Places to visit on your Devon Holiday

Devon, South West England is an absolute delight and heaven when it comes to family holidays and weekend getaways. There is so much to do, you can keep on visiting Devon, and never tire of it! From gorgeous beaches to breathtaking views, endless shopping and dining options, to endless activities and attractions, there is something for all to enjoy in Devon.

Here are a few attractions to enjoy on your Devon holiday:

Jurassic Coast: This is England’s first natural World Heritage Site, and covers 95 miles of stunning coastline from East Devon to Dorset.

Pecorama: Pecorama has three attractions in one with an indoor model railway exhibition, gorgeous gardens and a light railway, perfect for a family outing.

Babbacombe Model Village: This is another fantastic place to visit on your Devon holiday, for both young and old. It has impressive replications of miniature gardens, buildings and people. Discover many fun and animated characters and features and bring back wonderful childhood memories as you explore England’s history in a quaint and quirky manner.

Pennywell Farm and Wildlife Centre: Your holiday to Devon will be incomplete without a visit to award winning Pennywell Farm. Located in South Devon, this farm is suitable for everyone, and gives the opportunity to see all sorts of animals up close and personal.

National Marine Aquarium: This exciting aquarium is the largest in England and deepest in Europe, and houses over 400 different species. These include sharks, seahorses, and turtles to name a few.

Blackpool Sands: This is an excellent sheltered family beach, which is perfect for kayaking, windsurfing and building castles in the golden sand.

Bradworthy Transport Museum: This attraction will give you a first-hand account of England’s transport history. The museum houses over 80 historical vehicles ranging from lorries, vans, cars, motorcycles, tractors and farm equipment, dating back to 1914.

Crealy Adventure Park: This park is fun for all ages – it has go kart racing, steep and scary slides, bumper boats, train rides and ponies to name a few.

Kents Caverns: These famous caves are the site of the earliest evidence of humans in England – from the Stone Age days. The caverns have been fitted with good concrete pathways, so it is safe and easy to navigate your way through.

Paignton Zoo: This is a must visit for animal lovers, as it is home to hundreds of species of animals. The zoo is home to 250 exotic species, 70 of which are endangered. See these beautiful animals, and learn all about them with a visit to the zoo.

London Golf Courses

Golf is a relaxing and rejuvenating sport – it is entertaining, challenging and provides a great way to socialise with family, friends and work colleagues. Also, a round of golf is one of the most affordable ways to pass time in London. Here are some of the best golf courses in London ranging from private exclusive tracks such as the Heritage Course at the London Golf Club to the public Trent Park Golf Centre.

Here are a few of the best golf courses in London in no particular order:

Heritage Course at London Golf Club: This 7, 208 yard track course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and officially opened in 1994. It is a challenging track, which is long and full of hazards. There are large bunkers protecting the greens, and water comes into play on several holes. It is designed with five sets of tees, enabling it to be accessible to a range of skill levels.

Richmond Park Golf Courses: This is located in South West London and has two 18 hole courses, a 250 yard practice range, one of the largest pro shops in the UK, a team of PGA teaching professionals and a handicap facility just to name a few of the facilities offered. The Duke course measures 6,165 yards and is flatter and longer of the two, whereas the Princes course is only 5,868 yards, but is rather wavy in appearance, thus adding the challenge. Richmond Park golf course is an excellent environment for all the family and a great place to play golf. No membership is required; this golf course is open to the public.

Royal Blackheath Golf Club: This 70 par 6000 yard golf course is the oldest in England. It was established by the court of King James in 1608! Visiting the club is a great experience. The greens have improved greatly, and this course is a wonderful place for traditionalists who love the history of golf. Although it is only 9 miles outside London, the course is spotted with trees, excellent fairways and true greens giving you the impression that you are in the countryside! This club requires membership as it is a private one.

Trent Park Golf Centre: This is an 18 hole public pay and play golf course situated in Oakwood Village, Enfield, North London and is set within the grounds of the stunning Trent Park Country Park. This 6, 216 yard course is situated on 150 acres of rolling countryside about 30 minutes outside central London. The centre has a driving range, a bar, restaurant and golf shop as well.

