mat as although heavier it helped me sleep a lot better.

One waterproof jacket has worn out and wetted through, a few sets of socks have worn out, the backpack made by Zpacks in cuben fibre is nearly worn out and will need replacing soon.

One headache has been USB power packs as I’m often off grid for a few day at a time when I need to charge both iPhone, torch and camera batteries. As well as a phone I use the smartphone for navigating with digital topographic maps and for writing. I had to experiment with a lot of brands to work out which works, is weight to power efficient, won’t discharge when items are left plugged in, and allows through charging. The winner from my experience has been the Zendure brand.

In terms of cameras, I’ve moved from a Canon 6D to 5DS R as I print large so the extra weight and expense were worth it for that. That said, the 5DS R does require perfect technique to obtain optimal resolution and I do it find it noisier in the shadows and more prone to clipping highlights than the 6D was.

I’ve changed from carrying Canon 24-70 f/4 to 16-35 f/4 to pair with my favorite lens the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6L as I find the wider focal range opens up more creative possibilities.

Lenses definitely need recalibrating annually at Canon’s lab when used this much, not sure if that is exacerbated by the jiggling of carrying them so far or not. Contrary to previous journeys I’ve used a tripod more and more especially in winter as the days are so short this adds valuable shooting time to the day. I still use the knee-high table tripod Gitzo GT-531. You have to sit down to use it but that has the advantage of making it stable as it’s so close to the ground.

Night hiking for up to 3 hours rain and wind needs some serious illumination to stay safe on cliff paths. I use a Petzl Nao+ headlamp with 700 lumens that also met my criterion of being chargeable via a USB power pack. Its got a very consistent bean so I occasionally use it for light painting too.

You mentioned in our previous interview that you were considering a book and exhibition – do you have an idea of your creative direction now?

I’m more confident there would be interest in a book and exhibition so it will happen. Last year the BBC sent a video journalist to make a short piece on my project that was broadcast nationally, and since January this year I write a monthly column in Digital Camera Magazine with a couple of pictures on The Perimeter which is a really satisfying way of communicating the project as it unfolds. However in terms of creative direction for the final product if there is one thing this journey has taught me is not to pre-visualise anything!

You can follow along with Lake’s journey over on the The Perimeter website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. His other photography can be seen on his personal photography website.

Go to Source Author: <a href="http://ift.tt/2sJUrs6 Simpson</a> If you’d like us to remove any content please send us a message here CHECK OUT THE TOP SELLING CAMERAS!

The post Catching Up With Quintin Lake on His 10,000km Walk Around the UK Coast appeared first on CameraFreaks.

July 20, 2017 at 07:05PM

#photo photography art camera cameras

0 notes

uklocalbusiness · 3 years ago

Photo

Cotswold Paving and Landscaping Limited is a premium company that offers landscaping and patio services to clients in and around Cheltenham & surrounding.

0 notes

isabella-aldwyn · 4 years ago

Text

Skeleton: The Hoyden Name: Isabella Rose Aldwyn Age: 24 Family Title: Viscounty Cheltenham About: See Below FC: Caitlin Stasey

O1 ━◞ ISABELLA

O2 ━◞ FAMILY

O3 ━◞ LIKES, QUIRKS, AND TIDBITS

Tidbit 1: Her birthday is February 18.

Tidbit 2: If she is to be courted, the way to her heart is dancing. Bella has every quadrille, every waltz memorized, enough so she can dance the steps in her sleep.

Tidbit 4: She has a scar around her neck from an unfortunate horse-riding incident from when she was 12. Consequently, she is never without a large necklace. It is what she is most self-conscious of.

O4 ━◞ SECRETS

Something happened that scared her and that she’s buried deep in her memory; something that her Father covered up for her before he died. Will expand on this as roleplay goes. Dun dun dun

#ll.intro #bella // bio

4 notes · View notes