Holiday cottages in North Devon

Devon, South West England is one of the best tourist destinations in England. It is home to England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Jurassic Coast and the Braunton Burrows UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Devon prides itself on having two national parks – Dartmoor and Exmoor, and many seaside resorts, historic towns and cities and endless beaches, accounting for the large tourist sector of its economy. There is much to do in Devon including attractions and activities, shopping and restaurants, stunning scenery and sandy beaches, making it the perfect destination for a family holiday.

Devon has several accommodation options for all your needs – luxury hotels, bed and breakfast joints, holiday cottages, camping and caravan sites to name a few. Holiday cottages are an excellent accommodation choice – they are comfortable, self catering, affordable and most are baby friendly and even dog friendly!

North Devon is an excellent location for families, friends or couples to take a holiday in Devon. Holiday cottages in this region offer you the chance to explore the nearby villages, visit bustling market towns, explore the moors and relax on the beaches.

Here are a few holiday cottages in North Devon:

Bolt Hole, Highampton: This is a self catering comfortable, well equipped holiday cottage suitable for couples wanting to get away from it all. It is situated in three and a half acres of peaceful countryside with excellent views across unspoilt woodland and farmland.

Bowood Farm, Bideford: This property consists of three cottages adjoining a farmhouse, set amongst peaceful open countryside with fine views. They cottages are ideally located for touring North Devon. It is only two miles from the coast of Bideford which has tennis, golf and indoor swimming and three miles away from the sandy beach.

Crofters Lodge, Near Bude: Set in a magnificent countryside and surrounded by an 18 hole golf course, this lodge is excellent for walkers, bird watches for anyone looking for a tranquil holiday. It is within easy reach of the attractions that North Devon is famous for. The lodge has grassed areas outside for sunbathing purposes, as well as raised decking for outdoor meals with gorgeous views over the lake and surrounding countryside.

Georgian Antique Furniture

English antique furniture styles and periods mirror England’s history in general. Each period has furniture that has a distinct degree of craftsmanship and a certain attention to design. There are several periods, each unique in their own way.

The Tudor Period in England consisted of the time when Henry VII, Henry VIII and Edward VI ruled (1485-1558), and this saw great advancement in the making of furniture, which was made from oak and other trees such as beech, chestnut and cypress wood. The Elizabethan Period followed from 1558-1603, under Queen Elizabeth’s rule, and this incorporated the addition of ivory, box, cherry and ebony to the classic furniture. The William and Mary Period (1689 – 1702) saw the use of walnut, olivewood and laburnum and the Queen Anne Period (1702-1727) produced its own style, with the introduction of the Windsor chair, made in elm and fruitwoods. The Georgian Period (1727-1820) is well known as being the classic furniture period and the Regency Period (1800-1830) reflected the empire design, and furniture in this era was more subtle. The Victorian Period (1837 – 1901) was recognized as the era where English antique furniture became heavier in design.

Georgian Antique Furniture was produced in the Georgian Period (1727-1820), and is one of the most popular types of furniture from the past centuries. The new wood which was used in this period was mahogany, and this era was captivated by talented designers such as Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton.

The styles in early Georgian antique furniture followed the styles produced in the Queen Anne period and before, and underwent modifications of their own. The main change was the replacement of walnut by mahogany. Mahogany was introduced due to it being strong, durable, long lasting, and less prone to infestation, scratches, wear and tear and so on. Due to these reasons, mahogany rapidly became popular especially with cabinet makers.

Mid Georgian Antique Furniture saw the need for more curvy, light and less architectural styles – something similar to French counterparts during the Louis XV era. This style was called the Rococo, and came to dominate the mid Georgian era in England.

During the latter part of the Georgian Period, a movement in furniture history, known as the Neoclassical style came about. This was in reaction to the previous styles in the Georgian Period, and was mostly associated with the names of the designers Chambers and Stuart, and the more famous Adam, Hepplewhite and Sheraton. This style came about due to a renewed interest in ancient classical civilisations of Greece and Rome.

All you need to know about Live in care

Elderly care is very important. As people get older, they become more prone to injuries and sickness and will require proper supervision to remain in good health. Usually, family members look after elderly relations, however in this day and age, with everyone working so hard, it is difficult to stay at home to look after them. Therefore, the senior or the family that loves them must then decide what must be done - if they should move to a retirement or nursing home or need a form of assisted living or home care.

Seniors very much prefer to stay in their own home, where they have accumulated memories over the years, rather than moving to a nursing or retirement home. For seniors to be able to stay at home, an option to hire a caregiver to provide live in care is attractive. This means that the senior can remain in his or her own home rather than going to a nursing or retirement home.

Live in care is perfect for your loved one, as if they need support, they can be provided through visits from hourly caregivers employed by a home care agency. These caregivers will be able to deal with the upkeep of the house, help with shopping and meal preparation, hygiene and provide full time assistance with daily living.

If the senior has some medical needs, then live in care can allow them to remain in the comfort of their own home. A registered nurse can supervise an aide providing the service and develop a detailed plan of care, medical appointments and a medication regime. Both live in care aide and nurse supervisor can be employed and managed by a professional agency.

Before selecting an aide, it is best to think about the senior’s outlook on life, habits, personality, cultural background and other characteristics. This way, the agency will be able to select a caregiver whose temperament is similar or compatible with that of the senior. This will mean that they will be able to relate to each other, making it bearable for both parties.

With live in care aides, people can provide adequate support to elderly members of their family. As a Live in care aide stays 24-7 in your home, then everything that the senior needs will be taken care of.

Popular destinations for your caravan holiday in Devon

Devon, South West England is one of the most popular tourist destinations in England. Its gorgeous beaches, seaside resorts, rolling countryside, historic towns and cities, endless attractions and activities, exciting shopping and restaurants ensure that a holiday in this area is worth-while for all members of the family.

There are several accommodation options available in Devon. Caravan holidays are one of the best ways to explore the area. Visitors can go about their own itinerary, can have an affordable holiday and can settle down for the night in some of the most beautiful spots in the area. There are many towns in Devon to visit on your caravan holiday, and these towns all have something unique and special about them.

Ashburton, South Devon – This is an ancient stannary town, which is now popular with tourists as it is an ideal base to explore the moor as well as the coast. Ashburton has plenty of outdoor activities such as walking, pony trekking, canoeing, and fishing, as well as indoor entertainment options such as antique shops, galleries and a museum of the area.

Dartmouth, South Devon – This popular town is built in the valley of the River Dart, which provides visitors an excellent view and a fun holiday. Dartmouth lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has many attractions such as Dartmouth Castle and Kingswear Castle. There is much to do in Dartmouth, you can relax on the promenade, enjoy sights of the busy estuary, while taking in excellent food, arts, antiques and crafts.

Exeter, South Devon – This is the ceremonial county town of Devon and has many notable religious buildings such as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and St Mary Steps. With excellent eating out options and night time entertainment, this is an excellent place to visit.

Plymouth, South Hams – This is a university city, with a massive modern shopping centre, with plenty of entertainment centres, theatres and cinemas. It is one of the two unitary authority areas in Devon, and is situated on the coast between the mouths of the rivers Plym and Tamar. Plymouth is famous for the National Maritime Aquarium, which displays more than four thousand sea creatures.

Torquay, Torbay – This is one of the most popular areas to visit in Devon – it has everything that one could hope for in a holiday. Located near Torbay, this fishing and agricultural town is known as the place that Agatha Christie, the famous novelist, lived most of her life. Torquay has much to offer - cafes, pubs, restaurants, shops, night life, family attractions, superb beaches and gorgeous views.

Things to see on your Brixham holiday

Brixham is a delightful small fishing town and civil parish situated in the sprawling county of Devon, South West England. Brixham is located in the southern end of Torbay just across the bay from Torquay and is well known as being a fishing port. It is built around the central harbour area, which is the main lifeline of the town. The two main industries that Brixham offers are fishing and tourism. Brixham is one of UK’s busiest fishing ports and deals with tens of thousands of tonnes of fresh fish and crustaceans daily!

There are several attractions for tourists to view in and around Brixham. Here are a few things to see on your Brixham holiday:

Harbourside – Golden Hind Museum Ship: This is situated alongside the main quay, and is a historic ship that is a replica of the flagship of Sir Francis Drake. Here you can relive his incredible world voyage in the 16th century. The ship gives hands on experience to life on board and is a real treat to visitors of all ages. The Golden Hind also offers a range of special events, from re-enactments to exhibitions.

Brixham Museum: This is one of the best collections of local history in Brixham, offering lots of artefacts, antiques, paintings, pictures, maps and many more collectibles over several centuries. The museum has been arranged in an interesting and engaging manner, making it easy to go through all items present.

Church of St Mary the Virgin: This church located in Churston Ferrers was built in the 14th century and is famous because of its perpendicular style and large clock tower with six bells. Agatha Christie, the famous crime novelist attended this church regularly when she was living nearby.

Shingle Beaches: Elberry Cove is a shingle beach that is secluded and surrounded by woodlands. It is a 10 minute walk along the coastal path with parking at Broadsands a half mile away. At the end of the beach is Elberry Bath House which is similar to a small old castle. Another small shingle beach close to Brixham is Breakwater. This is easily accessible and has ample car parking facilities. It is a Blue Flag and Seaside awarded beach and is thus very popular with families.

Greenway: This is a quaint picturesque garden, which offers visitors the chance to see an unspoilt slice of Devon countryside and gardens on the bank of the River Dart. It creates an atmosphere of romantic wilderness and has been managed by the National Trust since 2000.

These are just the tip of the iceberg of things to do and see on your Brixham holiday.

Djeco toys as birthday gifts

Djeco Toys are a worldwide famous European company situated in Paris, and specialise in producing high quality and uniquely designed French toys, puzzles, games and products for children. The founder of Djeco Toys – Frederick Michel Dales took over the family toy business in the 1990’s, and created his own line of imaginative toys to sell. Today, Djeco Toys makes and distributes various toys including blocks, puzzles, pull toys and mobiles all based on Dales’ original designs.

There are several kinds of Djeco Toys available these days, and these are excellent candidates as birthday presents for your children. Here are a few of the most popular imaginative Djeco toys:

Djeco Birthday Tea Party Set: This is a wooden party set that features all the bits and pieces needed to celebrate a birthday over and over again. It includes a colourful brightly painted high quality serving tray, sugar dish, teapot, birthday cake, candles, tea cups, saucers, spoons and so on. It is designed for children who love to entertain.

Djeco Stylish Eve Magnetic Puzzle: These wooden magnets feature images of ‘Stylish Eve’ – a female character with different outfits to mix and match. They are an excellent decoration for fridges, and suitable for kids who enjoy dressing up. They are also an excellent learning toy as they can develop motor skills.

Djeco Wooden Tree House Layer Puzzle: This wooden puzzle features 3 layers of enchanting wildlife, and is designed to develop both problem solving and motor skills. It is suitable for kids aged 2 – 4 years old.

Djeco Wooden Robots Magnetic Puzzle: This is a beautiful wooden magnet puzzle which is bright and coloured and features four robots. The robots are made up of three pieces, so kids can mix and match them to make all kinds of different creations. They made a great replacement to plastic magnets.

Djeco Labyrinth Animals: This game is great for hand eye coordination. Children use the magnetic pen to move the coloured balls around the maze. It is a puzzle that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.

Djeco Ballerina Silhouette Puzzle: This 36 piece puzzle features a pretty scene of little ballerinas performing a concert. The puzzle is made of thick coated card, and is suitable for 4 year olds.

Djeco Dragon’s Castle Puzzle – This is a 54 piece jigsaw puzzle with a gorgeous illustration of a majestic dragon and castle. It is the perfect present for 5-6 year old aspiring knights.

The history of football boots

Football boots are essential tools of the trade for any footballer and have been in existence for centuries now. The first ever football boot is credited to King Henry VIII in 1500’s. They were made by his personal shoemaker and were made of strong leather, ankle high in length and heavier than normal shoes of those days.

In the 1800’s, football increased in popularity and the rules became more formalised. Accordingly, football boots were designed specifically with the game in mind. The boots were ankle length for protection, and studs were incorporated to give the player more stability on the pitch. These studs were made of leather and were hammered into the soles of existing boots. Unfortunately, these boots were rather cumbersome to wear as they were very heavy, and weighed even more when they were wet.

This led to a change in boots in 1925 with the invention of changeable studs. Players were now able to change their studs according to weather conditions and the state of the pitch. The boots were still ankle length in style though. In the 1940’s, players and manufacturers began to analyse how boots affected the kicking and control of the ball, and this led to newly designed boots.

In the 1950’s, it became obvious that football boots that were lighter would be desirable. This led to the incorporation of plastic and rubber studs and the usage of synthetic materials in an attempt to make the boots lighter. Ten years later, the first below ankle slipper style boots were introduced, which also happened to increase ball control, shooting power, and give the players more freedom and agility.

From then onwards, manufacturers focussed on producing lighter weight boots, by using various types of synthetic material. Also, in the 1970’s and 1980’s, manufacturers began to market football boots as a fashion accessory. They began producing boots with different colours, and started sponsorship deals with impressive players to wear their footwear exclusively, thus began the commercial phase of football boots.

Over the years, three companies have dominated the football boot industry – Adidas, Nike and Puma. These companies strive for further improvements in design and technology in order to produce the best Football boots ever. From ball spin and precision, to speed and comfort, the race is on between these companies and others to keep on top of the game, and protect and improve player’s performance.

The latest rugby boots by Adidas

Adidas is one of the best sportswear manufacturers across Europe and the world. It sells apparel, footwear and accessories for men, women and youth. You name it, from football to gymnastics, golf to cricket and basketball to rugby, Adidas has established itself well in the sports apparel industry. Rugby boots are one of Adidas’ main strengths. The boots range includes adiPure Flanker, adiZero and Predator. These boots are amongst the best in the world, are improved upon every year, and are highly sought after by the most discerning player.

Adidas adiZero RS7 Pro SG Rugby Boots

These are the brand new Adidas RS7 pro soft ground rugby boots, which were launched on the back of the success of the adiZero football boot. It is the lightest ever rugby specific boot, and is made from Sprint Skin upper, which is lighter than all other synthetics. The striking zone of the boot has a Synthetic Print which helps improve control when striking the ball, especially in wet conditions. The heel of the boot also features a Synthetic Print to help prevent slippage issues. This makes the boot easy to break into and makes it a great fit as well. Also, Adidas has used a Sprint frame which is lighter than other regular outsoles. The sole has a mix sole plate using rounded studs and moulded studs, which gives maximum traxion without increasing the weight of the boot.

Adidas adiPure Flanker Rugby Boots

The classic Rugby boots has been reinvented with these soft ground versions. These boots offer excellent grip in the scrum with an 8 studded outsole and new shield protection on a wide boot for stronger players. Its upper is made from new super league leather, which helps provide more forefoot support for those in the scrums. The boots offer additional protection in areas that you need most with shield protection foam. The super league leather is also cemented into leather in the forefoot to prevent shoe deformation and stretching, enabling the boot to stay in shape for longer and mould quickly to the players feet. These boots also have Synthetic Print on the heel lining to prevent heel slippage, which also makes the boot easier to break in and increases comfort levels.

Adidas Predator X SG Rugby Boots

This is the tenth generation of Predator shoes and is one of the world’s top boots. It features full grain calf leather to provide a natural look and has greater tear and abrasion resistance, so these boots can last longer. The insole is anatomically moulded so that your feet will have the most comfort possible when playing, and the outsole system features the Traxion SG Hybrid stud sole system.

Take a short break in Devon

When was the last time you had a holiday? Don’t you just hate the feeling knowing that you do not have enough funds or time for a full fledged holiday, yet are sitting at work dreaming of strolling along the beach, sipping a cocktail in a bar or mountain biking through the countryside. If you are feeling this, it is time for you to take a short break.

The county of Devon situated in South West England is a fantastic location to take a short break. It is convenient to get to and has so many activities, attractions and accommodation options at all times of the year, for all kinds of budgets. If you are holidaying with children, it is wise to take them to some area where there is constant entertainment – such as theme parks, beaches, pools and so on, and Devon is blessed with ample of these entertainment options.

There are so many accommodation options available in Devon - luxury hotels, self catering holiday cottages, bed and breakfast and camping options. Holiday cottages and holiday parks are ideal accommodation options for short breaks. Here are a few examples of places to stay on your short break in Devon.

Coastguard Cottages: This is situated in Torquay, and can sleep up to 9 people. It is situated on a cliff top with outstanding sea views, and is just a short stroll away from the beach.

Hollyhocks Bungalow: This is situated in Welcombe, a gorgeous valley surrounded with stunning countrysides and beaches. With wonderful walks, coastal footpaths, incredible views and more, this is a wonderful area to visit. The bungalow is rated Quality 3 star and has 2 bedrooms which are furnished to a high standard.

Combrew Farm Cottages: Sleeps up to 12 people, these cottages are located in Barnstaple and come with various features including the option of four poster beds, and wide screen TV, indoor spa, swimming pool, sauna, and even a tennis courts. There is also a children’s adventure playground.

Ensis Farm Holiday Cottages: Situated in North Devon, these cottages are located in Ensis Farm, and have recently been converted to self catering holiday cottages. They are a relaxing retreat, and are also accessible to the coast as well as the market town. These cottages are dog friendly and open all year round.

Hele Valley Holiday Park: This is located in North Devon, and consists of beautiful country cottages, stylish lodges, luxury caravans and affordable camping with modern facilities. It has been rated 4 star by Visit Britain, and is situated in Ilfracombe.

Spring and Summer Collection 2011 of Aubade

Aubade is a pioneering lingerie brand of French elegance and refinement and is well known among those who enjoy purchasing fine lingerie. Created in 1960 by Charles Pasquier, Aubade is synonymous with quality, style and sensuality. It bases itself on the game of seduction and creates and designs lingerie that boldly proclaims the pleasure lingerie can create for women. Aubade lingerie has a way of changing women’s outlook on their femininity, and ultimately, this is what makes it innovative and competitive. Aubade lingerie is always ahead of its peers with its choices that help to make the brand a front-runner in the history of women’s lingerie.

Over the past 50 years, Aubade has released several collections which have been anxiously awaited for by loyal fans all over the world. There are a wide range of styles of bras including full cups, demi cups, strapless and wireless choices. Panties include g-strings, thongs, briefs, bikinis, boy shorts and many more. Colours span from red, violet, grey, silver, blue, coral, ivory, black, white and multi coloured garments.

This is the Spring and Summer Collection of Aubade for the year 2011.

Abrazo Tango: This collection is in Calais Leavers lace and is inspired by the sensual Argentinean Tango. It comes in three colours – Camelia, Horizon and Nacre.

Etreinte Polynesienne: This is a beautiful and exotic sensual collection inspired by multicoloured Polynesian patterns – Old Rose and Tahiti are two common designs of this collection.

La Choregraphe des Plaisirs: This is a light and romantic collection – it combines Leavers lace and sexy pleated tulle and comes in two shades – pink lady and white.

Tikitease: This is an updated version of Aubade’s Agrafe Coeur model, which is a front fastening bra. Tikitease comes with tribal patterned graphic lace and comes in black.

Bahia: This is a basic range coming in three colours – papaya, black and white. It is a combination of soft cottom broderie anglaise, trimmed with mischievous lacing.

Douce Hypnose: This is a detailed refined oriental design which is inspired by embroidery and henna designs.

La Belle Aborigne: This is a new embroidered cotton collection with patterns recalling Polynesian totems. It comes in white.

Fleurs de Pommier: This is embroidery in three hues of rich and refined colours. The highlight of this design is butterflies scattered on all models. Fleurs de Pommier features three colours – black white and lagoon. 

Pulp seduction: This is a second skin range that is invisible and offers the discretion and refinement of veiled lace. Coming in rafia, nacre and black – this is an excellent model of Aubade.